Saturday 15th May

Today I got to visit a lot of dead people. It was decided to visit the Cimetiere du Pere Lachaise but first since it was Saturday morning I thought I'd try to buy a spare battery for the camera since it ran out yesterday.  Of course this meant walking the opposite way but I knew where the camera shops were near the Place de la Bastille as we had past them yesterday. Out and visited the local market then back and loaded up the washing machine and away. Streets were busy but the shops were not open. Funny shop hours here but I should have asked. Not to worry. A quick check of the map and we decided to explore a bit further then head off to the Cimetiere. Discovered that there was a river tunnel under the street linking two canals. Locks control the water level. All very pretty. The market where we had lunch yesterday is on top of the tunnel.

More walking and we got to the cemetery and Annette visited the usual ones, Oscar Wilde and Jim Morrison amongst others. It is another pretty place and I'd put it on the must do list. If you were really interested you could spend the whole day here, we didn't, it just felt like it. If you want a map (which you really need) get one from the main gate on the south side and then it's a long slog up the hill. Nearly all the graves have been broken into and items stolen. It appears that most had a large cross and two candle sticks. The candle sticks have been nicked. As usual I did get a few ideas for the new house. It appears that the old dunnie just won't do anymore and I'll have to replace it.

- or maybe one with a view?

Trev you would be interested in all the metal work on the doors.

It's a pretty place but a bit spooky even during the day. I wouldn't want to be locked in at night. The whole place looks like the dead rise out of the ground at about dusk and go and feed on the locals. That finished, stomped back to the apartment for a late lunch and hung up the washing. Forgot to mention today was the first time we have seen any sunshine in Paris.

We were told that the museums were open late tonight and many were free so why not go off to join the thousands with the same idea. Save a few euros and line up for hours longer than you would normally. Mapped out walking route taking in all the sights and caught the metro in and first stop the Hotel des Invalides where Louis XIV provided a home for 4000 of his disabled war veterans. Also holds the remains of Napoleon and the largest collection of the French military. Place was crowed. They were firing off a cannon and blokes were dressed up and playing with swords. All very impressive and have to go back for a better look.

Next stop the Musee Rodin. Saw the Thinker, the Kiss and the Gates Of Hell. Most impressive. lovely garden out the back, really impressed with that.

Getting dark and not half way so off we go. Next stop the Tour Eiffel. Very impressive. It's another must see and it was crowded. Dusk by the time we got to the bottom of it and we were just standing around spell bound when a group of seriously armed military/police arrived and started to spread out through the crowd. Annette wanted to leave and I kept telling myself they were just doing a 'walk through' but I tell you seeing them put the willies up you a bit. Not something you see in Australia. We do live in a lucky country despite what 3300 has to say. Good enough excuse to go, (didn't want to make the national news if something was up) so off across the Seine. Getting dark by now and the light show started on the Tower. Again impressive.

Light show.

Off to the Arc de Triomphe and by the time we got there it had just closed so we will have to go back to climb up to the top. So many places to go back to.

Spotted this in a show room on the walk back. made it all worth while. This is a must go back and have a closer look.

You can tell I'm getting old as this made me do a double take like nothing else I've seen in Paris (yet). A 907, note the twin exhaust pipes out the side before the drivers door. Lovely.

Getting really late and really tired. Can't believe how many people are in the street. Walking back was like fighting through the midday crowd in Melbourne. No drunks, hardly any rubbish, no trouble, plenty of police but they were just keeping an eye on things. We have been told that the French do not approve of anyone showing signs of intoxication. I only saw one person mildly intoxicated just before we arrived back at the apartment in the wee hours.

Caught the metro back. Wouldn't be game in Melbourne. Arrived back very foot sore.

Trev, it's not that I haven't been looking, it's just that the company I'm keeping takes a lot to beat. I must say we do feel under dressed in our walking gear but must be looking more relaxed as we were stopped three times last night by people asking for directions. (and no, we didn't have the map out).

Au revoir.