8 January 2024

After finishing the soup and baguette, drinking the last of the gin and red wine last night, we retired for an early start in the morning. An 07h00 departure and an easy trip on the bus to Gare du Nord, where the open platforms are very cold. We are well in the minuses now. So, off to Terminus Nord Restaurant across the road for breakfast.

Our train departs exactly on time. We’re on the way to Amsterdam - and now time for some reflections on our time in Paris. We have been in Paris almost every 3-4 years over the past 15 years and as you would expect have noticed some changes.

Paris in winter is nice. Very clean streets and Metro stations, and a noticeable absence of tourists. My word, though, there are lots of Africans. You think Melbourne has lots of Asians- ha! nothing on the Africans in Paris. So nice of the French to open their doors to former colonies, eh?

Overall, the city had a good vibe. They are getting ready for the Olympics and I'd say pretty hard core “green" in their approach to lots of things, including those quiet EV buses, cars and taxis, that sneak up on you without a sound. They should be made to put stones in their hubcaps!

Our arrondissement, the 20^th, is on the outer north east and slightly elevated. Definitely no tourists here, which was nice. It's a lovely neighbourhood with lots of cafes and shops and all were within easy walking distance of our apartment. The shopkeepers and waiters graciously put up with our French or were happy to effortlessly switch to English but it was just a little less noticeable here in the 20^th compared to elsewhere. Overall, we really enjoyed the 20th Arr.

The Paris food scene is changing with the current generation. We noticed more McDonald’s, KFC and the dreaded Krispy Kreme popping up and some menus have burgers and pizza. Sacre bleu! Flashy loves the petit dejeuner though. Even makes them in the flat sometimes. However, he has only had 2 éclairs! Lots to make up for.

Our apartment was interesting. I think the owner just walked out and left it as it was. It's quite spacious for a one beder in Paris and filled with books, photos, drawings of naked ladies, 9 guitars and 3 ukes, oh yes and a piano as previously noted. A comfortable bed and a workable kitchen. The bathroom was a challenge when the shower didn't drain. Luckily, we knew about the old APC method of bathing. ‘Every Saturday, whether you need it or not.’ Luckily, it's winter.

Snowing now as we pass through Brussels on the Eurostar. -8c. How lovely. This is a pretty good train ride – quite comfortable and not crowded.

Lady P suggests we go to the restaurant car but Flashy’s old war wound is playing up, so we open up the ration pack at our seats and out comes the Port Salut cheese, rabbit terrine, fresh baguette (pilfered from the breakfast) hard boiled egg and sparkling water. Probably colder in the backpack then it was in the fridge. No offensive smells there surely? As our carriage is not full, we gaily chomp away on a very delicious lunch.

We arrive in Amsterdam after 3.15 hours. It’s really trying to snow here. Perhaps it’s too cold. -9c.

A tram ride and short walk and we are in our apartment on a canal. Er..I’m not sure there are any apartments not on a canal. Flat, lots of bicycles - must be in the Netherlands.

As I look out the window, the sky is blue, the sun is out and it looks like a spring day – except it’s -6c. I shall let you know if the canal freezes over.

View out our window below.