25th December 2016

Come, let us adore Him.

Paris comments ....

I just wanted to add a few thoughts on our visit to Paris.

I know that there has been a lot of media reports about the smog in Paris but I have to admit, at the time, I didn't notice it much.  When Ranger1's wife M started to cough 'because of the pollution' I was very shocked.  I am asthmatic - recently diagnosed - and it had not affected me very much if at all.  It was certainly easier to breathe in Paris than in the London Underground!!!

The traffic changes on the roads - even numbers one day and then odd number another day - did make a difference!  It was sooo much easier to get around and at the Arc de Triomphe, I was most surprised to find so little traffic, no horns sounding, which made the visit so much pleasanter.

I did find it quite annoying that the transport was free for one of our days - very nice for the Parisians, very nice for the government - but b*****y annoying for us who had paid for a travel pass!!!!

The food was still so very good - when they didn't realise that you were English!  One thing you can be sure of is the good quality food in Paris ... all of France has good food and it makes a visit across the channel so much more enjoyable.

Christmas is a coming, Christmas is a coming .........

Many of the presents are in the 'Christmas' Box, wrapping papers and labels are close by, and the cards ...?
 I ran out of time so had to resort to bought cards, very tasteful ones if I do say so myself!   I managed to put aside a couple of days - the weekend actually - and wrote all my posting cards. I wrote my little letters of news, enveloped and stamped them ready for the post.
The sentiment stamp on the back was a find in John Lewis.  It is a very round, beechwood handled stamp, fits in the hand very nicely, thank you, and has directional markings at the base and on the handle. 
I wanted to make some crafted cards for the members of CRUNCH and just happened to have all the Christmas 'stuff' on the desk.  I decided that for quickness I would recycle some of my saved card fronts:  
I die cut some of the fronts, punched the edges of some, decoupaged a couple, even found some stitched ones in the box.  
I cut some of the papers from a paper pad, which I bought from The Works some time ago, to use as backing papers on the folded cards.  I used the same cards for all so that once I measured the papers, they would fit all the cards.
I am very pleased with the results and may even create a few more .... while the Christmas 'stuff' is open!!   lol

Grandad's Little Helper

As Little Soldier grows so he is able to do so much more and one thing that he loves is coming out into the garden.  He spends most of his time trotting between the fish pond - safely netted out of his reach - and the Chicken Ranch.


His last visit introduced something new - wellies!  He would have had an all-in-one but we couldn't find any anywhere.

The wellies were accepted without quibble, the pull ups at the side helped Grandma, although there wasn't room for his jeans!  
I changed his jeans for a thinner pair of trousers knowing that his coat was long enough to prevent too much cold going into his body.




Grandad was sorting out the water for the chooks, cleaning it out and then filling it up with fresh water.
Little Soldier loves water so the bucket contained slightly warm water ...... sure enough he was there ....helping to wash out!
Then the feeder had to be filled so he helped Grandad fill it up with fresh food .... lots of work to do on the old homestead!!!!
Soon it began to get cold and I had to persuade him to put his hat on but that was ok as long as I didn't take his stick ..... Little Soldier is big on sticks ....
As it slowly got darker the solar lights came on so that was something different for him to examine and watch as the colours changed but then .....Dinner called to him ..... in a very loud voice .... inside he came ....

After he had gone home we popped into Morrisons for some bread and I wandered into the Children's department .....




Look what I found!!  
It's called a puddle jumper but I know it as an all-in-one - it will keep him dry in this wet weather and give him a bit of a windproof layer over his coat.

 Just what I had been looking for!  He's now kitted out for his further adventures in the garden .......

Paris .... part four

Our busy day!!!
It's not really, just feels that way as we have a time constraint.  We will be meeting Ranger 1 for dinner, at a set time and place.
The bus to Montmatre stops down by Bel Air and the plan was that we would get off just past Gare de Nord and be able to walk up to Sacre Coeur and the shop that should sell my curtains - secretly I am hoping that they wont sell them but .......


Everything went to plan and we soon found ourselves sitting having coffee in the little bistro at the bottom of the Sacre Coeur.
  
So much going on!

Just to our left there were policemen with a guy in handcuffs, to the right there was a guy searching among the shrubbery for who knows what!

As we sat there with our coffee we noticed that one of the trees were being trimmed .... good job this isn't done in Summer!!




It always amazes me how the tree surgeons can climb so high let alone work with a chain saw up there!


They slowly worked their way up the tree but we had to leave them to their work as we had shopping to do.

We walked the short distance to the shop. This area now has lots of various material shops, most of them look like market stalls and are situated in between the 'souvenir' shops.

