SPENDING A NIGHT IN PARIS

If you live within easy reach of St Pancras International, Ebbsfleet or Ashford, popping to Paris for 24 hours on Eurostar makes a great short break. And as always happens when you're away from home, time passes much more slowly than when you're at home or in familiar surroundings. I certainly felt like I packed a lot in, and you can read all about it very soon...
• In the meantime, here's our insider guide to Paris

READING COMICS

No, not thumbing through back issues of Jackie. This was an exhibition at the British Library, drawing on its vast archive (the Library receives a copy of every single item published in the UK) of comic books along with loaned items. And it's the UK's biggest-ever comics exhibition. I was delighted to see Oor Wullie on show, published in Scotland's Sunday Post since 1936. I was given an Oor Wullie (and The Broons) annual every Christmas by my grandma. And with my Glaswegian heritage, I was also happy to learn that the Glasgow Looking Glass, published in 1825, is considered to be the first-ever comic.

The show explores many themes that have featured in graphic novels and comics, including war, sex and violence, as shown in 'V for Vendetta', first a graphic novel, then a film. Now the mask (left, photo by Tony Antoniou) is often worn by protesters. Gentler issues are also in evidence - watch the day-in-the-life-of Posy Simmonds

See Comics Unmasked: Art and Anarchy in the UK at the British Library from today until August 19 (£9.50/£7.50, £5 concessions, free for 16-18-year-olds).
• Plan more London days out

GETTING MY CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW PRESS ACCREDITATION

I'm very excited. I'm a keen gardener and I look forward to my annual visit to Chelsea, and this week my press pass was confirmed. That means I get to visit the Show on Monday May 19, the day before it opens to the public, the day when celebrities and the Queen visit. And it's also the day when I rush back to the office when we get kicked out for the arrival of Her Majesty, and publish my impression of the Show.

RETURNING TO RUNNING

My running has slackened off over the winter...and as it's now May, I suppose I have to say over the spring too. But all that is about to change. I'm returning to my optimum two or three times a week schedule, instead of about once a month. And it has to be done, as the Race for Life is coming up and I'm about to sign up for the British 10k London Run on July 13 with my OH, who's been running for a couple of years, but has never taken part in a mass event.
• Read our beginner's guide to running

COOKING A VIETNAMESE OMELETTE BAGUETTE

You might not associate baguettes with Vietnam but if you consider it was a French colony until 1954 it makes sense. I read this recipe in the Guardian a while ago, and thought, ooh, I have to try that! It's quite a simple recipe, involving making a simple pickle, tearing the heart out of a French stick, and adding chilli, soy, sauce, spring onions and sugar to an omelette but, wow, it's delicious - a breakfast with a bit of bite to it. In fact, I think I'll make it again over the Bank Holiday weekend...
• Find the Vietnamese baguette recipe here, along with six other Vietnamese recipes

What have you tried this week?