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Post by mossie on Apr 11, 2014 18:33:20 GMT
What better place to be in April but Paris and my favourite parc, Buttes Chaumont in the 19e The trees were getting their first real spring green leaves which sets off the lake beautifully This tree looked as though it was desperate for a drink While a heron was displaying Also these geese were feeding on the bank And a group of youngsters were celebrating up in the temple of Sybille perched on top of the island, it was still mid morning but I just wondered if some had been there all night. Here is the full face of the artificial rock on which the Temple stands The island is approached by two bridges, this one was refurbished a couple of years ago In the grotto inside the island is an imposing waterfall Just the place for children, one has to step across the stream at the foot of the waterfall to continue exploring Not everyone loves the place, this concrete girl was trying to escape
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Post by htmb on Apr 11, 2014 19:45:22 GMT
Beautiful photos, Mossie. It's such a nice park to visit! When I was there last June there was a lot of landscaping being done and much was ripped up. Does that all appear to have been finished?
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Post by fumobici on Apr 12, 2014 3:05:15 GMT
Looks like a lovely day to spend strolling the park. It also looks like spring is further along in Paris than here.
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Post by questa on Apr 12, 2014 3:25:24 GMT
Mossie, "April in Paris"... your 1st pic shows it just how I would have imagined the song to be. As I will never see it IRL, on with the photos.
There are other anyporters in Paris...why not all post a few pics that say 'April' to you?
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 12, 2014 7:24:09 GMT
I would but Flickr seems to have changed its display arrangements so that I can't get the URL for the individual files. Does Proboards have a solution? My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by Deleted on Apr 12, 2014 10:46:04 GMT
Won't a right click on the photo display all of the information including the URL that you can copy and paste?
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Post by tod2 on Apr 12, 2014 14:47:37 GMT
Wonderful Mossie! I have only visited the park once so maybe this year it will be time for another visit in the autumn. I spent Easter in Paris many years ago and found the wind to be very cold at that time of year. But then our blood is so thin.... Have a wonderful visit and please show many more photos! Is walking around this time a lot better?
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Post by mossie on Apr 12, 2014 14:47:43 GMT
Some time ago I bought a book “Secondhand and Vintage, Paris” by Natasha Edwards. This tells you where to find these things throughout the city. It includes a section “Brocantes and Vide Greniers” and refers one to the website www.vide-greniers.org which details such things across France. I was pleased to find that there was a “vide greniers” taking place on Av Laumiere during my proposed visit. I should explain that vide grenier means attic clearance, in America I understand such sales are called garage sales but here in the UK they are referred to as boot sales. People have the opportunity to attempt to raise cash on junk, sorry, stuff, they no longer need, but one also finds professional traders at such places which bulks up the sellers. Anyhow, when I walked up Av Laumiere a couple of days before the event I found that the pavements along both sides had been marked out with numbered pitches in readiness. When I arose on the day I could see from my window that people were already starting to set out their stalls. By the time I had finished breakfast I was able to snap this picture from my bedroom window So off I went to explore and from just across from the hotel door caught this Walking up the Av inspecting the goods on offer took some time and the place was soon crowded with buyers picking over all sorts of stuff. From the top of some steps at the Mairie at the other end of the avenue I caught this impression I picked up this unusual old cigarette lighter, depicting a Spahi, or soldier from French colonial North Africa. The seller came from that area. This little exercise took me the whole morning, including the necessary stops for coffee. On another day I had done more exploration of my favourite Belleville, including this little enclave of very untypical Parisian houses Note the tree in the front garden here Wandering on I found this sign which I interpreted as “No women and children allowed” And then reached the Place des Fetes market. The stallholders displays can be excellent But this use of the Union Jack as a backcloth to a ragbag of old clothes bothered me Nearby I had passed this shop and wished that it could be transported home to be just round the corner and I could patronise it every day. Wanderings to be continued later.
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 12, 2014 14:53:38 GMT
Eventually, it seems. I was a bit discombobulated by the new "helpful" layers of Windows8-friendly layout scripting, and my eyes slid over the link to get to the old way of doing it, now a couple of layers down. But anywhere, here are a couple from April last year: Sunday morning along the Promenade Plantée: Afternoon on the Place des Vosges: Pitstop at the corner café: My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by tod2 on Apr 12, 2014 14:56:00 GMT
Fab fab fab Mossie! Ooh I am so jealous about you lighter! I've got a few on fancy Ronson ones but your find looks terrific! Are we permitted to ask the deadly question?? How much? Looking forward to more wanderings and more wanderings...
