Almost cruise time for us but let me catch you up on more of Europe.

We met with my cousins and Aunt and Uncle in Paris and almost went up the Eiffel Tower with them............but the boys were tired so we went for a nice French dinner instead. Snails are actually tasty but they were a bit too chewy for me!
Anyway, next day we went straight back to the Eiffel Tower and up we went. There are 3 levels and most people go to level 2 where there is a really good viewing platform. It feels like it is really high but when you get in the central lifts to go to the 3rd level (the TOP!) then you realise just how high the tower is. 
We loved it although my Mum was nervous in the last lift - it is mostly glass so you can see all of the iron girders around you as you go up and up and up! 

I have been in and out of France now but not yet Paris (except for a dirty train station and the rather nice air port).
We went to the beaches where the D-Day landings occurred in 1944. A lot of people died there from England, Canada, America and of course France and Germany.
We went back to England after Normandy - it is fun being able to just change direction and go to a different country when you want to. It is like heading to Canberra and then deciding to go to Goulburn instead. Well, kind of like that.
Hope everyone is enjoying winter. We are hoping to have a white Christmas in North America so I will be looking forward to Summer as well when I get home.