Day 296. Still here? (23/10/13)

So, still here then.

I thought that there would be some great revelation. I thought I would wake with knowledge, wisdom and experience. And, in fairness, a greater burden of age. Instead I woke feeling exactly the same as I did yesterday.

50, it transpires, is no different to 49 apart from the obvious fact that you get a spectacular guitar and a trip to Paris for said birthday.

Sitting in Place de la Concorde, site of the guillotine during the revolution, site now of a 3,300 year old obelisk imported from Luxor. Which is pretty damn impressive however you look at it. So I'm going to go and look at it.

(Post 'look')

The morning was for the Arc de Triomphe followed closely by the summit of the Eiffel Tower; a journey of two stages, as we reached the first stop (the second floor) the wind decided that gale force would be appropriate. For those slightly trepidatious about the distance between floor two and the summit and the possibly tenuous nature of the elevator between the two (Tom and Matt mostly, although that lift doesn't exactly amuse yours truly either) this was the point where the nerves increased.

All made it to the top though, proud of the lads for overcoming any fears they may have had.

The afternoon? A lot of Metro hopping, a leisurely walk through the Tuileries for self and Tom, inspecting the modern art in the approach to the Louvre. Which may well be tomorrow's target.

If you're not in the mood for amateur travel writing over the next few days then you may wish to pretend that I stopped on my 50th birthday as intended and have a casual peek on Saturday just in case I've come back.

Otherwise? I'm going nowhere. Still here every day. 50's not a point for stopping but I'll tell you this for nothing, it doesn't half make your legs ache.