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Post by mossie on Sept 21, 2019 16:45:58 GMT
Sorry for the thread title, but I mean it, not au revoir but I am afraid it has to be Goodbye. I am a few days home from my latest visit and am still walked out and did not walk very far, old age has caught up with me. Sadness over. I had a rather too relaxed trip, but could not resist a visit to the best park, the glorious Buttes Chaumont. Notice that they still mix vegetables into the flower borders But my eye had been caught by a large gaggle of girls including this villainous crew All part of a hen party, sorry it is blurred Sitting idling with a beer waiting for dinner and watching the workers exiting the Metro This group of girls appeared in front of me, I wished they would cheer up But I was able to snatch a shot of this bag, with it's odd mixture of languages Give you a rest from my waffle to get some tea and watch the highlights of the Grand Prix practice session, which won't interest the majority
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Post by cheerypeabrain on Sept 21, 2019 17:25:09 GMT
You always post lovely storyboard threads Mossie. Don't be sad darling boy...the experiences you've had on your trips to your beloved France will stay with you (and us) for ever. Thank you for ALL your fabulous photographs and i LOVE your witty, tongue in cheek humour. Carry on carrying on meduck xxx
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Post by kerouac2 on Sept 21, 2019 19:53:38 GMT
I can't wait to see more, but of course I will be even happier to see the photos of your next trip to Paris.
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Post by lagatta on Sept 21, 2019 22:34:16 GMT
Moi aussi. You still have splendid photos, and the cabbages' reference to the working-class roots of that park. It is my favourite Paris park as well. I still find La Villette a bit bland and not green enough, but perhaps Parisians and more frequent visitors can cure me of that. I have a friend who lives near Luxembourg (he is an emeritus professor), and while it is lovely I could never feel that it is for folk like me. To say nothing of Parc Monceau or points west.
Obviously, I hope you will return. You don't have to walk long distances to appreciate a place, and I think that Paris is becoming far more friendly to people with limitations in terms of mobility.
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Post by lagatta on Sept 21, 2019 22:38:09 GMT
Just thinking of the young lasses, and similar lads, from Young Werther to "No Future". Yes it can seem petulant when they have their lives before them, whatever those lives will be. But isn't this a recurrent theme? They will carry on as other generations have done. While I still have dear friends, I do miss the intense bonding friendships of youth.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 21, 2019 23:57:43 GMT
Love your latest from Paris, Mossie, and can only echo what Kerouac said. Looking forward to the next installment ... and the one after that and the one after that and the, oh ~ you know!
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Post by questa on Sept 22, 2019 3:22:45 GMT
I'm with you, Mossie. As I flew out of Bali last year I just knew I wouldn't have the strength or stamina for the exhausting airports, crowds, traffic and rapid changes that have happened ever again. Volcanoes and earthquakes have changed the face of the island, sending the young generation from the farms to make their living in tourism. There places have been filled by Javanese workers and mosques dot the land and raise tensions.
My village of Ubud in Bali is now a town after swallowing up about 10 other villages. My "babies" are at university studying Hospitality Industry. Their parents are working 2-3 jobs to pay for it. No time to sit and chat.
No, I won't be going back. I want to remember it as it was.
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Post by lugg on Sept 22, 2019 9:06:13 GMT
I am also looking forward to more Mossie. I hope you do get to go back of course, but only you know whether its feasible.
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Post by htmb on Sept 22, 2019 9:16:00 GMT
Mossie, dear, I suggest you have a rest for now and decide later. I know that traveling always takes a lot out of me, to be sure. It can be completely exhausting. However, maybe in the future you’ll feel up to another trip to Paris. Perhaps at a slower pace. Then, it will be okay to say you’ve changed your mind!
I always enjoy seeing your photos and reading your reports, but especially those of Paris. I’m often left thinking things like, "why didn’t I see that before," or "what a super composition." You really do have a good eye when it comes to taking photos.
