Paris

We arrived and the plane seemed to taxi for ever and ever. By this time I was truly tired and when Penn suggested, just before lock down for landing, that I go and get luggage from the overhead I was just 'no way.'

Not nearly so interesting taxiing around when you are in the middle and can see nothing at all.

Eventually we got to the terminal. Penn and Sam went ahead of Trina and I, but some how we overtook them and got to the customs point before them. They caught up but not before ¾ of the flight had got ahead of us in the queue. Went quite quickly, much more quickly than I remembered from last time. Baggage arrived pretty quickly, and while ours was at the end it was ok.

There was quite a gaggle of police men and women at the exit point but we just sailed through again and out into France. This time there was no need for the fights over the Metro pass purchase as the man with the sign with Penny's name on it was right there.

He drove mostly without hands and turned around looking at Penny along the Freeway. Was amazing we didn't hit anything. He took us to some dump where Penn got the key and then onto our apartment.

Getting into the apartment was quite a trick.

We tipped the guy a fortune because we'd spent the 20 euro in Dubai and he left quite happy.

Keeping the kids quiet was impossible. But we all went to bed – even Penn joined in eventually.

The apartment is ok, but a bit damp and we are still worried about all the noise the kids make.

We all woke up at about 3 am Paris time. I am suspecting most in our apartment block woke up at that time too.