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Post by htmb on Apr 12, 2014 15:30:57 GMT
Absolutely delightful, Mossie. Fabulous photos! Makes me want to get over there fast!!!
It's nice you enjoyed the activities on your street. I recognized a bit of the place and hope yo return to explore that area more. I do hope getting around is physically much more enjoyable for you that it was on some of your last visits. Nice you had what looks like good weather, too,
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Post by bjd on Apr 12, 2014 16:53:41 GMT
Sorry I missed you, mossie. We were in Paris for 3 days last weekend, but were there for a wedding (with activities over 2 days) so I didn't try to get in touch with anyone. And on Sunday we needed a break from the crowds in central Paris so just went for a walk in Père Lachaise cemetery.
And, no, I didn't have a camera.
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Post by mich64 on Apr 12, 2014 22:35:01 GMT
Looks like we are going to all enjoy a lovely spring thread. Seeing everyone without winter wear, the leaves, the flowers, ah, fabulous! Is the lighter functional?
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Post by Deleted on Apr 13, 2014 2:52:01 GMT
You've really been getting around, Mossie! That new bionic hip must be spectacular. I have to keep myself away from vide-greniers because my flat is already overflowing.
Patrick, this year we have already passed the 'tender green' phase of the leaves at Place des Vosges.
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Post by questa on Apr 13, 2014 5:32:17 GMT
Mossie, Patrick and Kerouac2 I'm sitting here with a lump in my throat and tears pricking my eyes. Your photos have bought the Springtime in Paris to me. The Place des Vosges looks like an Impressionist painting and the little lanes and cobblestones and houses shouldering up to each other speak of a familiarity that I feel, but don't really have. I'm very glad your hip is getting you around, Mossie. I hope you have many more Km to go.
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Post by mossie on Apr 13, 2014 10:23:16 GMT
Many thanks everyone for your regard for my hip. It has healed splendidly and is better that new, less useful is the fact that the enforced idleness and liking for chocolate has increased my weight and reduced my energy levels. For all that it is such a relief to be able to walk freely, thanks again. For htmb, the paths and roads in the parc des Buttes Chaumont have been renewed and I think other improvements have been made as well. There were big notice boards explaining the works at the entrance, but I didn't take the time to explore the whole parc. For Tod, the lighter cost, after some haggling, 30 euros, which I thought was rather a lot but it was so attractive. To everyone reading this perhaps it will encourage you to visit Paris, and particularly explore the less touristy places. I did also do some touristy things myself, including this "selfie", I thought it better not to inflict the full horror of full face on you Also had to stop through Place de la Republique, which was overrun with roller skaters and boards While waiting for the Eurostar going home I had lunch in a rather unpretentious cafe across from Gare de Nord which sported this wonderful ceiling Of course no trip to Paris is complete without a stroll down the Bassin de la Villette to the Rotunde On the way I had passed this little breakfast party, which was one of several Here is another cafe, I was attracted to the animal on the wall, but realised the owners had made a real effort with the painted furniture I had also looked in to the old musette where, as the notice tells you, an Edith Piaf evening is held each week. I should warn you that the doors are locked, you are given a song sheet and are expected to sing. You will exit 80-100 euros lighter at the end of the evening Driving in Paris is a nightmare, but parking is certainly easier than in England. Note this car legally parked on an intersection and infringing on two pedestrian crossings. this would almost be a hanging offence in the UK Here is rue Jourdain leading up to the Church of St Jean Baptiste. Someone had a sense of humour when the road was named But of course you know I cannot resist street art. Here is a pot for growing pot in And it gets weirder And worse At least leave with the thought that Paris is the city of love
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Post by bjd on Apr 13, 2014 11:07:54 GMT
Hmmm, mossie -- I don't think that car is parked "legally". Not to say he'll get a ticket, but even in Paris that is not the way to park.
One year when my sister was visiting me and we drove somewhere --not in Paris. I was going in circles looking for a place to park. She said, "Just do like everybody else -- leave it in the middle of the street and hit your distress lights."
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Post by htmb on Apr 13, 2014 11:59:13 GMT
Oh, what fun! I love your spirited photos, Mossie. Was your selfie taken from the roof of GL?
