On previous trips to Paris I had never visited Sacre Coeur, I don't know why. JR had though and had given it a bit of a rave so I was looking forward to seeing it.
Bloody hell, the streets of Montmartre are steep, either that or I am getting old. I have a sneaking suspicion it may be a little of both. Our visit to Sacre Coeur was lovely. We took our time, just like yesterday. This is the best way to visit Paris, not to have to rush and to go where the breeze takes you. It is so different to our previous visits where we wake with a full agenda every day and leave Paris feeling like we have not even scratched the surface, not breathed in her sweet smell. This time is different and it is wonderful.
The view from Sacre Coeur fell to the sides of the Earth. Alex reminisced about the views in Athens, of the concrete jungle before him, man's mark on the land. There were street entertainers on every level as the stairs petered out to flat, tourists crowded around happily watching these masters of their art. This guy with a soccer ball and a oogle worthy body was magical, he controlded the ball with every part of his body (almost) and was standing on the tiniest platform suspended in the sky. AJ threw a few coins in his hat and he smiled appreciatively.
We paused on the green grass half way down the stairs to the streets of Montmartre, it was cool with the arrival of a late afternoon breeze. AJ's eyes nearly popped out of his head as we wandered Avenue Rochechouart towards Place Pigalle and Avenue de Clichy. I didn't realise this street was the very heart of Paris's red light district, I knew it was around here but before we knew it, we were in the thick of things, so to speak. There were a few occasions when I advised, 'Eyes ahead AJ!' Once we arrived at Place Blanche, the shopfronts became a little tamer. We stopped at the Moulin Rouge and snapped a few pics. We wouldn't do the show this visit, we had done that last visit and the memories are still pretty fresh in our minds.
AJ was assigned to crouton duty back at home while JR washed salad leaves and peeled hard-boiled eggs, I whisked up a mustardy dressing as the lardons sizzled in the pan. Tonights salad was spectacular, thanks boys - many hands make light work and delicious dinners!
