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Most of my time was spent on the Grand Ile, which was totally gorgeous – like nowhere else I’ve ever visited and the people I met were also very friendly.

The big highlight was the Sons et Lumiere – it was the first time I was ever at one of these shows. Pub-wise, was very impressed with L’Academie de la Biere (open to 4am) and a newly opened Irish pub called The Dubliners. (It’s only a very short stroll away from the Cathedral, on Vieux Marche aux Poissons).

There’s a few places I still want to visit so I’ll definitely be going back. _{The Kronenbourg brewery, for example :)}

Gorgeous building, though very very tall :) The building itself is fantastic looking, the Astronomical Clock’s pretty cool, and there’s a scary looking crucifix.

You can also climb up to a viewing platform for what is – apparently – a great view…not only of the city, but also of Alsace. Typically, I forgot all about doing this until I’d returned to Paris….so I’m just going to have to book a return visit :)

I’ve been here – even if it’s only technically !

I was in Strasbourg for a couple of days and took the #21 bus across the border. Admittedly, I didn’t spend more than a couple of hours in the town, but the beer was cool, what I saw was nice and the people I encountered seemed very friendly…

_{I was badly hampered by my lack of German. If and when I go back, I’ll try to do much better.}

Everything is now booked – I’m holding the train tickets (to and from Paris) and I’ve just booked the hotel. (The hotel looks great, if the website can be trusted, it’s in a fantastic location – close to the cathedral and one or two pubs I’m hoping to loiter in – and the rates are pretty damn good too).

I’m only going to be there a day and a half though, and I know that’s never going to be anywhere near enough time. The Cathedral and La Petite France should be (at least partially) do-able on the afternoon I arrive, and I’m hoping for an hour or two across the border the following day. If I can manage any of the European Institutions too, that’ll be a big bonus.

_{Can’t wait, can’t wait, can’t wait.}

I only went the once, just after I’d done my first year exams at university. Once was more than enough – it’s not something I’d recommend to someone coming to Ireland on holiday !

Pete McCarthy wrote about it in “McCarthy’s Bar” – the only way to get any enjoyment out of a trip to Lough Derg is to read it !

C.

Called in on a Saturday Morning, just over a year ago, when I was struggling with a raging hangover. I felt a whole lot better afterwards : the lighting was sensitive enough it didn’t add to my headache, the staff were kind, pleasant, understanding and thoughtful and the breakfast was a great help. (In fact, now that I think about it, it was the best breakfast I had the entire weekend : it was great going somewhere for something to eat and not having the staff try to foist haggis onto you).

The cafe is right in the city centre – if you’re walking up the Royal Mile towards the Castle, you’ll pass it on your left. For those of you who have heard of BookCrossing, it’s also an OBCZ (an Official BookCrossing Zone) : the bookshelf is down a very short flight of steps at the back of the cafe.

Here’s a link to what has been released at Always Sunday) , and hasn’t yet been journaled and if you’ve never heard of BookCrossing hey – free books !

C.

The are three ‘floors’ on the Tower. The first and second floors can be reached by climbing the stairs, though taking the lift would be the sensible option ! To go the the top floor, though, you’ve no option but to take the lift – the flight of steps between the second and third floors were taken out some years ago. (There are three entrance fees, depending on how far you want to go – it’s currently 11.50 € for an adult to go to the third floor, though you can stop on the first and second floors as well, if you want to). Even if you’re not great with heights, I would recomemend going all the way to the top – the scariest part, for me, was the lift between the second and third floor. (On the top floor, the outer platform has been ‘caged in’, so you’re not going to fall off too easily). The view is absolutely fantastic and is worth taking in, no matter what the weather – though you will see further on a clear day !

There are cafes, souvenir shops and displays spread over the three floors. There’s also the Jules Verne restaurant – though, by all accounts, not only will you need a reservation to dine, it’s also very expensive.

No matter how limited your time in the city is, no matter what the weather’s like, no matter how ‘touristy’ it seems, this is one of the things you simply HAVE to do if you come to Paris !

I’ve only been in Edinburgh twice, both times on stag weekends. Of the all bars we were in, this pub – for me – was the most memorable. Good service, nice looking bar and pulled in a good crowd – but it never seemed to get overcrowded.

It’s split over three floors, though we just stayed on the ground floor and in the courtyard. (Now that the smoking ban’s come into force in Scotland, I’m sure the courtyard has become very useful for both the owners and the smokers). If there’s a big football match / tournament on, this is the place to go – plenty of room and plenty of screens.

Rohan is a largely grassland country which lies to the north of Gondor, and is best known for its Rohirrim. (The Rohirrim is the country’s cavalry, and its name is is dervied from the Sindarin for ‘Horse Lords’). It’s generally said Rohan’s people are tall, with fair skin, blue-eyes and blonde hair – though there have been rumours of very short soldiers with big appetites and large hairy feet.

There are three places in Rohan I’d like to see – the first is Edoras, the country’s capital, which lies close to the slopes of the White Mountains. Edoras is where the country’s King lives – his palace is known as the Golden Hall, or the Meduseld. The second is Aldburg, the original home of Eorl the Young – Rohan’s first King. Finally, I’d like to visit Helm’s Deep – a valley in the White Mountains and site of the Hornburg. The Hornburg is Rohan’s most celebrated fortress, while Helm’s Deep was the location of a major battle towards the end of the Third Age….

By the way, the pic’s of Eowyn (a Shieldmaiden of Rohan) standing on the front steps of Edoras. I’d be especially interested in running into her !

A lovely spot, and one you really can’t miss – after strolling down the Champs Elysees and crossing Place de la Concorde, you’d find the Tuileries standing between you and the Louvre. (I prefer it here to the Luxembourg Gardens, depsite the fact that they’re smaller – it seems a bit calmer, for some reason).

There’s a couple of cafes within the grounds, it’s a really nice spot to sit and have a beer or a coffee – especially when the weather’s good. Admittedly, it will probably cost a bit extra compared to other places. However, if you want to offset the cost, there’s plenty of park benches and chairs – grab a sandwich from a vendor and dine al fresco ! Early autumn’s a really nice time – with all the chestnut trees, you’ll be able to grab a couple of free souvenirs !

The big circular ponds tend to be popular with those taking a breather – they’re also home to a colony of very tame ducks. They’re great for a bit of entertainment – they aren’t a bit shy about asking to share your lunch either ! The first time I was here was in the summer of 1998 – I could swear there were fish in the ponds at that time as well, though I haven’t seen any since…

As you’re leaving the Gardens on your way to the Louvre, think of Dan Brown. Remember that high speed car trip he sent Robert Langdon on, from the Ritz to the Louvre, at the beginning of “The Da Vinci Code” ? You see that big flight of steps it would’ve had to drive up ? Time for a chuckle...