We must learn to honor excellence in every socially accepted human
activity, however humble the activity, and to scorn shoddiness, however
exalted the activity. An excellent plumber is infinitely more admirable
than an incompetent philosopher. The society that
scorns excellence in plumbing because plumbing is a humble activity and
tolerates shoddiness in philosophy because it is an exalted activity
will have neither good plumbing nor good philosophy. Neither its pipes
nor its theories will hold water. -John W. Gardner,
author and leader (8 Oct 1912-2002)
Olivia has mastered the selfie at 7.5 months ha ha ha Love to our northern crews! Hello Selfie People, et al! When does Olivia Rose sign up for her first paper route? Tell her that her great-grandfather needs his malt cabinet replenished after being away for six weeks and the house-sitter has been knocking back a bottle a day!!! Have enjoyed a wonderful two days here in Chabeuill and leave this morning for Paris for four nights before winging home to Penticton.
Pics: Fiona's stairs; waiting for next train in Geneva; some of the marvellous festival foods and wares in Chabeuill: La Bamba! Tain; relaxing after lunch yesterday!
Hello Dearest Host! Would you be able to print these for us so that we have a bit of a guide for taking Metro in Paris. Thanks and Cheers, Patrizzio! Pics: Metro maps for Ibis, Moulin Rouge and Robe.
Greetings from the TGV station in Valence, Dame Judith! Talked to Chloë last night, on FaceTime, and she told us more about your latest live bird episode! Picture of bowl of tomatoes was terrific. Glad they ripened so well. Lovely shot of the two malt thieves!!! Fondestos from Lady Darjeeling, just back from finding out which platform, (4), our train leaves from. Will probably head out shortly as we have to take the elevator down about three floors. Hello to the Bird Cats, Malt King Kevin and Colin, Bird Control Officer! Cheers, Patrizzio!
Sounds like quite the adventure. We had a similar experience in Italy. Must be a European tourist adventure that folks never tell you about! Now that you have talked to Chloe you know why your wine supply is dwindling. It is to help me survive - "birdland". Enjoy the rest of your trip, Sir Kevin is anxiously awaiting the return of his slave... oops my inner voice. His "bride". He is glad that I called Colin and Evi to help with the bird rescue and not him. Not very gallant of him.
You will need to take out a second mortgage when you get home, to help pay for all the collars Duke keeps losing, and to replenish your wine. Great story and pics, and see you soon. Dame Judith Tonight I am entertaining Collins brother Simon. He has invited you and I are over to his place for Scotch. I think Lady Dar will be coming as well.
Dear Chateau Chabeuill Chatelaine! Just a quick note to thank you both for your unstinting hospitality. We couldn't have been more comfortable with everything from the chauffeur service to the private apartment to the Guide Michelin meals, to the more than plenteous, remarkable wine.
PS: I meant to tell you, before we left this morning, that I "stole" the unfinished shampoo and conditioner set out in our bathroom. Not sure if we will have any such "luxuries" at Budget Ibis in Paris. As well, I "purloined" a tooth brush in a sealed package from small cupboard under sink as mine is loosing bristles! Hope you don't mind! Pics: Some of the snaps I took over the course of the last few days. Latest of Olivia Rose with her parents, Alexander and Samantha. Hi again, Rosemary! Somehow Bob's email address wasn't in last message. There was some interruption in coverage and I couldn't save the text and when I could send message, upon reviewing, I noticed the address was mentioned but not included! Anyway, here it is. Cheers, Patrizzio!
We arrived at Gare de Lyon at around 2:00 pm and had not much difficulty finding the No. 24 bus which took us directly to our Ibis Budget Paris Porte de Bercy, Bercy 2, Charenton-le-Pont. Trip took about twenty minutes but as it was raining windows were fogged so couldn't see all that much. When we made it to Bercy, hotel was just a few steps away from bus stop so we were inside and in our room well before 3:00 pm. Talk about budget accommodation! Clean and sparkling but not a stick of furniture other than bed, [Queen, which is quite comfortable, and two thin pillows. I don't mind but Lady Dar likes larger ones!], a tiny shelf desk with a square plastic stool. Not even bed-side shelves or another chair so we watch BBC World News lying on bed. From Chateau Chabeuill to a cardboard box on the banks of the industrial part of the Seine!