Saint Pierre has been there for more than 60years, I think it was the original shop.
We started at the top floor and the very nice lift attendant man took us down to each floor until I found my Ridoux de Dentelles.  I couldn't find exactly what I was looking for but after all these years - one year I was told they were too old fashioned! - I was willing to settle for second best.
The young man cut out my yardage, which was labelled and taken to the cashier's desk for us.  The material was carefully folded, the bill attached within one of the folds and placed in the bag.  
OOOOH! I love it!  such old fashioned attentive service.  Why do people keep going back?  That's why!
Once back outside we decided to go back and have another coffee before going back to our bus.  I'll unpack the materials and take photos when I have made up the curtains.... promise.
Back at our hotel we started to sort and pack ready for our return journey home tomorrow.

We had one more trip now and this was becoming so easy!
We caught the bus at the top of the road and reached the bistro where we were meeting Ranger1 and M in what seemed no time at all.
After several drinks we all decided to move on to another restaurant where we were shown to a table towards the rear.  The drinks order came straight away and then M had a very bad coughing fit, she thought it was caused by all the pollution, but eventually had to return home.  
We continued with our meal as it was waiting for us but once eaten, decided not to have coffee so that Ranger1 could go home to M and make sure that she was all right.
We caught the last bus back, called in for a coffee and returned to our hotel.

Our Eurostar did not leave Gare de Nord until late afternoon so we people watched outside Le Baroudeur - the food is still very basic and, at one point, we were the only customers .... speaks volumes!
A good journey home but, as I now have my nets, I'm afraid it's au revoir Paris and Hallo to Masstericht and Andre Rieux.

Paris ..... part three

This was the best day of the whole visit!!!
When we were travelling down to London by train, I was panicking a bit about the walking.  I managed the walk between Euston and St Pancras so maybe it would be ok.
After travelling on the buses so successfully for the last few days we mapped out our journey and, after the obligatory Croissants and Coffee, we set off.
The first tram route started at the top of the road, a kind guy kept the doors open for us to 'jump' on and we were off.  We travelled northwards all the way past Gare de Nord - we couldn't believe it, no Metro or RER! We stayed on until we reached the Terminus and then descended.  The area was not very salubrious, and although a bus was waiting, the stop area was very crowded.  Thank goodness we live in Birmingham, we're used to being Cosmopolitan!  We climbed aboard, seats being given up for us with a smile, and off we went again.
As we travelled westwards, we passed some very interesting places making mental notes to look them up on Google.  We arrived at the next terminus, and found to our delight that we were at the Congress Centre so we knew that L'Escale was just round the corner!!!

Croque Madame -
the egg makes the difference!

Croque Monsieur

It was great to be back there and as we sat at a window table we discussed the various times we have eaten there.  We decided to have a snack and ordered the Croques.  They were a bit over done and not really up to the quality we expected but presentation and size still good!  
PJ pointed out that there was a bus up the hill so if I fancied walking up to L'Arc de Triomphe and have a look, we could catch a bus back. 
I had brought my walking poles with me although so far had only used one, and that as a sort of 'tall' walking stick.  
F.Y.I .  I find that the Walking Poles might look funny but are much better than crutches, my knees do not hurt and I do not get out of breath so much - a sound investment for me.
We made it up the hill and there it stood in all its glory! 
 L'Arc de Triomphe.

 In all the years we have visited Paris, we have only been here once ...... the very first time we came and we were on a guided tour ...... 
I have no words to describe it ..... it's a must see!!
When we got closer to the island I spotted some steps down and we found out that, if I managed the steps, we could view the monument closer ...... I WOULD manage the steps!

It's glorious close to and, if I had known that the Winter sunlight would give me such detailed photos, I would have taken so many more!!!  

I just thought - I can get them off the web.



We took a slow walk round the monument, access is so easy and it was stunning close to, such artwork.  
We could see the eternal flame, the inscription and wreaths - getting close without any scrambling.  The sunshine made it all so much better, it was coolish but no cold wind....... I could have done with a seat!!


We could see La Defense back the way we had come, the Paris Eye down the Champs Elysees out at Touleries, but decided that was enough.

If we had time we could've queued to visit the top where, I would imagine, the view must've been stupendous!

We didn't find out if they had a lift!!

I took lots of photos with my phone, being such a cool, sunny Winter's day there were just enough people there, not crowded out with Tourists and their selfie sticks!

We stopped to take a 'shadow' photo, which I gave up on getting the perfect one, but looking through them at home I notice that the couple, top left, managed to 'do the right thing' ..... you know .... when in Paris the City d'Amour!

We went back through the underpass to the bus stop, back down the hill to our next bus for the journey south.

What an amazing trip this has been.  We have had much more than we expected.  The transport has taken us through some very pretty places, the buildings and statues, decorations ..... I could go on ....  
We reached our final tram without any problem, it arrived as we descended from the bus - one would think they are timed to do that!
We called in for a coffee as we walked back to our Hotel ..... altogether an extraordinary day.

