Paris

We are watching the English language France 24 news channel - and there was some nice graphic film of the Sydney fires. The BIG news in Paris was the strike. When we arrived at Paris Nord our taxi was quickly enveloped in traffic which the driver indicated was "mal" and "incroyable". Police vehicles were the only things moving fast, cordons were going up. We got to our apartment ahead of our local contact, Natasja, because she too was caught in the chaos. The cause - school students throughout Paris are on strike because a schoolgirl was taken from class and deported with her family as an illegal immigrant. When your government does something like this in Paris, you strike, and you take to the streets. Allons enfants de la patrie etc.

Our apartment is wonderful. We explored a little this afternoon. We went to Jardin du Luxembourg and sat at an outdoor cafe drinking Sancerre.

Then we went to the Musée National du Moyen Âge. The famous unicorn tapestries are on loan but it still was pretty amazing. I learned that sculptors in the Middle Ages don't get enough credit - just because they aren't Bernini. The carved altarpieces were amazing. You get a double bonus at this museum because it is built on, and in, the ruins of Paris' Roman baths - yup - Romans again. 

Exhausted already, we went for some groceries, and were back in time for the news on the telly. Lyn is fast asleep next to me. I'll wake her about 7.30 and we'll go out to eat. Then, about 7.00 your time, we'll call some of you. Calls to Australian landlines are free on the apartment phone. Incroyable!

Lyn and I said goodbye to the Citroen at Ashford. Lyn has just woken up and insists I tell you how good she was in the Chunnel. She was really good.

This is where we are.