Paris in the wintertime

... is cold!

But beautiful.

Were staying in the Marais, which is full of cafes, restaurants, galleries and the gay nightlife. We had a lovely dinner at The Gai Moulin last night complete with ABBA soundtrack and a great deal of air kissing.

Strolling along the Seine with the Lourvre, the Musee D Orsay and the Notre Dame at every turn isnt hard to take. My limited French with some help from a little phrase book has been extremely helpful. Were happy to say that the Parisiens have been so friendly and downright polite, were yearning for a little attitude to make a good story.

Today was a sobering visit to the World War 1 battlefields of Villers Brettoneaux and Le Hamel. The Australian diggers are well commemorated with several beautiful memorials which attest to the 27 000 killed breaking the German lines 1918.

Were in museum overload and if we see another glorious painting from the renaissance itll be one too many. We scaled the Effiel Tower and went to the dizzying heights on the top level. And then promptly lost all the photos from the digital camera. Dont ask!

Off to Morocco tomorrow, but weve got one more night in paris and a bottle of vin rouge waiting for us.