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Post by mossie on Sept 23, 2019 15:21:54 GMT
Many thanks for the kind comments, but I am afraid 4 days later am still leg weary. Never mind, press on regardless, as was drummed into us. My age and increasing stupidity was drummed into me on my second full day. I had decided to have a look at the progress in recovering poor, sad, Notre Dame. But took the wrong bus route and took a long time to realise what I had done, so finished up near Beauborg . When I saw the queue at the entrance, my middle name (Impatience) took over and I wandered off into the queerly named Marais and soon realised that it was when I noticed some rainbow flags and the additional trimmings to this crossing Having wasted a lot of time I then set off to visit another old favourite for lunch, a place I have praised before It was very busy with most places occupied or reserved but the hard working waitress bustled off, came back with one of the little round cafe terrasse tables and set me up with my own table. It was possible she had recognised me from previous visits, but gave no hint. I was flattered and delighted and settled down to a good meal. Across the way a party of at least 14 were seated all together, an animated office do I guessed The waitress had them all served with their meal, and several other tables, with no fuss. She had to trot up and down a half flight of stairs so I guess she keeps fit with little thought. Because I was wasting time before lunch I had let the Metro carry on to Jourdain instead of exiting at Pyrenees, so I could stroll down rue de Belleville and look at the shops. Hadn't realised that there was such a good selection of food. Leche vitrine indeed Bet you didn't know how lemonade is produced round there And to indulge my fancy even more this one made me remember my father and how he sometimes talked about a place he called 'Messpot' That evening before dinner took a turn along the canal basin Villette, some of the locals have to decorate any suitable space, but this notice was close to where the bathing areas had been set up for Paris Plage Some of the hopeful were still fishing But for some odd reason a pair of legs took my eye, wonder why?? I hadn't noticed ladies playing boule before My last morning with plenty of time before my Eurostar had a coffee at le Marigny, another cafe local to my hotel and went to the top of the avenue to see the Mairie de la 19e Then it was off to Gare du Nord for the trip home About halfway to St Pancras the train passes Lille Airport and it is not long before I see the quotation from Tracey Emin on leaving St Pancras And so adieu
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Post by fumobici on Sept 23, 2019 17:41:34 GMT
Another lovely photo essay, you do have the eye for it. Hope you manage to make it back for another.
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Post by mich64 on Sept 23, 2019 17:59:53 GMT
Enjoyable as always!
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Post by lagatta on Sept 23, 2019 18:05:48 GMT
I have seen ladies playing boules, and the Italian version, bocce, but they could be that young lady's Mamie or Nonna.
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Post by bixaorellana on Sept 23, 2019 18:16:44 GMT
Dammit, Mossie! Do you think it's fair to post another killer report on Paris (how do you make each one fresh and different) and then say that's all folks?
Once again your keen eye shows us how rewarding travel can be beyond the official sights. I envy your ability to notice and to convey your pleasure in what you see, not to mention my admiration of your photography.
If that was indeed your last visit (say it ain't so!), you have done yourself proud with this stellar swan song of a report.
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Post by mickthecactus on Sept 23, 2019 18:27:28 GMT
What she said!
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Post by whatagain on Sept 23, 2019 18:37:29 GMT
You simply ain't alllwed NOT to come to Paris unless we meet at least once more. No bollocking.
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Post by kerouac2 on Sept 23, 2019 18:46:39 GMT
I am impressed at how Mossie skirted around the fact that he had lunch with three other Anyport members during this trip. They were probably the ones who wore him out, but he is too much of a gentleman to accuse them.
And of course the photos are as wonderful as always.
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Post by lugg on Sept 27, 2019 18:21:56 GMT
I hope you are now feeling recovered Mossie. As ever wonderful photos, thank you
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Post by Jazz on Sept 27, 2019 20:12:39 GMT
Another Mossie experience of Paris, thank you. Once again caught up in your unique thoughts and photos, especially the opening shot of the glorious Buttes Chaumont and the stately weeping willow...then, the black and white and gray moment of two shadows against the silver canal.
'Sorry for the thread title, but I mean it, not au revoir but I'm afraid it has to be Goodbye. I am a few days from my latest visit and am still walked out and did not walk very far, old age has caught up with me.
This stunned me. Oh my god. Mossie has said that he won't be going back to Paris! Then I thought back to my own life. In 2007 (at the age of 57) just after returning from a glorious trip to Paris (the best of my life at that time), two knee injuries led me almost to a walker and limited mobility for the next 2 years and much time on the couch. I thought then...this is my Final Visit to Paris. I was very sad. Que sera sera. Oddly, things changed and I could once again walk relatively freely and came home to Paris in 2011 for a beautiful month. The fullest, richest and most beautiful visit to this moment.
Four days and still feeling tired is not at all unusual. Not for me! How you feel is most significent. Please don't feel pressured...by your avid fans...by age...well, by anything. Do what feels good for you to do. If you never spend another hour in Paris, you have given us your unique insight into the Paris with your photographs and words. Our lives are so unexpected sometimes...One of my favorite songs is, What a difference a day makes'....
And let's be honest, I blame those Anyporters who wore you out!
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Post by lagatta on Sept 27, 2019 23:19:33 GMT
I'm so happy to see Jazz again!
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Post by cw3p on Oct 1, 2019 13:34:20 GMT
I can relate to the feeling that my next trip to Paris may be my last. I am well past 60 and am returning next week for nine days with a couple of first-timers who want to see everything and will definitely keep me on the run. My thanks to all here whose posts always show something new or remind me of someplace special I have already been. They always flan the flames of desire in my heart to return one more time, and hopefully not for the last time.
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Post by lagatta on Oct 6, 2019 10:25:22 GMT
Just put your foot down. Slow travel is also fine.
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