There are times when computers baffle me. Yesterday's blog was uploaded OK, but there is absolutely no trace of it at all on my computer! Weird. Three years ago, also when in the UK, I lost a whole folder of pics, never to be seen again.
Anyway, we rose OK in Paris after sleeping with the door to the balcony slightly open. Breakfast wasn't quite as good as the previous stays but passable. A small group of us met in the lobby ready to walk to the HOHO bus, and with a slight chill in the air, most donned jackets and log trousers (except Ernie, who was happy in shorts and shorts).
We found "Le Tour" open topped bus stop and paid the driver €34 each for a two day pass. It was a bit slow moving, as everyone getting on had to pay the driver. It wasn't long before the top deck was full – then it got noticeably cooler and overcast. Even Ernie had to don a jacket. The bus driver was either a little inexperienced or unlucky, as I think we hit one road sign and scraped two high kerbs!
By the time we were past the Arc, the roads were being closed off ready for the President's inauguration. The weather got considerably worse. It was very cold and umbrellas soon popped up as the rain came down and so we elected to dive off and grab a coffee and a bite to eat.
A cosy cafe was ideal and we opted for a famous French item, the Croque Monsieur. A ham sandwich and with cheese on the top, toasted. I opted for the Croque Madame – the same thing but with a fried egg on the top. Very welcome indeed. The rain stopped but it was still rather cold, so we returned to the bus (lower deck!) but headed back to the hotel for warmer gear. My thin rally jacket and a polo shirt just wasn't warm enough, so out came the sweat shirt and a sleeveless jacket from the bottom of my case.
We returned to the yellow bus route (one of four for Paris) and hopped off near the Moulin Rouge, where several of the group were heading for the night's dinner show. As the cost was somewhat on the high side, we decided that two weeks UK car hire was a better way to spend that much cash! Just across the street from the hotel was a stunning patisserie, so we gave that a try. The cakes in the display case really looked a picture.
We ate in the hotel with Rod & Heidi. A very limited menu but very friendly service and nice enough food, with an option of a fixed price, one, two or three course menu.
No free Wi-Fi here so I opted to wait until we moved on before uploading the blog to date. (Not up to date you'll note.)
One more day in Paris, then the trip to England and family. We are not culture vultures so many of the delights of Paris are not really our cup of tea but for many, it is a great City. Like much of Italy, graffiti is a permanent reminder that many of the residents just do not appreciate the fine buildings. Spraying a glass and concrete monstrosity is bad enough, but it saddens me greatly that buildings constructed by true craftsmen out of local materials, by hand, are so often defaced. Neither France nor Italy have embraced the no-smoking in public buildings policy, so escaping the ever present, foul cigarette smoke is almost impossible.
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