Travels with Forty Roses

Apologies for the lack of postings this month. But, as you can see, in the following photos, we have simply been too busy. Beyond the photos we have shopped and cooked and attended French conversation classes, celebrated le Bonheur at Le Temps de Cerise, cat-cared for our neighbours cats, Hugo and Cosette, and hosted Mr. Monty overnight. We have travelled to the UK via Eurostar and spent wonderful days with Jim, Blythe and Annabel. Made the school run morning and night and read to our girl as often as she permitted. We have collected Christmas greens and amazing red berries, with Blythe, walked in the English countryside, bought tables shifted furniture and disrupted the Wantage house and had much laughter doing so. We have certainly eaten well in all locations and must now concentrate on eating less for the frigid month of January. The Squirrel will require or must require less peanut butter ( he made some today roasting his peanuts to the exact tone of brown and disallowing me to be involved in the critical work of producing the product.) He has pronounced it the best "vintage" ever so I am happily handing over the job. After all Squirrels know their nuts.

We scoured the French countryside for mistletoe and created our "Tree" and donated much of the remainder to eager recipients. We have contacted friends old and new and missed family from afar. We have drunk the health of all of you many times over.

We have experienced the Gilet Jaunes and understand their protests but not the damage of a few: we worry about North American politics and the see-saw of markets and chaos of the US. We worry too about Canada and the shift we see in the world toward less concern for climate change and the renewal of whale hunting by Japan. We wish for our grandchildren a better world, not one decimated by the decisions of our generation.

We have been wined and dined and in turn done the same. We have shared meals with the boating community and have been delighted to welcome Richard and Dan to boat living. We have gazed in amazement at the City of Lights from the top of the Eiffel. We have walked hundreds of kilometers...no lie...have been out early and late and all in all had an amazing Christmas in Paris.

We have missed everyone and greeted new friends with the traditional French kisses, we have thought of home at Lake Skootamatta, Alexis & Family in Nashville, Tyler and Michelle in Lewes with dear little Ollie and been able to spend an early Christmas with Jim, Blythe and Annabel. We count ourselves fortunate.

So the following is just photos and a mixed bag at that. The month has been amazing. A Very Happy New Year to you all.

The Clock at the Conciergerie

"The Hall of Soldiers" Constructed in 1302 during the reign of Philip the Fair

Unique Example of Gothic civil Architecture: 4 Naves with Ribbed Vaulting. 4 Fireplaces heated in this vast room.

Office of the Prison Warder- Keeper of the Keys

The desk of the Clerk who was responsible for recording prisoner details

The Grooming Room where prisoners had their hair cut before execution..you can glimpse the basket ready for hair.

Robespierre..no wonder he looks worried. He was eventually beheaded after ordering so many others to the Guillotine

The Conciergerie Room which held Marie Antoinette is now a tiny Chapel

The Womens Courtyard Remains Unchanged. Note the Spikes to prevent Escape.

Sainte Chapelle- A Gem of High Gothic Architecture

Built between 1242 and 1248...

...According to the Wishes of Louis IX

Floor Tiles: During the Revolution, the Sainte-Chapelle, a symbol of Royalty by Divine right, suffered a great deal of damage. Miraculously the stained glass remained intact.

Sculptures & Windows combine Harmoniously to glorify the Passion of Christ

1, 113 scenes are depicted in 15 Stained Glass Windows

They Tell the Story of Mankind from Genesis to the Resurrection

The Western Rose Window illustrates the Prophetic Apocalypse of St. John

In the Centre Christ returns in glory at the end of Time to judge the dead and the living.

The Overall Effect of the Windows in Overwhelming

So Many Details to Locate

The Gates

Spanish Citrus has Arrived for Christmas

And Even more Elaborate Pastry

Each Serves 4

Annabel..Always Moving Fast Greets Pomps at School Pickup - East Hendred

Friends in the Rain

Ready to Climb at Dickensian Night

Hand over Hand. . .not the Best Climbing Boots!

Going Higher

Lights from the house through the Tower Windows

Tree Lights Shine Through

Happy Girl!

Playing in Snow Foam...No real stuff in Wantage

The Building in the Background is Divided into Homes. The Tower section belongs to our Threesome

Girl in the Red Tights at Oxford

Christ Church Boys Choir Christmas Concert

How Much Dessert is Good For One?

Flaming Figgy Pudding for . . .Mr Squirrel. . . he says "Not too much for me!"

Story Time With Pomps

Morning Hairdo done by Moi

Pomps and Annabel Make Dessert. . .the Question? Is it too Much?

The Black Cat of East Hendred

Girl in a New Dress..Guess Who?

Creation by Blythe

Monty Staying Overnight

Mistletoe "tree"

Street Art

Novenae at Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Sightseeing with Richard

Interior Basilique du Sacré-Cœur

Beautiful Mosaic Detail

Paris Street Art in Montmartre

Funny Ad

Richard & John at Place des Vosges

Checking that Phone

Sightseeing in the Marais

Le Sapin Avec le Oiseau

Pretty Marais Hotel

Isn't it Grand?

