Decisions, decisions. Rouen or Paris? We decided on going straight
through to Paris to leave us with plenty of time to meet Jake & Sam
when they fly into Paris. Paris traffic proves to be the worst we have
come across so far - 1 hour to travel 5km!! And that was on the
expressway!!!

Calamity strikes at the 11th hour!!! After we booked in we logged onto the internet to check our apartment booking for Paris - nothing! No booking confirmation or anything!! After
a flurry of emails the booking agency told us it was all too hard to
coordinate the bank transfer and booking agreement, so they cancelled
our booking!! This is all at the last minute.

A quick google search brought up some alternatives, picked one which was
suitable, flicked off a quick email pleading for an accelerated booking
procedure and was rewarded by a most accommodating company. A phone call
later, we were booked, confirmed, paid for, contract sent, and check in
arrangements made. A large sigh of relief!! We have somewhere to live for Xmas

At last, picked up the kids from the airport, successfully negotiated
the traffic through Paris to our apartment in the Montmartre district,
just a stones throw from the Sacre Coeur Basilica . Its promising to
be really cold tonight, light snow falling and its only 4pm.

The apartment is just wonderful. An olde worlde style building decorated in
a modern style. Its situated in a quiet street of Monmartre, and with walking distance of a variety of shops, markets, bakeries, and restaurants. As well, the Metro is just around the corner so we have easy access to the rest of Paris.

As you can see from the pictures, Jake and Sam didn't last much beyond 5pm - young people
today, no staying power!!! On our first night in Athens, Julie and I tramped all over the city, too excited to sleep, we just wanted to get out there to start experiencing the whole thing. Couldn't even tempt the boys to get up to see the snow falling!!!

Tomorrow we start on a Parisian exploration - the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, Arc De
Triomphe, etc etc. Promises to be a great nine days.