We're in bed.
It's 6.45pm and we're in bed.
Last of the party animals, that's us.

We have had a HUGE day.

Up and on the metro by 8am.
Emily had the route all worked out.
We arrived at Sacre Coeur at 8.45am via 14,675 steps.
( OK... May be a little out there but not much. )

If you are looking directly at Sacre Coeur, having decided against a frontal assault, we came at it from the right hand side.
Very scenic... But it is high on a hill.
And there are 14,675 steps to the top.

(Not really....but there were lots of steps.)

Not bad actually.
I was only slightly winded.

( Badly wanted to kneecap the joggers who sprinted past us on the way to the top.
All 700 of them.
Are you serious?!
It was early Sunday morning and they were all doing their version of the 'thousand' steps.
Only there were 14,675 of them.)

I felt they were showing off.

Absolutely no one about.... If you discount the 700 show offs.
Which I most certainly did!

( And.... you can't count the EXTREMELY intoxicated half dozen who were dancing to their own tune on the front steps.
Was just the end of their evening, I'd say.
And they happened upon a guitar playing busker and suddenly there was a dance fest going on.
But in slow motion....
Very, very entertaining.)

Low cloud yet to burn off.
We entered the church and had a wonderful, very quiet wander around.
Just takes you breath away.
Especially when you see the model of the church inside and realise that you cannot really get your mind around how big it is.
Loved the stained glass windows and the frescoes on the ceilings.
Just beautiful.

Then we went in search of the very, very old vineyard associated with Montmartre.
Didn't end up finding it but came across a marvellous park and had a lovely time wandering through.

Then we headed down the hill to explore Montmartre.

Now you have to imagine this....
There are 2 ways you can go down from this high up place.
To the left...via 14,675 steps.
Or to the right....via 14,675 steps.

There is a railway....but the ticket office was not open to ride down from the top.
Only up the hill.

Besides that, we are not wimps.
( My hips are creaking and Emily's calves are giving her hell....
Unfortunately only downhill....
The Arc De Triumph climb has taken it's toll.)

But we head off.
Directly ahead of us, 3/4 of the way down are 8 men, all holding a length of yarn each.
They form a barricade across the steps.

Now, I had read about this.
The trick is, they loop the yarn over your wrist so you, technically can't get away, and then offer to weave a bracelet for you... And then ask for payment for the bracelet.

I had told Emily about this so we saw the line of men and, hands firmly in pockets, we breached the line.
They tried hard...but we didn't want to play.
They were friendly and laughed as we went past them ... Asking where we were from.
We didn't stop to chat much though.
A very, very hard way to have to earn a living, I thought.

Two coffees for Emily at the cafe looking back up to the Sacre Coeur.
( I did order an orange juice at the same time but only the 2 coffees arrived.
Two people, two coffees...makes sense.)

Still, I was a little thirsty.

Onto Montmartre.
We couldn't find it.
Where is this magical quarter?
Looks very rundown and yucky to us.
Another cafe.
Another coffee.
( Chocolate milkshake for me.)
Lovely waiter.
He gave us directions and we were off.
Moulin Rouge.
And all the WONDERFUL shops of Montmartre.

WE HAD A BALL.
And, we spent a considerable amount of money.
It was so much fun.

Emily bought shoes.
I bought the most beautiful leather satchel.

We have a wonderful time in shops.
We laugh and joke with the ladies in the shops.
( Emily asked what type of leather the shoes were made of.
The young girl put 2 fingers either side of her head....
And Emily said...."What? ..... Rabbit?"

The young girl couldn't speak for 2 minutes.

(Turns out the shoes were made of goat leather.)

Not even close, was she?

Had a wonderful time in all the shops.
Then headed back to the Metro about 3pm.
Long day.

Home to check out our purchases.
Then back across the road for dinner.
Then bed.

We haven't done the night River Cruise.
We are just too worn out to head back into Paris.
And the wonderful atmosphere of this area just makes you want to sit and take it all in.

We are quite content.

Tomorrow, Eiffel Tower tour at 10.30am.
We did wonder what we are going to do with ourselves between 7am and then.
But we will work it out.

Thank you all for the wonderful comments.
Love getting them.

PS Take note of the picture taken at Sacre Coeur early, when we arrived.
And at 3pm when we left.
An absolute wall of people.
Amazing amount with woven bracelets....
Xxx