Transformation via transportation, depart our canal boat onto a train and within two hours plonked from obscurity to the limelight of Parisian activity. Camera bulbs cracking every which way as the paps all attempt to get that shot. Have they taken me at just the right angle?

More by luck than good planning our residence is just a ten minute meander from the station, that would be the case if we knew the correct direction to travel . Anyhow we sort it out, no permanent harm done. Ours (accomm) is shall we say, quirky in some warped bohemian stylist Parisian sense.

By now the bells are getting on to seven so we decide to wander through the area called Montmartre then way way up to the Basilica Sacre-Coeur, more than a few of our mates with similar thought patterns. Yes, the views over Paris are outstanding, believe it is the highest ground in all of Paris. Note for our tout mates from all over, if you want to flog stuff it has to be the gear that the punters are after - simple really. Now is the time that I slip in a few unkind words about stairs behind the big typical doors of apartments in Paris ours included, we have 103 steps to our actual front door, truly marvellous, still saves one running to the shop all the time. If there were to be a fire all one could do would be to say three Hail Mary's and one last whatever else takes your fancy. Now Lets get back on track.

There is a funicular that takes people to the top at Sacror-Coeur but no why not stumble up the trillion steps (footnote : this is how bad I am going - we do take the funicular DOWN), back to the touts, these enterprising fine outstanding lads seeking a better life on shores far from their homelands are offering cold beers, firstly @ 5 euro each then final deal price of two for 6 euro! That's touting at the highest level, sure beats flogging Gustave's key rings. After the climb up they taste great.

Naturally the ABC was in the highest order, both visually out and in along with all the trimmings associated. Not sure if someone is dropping subtle hints but on entering said ABC the weather ways fine, then once leaving we were caught up in a temperature drop of 10 degrees C along with some precipitation, something we are not acclimatised with. Tourism city in these necks so try not to take on sustenance right on the beaten pathway. Functional first feed from friendly French provedore then back to our quirky digs for slumber, hot steamy night endured - weather wise folks.