First day of our long weekend in Paris.  Up at a reasonable time to try and get a good seat on the Easyjet to Paris.  Despite checking in a few minutes after the opening time, we still seemed to be in the boarding queue B.  Where were all those others who were loading before us.

Flight was uneventful, with this table cloth of white below us all the way. 

At CdeG we moved on to the RER for the 30 minute trip to Gare de Nord.  Here we caught the metro to the nearest stop for out hotel (Porte de St-Cloud).  Trying to buy a ticket was daunting.  It was lunch time, so all the ticket offices were closed.  So had to use a machine. At least they could be trained to speak English. Bought a ticket for the week, reasonable price, but later looking at the ticket we now realise it expires on Sunday.

At Porte de St-Cloud took the wrong exit, walked around the whole traffic island the wrong way, eventually found the road to the hotel.  Yes it was only two minutes from the Metro.  My route was 20 minutes.  Efficient check in by the Radisson staff.

Quickly back out to purchase a drink by the Metro.  How expensive Paris is.  Fifteen Euros for two beers.

On to the Metro.  We had decided to view the area of Montmartre.  Took the number 9 to Miromesnil.  Changed to the 13 and rode to Place de Clichy.  Here we walked and saw the Moulin Rouge, Moulin de la Galette, Moulin Radet, Chateau Des Brouillards, Basilique du Sacre-Coeur.

On the way back, (6ish) stopped for a drink in another bar for a couple of beers.  This reaffirmed the belief that Paris beer was expensive. (17.50 for two).  Lovely district by the Metro Pigalle with masses of sex shops, lap/pole dancing clubs and X rated films.  Almost persuaded Rosemary to visit the Museum of Erotica, but alas one exhibit in the window put her totally off the idea. This was a chair with a slit in the seat and a rotating paddle with the paddles protruding through the seat.

Near by we found a French restaurant where we had supper.  Both of us started with terrine starters.  Rosemary with a meat version, while I ate a fish terrine.  Main course was Cassoulet for me, and Tartiflette.  Far too much to eat.  Then back home on the metro. I managed to spay a Scittish woman sitting next to us with lemon from my lemon segment.

My impressions of France. 

How can they run a country where most things close for lunch.  Shutting all the ticket offices for lunch.  I got the general impression that travel was free at lunch.  Gates left wide open.

The graffiti on the buildings next to the rail lines makes the British version look rather tame.

Mobile phones run below ground.  How come we are so backward on London Transport.