June 23rd

I had initially planned to go to Versailles this morning but due to the late night, and not sure about value in spending 2 hours to get there and back when we a only had half a day and trip advisor advice that there are long queues especially on Sundays, I changed my plans.

Hindsight is a wonderful thing, I would have booked a tour of some sort if I'd really thought about it. Wish a had a week in Paris - but I would say that about every place. Next time.

On advice from our friends David and Jasper, the girls and I visited the Hotel des' Invalides, or Musee' de l'Armee, or museum of battles and Napoleon, including his enormous tomb. Surprisingly It was really interesting, we loved it. Lots of amour, guns and swords, fashionable soldier's outfits, battle plans and pictures.

Unfortunately on our way out we received some sad news from home that Stan's brother had unexpectedly passed away. Stan was back at the hotel so we went back to work out what to do next. It's a huge shock and very sad.

At the moment we are on a train to Agen, near Bordeux. Very fast and comfy, better than the Eurostar.Girls doing their diaries, Cassie takes about an hour for each day, I'm impressed by her dedication and thoroughness, Alex writing the bits in France in French, me drafting our blog, Stan alternating between dozing and reading the paper, bit exhausted. He, at least will have to return home, but not sure what we will do or what the options are.

Tomorrow we board our canal boat, the Penichette with the McCubbin family, the part of our trip we all looked forward to the most. At least the weather seems to be improving, no rain forecast for the week.