Paroissien’s in Paris

We are back in
Paris after our 3 weeks in Melbourne which it was pretty cold – and rainy.  However it was so lovely to see the lawns green again – and the garden looking terrific.

Jenny King arrived safely after her flight via Singapore and Dubai, and we have been walking and talking lots.       Walked through the Palais Royal where the gardens are looking fabulous – dahlias and Japanese wind flowers in gay abundance and lots of tiny sparrows.     And interestingly, the Horse chestnuts are starting to turn brown and the leaves are falling – there is a hint of Autumn in the air.

We visited the Opera yet again – the most stunning building imaginable, and of course St Chapelle with its stained glass and Galleries Lafayette with its beautiful stained glass dome.  And we have tickets for the ballet - very exciting.   Couldn’t get the best seats - all gone;  we are on folding chairs in the aisle - but right near the stage - we are so looking forward to sitting in this most grand of auditoriums - all red velvet.
 

We have had a great time although with a great deal of spluttering and coughing – courtesy of Melbourne’s weather and jet lag.

 Now Jen has gone to London to stay with Amy and Thelma and Peter from Sydney have arrived for a few days.

 I have just read the most amazing book “THREE CUPS OF TEA – One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time”     If you can get hold of a copy I can promise you a wonderful read.

And I am also reading “Sixty Million Frenchmen Can’t be Wrong” – what makes the French so French.   It is so very interesting with great insights and explanations into the French character.

One particular segment caused me much amusement – about their annual sale in Paris – The Solde.  And I quote “

“Les Soldes is not a custom.   The police set the dates and supervise the sales across the country: Stores are only allowed to have sales from mid-January to mid-February and from mid-June to mid-July.   To hold a sale outside that period, merchants have to obtain special approval from the police.    The rest of the year, small shops and big retailers can’t so much as offer a rebate without facing the wrath of the law”.

Amongst other historical traditions, “… the practice of regulating sales predates the discovery of America by at least three hundred years”  -  quite amazing.

The food here is quite incredible – the French really care for their food which explains their patience with being served, standing in the inevitable queue and taking their time.      In Le Bon Marche’s food store yesterday, there were 18 different types of mushrooms for sale, and 10 different kinds of peppercorns – and I have of course previously mentioned all the cheeses.    

One of President Charles de Gaulle’s wonderful sayings was:  “How can anyone govern a country that has 246 kinds of cheese”. – how indeed!

Tomorrow Ian and I are flying to Bristol and then driving down to St Ives and Hayle in Cornwall to visit Andrew and Beth and meet Beth’s family.     Andrew and Beth have been working pretty hard in their various cafes – and Andrew has also been playing cricket for St Ives.     He took 3 wickets (caught and bowled) and took a few catches when wicket-keeping!! -  Sadly it was the last match of the season so we will not have the opportunity of watching a game on an English green. 

Au revoir – more after Cornwall

Barbara