Paris Again

Monday 18 August

Headed off to St Germaine and Latin districts this morning with breakfast on the way.  Spent walking time along the streets (too early for shops as most don't open before 11am).  Every corner, every street has something and all the food shops were receiving stock, so a lot of fruit & vegetables in the streets.

Met up with Marie and Mary Emerson at 11am near Notre Dame (long queues), quick walk to our hotel and then Metro to Lafayette for shopping time for the women.  I intended to tour Opera Garnier but my patience did not cope with the queues, so I did what I love best in Paris- walked more streets.  While waiting for the women, saw a big police operation on the move - 6 motorbikes, 7 cars and 2 big wagons, all with sirens screaming.  Late today we heard there had been a 250,000 Euro robbery on a Saudi prince's cavalcade. 

Had lunch at a restaurant adjacent to Opera Garnier.   Very pleasant on the street dining on a good day of 21C (not the forecast showers).  Glad we ate outside as, having seen the extravagence of the inside, I am not sure I could have paid the inside prices.  Set Marie and Mary on the Metro to return to their river cruise boat and we returned to Pont Neuf, walked to, and around the Louvre, to top of Jardin de Tuileries and then home via Rue Rivoli and the "right bank" - and past Notre Dame, where the queues were as long as they had been 6 hours earlier.  Another day with 8 hours on the move ended with a last french onion soup, a last Berthillon ice cream, a lap of I'lle St Louis and an early crash.  Last night in Paris - and worn out!!!!!  Au revoir Paris!!!!!!