Alan said how amazing it was that everything had gone to plan. We had arrived in Paris and met up with Katie who arrived from Denmark and Sally, Tony, Annabelle and Jeremey who arrived from their home in southern France. Then we had a disaster! We stood outside our apartment address and rang the number to get the key. I was told there was no booking for Celia Hamilton and all apartments were full. The girl then hung up. We went to the nearest hotel and asked for help. Susan, the receptionist sighed and said, "It happens often on a Sunday." She rang on my behalf and was told the same thing even though I had all the correct paperwork. Bridgestreet serviced apartments refused to help us find somewhere to stay. Susan was wonderful. She organised three rooms for the eight of us and discounted the price. Sally and Tony's room was large and there was a balcony that looked out over the city. We could view the Eiffel Tower lit up at night while we lay on the bed watching TV. 


The next morning we received an email to say we could pick up the key to an apartment that was located a long way from our current address. We walked and walked. Hours later we found the key in a safety deposit box. Then we returned to Wilson Hotel where they had kindly looked after our luggage. We needed a maxi cab to get to the final destination. Our new apartment had been upgraded to a two bedroom spacious apartment, ideal for the extra family that were bunking in with us.
That night we decided to view the Eiffel Tower at night and walk the four km to get there. It was a thrill. No ques, clear sky, Paris lit up and discounted price to the summit. We spent a lot of time enjoying Paris on top of the Eiffel Tower all lit up with golden and sometimes flashing lights.

On Wednesday, Alan and I took to the subway to pick up our Paris Pass from Hard Rock Cafe'. We found the french people so kind and friendly. We heard some beautiful music and saw a busker playing the trombone in the train. Apparently they need to pass a test to busk on the trains. We met the others at the Louvre and discovered it was closed on Tuesdays. So we walked to the Notre Dame Cathedral. Nice stain glass, but I didn't like the atmosphere of the catholic church. Too serious. Next we went to the river Senne and a french man gave the Annabelle, Jeremy, Kate and Jess crumbs of bread and encouraged them to feed the sparrows and pigeons. It was a pretty scene standing on the bridge with birds swirling around our heads.

The next stop was the Saint Chapelle. This was a pretty little church with lavish, ancient decorations, a narrow spiral staircase leading to the main room with spectacular stain glass windows. The picture told the story of King Louis the 4th buying the 'crown of thorns' from another king that was in financial trouble. He returned to France with the crown, some nails and wood from the cross that Jesus died on. With these symbols of Christian religion in his possesion he elevated the status of France and his power. He built the saint Chapelle in his palace grounds rather than use the Catholic Notre Dame Cathedral.

That night while everyone else explored the shops, Alan and I searched for ages for groceries and then cooked a baked pasta dish. We had a lovely night together drinking wine, eating home cooked food and celebrating Katies final year of school and Jessica's High Distinction marks for all of her final subjects for her Science degree.