Arc de Triuomph

Phew!! 280 stairs all the way up in a spiral stair case ..urgg. And this is what it looks like at the top of the stairs.

But as they say, the view from the top was worth it!

Age spent the day by himself whole the kids and I did the red bus hop on hop off touristy thing.

Yellow Roses..

I love flowers..a feeling of luxury and pampering for me is to have fresh flowers where I am.

A couple of days ago I decided to buy myself some, but couldn't bring myself to  buy carnations, once my favourite single stem. Nor could I buy red or pink roses... But this beautiful bunch of yellow roses and buds caught me.

Yellow roses for friendship. Yellow roses for jealousy. Yellow roses for healing pain.

Hampton Court

I am so glad to have chosen the castles we have visited. None have been the same and each representing a different era and style. Although many displays have been the same, I've enjoyed revisiting places and even more delighted to see new displays in offer.

I think places have had to really up their  game as I've seen more and more costumed actors and skilled people as part of displays all sharing knowledge. . I love how they are making history come alive.

It was also refreshing to see how the places are presenting historical figures from different point of view or challenging what we all 'think' we know about them.

For example, I hadn't realised that Henry the Eighth had been married for over twenty years to Catherine, a powerful ruler in her own right. Having read her story, my heart ached for her.. So many babies- all dying within weeks of birth.

The display didn't focus on what he did after he divorced her, but thats when history likes to pick up the threads and feed us juicy details.

Lilly and I totally enjoyed Queen Mary 2 bedrooms.. Far out- football arena more like! The absolute opulance is astounding. I found it pretty funny to learn these huge bedrooms were showcases only and never actually slept in. Hilarious that the most powerful richest people in the world actually slept in tiny cupboard like rooms on what could only be described as camp beds. 

Seeing the tudor kitchens 'working' made it very real for the kids. I'm going to look forward to setting projects and tasks for them about the places we see.

The London Tower

I used to walk past this every day to catch my train to work. I was disappointed to find the Ravens have all gone- except those locked up in cages.. Poor things.

We took time to explore the jewels and the towers with interactive displays.

There weren't many places we were allowed to take photos, and the crowds.. Even in this week day, were unbelievable .

Here is a photo of me outside traitors gate.. The only person who has ever gone through there and left again was Queen Elizabeth 1.

Us in Paris

The whole family is having a great time in Paris and making the most of what may be the last time we spend time together.

A huge day today with sightseeing, buses and boats...

Our apartment is above s very busy street with music and gorgeous smells wafting up. We are across the roadfrom the   modern art museum and a short walk from the Louvre.