Notre Dame. Saturday 22nd August 2009.

Paris's Notre Dame was our destination today, we have been in Paris for over two weeks now and have not yet seen it, even on past visits we had never braved the queues to enter. We braved the long queue today though and were prepared for a long wait. It wasn't nearly as bad as we had anticipated and we were inside the cavernous Notre Dame within ten minutes.

We enjoyed moments of quiet contemplation and while JR went off to take some photos, AJ and I sat in the pews and enjoyed some deep conversation about our beliefs. AJ is such a deep thinker at times and his thoughts on the big issues of life challenge my own thoughts and beliefs, he encourages me to think outside the box.

This afternoon the boys high-tailed it to an Aussie Bar in Les Halles to watch a few overs of The Ashes, they had a great time and later when AJ and I were alone he said how great it was to share that moment with his Dad.

It was time for AJ and I to hang out, we walked to L'Ile St Louis accross the bridge behind Notre Dame filled with bands playing old time jazz and massagers giving free 10 minute massages. We enjoyed a Berthillon ice-cream together, mine white chocolate and honey-nougat and AJ's chocolate and vanilla. The queues for Berthillon are always out the door and round the bend, they are nice there is no denying it, but this is the second time I have had Berthillon and I am yet to find my true nirvana.

I visited La Petit Scierie, my favourite foie gras specialist on the planet, as I have done twice before on visits to Paris. They are still the same and dare I say they are still serving up the best foie gras imaginable. Paul and I chatted for a while, he served me up some foie gras on crispy toast with a little glass of wine, what a lovely way to while away time.

AJ and I carried on our family tradition of sitting at the window table of the tiny Au Lys D'Argent and had one of their oober rich hot chocolates, unfortunately they arrived at our table almost instantly and were a shaddow of their former selves. In days gone by, you were advised to allow 10 minutes for their hot chocolates to be made while they carefully melted solid chocolate to order. Nothing stays the same forever but despite the hot chocolate disappointment, it was great to shoot the breeze with AJ.

Hangin' with Van Gogh and a whole lot more. Thursday 13th August 2009.

I ventured out to Musee d'Orsay to investigate food in art. What a wonderful way to spend the day. I must confess to being a tad ignorant when it comes to the art world. I have never really understood or appreciated it, but I'm thinking, maybe I just have never given it the time it deserves, because today, Musee d'Orsay was a delight.

I saw all the greats, Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, Manet just to name a few. I am sure those of you who have visited some of the world's great museums and galleries will agree, it is strange to be face to face with famous pieces of art , where you are close enough to see every minute brush stroke that has been applied by famous hands. I had a ball and covered every inch of the museum, just me and my audio guide. I loved Cezannes apparent obsession with the edible. Two of my favourite pieces were both by Latour, the 'Vase de Fleurs' and 'Chrysanthemes dans en Vase' whos flowers lept from the canvas and came alive. The collection of painted plates by Rousseau were beautifully displayed, I imagined dinner served on them and a whole baked salmon lying on the fish plate wouldn't look too bad either. Like that's ever going to happen.

I walked 2 hours home from Musee d'Orsay, most of the way along the river, passing the old book stalls along the way, it was beautiful but I arrived home spent, and had to quickly shower to look ravishing for our 7.30 dinner cruise down the Seine.

What a time we had on board Bateaux Parisien. We boarded at 7.30, JR was taken on board just before to capture the boat on camera with its tables layed, ready for service. The boat pulled away from the port at 8.30, gently we cruised, you would hardly know you were floating on water the ride was so smooth. The music played and the singer crooned. We cruised passed the sights and under the beautiful bridges. As night came, the mirror balled chinks of light dazzled around us and the bridges became lit and glowed with an ethereal beauty, old and soulful with so many stories to tell.

Entree was spectacular, AJ's smoked salmon cubes and potato panna cotta was a luxurious treat and was decorated with perfect beads of dark caviar, he loved it and so did I. My foie gras was smooth as smooth and was served with miniature mushrooms, almonds and a pink hued pepper jelly. The combination of all on a piece of crunchy toast floated me right down the river - literally. My crepes suzette with raspberry butter was the perfect closing act to a great night.

We went out to the rear deck and watched the boat round the Statue of Liberty with the Eiffel Tower illuminated behind. The boat moored at 11pm, just as the Eiffel Tower shimmered with her hourly light show, you could hear Paris ooh and ahh as it lit up. Hats off to Bateaux Parisiens for a wonderful night.

Instead of heading straight for the subway, we decided to wander along the Seine to Pont de Alexander III, we wanted to see how beautiful it was at night. One step led to the other and we kept going, ending at Place Vendome for AJ to do some car spotting. He saw two raries but you will have to check out his blog for details, it's all a bit lost on me.