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Post by questa on Apr 13, 2014 12:35:25 GMT
Oh...subtle, sir, subtle
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Post by lagatta on Apr 13, 2014 16:12:25 GMT
My friend who now lives near La Villette (see that thread) used to live very close to that church, so I went to Place des Fêtes market often. That square, though surrounded by ugly brutalist blocks, is lively and there was very good shopping when I was there.
I'm so happy that Mossie is mobile again. If you can walk as much as you did in this thread, you'll slim down soon... as long as you don't eat those gorgeous cakes every day!
Actually, I live close to the largest public market in Montréal, and many food shops nearby, and one quickly just gets used to their (attractive) presence. Not only because of the calories, sugar and fat, but also because of the cost!
Mossie, a friend had surgery last year for her hips, one at a time, and she is walking and cycling with no trouble at all. It was a hereditary problem - she is very slim, and always fit, and certainly not over 65. I find the improvements in those procedures heartening - while of course I hope never to need them, I do have some arthritis (also hereditary), and it could do anything in coming years...
I think the vegetation is filling in early in Paris this year. It looks quite lush for the time of year.
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Post by nycgirl on Apr 16, 2014 16:32:19 GMT
Springtime in Paris, sigh. Your report makes me wish I was there right now.
I've been to Belleville but I haven't seen that little enclave of charming houses you pictured. I'd like to have another wander over there next time.
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Post by tod2 on Apr 16, 2014 16:51:34 GMT
Another great photo essay Mossie. And NO, you would not scare us silly with a full Selfie Those scary-looking street art paintings came from, I think, (only because I have been there, after seeing one of Kerouacs wanderings around Paris), that you ventured up (maybe down) Rue Denoyez? How long exactly did you spend in gay Paree?
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 17, 2014 9:53:07 GMT
I haven't seen that little enclave of charming houses you pictured. I think I have - is it the Butte Bergeyre? My very first trip to Paris was to stay with a family in a street at the bottom of the other side of the hill, near Ave. Secrétan. My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by mossie on Apr 17, 2014 11:06:32 GMT
Yes the pot pot is rue Desnoyez, but the smart little houses are in the unfortunately named rue Paul de Kock. I was spending my standard 4 night break which is about the most I can cope with, both physically and financially.
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Post by lola on Apr 17, 2014 16:59:36 GMT
Ah, thanks Mossie and Patrick. They so much make me want to be there.
Love the selfie, Mossie. Is that from Galeries Lafayette?
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Post by mossie on Apr 17, 2014 19:32:13 GMT
Yes, the selfie was taken from the roof terrasse of Galeries Lafayette. The pot pot was in rue Desnoyez, but the other graffiti was in Place Frehel a couple of streets back up rue de Belleville
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 18, 2014 6:58:19 GMT
Oops. I was wrong, then. Just goes to show that nineteenth-century Parisian developers, like their London equivalents used pattern-book styles. My blog | My photos | My video clips"too literate to be spam"
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Post by tod2 on Apr 18, 2014 15:16:17 GMT
Had another look in more detail of your photos Mossie. All those wonderful pale green leaves would have turned to yellow and red by the time I get there!
I noticed the trailing ivy on the bank where the geese were feeding. It is very prolific here and most gardens have it in place of a grassy bank. It covers all kinds of gardening sins...
That Wallace fountain in front of your hotel - I was wondering if it was an authentic one left in peace by the Germans or whether it too was from a mold that was made to replace the ones melted down. Do you know the difference?
Was your lunch at the restuarant called Terminus Nord? It is a beautiful ceiling wherever it was. The bright little cafe with the painted tables and chairs had a hand painted sign on the glass which read " Tous Le Jours - A patir de 18th" What does that mean in English?
Mossie I wish you would come back to Paris again this year.
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Post by patricklondon on Apr 18, 2014 15:37:06 GMT
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Post by mossie on Apr 18, 2014 19:35:27 GMT
I did not know that the Wallace fountains had been replaced, or that the Germans had damaged or removed any. My cafe ceiling was not Terminus Nord but one of the cheaper ones further along the road, although I have eaten at Terminus Nord in the past. I certainly intend to return to Paris, in fact have a trip pencilled in for late June, but will review the situation then but hope there will be further trips. Because of my aversion to airports I am unlikely to travel further. I still cannot get away from seeing my name up on the board and strolling out to the aircraft immediately prior to takeoff.
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