We've just returned from a one night trip to the fabulous French capital to escape the drizzle and soak up the Parisian vibe. Having already done all the sights we decided that this time we would avoid any queues of slow moving tourists and explore the city by foot, dipping in and out of cafés and bistros along to way to keep our strength up!

It's easy to forget that living in London means Paris is right on our doorstep and it truly is a world away from dirty, hectic London. The streets are wide and clean, there are small interesting shops on every corner and the café culture is simply thriving but with still enough good cafés and restaurants to go around so there's no waiting for a table or 'that will be a 40 minute wait I'm afraid, Sir' It really makes you feel so much more relaxed.

We arrived at the hotel near St Germain De Prés around midday and after lunch in a nearby café we wandered down to the Seine and walked our way over to Notre Dame. We sat on a bench and I did this little sketch. I got quite engrossed in it actually - it's such a complicated structure. The sun was shining, the blossom was floating down from the trees and an accordion musician was playing a little distance away ... it sounds like I'm making it up - I'm not, I promise ... it really was everything you imagine Paris to be. Sorry if the sketch doesn't quite sum it up!