We spent some time consolidating our stuff into one bedroom and made the place look nice for Kristine and Dave's arrival. We were given extra time as the train from the airport to the city was down for maintenance. They told us of folks lined up buying tickets for the train only to get to the station and discovering that the train was not running. They headed back to the airport area and got in the taxi line. They fared only slightly better as there were multiple streets and bridges closed off for the Sunday enjoyment of the Parishioners. Once they finally arrived we got them into their room and ate the roasted chicken that we had cooked. We then headed out for a walk by the Louvre and the river Sein. We saw, first hand, the closed streets and barricades that were set up for security and crowd control. There were several activities there for the kids. Pony rides, a hobby horse equestrian jump course, a "ice" hockey rink. Some of the activities seemed to be winter Olympic related like speed skating and the ice luge. We walked around, got hot chocolates to sip and explored along the river.
A petite cannon in the courtyard
Probably for signaling noon
A grand metro station entrance
The tower was socked in with low clouds
Joan de Arc
Cheeky art
Dad is pushing the luge for the kids
"Ice" hockey on a tiny rink
Riding the ponies
The hobby horse makes jumping safer
The parakeets are upside down about all this
We skipped the line and headed to the take away counter at Angelina's
Sweet bits and hot chocolates
The Olympic balloon
Elaborate and so tadsty
Damn those pesky centaurs
Windy and chilly, a great day for hot chocolate
Paris people
No actual flames, just smoke and mirrors
Shift change at the pony rides
Tim to head back and warm up
