Paris, we've arrived. Merci beaucoup pour le ensoleillement

Wednesday – Thursday 21- 22 August
An on time Uber pickup saw us at the Cairns International airport two hours before departure and into a deserted departure hall and likewise no one in immigration and border protection. For the second time in as many years, Flashy's passport failed the electronic read and he had to go and see the scary Border Protection police for what is known as manual processing. Then into baggage screening where for some
reason the attractive French woman was chosen for the full body scan. Very intimidating but we cruise through to the business lounge for a Champagne prior to boarding. Now, there is something nice about boarding an International flight and turning left rather than turning right to zoo class. An uneventful flight to Hong Kong where we endured a four hour transit by visiting three of the four Cathay business
lounges to see what might be the best option on our eight hour return transit, before boarding for another 12 hours to Paris. Cathay business? OK but not exceptional. Comfortable flat beds but average food, beverage and service. At Charles de Gaulle there is no sign of our limo, so after an hour we call it a no show and get a taxi to our Paris apartment. More on this great little find later. In order to beat jet lag, we quickly change into casual summer kit and march off on foot into glorious summer weather for a 13km – sort of circular exploration of our extended neighbourhood.

First stop was to establish a FHQ (field HQ), where we had a petite dejuner before continuing.Having located the Moufftard market, we purchased a baguette, found some nice soap and the all important ice cube trays for out fridge. There
was some discussion between Flashman and Lady Penelope as to the direction of North and the position of the Seine. Extremely important if you don't want to walk around in circles. However, we enjoyed a leisurely walk, sighting but not visiting the Eiffel Tour and Notre Dame and visiting and tasting at Restaurant Bar Mouffatard and Le Village Ronsard Cafe and bar on Boulevard Saint Germain for Aperol
spritz, beer and a Bordeaux red to assist digestion of a charcuterie platter. Finally back at the apartment at 4pm and attempting to push through happy hour at the FHQ so we can crash around 9pm. Now, all that will surely cure jet lag. If we are alive tomorrow we will continue the blog.