In keeping our "bar fridge" is the narrow sill of the window looking out onto an enclosed roof. Since it was raining and overcast temperature is cool enough to keep my fuzzy water pleasantly chilled. Will have to eat one last, small container of yogurt and remainder of cheese, [picnic on TGV], for breakfast tomorrow before we sit on a street corner with a sign saying Homeless, Need Food! Anyway, after we hung up a few things, using three of the five hangers provided we headed out to explore Paris! From looking at some of the maps in the hotel lobby I determined that if we took the 24 bus to Gare D'Austerlitz we would be able to walk along the Seine, on the Right Bank, to take us towards Notre-Dame, and then we would be in a part of the city I was reasonably familiar with.
By the time we alighted the bus it had stopped raining so the walk past some of the buildings of the Université Sorbonne Nouvelle - Paris 3 was quite enjoyable. Once Notre-Dame, clad in scaffolding, came into view, it confirmed, more or less, where we were so I suggested we first visit Shakespeare & Company. Lady Dar insisted it was on the Left Bank but I knew she was mistaken. Anyway we found it shortly thereafter and spent a most enjoyable time wandering tiny, book crammed space. I had never been to the upstairs rooms so I ventured there and met Aggie, store cat, a tabby, on a chair, beside a sign: Aggie has been up all night reading so please let her sleep! If only the same could be said for Duke and Etta!
We bought two books, Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale and Phillip Kerr's Greeks Bearing Gifts. We have the former at home, somewhere, but can't find it and neither of us had read this particular Bernie Gunther. While Lady Dar was browsing I asked one of the friendly young women at the till if they knew of the La Robe et Le Palais, a wonderful restaurant we had stumbled across in 2010, with Flamin' and Sarge, and then eaten at again in 2013, by ourselves. She very kindly found the address and pointed us in the right, general direction.
I thought I could find it as I knew that it was in the vicinity of The Palais de Justice, not far, across the Seine. Unfortunately, for us, the bridge closest to Notre-Dame was closed due to the on-going repair to the Cathédrale so we ended up crossing to the Left Bank via Pont Neuf.
When we finally found it, [Bit like looking for Shangi-La, Dear Reader!], we enjoyed a simply fabulous meal, an early dinner. Since we didn't have reservations we could be squeezed in before the real rush began. I opted for the Steak tartare which couldn't have been more delicious. Although it was probably only 8:30 pm when we finished we were both more than happy to head back to our hotel as it had been quite a long day, with train travel and then having to re-orient ourselves to Paris and how to get around, most efficiently in this incredible city.
Once back at the hotel and in our room we brushed and flossed and then watched BBC to catch up on some of the world news that we had not been able to follow while in both Switzerland and, more recently, in Chabeuill, as there was no television there or in Fiona's apartment. Not that we really minded but it was a pleasant enough way to unwind from the busy, full, full day we'd enjoyed.
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Winnie the Pooh with Tigger
Illustrator: E.H. Shepard
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Sounds like quite the adventure. We had a similar experience in Italy. Must be a European tourist adventure that folks never tell you about! Now that you have talked to Chloe you know why your wine supply is dwindling. It is to help me survive - "birdland". Enjoy the rest of your trip, Sir Kevin is anxiously awaiting the return of his slave... oops my inner voice. His "bride". He is glad that I called Colin and Evi to help with the bird rescue and not him. Not very gallant of him.
Dear Chateau Chabeuill Chatelaine! Just a quick note to thank you both for your unstinting hospitality. We couldn't have been more comfortable with everything from the chauffeur service to the private apartment to the Guide Michelin meals, to the more than plenteous, remarkable wine.
