Gran & Papa...who would have thought!

We are grandparents !! Ada Ann McConnachie Craig 7lb7oz. born 2.20pm yesterday, at the Royal Infirmary (Little France),  Edinburgh. We are over the moon!

The other side of the hill...another Paris pic

This is a view from the Butte de Montmarte that the average tourist probably won't see, looking north down the steps Rue de Mont Cenis, only minutes from the Sacre Cœur yet as the street contains a water tower (interesting as it is) and little else people probably walk no further than the bars and restaurants before heading back to themore familiar views.

Paris window shopping off the back of a lorry.

While walking back to our apartment along Rue Joseph de Maistre in Montmarte we stopped at this window display at number 17, we couldn't decide what it was actually selling and with it being closed we couldn't ask.The name 'Tombées du Camion' didn't really help either! I have since done a little research and apparently it specializes in the sale of toys parts from the beginning of the last century, it offers unfinished doll heads straight out of an abandoned factory of the 30's  and you can also find doll's eyes made of glass, pearls to make jewels,lead typo of all sizes but also a wide choice of buttons, earrings and necklaces. The prices however are apparently very much of today, so be warned!

Saying 'I love You' in Paris is good in any language.

The ‘Le mur des je t’aime’ or ‘I Love You Wall' can be found in the small ‘Square Jehan Rictus’, Place des Abbesses, Montmartre, the metro stop is ‘Abbesses’ on  Line 12. It is made up of 612 midnight blue tiles, with the words “I love you” written over 300 times in different languages. This piece of ‘art’,by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito and it has become a meeting place for tourists and ‘lovers’.

Loches,lunch and 'Le Gerbe d'Or'.

Had to go up to Loches yesterday so decided to lunch at 'Le Gerbe d'Or'. which is the restaurant we recommend to the guests at our houses when visiting the Saturday or Wednesday markets. We weren't disappointed we had a good 'menu de jour', 3 courses with a glass of wine for 13.80 € served as ever by friendly and attentive staff.

Neighbrayhood watch

We went over to check on a friends wintering plants yesterday and their neighbour came over to check what we were up to.

More on Paris...where to now?

This is probably what every visitor to Paris has done at some point during their visit, although now with the many great apps for the metro it may soon become a thing of the past.

Not in the pink in Paris...

We have loved having the opportunity to spend Christmas in Paris thanks to family connections and have many fond memories.This year was no different other than we had a couple of small disappointments. First of all the restaurant we used to people watch across from the Moulin Rouge is now a 'Buffalo Grill' (shame on you Paris) and our little 'La Maison Rose' was closed, ah well everyone needs a holiday sometimes and it was Christmas day!

Window shopping in Paris

A present for your little angel perhaps? In the UK I've seen 'little rascal' on hats but this may be a step too far...spotted in shop window in the 5th arrondissement of Paris over Christmas. 

First musical soiree of 2018

Last night we were at our first musical outing of 2018. Dave and Patience laid on an evening of diverse musical entertainment with Dave joining David and Cally for their set of tunes that always go down well plus members of the local choral did their bit...oh and they were kind enough to let me have a go - fun night!

Back to Paris with a bit of posturing

This 'centre' was near our apartment in the 17th in Paris and made me wonder who would be on their client list...certainly a lot of politicians both here in France and the rest of Europe plus many more in the UK.

Looking back on 2017 we did a lot of walking in the Loire Valley

To counteract all the eating and drinking we did in 2017 we also did a lot of walking. With friends old and new.

Looking back on 2017 we did a lot of eating and drinking with friends...

Cheers to all of you!

A good start...

Well, the first day of the new year got us off to a great start. After bringing it in with a bunch of friends at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny we then gathered together for brunch at our friend Dave's in Chaumussay where he, along with other friends Cally and Karen, had laid on the perfect remedy for anyone suffering any effects from the night before. There was of course plenty of sparkly on the go to remind us we were celebrating the arrival of a new year...though in most of our cases it was perhaps more celebrating having survived another one😉.

Pauline and I rounded of the day with our last bottle of Pouilly Fume from our cave along with our dinner...a good start to the year!

Ringing in the new...

Brought in the new year at 'Chez L' in Le Grand-Pressigny last night with friends and neighbours, English and French - good fun.Lisa and Putch laid on a great spread.

Happy New Year...

It's only words...

Somewhat sadly, the words from my poem from last year at this time still resonate...so with a little modification here they are again.

The tides of time cannot be held

As another year slips through our hands

Invincibility we once thought we had

Now seems lost by years, just grains of sand

They say with age comes wisdom

But it also steals our past

But hold on to your fond memories

Steadfastly built to last

After big decisions made

No matter right or wrong

Our future now seams less assured

Where did it all go wrong?

Time taking people that we love

Is so hard to comprehend

But as life has its beginning

It sadly has its end

Its now time to look ahead, not back

Although many thanks are due

To family and dear friends of ours

Who helped see the last year through.

Thank you!

Jim Craig

Les Halles in Paris

The last time we visited the site of Les Halles in Paris it was a giant hole in the ground!

Today it is home to 121 shops and 23 restaurants and a lot of glass!

A winter's walk...

With our local randonnée club on its winter break friends David and Jane took up the mantle and organised an impromptu walk yesterday in the countryside around their home. It was an excellent way to take advantage of a beautiful December day here in Southern Touraine with friends. It ended with mulled wine and cake back at theirs...perfect end to a lovely afternoon!

Christmas Eve in Paris

On Christmas Eve morning we headed over to the 5th arrondissement to Rue Mouffetard. It is a pedestrianised street, which Parisians call “la Mouffe”, one of the oldest in Paris and is home to a popular street market...

and a very popular boulanger judging by the length of the queue. 

There were too many restaurants for the number of potential customers and it was difficult to choose one but we found this one (on the right) where we had a very good three course lunch for 15 euros ...in Paris...on Christmas Eve - who'd have thought!