During the night I noticed a fantastic lightning show off the left hand side of the plane. Told Chris and we watched it for quite a while. Stunning scenes off the clouds. Chris then went to the toilet and was speaking to one of the flight crew about it. He said it was over Kraków. Finally to sleep. Had a good sleep and then got up for a toilet break, another nap and finally woken by the crew offering breakfast. Ok. I ordered fruit, croissant and baked ham. Chef arrives with ham and 2 sloppy eggs under it. Luckily they hadn't spoilt the ham..... Done and then some homework - immigration forms to complete. That is done and another documentary on Austria then we are landing. Very smooth landing, I must say. Into the airport, out ... read more

Another day of sightseeing and maybe some shopping. You guessed it, no bag fairy again so a few more personal items and a new suitcase. On the bus at the Eiffel Tower and around the city to Notre Dame de Paris. At last we get to go in to this icon of Paris. Queues aren't too bad and we don't have to pay so even better. Inside and it is rearly just ABC. Very dark but it does have some beautiful stained glass windows. Out into the sunlight and onto another bus route for a look around. This tour take sus past the French equivalent of the NYC high line so we get off and do the walk. Very calming amongst the traffic, etc. Down to street level and we need a drink/toilet break so we ... read more

the bag fairy didn't appear overnight so now we have to just wait. Up and away to explore a bit including a visit to a shopping department store not far from where we are staying. Wander down to the Eiffel Tower for shots to prove we really are in Paris. sexurity is huge around the tower. They have temporary fences surrounding the entire structure and you have to go through airport type scans before even getting in ot the leg area. We decide not to go in as we have the dinner booked for tomorrow night. We check out where we have to go and then wander off into the distance. As we walk along the street we come to a building that has photo boards along the fence With stories about each one. Turns out ... read more

Last full day in Madrid. Another easy start but no breakfast. Get advice on which bus takes us to the old city and away we go. Bus in a few minutes then into the city. Wander around, do some souvenir shopping and see lots of new streets we haven't seen before. Interesting. today is a public holiday so we thought everything might be shut but not in this area. Stop at a cafe and have something to eat. Croissant with potato chips - not my choice with the chips, it is an added extra. Fresh OJ and coffee for Chris and we are ready to hit the streets. We head towards the old market. A very impressive building with lots of food stalls inside - a little like the deli hall at the Vic market. Stop ... read more

Full day in Madrid. First we have an optional tour to Toledo to look at another old town. There are only about 30 on this trip so lots of room to move in the bus if people wanted windows, etc. Takes about an hour to get there and on the way, we see a huge pall of black smoke in the distance. Eventually we pass close by what looks like a huge factory fire. Hard to see as the smoke is so dark. Everyone shuts down their vents until,we are well past. Bit of excitement. As we have a bit of time, I decide to book our flights to Paris. Cheaper than the train and a lot quicker. All done and dusted, email confirmations and boarding passes before we get to Toledo. Gotta love wifi on ... read more