La Seine at Night

Heading to the Summit

Looking up from Below

We Made It!

The View is Magnificent!

Watching the Spotlight

It Sparkles Every Hour for 5 Minutes

The River Below

On the River Awaiting the Sparkle

A Walk at Night Near Champs-Élysées

Outsize Decorations

Beautiful Tree & Light Reflected

The Four Seasons Light Box

Polar Bears in the Lobby

Avenue Montaigne

Bateau Mouche with a Bow

Christmas Flower Market

Variety Plus

A Specialty- Miniature Eggplant

Perigord Poultry

Noël Poire

Roses of Every Hue

An Extraordinary Exposition

Atelier-Lumieres.: To Experience see Klimt Woman in Gold Below and Click on the Caption

Experience this Amazing Exposition

Dan & Friend!

Hotel De Ville Versailles

Chateau Versailles

The Gates

Dan, Richard & John at Versailles

Our Guide ...

Baroque Music & Dance Event at Versailles at Night

The Grandeur is Awe-Inspiring

Gilt, Paintings, Chandeliers, Marble

The Kings Bed Chamber

The Magnificent Hall of Mirrors

John taking it all In

Dan & John

Checking our own Images

Cupids by the Score

Musicians

Dancer

In Motion

Fireworks

A Festive Event

Dan At Versailles

Magician with Hat!

Contemplating History

Many Portraits

. . . of Important Men

But None as Important as He

Fencing Demonstration

Père Noël

Have you been good or naughty?

Christmas Morning on the Canal

After Breakfast Dec 25

An Extraordinary Box of Chocolates. . .

. . . But Mr. Squirrel has his favourite

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

― Benjamin Franklin

“When you are designing your plan, think not in terms of what you need to do, think in term of what you need to achieve.”

― T. Jay Taylor

It all began when the Captain began asking about the location of his peanut butter jars. Or rather the lack thereof. Having brought 4 or 5 large jars of Just Peanuts Blue Menu from home and knowing he had a couple of similar jars on board, I suppose he felt there was a goodly season supply. However, sometimes indulgence just can’t be modified.

The first hint of trouble was some mumbling about finding some “natural” peanut butter in a so called Bio store in Paris. I said I would give it a search. When that was not helpful to the supply (Peanut Butter is found in France with difficulty, but it contains salt and sugar. These additives go against the sophisticated taste buds of certain consumers). Next action by the Captain was to begin an online search for ready sources. Netherlands had been a satisfying purchase location, at the Plus markets, in past. But no opportunity of buying the crunchy variety that was craved online. A purchase would require a trip, ruled out immediately.

So, secretly I decided to take pre-Christmas action and sent off an email to my sister in Canada in search of the Just Peanuts Blue Menu product. The series of emails about “the problem” follow:

My sister’s reply to initial request for a Christmas surprise:

“The nuts” are ready to go out to the Squirrel anytime today or tomorrow. Shocking the costs of nuts these days.

Nuts $20

Mailing (by surface parcel with maybe a month or two hold up). $84

By Xpress International (supposedly 4 days) $139

Was so shocked I forgot to ask about taxes.

The question is, how badly does a Squirrel need nuts ??? Is there any other “nut” alternative.

I await further instructions.

My instructions are swiftly sent off:

The Nautical Nut has just read this, as I was falling down laughing, and he finally asked me (lifting his head from his Clive Cussler book) what I was laughing about? So I said, 'Read this'! I think we give up the Nut Plan.

Anyhow, even Nautical Nut was shocked and said No, Never, so I guess he just has to find his own peanuts. Actually he was so desperate today he used my hand blender to grind up some salted peanuts while I was out. It's a wonder it didn't break as he really does not know how to use it. I just told him to go get plain unsalted and I'll deal with the rest.

Thank you for the undertaking and investigation but that's just too much for an indulgence. After all, we are thrifty Canadians.

Next stage:

My sister expresses concern. . .

We are worried about the “Squirrel” as he has a long winter ahead of him. Does he know that a squirrel’s brain enlarges in the fall so that he/she is able to find all the nuts he/she has hidden in storage for the lean months ? I know that because I saw the Nature special on squirrels.

Action Aboard:

Dear S&J

The squirrel's brain grew extremely large today as he went online and located a “natural" food store, called and spoke coherent French to whomever answered. (Funny how some people can even lift a car in an emergency) They spoke about peanuts. . . cacahuètes grillées à sec, sans sel etc., etc., and shortly afterwards the Squirrel donned yellow rain gear (a bit dangerous today with Gilet Jaunes protests) and cycled through a downpour to a "wonderful store" to quote him, upon safe return. Possibly the thought of the postal expense has driven the Squirrel to such high levels of winter activity. But back at the nest he has offloaded a huge bag into plastic bins (all I have) to ensure they don't "spoil". I have been tasked with natural peanut grinding tomorrow.

Thank goodness I can rest up for it.

Just another night in Paris.

Photos of various non peanut related sights around the city follow for this week.