Paris 4 - Strolling around Paris Notre Dame

Now I am not going to bore you with all the details and photos, so there are just a few on here.  Believe me just a few .....



As we left the bridge, we turned left to stroll past the Notre Dame Catherdral (been there, done that) but as we approached, with me looking upwards - long story - I spotted the statues.  I have never seen them before, honestly.  We stood and looked ..... and looked ..... amazing!
We started to take photos .....

PJ went in closer ........

.... and closer .....





There were some more on the other side ..... we had to walk round and see if there are any statues on the other two sides ....

Now this set of three are very interesting .... that top statue is the sculptor himself .... honest!

Well ...  that's what I read.

We have now reached the front of the Cathedral, I am really amazed by this building.  We have been close by several times during our visits to Paris but I can't remember actually walking around the base.

The detail on this building ......

Take a look .....

This is the main entrance ....   

.... and the queue to go in  ...... 

....they must be waiting a couple of hours ... all nationalities .......

There are two towers above this doorway ......

The detail is all over ... who would see it up there .......

Round the other side we find some more statues .... 

...... and another queue, this time to see inside the tower ......

.... lots of tiny doors up there, all painted red .....

.... and the last set of statues .....
The Apostles ...... all there ....



How amazing!

Beautiful building along the way

We decided we needed a coffee, really, so we walked along looking for a cafe.  The first one we found was not all that friendly so we moved on and along the streets till we reached a 'proper' cafe.......

.
..and we sat there in the sunshine .... coffee .... and croque madame ...... and sunshine ..... and wine and .......Paris.

Paris 4 - the Love Locks Bridge

The main purpose of today was to attach our padlocks to our 'Love Bridge' and we arrived there about 13.00hrs.  There are several of the Bridges across the world but here in Paris beggars are taking advantage of this.  Along this bridge they set up their suitcases, some selling sketches, some selling padlocks and some just running scams (dropping a ring and then picking it up and giving it to you .......etc.).  I brought our pretty little padlocks from home, where I had looked after them for 12months, and painted our initials on them.  So here is the bridge ....

And here are my padlocks .......

This one has my initials and I placed this on first.

This one is PJ's padlock who said I could attach it for him as he was taking photos!

As you stand on the bridge and look down this is where they lie.

A little close up for you .... yes!  I even brought the red metallic ribbon.

A bridge-side view, I hope my red ribbon lasts a little longer than this green one ..... we hope to find the locks when we go back in November.

The deed is done!

So that's it .... what to do now?  

Cup of coffee time methinks .... and a piece of cake of course .... we are in Paris.

So off we go .... but look ..... what's over there?  ........

Crop Day 2014

Leaving the house so early in the morning, going goodness knows where, wearing the sunglasses, we were off to meet fellow Bloggers!  This was a day that was a long time coming .... and I was sooo excited!!!
I had packed what I thought I would need in a large basket, made the toast, sorted the route so off we went.  We travelled through the rain, through the sunshine, realising an hour or so later that I had forgotten my watch and neither of us had brought the toast!!!
We arrived a little early but as we parked up as little hand waved in our direction through the window.  We sat waving back and then PJ said - if we run fast enough we won't get too wet ..... and he was right!!!!
As we entered into the hall, Shaz was there to greet us along with Lunch Lady Jan and Queen Julia.
I said Hello and just wanted to jump up and down excitedly!!
I looked around the hall, oblivious of all and sundry.  Empty tables and chairs, soon to be filled, I was sooo excited - did I say that?!?!?
People soon started to arrive and the tables filled.  After a hello and welcome from Lunch Lady and Julie, we were off ..... talking, chatting, moving, laughing, painting, stitching, beading ...... ooooh!   it was all going on!

donated stash on tables

Then suddenly .. it was lunchtime!
Food was laid out on more tables so we filled our plates and moved to the other side of the room to eat.
Then we all moved back to the work in progress .....



Cindy was making banners ......


 Maggie was very patient with me, explaining how she created such wonderful pictures .......


Helen sat beside me, creating a journal before my very eyes ... about Paris!!!

I was mesmerised by her working ......

and here we all are!

All thanks to these two lovelies .....
They can never be thanked enough



I have to show you this photo ...... so lovely.  They both were .... Shaz just as colourful and creative as I expected .... and Doug .... sitting to one side for hours sorting out PJ's laptop..... many more thanks are due here.



 You might know I would be hugging the food lady!!!?!?!?!?!?

