A View From the Other Side: Up Montmartre

Started off the day with a 7km run, just in case we don't get our steps up to 25,000 today. For a change, breakfast was from the local bakery. I'm not a fan of croissants but it seems I'm in the minority. So instead, I'm eating some sort of footlong chocolate chip pastry instead. I persist with trying to make coffee from the coffee machine that results in a brown liquid tasting nothing like coffee. Tabitha has finally trained the guy in the bakery how to make coffee that is not full of milk and lukewarm. I can't pay the equivalent of $8 for coffee. I have other things I can waste my money on.

To the Metro we went. Our weekly ticket cost around 25 Euros. We are getting our money's worth. Via train and funicular we went to Montmartre and up to Sacre Cœur....Us and a million other people. This seems to be the Saturday thing to do. I think its Saturday. I don't know anymore. Into a massive church we went where a service was taking place. I managed to get separated from the others by an evil man with a rope cordoning off half the church, whose desire to let me pass was zero. I doubled back and found the others.

We weaved our way through the crowds, being careful not to be robbed in this notorious pick pocket area.We finished our walk going through the seedy part if town.

Claire tour-guided us up and down hills and stairs until our walk was done.

It was then free time. I chose the wise option of watching The Tour live on TV instead of visiting fabric shops. (Editor: there were about 10 fabric shops in one area - I only managed to visit 3, however they were multi-level. I also purchased 2 pieces of fabric) I picked up a hamburger and chips for lunch on the way. The chips were spectacular. This is the reason I came to Paris.

Claire had booked a lovely little restaurant to celebrate me getting my Seniors card. From the moment I walked in and staff started pointing at me, I feared I was in for a Happy Birthday ambush. It came at dessert, with a giant sparkler and the singing. The dinner was spectacular. I managed to steer away from Creme Brulee and chocolate mousse and had spicy pineapple. (Editor: I had the Creme Brulee and it was divine!)