Thanks Mossie - even with a gammy leg we covered most of what we wanted to see.
Last Monday in September and our lovely holiday has nearly come to it's end....
Not wanting to aggravate my knee anymore than I should because tomorrow I want to be able to make that train, we started out late and took the opportunity to pack then went to Cafe Richard for a late breakfast, and then walked to Jardins d' Ecole which I had seen in Kerouac's report.
Naturally it was pretty deserted - we only saw one dad with his two children until we got to the far end. I was dying to pee but was put off by young men constantly coming and going into the toilet. I made a dash over rue d'Aubervilliers and down one of the side streets and back to the nearest cafe`.
I then decided to take Mr.Tod to Place Des Vosages where we spent time admiring the buildings and garden. Memories of my mum and I sitting on a bench and finding a Japanese couple willing to take a photo come to mind. We walk up these narrow twisting streets amazed at the bus trying to make it through!
I'm looking for no.1 rue de la Perle. This is the locksmith museum where all manner of keys, locks and all things security-wise are housed. The collection is kept in the Hotel Bruant (1685) and formerly the home of Liberal Bruant, the famous architect of the Invalides.
Having bought from the Order of the Fusees the last uninhabited domain in the Marais du Temple (the area between the temple and rue des Francs-Bourgeois), he replaced the Order's kitchen gardens with magnificent hotels particuliers, thus completing the urbanization of the Marais.
Somehow, only the one he had built for himself has survived.
We find the museum all right but ringing the bell at the entrance is not getting us anywhere.
An old man shouts down to us from his balcony across the road that it is closed. Drat!
We wander around for a bit longer then call it quits and head for the 10th and an early dinner.
Walking down from Colonel Fabien metro we walk on the left sidewalk and what I suppose is the 20th Arr. At rue Vicq d' Azir we cross over into the 10th Arr. and soon find the Timhotel with the restaurant underneath/next door.
It's only just after 5pm and we are told they open at 7pm....so we settle down at one of the charming mosaic tables on the sidewalk and order some wine. I study my guide book and Mr. goes off taking photos. If the road didn't have such a steep slant going down to the canal I may have managed the walk there and back.
Across the road it sounded as if there was a creche or school somewhere in the vacinity.
After several glasses of wine and beer we were summoned to enter the restaurant.
It didn't take long to choose our tagines and in around 30 minutes they were set down on the table. I had lamb with prunes, Mr. had lamb with lemon and olives.
And so it ends.
The Last Time I Saw Paris
Her Heart Was Warm And Gay
No Matter How They Change Her
I'll Remember Her That Way........