Monday 13^th August, 2018 1240

Yesterday we all went to our “local” the Bistro Dupleix on the Blvd De Grenelle. The girls had petit dejeuner Anglais, a white beer ticked my box instead. I was still somewhat fatigued so stuck to the plan of getting rid of them so Sis could take Alice to see the important sights. I knew I would need an afternoon nap and it was agreed we would meet back at the cafe at 1700.

So far I haven't used the camcorder but Alice has been giving it a good spanking. At some point when time permits I hope to upload to YouTube.

In the evening I gave the choice of dinner at an Italian or Chinese restaurant. Before she left China Alice had stated by the time we met up in Paris she would be missing Chinese food so I fully expected her to opt for a Chinese dinner.

“No, I don't want Chinese!”

She loves European cuisine. Italian it was. Sarah had tortelloni followed by crème brulee, Alice a veal cutlet and a banana split. I managed half a lasagne and a bottle of valpolicella. The girls were all in from traipsing all over town for hours so it was back to our hotel for a relatively early night. Alice and I at least made it to bed, sis lay on the bed fully clothed, lights and TV on and woke up in the small hours!

This morning I awoke feeling markedly queasy, a feeling that thankfully has almost dissipated now. Again they had breakfast, nothing for me and for some reason today they wouldn't serve alcohol until 1100. The girls have now gone off to do some shopping, most importantly I hope they find me ten pairs of black socks – I was on my last clean pair this morning so Alice kindly hand-washed my others. The shirts/underwear situation will be fine until Greece, where I hope to find a laundrette.

Also, yesterday I bought all the souvenirs I need to take back to China. I didn't buy tat, I bought ten marquetry jewelry boxes with an inlaid Eiffel Tower on the lid. All identical so nobody can complain in respect of favouritism. I did negotiate a bulk discount and got them for €15 apiece.

1520

And all too soon, my sister has gone.

Alice went with her in the taxi to the tower, from where Sarah will take the airport bus and Alice is going hunting for bookshops, books will be the souvenirs she takes back.

When she gets back we will dine here before having a reasonably early night – the car will pick us up at 0900 but I will take Alice for breakfast before then. They did get me three pairs of socks because they worried if they bought more they might not fit, being listed only in European sizes. I can always try to buy more in Greece.

Personally, although I have not ventured any further than 200 yards from the hotel, I have thoroughly enjoyed being here. It has cost an arm and a leg but then the same will be said of Shanghai at the end of the trip. I am hoping that Greece will be a hell of a lot less expensive.

So next stop, Athens!