We have just dined this evening and sipped champers in a delightful seafood restaurant, and now lie in bed trying to come to terms with the reality that our 3 days here has been and gone in the blink of an eye.
We have seen so much, in such a short space in time - and yet seen so little, when one considers all that Paris has to offer the eager tourist.
Yesterday was spent hopping on and off various hop on/ hop off buses, driving all over Paris and for me, managing to get incredibly sunburned.
Today, although filled with hours more of sightseeing, was largely spent by me covered in a longer sleeved shirt; and sheltered wherever possible by shade; and at all other times by my glamorous (not) sunhat.
We were thrilled that we got to spend last evening with our niece Emilee, who has been living and working in Paris for the last 18 months or so. It was with Em that we got to explore the joys of traveling on the met, climbed up and down more stairs than in my entire lifetime, dined in one of her favorite eating haunts, and then visited together Sacre Coeur Church on top of its hill; and got to look out over an entire city adorned by lights. Absolutely magical. With such a balmy evening, it was then lovely returning to a square near our hotel, where we shared more time with Emilee until we bid one another farewell at close to midnight.
Emilee and Aunty Jul's (thanks heaps Em for the great night; we had a ball!)
It is important here to discuss the weather we have been blessed with and have encountered since leaving Melbourne on August 27th. We have had only one day where we experienced heavy rain and this was the day we visited Heidelberg (and even then it was not cold by any means). Other than this we have experienced temperatures of between 23 and 29 degrees - and the highest of temperatures has been this last 3 days in Paris. The people in Europe have been amazed at our good fortune; and they are considering this as an Indian Summer, given that they had a very cool and wet summer themselves this year.
Sacre Coeur by night (with a flat camera battery!)
The architecture and atmosphere in general is invigorating.
Le grand Monsieur de Paris!
Ducks de Eiffel.
Glorious Autumn with a touch of Indian Summer.
Sight seeing on top of the Sunburn Bus!
Taken by Monsieur Pearce from the 2nd level of the Eiffel.
Despite all the wonderful things we have seen such as: Le Louvre, Notre Dame and half a dozen other churches, the amazing streets, apartment buildings, the way pet dogs are treated as precious members of families and are free to enter shops, restaurants and stay with their owners in hotels, bars etc; museums, opera houses, the Champs de Elysee, Arc de Triumph, the Eiffel Tower (which Michael took to the top, whilst I sat for 3 hrs at the bottom awaiting his return), cruising up the River Seine - despite all these wonderful things - there has been for me, one huge negative - and that my friends is the traffic!!!!!!!! Hate it, hate it, hate it - and could never drive here. Tour buses drive like crazy men and women; and traffic becomes so constipated at times, that walking is probably quicker. Not necessarily safer however, if trying to cross at pedestrian crossings!
.........It is morning now.....fell asleep whilst writing last night......and so apart from madly getting packed ready to leave for Nancy on the fast train, I am desperately searching for results of the GF in Melbourne. The match is still in it's 4th quarter; the mighty Catter's are in front! Just hoping final results are through b4 I lose wi Fi access!!!!!!
And so now our taxi has arrived and we head for 4 days with Lorene and her family.......we are incredibly excited.....there are sure to be tears.....and Papa has his beret on in anticipation!
Speak again soon; but for now we say: "au devoir mon ami's!"
Now to my darling Charlie, and to Granny's Billy........
You would both be in your element here in Paris with me. I see lots of doggies wherever I go, and when I goo and gaa over them, my heart yearns for you both, my beautiful boys. I thought I would post you a photo of a baby puppy, only 8wks old......so gorgeous......but don't worry, you are still my favorites!
Can't wait to get home and snuggle with you Charlie, for the longest time. (please make sure Jac and Marn's give you a nice anal gland evacuation b4 my homecoming!)
Postscript: we arrived safely in Nancy and the reunion with Lorene was everything I had imagined it to be.....and then some! We spent the afternoon dining outdoors; and then walked around the streets of "old Nancy" and through their beautiful gardens before being driven by Lorene to the Pernot family home and business, Auberge du Parc in Baudricort.
Old world Nancy.... Absolutely beautiful!
Where in days long gone, women of the village used to was their laundry.
We have been welcomed incredibly warmly by this beautiful family; have dined upon the most delicious of traditional French fare and have finally fallen into bed exhausted at 11:30pm France time - Michael lies already fast asleep - and me here, determined to complete this blog before allowing sleep to over ome me once more.
Oh, and finally........I have now discovered that the mighty Catter's have won their 3rd grand final in 5 yrs.......and so I can sleep now.....a very contented woman indeed; for I am blessed....extremely blessed!
Jul's and Spike xxxxx
Location:Paris
Oh Julie, I love reading your blogs. Your adventures are amazing and the photos breathtaking. I love Michael's beret - although it might raise a few eyebrows if he were to don it in North Ringwood.
ReplyDeletePost GF day it,s fine and sunny here with daylight savings now a reality - funny how that signals the end of winter and the move into another time zone of activities.
Continue to enjoy yourselves immensely.
Love from the Kitchings xxx
Danny says to tell Dad that the beret is very French but also very "la gay" !!
ReplyDeleteCharlie says he is looking forward to his cuddle, but he is saving his anal gland for you, 7 weeks worth!!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat photo's, hi to Lorene, lots of love xx
ReplyDeleteI think that you must be dreaming to say that we will go anywhere near his rear gland!
ReplyDelete