Down at the Bel Air for our evening meal, we had the French menu so I chose Escolope de Veaux and PJ had roast chicken.  Have I mentioned the glorious sauces that come with French meals!!!
The greengrocer was still open so we bought some fruit to have on the following day when we would be going to Montmartre ..... to buy lace curtains ..... that's why we come to Paris after all!

Paris ...... part two

We tootled off to the Market where PJ would sit in Le Charolais (hic) and I would trundle round at my own speed ...... sort of slow, slow, stop!

Taken from Googlearth

Where we stay in Porte de Vincenne there is a Patisserie opposite the Hotel - PJ nips out and buys some croissants while I am getting dressed - and there are Bistros on each corner.  The wide boulevard at the top of the road is handy for Trams, Metro and Buses so we usually start the day at the local bar, on the corner, for our morning coffee - delish - but today we discovered ...... a market!!  
Weeeell .......one has to doesn't one?!!
We wandered down our side of the road, marvelling at the quality, size and variety of the food.  It's been a long time since I have seen such an array of produce - even fresh skinned rabbits! 
I started to ache a bit so we crossed the road for the bus..... but look ...... a flea market!!!  
We wandered down that side of the road, me in my element but not able to see anything worth buying.  PJ went off to the Orange shop to see about cables and when I reached the end of the stalls I walked back to meet him, passing a shoe shop .....


I like things that are different ..... never would have known would you?!? lol

In the window ..... boots ...... on my feet.... in a box..... paid for and I was out again!

We arrived quite late at Aligre Market, no idea why!!! 
The whole street is a fresh produce market (see above), so we had to thread our way through all the food stalls to reach the square but PJ ensconced himself at the Charolais and I started my walk round the stalls.
I bought a beautiful old tooled leather covered sketch book, and then found some boxes on another set of tables ...... photos, postcards, papers, just junk ..... oldish junk ...... just what I wanted to rummage through!
A packet of old fashioned Air Mail envelopes - do you remember them?  A really old paper envelope full of old Italian postcards.  A torn folder full of small, ATC sized, textured cards and envelopes.  An old but very clever Christmas card and another old postcard of Paris.
By the time I had finished here and paid for my 'junk' some stalls were closing up but I did manage to see a bronze statue that I simply had to have.  
It was a smaller version of one that we had at home, belonging to PJ that he treasured (can't remember why!)  so I bartered and managed to get it for a good price.
I then popped into the Chocolate shop for my samples ..... the Christmas displays filled the shelves and no samples were to be seen. 
The young man that served me had no English  but between my basic French and his eagerness to serve, samples were wrapped and paid for.  
French service and packaging is just so perfect, take my shoe box .... not just a plain white box in a plastic bag.  The chocolate ..... not just pre-wrapped and shoved in a bag ...... makes me feel like a valued customer.
We had a 'sandwich' at the Charolais - half a French stick, ham, salad, cheese .... massive!  There were also several coffees and Kirs.
Some time later we decided to call it a day and go back to the Hotel ..... by bus of course!!!
I had had a lovely day, PJ had had a lovely day - I presume he did as he slept ever so well that night!!
We decided that the next day we would travel round Paris on the buses, possibly having lunch at L'Escale Restaurant over by La Defense.........

Paris ..... part one

This was a funny sort of visit - funny as in 'different'.
I love Paris, love every inch, can't get enough!   I also love a certain type of net curtain, bought in a French market some years ago, and want some more for my other window.  So I have to go to Paris to look for them .......  I know where to get them from, a shop that Lunch Lady Jan should never, ever visit.  Some trips to Paris are so busy that we don't have time to go to the shop, one trip the shop was closed and so the story goes on ...... we have to go back to Paris to buy some curtains.......
A couple of days before our trip I wrenched my right knee, walking caused a great deal of pain, but the trip was booked so off we went.
We had arranged for Ranger 1 to purchase our Paris travel tickets for us and were to collect them from the local Bar - Charolais.  
From our previous adventures in there we were looking forward to collecting the tickets!!!  True to form, after making our way from Gare de Nord, the tickets were waiting for us along with a 'few' drinks!   
Later (!) we left the Bar and made our way to the nearest Metro but on the way a bus arrived at the bus stop.  PJ remembered that this bus went along a route that passed near to our hotel so on we hopped!
We arrived at our Hotel and were shown to our room - very bijou this time but on the ground floor.

We had a view into the courtyard (our window can just  be seen), not that we spent much time looking out!!

We unpacked and then tootled down the road to Le Bel Air restaurant recommended by Hotel Reception, apparently several customers had remarked on how good the food was.

As per usual, the Restaurant was on the corner!!!  
We had a very tasty meal, I had Salmon with Pasta (doncha just loooove those French sauces!), PJ had Chicken Supreme, we were able to have a laugh with the Waiter - which is always important - and wandered back to the Hotel.  

