In Paris

The flight to Paris was lovely, with splendid views of the white cliffs of Dover, and of lots of snow over the French countryside.

It is cold, but I am well wrapped up and it is pleasant walking in the streets. We are staying near the Opera house. This morning my new friend and I walked past the Louvre, across the Seine to the left bank to go to an art supply shop. It was shut - but it was a nice walk.


So far I have had two very satisfactory French meals. I have phone snapshots of some of the dishes. and cards with the addresses, just in case you need a really nice restaurant in Paris.

When I get a chance I will download the pictures from the phone. They will not be flash but at least I will have a record. There is a shot of the Christmas tree made of recycled soft drink bottles. There is a substantial metal frame to support the bottles, and the bottles are all tastefully distorted, so I am not sure if it is anything more than a symbolic gesture joining good environmental intentions with festive decorations - still, it is both attractive and amusing.

OK, we've just skipped to the next day, which has been full. And wintery. We were walking out in the falling snow for a while this morning. There was lots of retail sightseeing. my only purchase was a piece of leather, die cut in such a way that it stretches out into a mesh. Not sure what I'll make with it, but I haven't seen anything like it at home, and it won't take up much room in the luggage. I was quite taken with one shop we visited in the posh end of town. The woman greeted me with puzzled familiarity. I was wearing (as a top layer over numerous other warm garments), my old Issey Miyake coat that I made from a Vogue pattern something like 25 years ago. The shop's main item of merchandise was the very same coat in various colours and fabrics, available for hundreds of euros each. I feel like a much more significant addition to the Paris scene now.

 

(edited to add, I loaded up this picture partly to show the coat, which it does very poorly, so if you are interested in the construction of the coat, have a look at the pattern details here )

I do like the Parisian pooches. It is so nice to be in a flash shop and meet a small, beautifully groomed dog out, in the shop, with its fashionable owner, checking out the bargains in the sales.