Martine Ménard

Another photo from our recent trip to Paris.

Well known Céramiste Martine Ménard (on the right) with a studio and showroom in Le Marais.

If you are in Paris visit her atelier in Le Marais, details can be found on her website: Martine Ménard

Autumn Colours

It is that time of year!

When green turn into all sorts of flaming colours.

Claude Cerf

A relaxed portrait of the Sculpture Claude Cerf just before the opening of his exhibition on the rue de Servres, 75006 Paris.

Yes we managed to pack a lot into our short stay in Paris. Having lived in Paris for over 10 years it was nice to be back, after nearly three years of being away, and enjoy the vibrancy of the city.

Paris Autumn

While we were in Paris we visited our good friend Andrew who lives to the east - as pointed out (thank you Deslilas) it is to the west - side of Paris in the lovely town of Les Vésinet which is very close to Saint Germain en Laye.

A late afternoon walk around the lake was illuminated by the sun slowly setting giving those golden colours that belie the chilled air. We were a little surprised that winter frost arrived so quickly with temperatures well below 0°C.

Paris gone Wonky!

If you stop by from time to time you will notice that this is no longer a daily blog but I try and post a photograph when I can.

This was taken last week when we were in Paris. It was just before the transport strike began and I was wandering down the avenue George V when I saw all the rental bikes that were soon to become hard to get. The next day when the metro and RER rail systems were virtually non existent, these bikes were put to good use.

And the wonky building? Nothing to do with me although someone came up with the bright idea using Photoshop to create hoardings for work going on behind this original facade.

Flying Charlie

Charlie our rescued pet pigeon took his first outside flight just over a week ago. It was a bit difficult getting a good photograph but I liked this one.

He goes out most days now and we are wondering if he will one day fly off and that will be that - gone! On to live the life of a pigeon.

The Long and Straight Road

One of tree lined roads heading out of the town of Uzés in the south of France. One of the lovely features of driving on these types of roads, and there are many lined with Plain Trees, is the shade they give against a hot summer sun. In the days before air conditioning in cars they were the only protection.

There are people that want to cut down these beautiful tree lined byways because they cause too many road deaths. A normal human reaction of course, if something might have the potential to kill you, get rid of it or kill it before it gets you!!! It doesn't occur to these people to have drivers stick to the speed limit.

Canoeing

The river that Le Pont du Gard traverses is not the river Gard, but the Gardon.

It's a great area for lots of leisure activities including canoeing and this photograph was taken as the canoeists were directly below 'Le Pont'

More on the River Gardon

Roman Aqueduct

Nearly finished with photographs taken around Le Pont du Gard and the town of Uzés in the south of France - there are a few more though!

The ancient Roman Aqueduct of Le Pont du Gard is worthy of another posting. It took me a long time to go and see this magnificent piece of engineering, after nearly 15 years of living in France, and it was more than worth it. It took three climbs up the hill at the side to get the right light and that was also worth it.

Sitting watching the sun slowly set and the light changing on the stones that have stood the test of time for nearly 2000 years is another memory that will last.

La Pont du Gard was made a World Heritage site in 1985 more info here.

Bath Time

Charlie, our baby pigeon, had his first bath in the sink! I had put down a little bowl of water and after seeing him trying to get in the bowl I filled the bottom of the sink with a little water he jumped in, (just like a duck to water!!!) and had a lovely time splashing about, and afterwards lots of flapping of wings to get dried off. Of course Charlie is not sure if he is a duck, pigeon or human.

Some time soon we are hoping he will take his inaugural outside flight, another update will be posted when this happens.

Artisan Savonnerier

Nature et Senteurs is the shop Uzés where my wife bought lots of lovely smelling products. This is one of the two ladies who hand make all the products that are for sale.

M & B Créations, Artisan Savonnier produces 'cosmétiques à base d'huiles naturelles et biologiques' and durinng the summer season you can make reservations to assist in the making of these products.

If you want to find out more about this beautiful town check out Wikipedia

Nature et Senteurs c’est le magasin d’Uzés où mon épouse a acheté un bon nombre de beaux produits de toilette. La photo est l'une des deux personnes qui font tous les produits naturels qui sont en vente.
M et B Créations, artisan Savonnier de produits naturels d'huiles de base et de cosmétiques biologiques et durant la saison d'été vous pouvez faire des réservations pour aider à la fabrication de ces produits.

Si vous voulez en découvrir plus sur ce sujet de cette belle ville cliquez sur Wikipedia (en englais)

Savonnerie

The interior of the lovely smelling shop in Uzés. Lots and lots of soaps and other products, a blaze of colour and my wife buying all sorts of different stuff.

Nature et Senteurs

Perhaps with a pigeon on my head I'd better make sure I have enough nice smelling soap!

Back to our holiday trip in France and we have yet to leave the lovely town of Uzés which oozes great images and is steeped in history.

This little shop which for the summer season is situated next to the Château de la Duc d'Uzés is owned and run by two ladies who make their own soap and other nice smelling products.

Charlie Pigeon

Just over two weeks ago a lost little pigeon was following behind anybody trying to find its Mum. What to do? It had fallen out of its nest somewhere and by the time we picked it up it was starving. We phoned the local Bird center who said boil up some cat crockets, liquidize them and feed every hour with a syringe.

We got into a good system of feeding and the little bundle of feathers it now nearly grown.

Now we have a flying pigeon that we hope will be ready soon to fly off into the big wide world instead of onto my head.

Cordes Climb

The hill top Bastide village of Cordes sur Ciel is exactly that! It's a tough climb up full of twists and turns and delights to discover. Although dotted with tourists type shops this is a living village with village life going on around the tourist.

Visiting off season is a certainly a more pleasant experience than in the middle of the high season

For a bit of history of the village check here.

Serge Raynal

An artist of stature and also a kindly man of great gentleness. We talked for while with this lovely man, enjoyed his art and enjoyed his knowledge.

Someone who has displayed and sold his creations in the beautiful village of Cordes sur Ciel a hill top village in the Tarn, southern France

Cordes Cat

A little break from our holiday pics, but there will be more.

Last Saturday we had a walk round one of the lovely villages in the Tarn and this lovable creature posed for the camera, or was she watching the birdie?

Cordes sur Ciel in one of the very beautiful hill top Bastide villages situated in the Tarn. This lovely cat is a habitant of the village - I think!

Sud étoffe

This is the shop that I had great difficulty getting my wife to leave. She loves materiel and the particular materiel that comes from this region of France called 'Boutis.' I think the credit card took a bit of hit here, but that's what holidays are all about.

We are still in the town of Uzés in Southern France and this shop is called Sud étoffe, La maison de Provence, 15 place aux herbes, Uzés.

Menu du Jour

A very tasty menu for lunch time - just what's needed to satisfy the tourists who have have had a hard morning wandering about enjoying themselves.

Taken in the town of Uzés southern France

Late Summer Coffee

What pleasure to sit have and have a coffee or cool drink in the late afternoon sun and watch the world go by.

Place aux Herbes, Uzés, southern France.