After we said goodbye we found seats near a number of plugs and I spent an hour or so catching up on messaging, etc. Lady Dar's iPad didn't seem to be charging, [Is now charging so we hope it will continue to do so.], so she found a FT paper and read. About 11:20 am we collected our baggage and had no trouble going through the ticket barriers, then taking the lift to our platform.
Only had to wait there about ten minutes but not at all unpleasant as sun was shining as we chatted. Were standing in almost exactly the right spot for our carriage and are now speeding towards Paris, backwards, but other than that we are very comfortable, First Class, [Highly unusual for us, Dear Reader, to be in such rarefied seating!], and enjoying the countryside as it flashes past.
Only had to wait there about ten minutes but not at all unpleasant as sun was shining as we chatted. Were standing in almost exactly the right spot for our carriage and are now speeding towards Paris, backwards, but other than that we are very comfortable, First Class, [Highly unusual for us, Dear Reader, to be in such rarefied seating!], and enjoying the countryside as it flashes past.
[Ayn P Patrick James Dunn Nana looks like a local in her scarf Patrick James Dunn You better believe it although many were most impressed with my hat. Unfortunately, in scramble to leave train in Grenoble my new red one was left behind. This one was left in Chabeuil in 2013. Maybe I'll be able to collect red one at SNCF Lost and Found on next trip to Europe! Patrick James Dunn Famous Orange Chapeau!]
Not sure if I mentioned, at breakfast, that we had called Chloë on FaceTime last night and she is well. Her tummy is really quite a "bump" but other than not sleeping as well as she'd like, [Baby is obviously a soccer player as it kicks much of the night!], she is busy with work and counting down her last month before maternity leave. Please pass along the only email address I have for Bob Hill and ask Andre to send best wishes to him and Katherine when he is in touch. Again, thank you for having us and making our stay both relaxful and most interesting, given fête in town and the day trip to Tain. Thanks as well, Rosemary, for printing out our plane tickets and maps for Paris. Much appreciated. Fondestos from Lady Dar, just having some of your delicious cheese with her gluten-free crackers, to you both. Stay well and travel safely. Cheers, My Darling Chatelaine, Patrizzio!
Not sure if I mentioned, at breakfast, that we had called Chloë on FaceTime last night and she is well. Her tummy is really quite a "bump" but other than not sleeping as well as she'd like, [Baby is obviously a soccer player as it kicks much of the night!], she is busy with work and counting down her last month before maternity leave. Please pass along the only email address I have for Bob Hill and ask Andre to send best wishes to him and Katherine when he is in touch. Again, thank you for having us and making our stay both relaxful and most interesting, given fête in town and the day trip to Tain. Thanks as well, Rosemary, for printing out our plane tickets and maps for Paris. Much appreciated. Fondestos from Lady Dar, just having some of your delicious cheese with her gluten-free crackers, to you both. Stay well and travel safely. Cheers, My Darling Chatelaine, Patrizzio!
We bought two books, Atwood's A Handmaid's Tale and Phillip Kerr's Greeks Bearing Gifts. We have the former at home, somewhere, but can't find it and neither of us had read this particular Bernie Gunther. While Lady Dar was browsing I asked one of the friendly young women at the till if they knew of the La Robe et Le Palais, a wonderful restaurant we had stumbled across in 2010, with Flamin' and Sarge, and then eaten at again in 2013, by ourselves. She very kindly found the address and pointed us in the right, general direction.
I thought I could find it as I knew that it was in the vicinity of The Palais de Justice, not far, across the Seine. Unfortunately, for us, the bridge closest to Notre-Dame was closed due to the on-going repair to the Cathédrale so we ended up crossing to the Left Bank via Pont Neuf.
Once back at the hotel and in our room we brushed and flossed and then watched BBC to catch up on some of the world news that we had not been able to follow while in both Switzerland and, more recently, in Chabeuill, as there was no television there or in Fiona's apartment. Not that we really minded but it was a pleasant enough way to unwind from the busy, full, full day we'd enjoyed.
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