Well not really ill gotten. Went and changed my train tickets and it costs 30 euros less to go the week after next. I paid by credit card but the SNCF people refunded me CASH. I spent the loot as follows:
1 coatstand (8 euros – well actually 10 because although they were willing to give it to us for 8, Mr. Waffle felt they needed the money more than we did. A bit tiresome to get home, I carried it on my shoulder balanced like skis while Mr. Waffle pushed the Princess but we were something of a hazard to other road users – did have a surreal moment while waiting for the tram; best dressed diplomat and her husband came along, stopped to chat and hung up their purchases on the coatstand. Very appropriate for the land of Magritte).
Six porcelain cups and saucers (5 euors – a killing! Mr. Waffle says that there is a gap in my life only porcelain can fill. And I got a sugar bowl thrown in as well. Slightly difficult to carry. Especially with a coatstand slung nonchalently over a shoulder)
2 cinema tickets (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkabhan – only alright but we have broken our cinema jinx and actually got to see the film we wanted to see)
When we got home from the cinema last night, our babysitter told us that the Princess had woken up at 9.00 and insisted on playing until 11.00. In our evil hearts we hoped that this would mean that she might wake up later this morning. No. I have been up since 6.50. Princess having stood up alone for the first time last night (gasps please) is anxious to keep practising in case she loses the knack. She has also said her first word. Cuckoo. I’m trying not to draw any conclusions here. This morning she pointed at her toy train and said choo-choo. Our genius.
on 20 June 2004 at 17:32
We think she may mean coucou which is the French for peekaboo as she usually says it after holding her bib up to her face.
on 21 June 2004 at 17:16
Ah… a multilingual upbringing “Dit ‘allo, Sprogette…” and all that. Impressive. Very impressive……:-) 