Paris 4 - Walking the Seine

I never know whether to spread trips like this across several posts or just do a quick précis .... you get the long version .... every time!!!
Rovers 1 & 2 left for home, and Rover 1 left for London on Monday morning ...early!

PJ and I spent the daytime on our own, we were to go to the Love Locks Bridge and attach our locks ..... everyone say AAAAHHH!!     How romantic!      yeah!
We bought our croissants from a Boulangerie in one of the side streets as we walked towards the Seine, where we found a comfy seat alongside the river and sat to watch the rest of the world go by.

View to our right ....

View to our left ....

The Croissants tasted just like French Croissants always do .... yummy!
A couple of Danish pastries had fallen into the bag .... so we ate these as well!  In the sunshine, watching life .... excellent!

If you look closely along the view to our left, you will see a group of young men near to the water's edge ....
They were break dancing and performing while being filmed, very interesting to watch .... in the sunshine!
Several folks, passers by and cyclists, stopped to watch, then after the scene was finished, everyone applauded and went on their way.  We stayed a little longer as the group started a second performance ...... in the sunshine!

This absolutely humungous barge went chugging by .....
it was veeeerrrry loooong, we thought it would never pass but it did, as did all the Cruise boats .......
.... of various kinds .....

There were long pointy ones ...  

long, very wide ones ......

We continued on our walk, I was amazed how far in advance of home all the plants are .... this beautiful Ceonothus looked wonderful in full bloom.

Some of the sculptures needed a second glance ......







As we walked towards the centre of Paris, and the Bridge, the river was just so busy and the pavement the same ..... in the sunshine!

Frequently we saw some gardens on the rooftops - amazing!   It was wonderful to see these gorgeous buildings but to top them off with such gardens ....

 Even those rooftops were decorated, so beautifully .... I am loving it  ..... and in the sunshine!

Rounding the corner we found this wonderful stanchion for this bridge .....

What a magnificent statue ...

Superbly cleaned and huuuuge!


We continued on our way and then ......

.... just before the bridge was this magnificent  building ......

How beautiful is this??

The photo doesn't do it justice .... click the link above and see inside .......




 ...... and now we're at the bridge .....

Paris 3 - a walk along the Viaduct

This Station hasn't changed much.

After having breakfast at Rover 1's place we meandered over to Gare de Lyon, a beautiful building which hasn't really changed much since it was built, see the postcard from the 1900's.

A rather special cafe!

 Inside this station is a very famous Cafe/Bar, exclusive ....
 yes!

We all travelled on the train to Bercy village.  This place is waaaay old .... but has now been modernised into a beautiful shopping and eating centre.

We strolled up one side and then down the other, deciding to sit in outside Bar Nicholas and have lunch.  The staff made it perfectly clear they did not feel like serving us so we moved next door to Chez Bruno.

Apt considering our name!!!

We had a delicious meal, served by really helpful and friendly staff. 

We walked along to the end of the rails and then up and down some streets, as one does, and ended up crossing this bridge so that we could walk along the top of the Viaduct.

It was a warm day and, as Paris does, folks were picnicking, reading books and generally enjoying themselves in the sunshine.

The bridge continued along so that we could see back towards Bercy, apparently we were still walking along the old railway line, the original station can just be seen in the distance.

This was an interesting concept!

The 'road' led us through this building .... once again the French flair was showing!
I could not believe that these apartments were built alongside the track, amazing.

This is a shot from the other side .....

Just before we entered the 'split' I noticed this building through the trees ......

..... after passing through the building, we found we were opposite Gare de Lyon and ..... voila! 

there is the building on the right.

This one of course!

Here's a close up.

Strolling along, as we were, we did not realise how far we were walking .... did we really need a signpost?!?!

There were more insect houses along the walk way but most of the plots were vacant

PJ was intrigued by the views straight down into the street.  Considering that we were walking along the boulevard yesterday, we all gathered round and 'oohed' and 'aahed' at the views ......

Straight Down

To the Right .

To the Left .....

The Wisteria over the arches were just coming into bloom, white as well as the purple!









We started to look out across the bushes and trees and spotted these blocks of 'Social Housing', they have been 'thrown up' in order to provide accommodation as in EU rules!

This is an interesting view!

The street with our Hotel!!!

We strolled down into the street and right there by the street exit was this sign .....

We had stopped along the way, under the arches, for Rover 1A to take a quick photo ..........