Looking at its Facebook page I see it has live music evenings ....

We decided to visit the market next day, I love searching through all that old French stuff!

Another garden tidied up .......

The end of Summer is a busy time in the garden for us, we have our own gardens and the visitors' garden at Steam Trains, plus a friends garden.  
We visit this garden once a fortnight and give it general care by tidying up, mowing the lawn, hoeing and looking after the plants.
Now we have 'closed' the garden down now for the winter, said our goodbyes until next Spring.


Last Spring when we came there were lots of blossoms on the bushes, new shoots and long grass on the lawn!  


Throughout the Summer new blossoms appeared on other bushes and plants, while we dead headed and mowed.




After the Rhododendrons finish flowering, the Delphiniums come into flower followed by the Fuschias in the corner.  

In the Spring bluebells fill the corner and, as the bushes are all cut down, they put on a gorgeous show.

Down there is a Buddleia, overgrown and huge when we first came, but now it is a mass of flowers in late Summer.


The rest of the garden is well planted, many flowering shrubs to ensure blossoms all year round.  

The underplanting of primroses and bluebells brighten up the Springtime, then come the Roses and the Irises, Cornflowers for the Summer.


Now we have cut back, cut down, and cleared out as much as we can so it is tidy for the coming months.  
Still it looks good so I can only admire the person who planted it so many years ago.  It is very low maintenance, for us at any rate.

It gives us so much pleasure, a couple of hours and it is back to being perfect!!

Roll on next Spring .... the garden will have taken on a life of its own .... but we will be back!

Getting the Frontage ready for Winter

I haven't touched the Front Garden for some time, apart from giving the Geraniums  a 'haircut' once a year!
This is the year that it is getting cleared and put back to how it always used to be.... a rosebed. 
The Geraniums were planted in there when part of the rear garden was given over to greenhouse and vegetables, so they have had a good run for their money.  They annoy me no end and take over the whole of the garden during the year.  Yes!  I know that I love Geraniums, have quite a big collection, but they have taken over from my roses so they must go ....
We started digging and clearing three days ago, spending a couple of hours out there on the first day. 
I was exhausted but happy with the way everything had gone, managed to add one of my Cliff Richard roses, two more to go. 
I have the original in a large pot and managed, over the years, to take two cuttings from this. 
Now we are about two thirds of the way round the rosebed, hoping tomorrow will be fine so that I can plant up the rest of the roses.

We will probably replant the Aubretia along the edge of the rosebed so that next spring there will be a fine border of purple and green, which will show off the daffodils (lots of them dotted about) to perfection.  
Once we have finished the garden we shall cover all the soil with the wood chippings removed from the Chicken Ranch, lots of fertiliser in there!!
UPDATE:

One finished garden!             Love it! 

It's so beautiful!                              Can't wait for Spring!!!!

One fir tree down...

It has been decided that the Conifers in the Visitors Garden are getting too big.  I do agree that one of them is getting dangerous, not just in height but is pulling up the slabs with its roots.
We are also having to have a container built, wire cage, storage space, whatever almost!!  So the garden is going to be changed.


The entrance to the garden has a conifer on each side, one with a small Yew growing at the base.

I cut back all the plants at the base of these trees not long ago and now we have a much wider and neater entrance to the garden.








The beautiful Yew bush has had a good 'haircut' and is now trim and square ....ish.  The Senecio has also been trimmed, right back now that it has finished flowering.


Then came the news ...... one of the Conifers is being taken down, the whole area is going to be a storage cage.

No problems there as I had been warned in advance but I had wanted to be there to take a few cuttings from the Yew.



I rushed over to the gardens, hoping to be there in time to retrieve a few cuttings ... but no such luck.  The Yew was the first to come out of the ground, followed swiftly by the fir tree, concrete and all the 'logs' border.

The poor Conifer tree still stood but no longer proud ..... bedraggled is more than like!!!
Its branches were piled up high and underneath it all .... the poor old Yew.


On my next visit to the gardens, there was not a trace of the border, slabs had been removed and there was a nice pile of sand and gravel in there.
The hole is all that remains of the small border garden.


On my next visit, the iron strengtheners had been laid over the rubble base.  

The wooden surround had been set up ready for the concrete mix to be poured....


..... and now the cage stands proud.  
I have been unable to come for a week, so much has changed, so quickly. 

The cage is finished and the storage facilities for the inside are being made in the workshop.


Something heartwarming was also in the garden, part of the scaffolding tower  ...... being used!  

My BIL would by so very pleased to see this.

And here is the final shot of the cage ....


..... a new 'planting' in the garden!!  lol



I might just have to 'find' myself a pot of two in which to plant some climbers....

..... then again I could make some Steampunk ornaments.....

.... any more ideas?