Todd being Todd, you might have got the impression we are not happy to be in Paris. In between the tribulations there have been some magic moments.

• The kindness of a lovely lady from the Cours de Vincennes market who chased us down the road just to give us some beautiful cherry tomatoes for the 'enfants'.

• The Tour Eiffel shrouded in clouds at it's tip, but with glimpses of Paris from above that were well worth the money and the queues.

• The magnificent array of produce from various regions in France, including our favourite Morbier cheese, breads and cakes, meats (which Todd of course did not appreciate), wines, and fruit and vegetables.

The kids have also been quite funny as well as annoying. Sam insisted for the first two days that everyone was speaking Italian. Sam singing the Gabriella Cilmi song "Nothing Sweet About Me" which is just so apt. Trina trying to say French words and work out what they mean. Her accent isn't bad. People are very accepting of the children, and often smile at their antics.

There have been unexpected times of wry humour, such as the street on the way to the Eiffel Tower called "Avenue de Suffren". At times with the kids we had felt we were on that avenue.

Paris is absolutely beautiful in rain or sun (not that we've seen much of that).

Au Revoir until the next post. Penn