The next challenge was finding a Metro station and making our way into the heart of Paris. However, with the aide of some kind locals we managed it without any difficulty. Some of the Metro stations we passed through were beautiful. We alighted at the Louvre and stumbled upon a Bureau Touriste! Inside we booked the ‘hop on hop off’ bus tour and a cruise on the Seine. We also managed to book the taxi for the next mornings' ride to the Airport. With way too much walking for the older bones, we managed to find our way into the Louvre forecourt. We had a picnic lunch from ‘Paul’ patisserie (Matthew’s specialty) in the Garden Tuilieres. Then we all headed down through the pyramid into the Louvre.

Mother and Father decided to wait while I took Aunty Jean through to see the ‘Mona Lisa’. I was more than a little worried about her walking so far, so I went and borrowed a wheelchair. This turned out to be the best move as, when we arrived in the packed 'salle' to see the most famous painting, we were guided to the very front, inside the roped off area!! It was the closest I had ever been to the Mona Lisa and Aunty Jean certainly got a good look! It is always impressive to watch Mona's eyes follow you as you move across. We left ‘Mona’ and went looking at the other paintings and sculptures. We saw the ‘Winged Victory of Samathrace’ and a royal crown in the most elegant, gold leafed room.

We left the Louvre and walked along the south bank of the Seine to board our river cruise. It went for an hour and we saw all of the important sites, including Aunty Jean’s first sighting of the Eiffel Tower and Notre Dame. On our bus tour we saw the Champs Elysees and the Arc de Triomphe. The traffic in Paris is crazy and I was thankful not to be driving!

We got off the bus at L’Opera and found a café for tea. The wait staff were particularly attentive and a great time was had by all. Mother ate Bouef Borginone and profiteroles, a very French affair! Aunty Jean had fresh fruit and sorbet, Merady had Crème Brulee and Father had a ‘White Woman’, encouraged by our waitress. It was an ice cream and chocolate sauce combo. He was particularly pleased with it.

We caught the Metro back to our station. Having taken photos of street signs and intersections in the morning, we managed to find our way home, buying some more fresh milk for breakfast on the way. On the way we passed some rather excited Parisians crammed into the local bars and restaurants watching the semi-final of the EUFA championships. They were cheering and singing their hearts out. At home we enjoyed curling up in bed after another eventful day.