tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72194503923609937452024-03-18T23:15:44.488-04:00Colin Churcher's Blog for 2014Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.comBlogger112125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-11045885649334691072015-03-23T10:40:00.002-04:002015-11-12T17:39:12.743-05:00Blog for 2015The blog for 2015 can be found at <a href="http://colinchurcher2015.blogspot.ca/">http://colinchurcher2015.blogspot.ca/</a>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-11607362885179254702015-01-06T09:51:00.001-05:002015-01-06T09:51:48.135-05:00Monday 5 January - Coming Home<p dir=ltr>I checked the web first thing to verify that the RER line B was working properly (I.e. not on strike). The flight was scheduled 30 mins. late as the incoming was delayed in flight so we took a little longer getting ready. We now know the ropes. Waking to the Metro, metro to La Chapelle, walking to Gare du Nord, RER to CDG on the slow train, fighting the crowds to get to the Air Canada check in, printing tickets and baggage tags, customs and security. All of this took just 1 hour and 35 minutes which must be a record. We sauntered down to the gate stopping for a coffee and a final excellent croissant at Fauchon.<br>
And this is where the story really starts. <br>
Departure was further delayed for an hour or so then they had to take on extra fuel. There was freezing fog at CDG so there was a further delay while the aircraft was de-iced. Visibility was very poor - possibly a hundred yards or so. I have never taken off in freezing fog before. It must have been exciting from the cockpit barrelling down the runway at full throttle with a heavy plane full of fuel and passengers and not to be able to see the end of the runway. It was great to break out into the sun above the gloom.<br>
By this time we had missed our connection to Ottawa in Toronto. Not to worry as Air Canada will have a table at the connections area with new boarding passes for us. The table was there but no boarding passes. We had to go upstairs and check in again. Then the Air Canada computers went down. I managed to get boarding passes out of a machine but it wouldn't print new baggage tags. The check in lines weren't moving. With a little prodding I managed to get to a check in person who sorted out the baggage tags and told us that next time the computer knows of any flight changes so the old tags would have been fine. <br>
All this to say we arrived home just two hours later than planned.<br>
It was -15 and, wonder of wonders, the 97 bus driver didn't need a pee break so we got right in to a warm bus - otherwise we would have had to wait outside in the cold looking at a warm bus.<br>
Ottawa is a winter wonderland as all the trees are covered in ice. We can enjoy the results of the freezing rain without having to put up with it.<br>
With all the good eating over the last 6 1/2 weeks I was delighted to find that I have actually lost 3 pounds. It was a fantastic trip.</p>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-49313398230114895152015-01-04T08:31:00.001-05:002015-01-04T15:48:53.974-05:00Sunday 4 January - Bastille Market<p dir="ltr">The Bastille Sunday market is reputed to be the largest in Paris. It stretches in four rows of stalls from the Bastille to the Bréguet-Séguin metro station along the covered portion of the canal. It is big, but the unofficial market under the Metro bridges at Barbès Rochechouart must come a close second. Lots of choice and an amazing selection of foods, prepared and unprepared, as well as wine, clothes, knick nacks, tools. etc. The Place des Vosges was very pleasant and we walked through the Marais before returning to Lévis.</p>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-v_vsm2fnlgjs5cqr5YAKAq3u93o7SHHtBMoArkac7lEvFhEtsT0CEc4jlpNMKKcFSaAizMGxugHZlsPV2cJfB6loy7Ir5vE8rixBVsiRh-tVcgrgnR7t-IwP4FHbXIssJqItHk8I6oQ/s1600/IMG_1418.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb-v_vsm2fnlgjs5cqr5YAKAq3u93o7SHHtBMoArkac7lEvFhEtsT0CEc4jlpNMKKcFSaAizMGxugHZlsPV2cJfB6loy7Ir5vE8rixBVsiRh-tVcgrgnR7t-IwP4FHbXIssJqItHk8I6oQ/s640/IMG_1418.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bastille market</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharkd6zt7JednhJicuaZ1Etho-JwwGbx52may4oyvMbe8WTLCSiQlT4H96NrbKHQL1NC0ugzaXlzbTpeSjkiReqn8vLCvIYkE6doK2PgFsCvmI6xNtzw2kugHWJ2Rwjf-Zy7tqIhX_rc2j/s1600/IMG_1420.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEharkd6zt7JednhJicuaZ1Etho-JwwGbx52may4oyvMbe8WTLCSiQlT4H96NrbKHQL1NC0ugzaXlzbTpeSjkiReqn8vLCvIYkE6doK2PgFsCvmI6xNtzw2kugHWJ2Rwjf-Zy7tqIhX_rc2j/s640/IMG_1420.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bastille market</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF1cqazXdORmOmYNmit-vx5JUjWNAbKKyDmbQFS8Plq2lWl4hQ-_vJHpl1e5WYd_ro5vicpRosbRA9TO0pPk9Nr6-VIhGGBgDpHPN5q9EJgj2f8LNsS7Yl0Ou5E2JedNKibCpqpaqSNTp/s1600/IMG_1422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEF1cqazXdORmOmYNmit-vx5JUjWNAbKKyDmbQFS8Plq2lWl4hQ-_vJHpl1e5WYd_ro5vicpRosbRA9TO0pPk9Nr6-VIhGGBgDpHPN5q9EJgj2f8LNsS7Yl0Ou5E2JedNKibCpqpaqSNTp/s640/IMG_1422.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Bastille market</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsfSpfYpUui9YZ9p4fiCFCba2Q7Vf-Pnulr_4JGHuk91HRsZVnKkGq0OIwcP4jYi-pHfCL6xCFSOLKWGQD1WQCgwrxmWsJMfSDqu-gWIQMgV_YTetBErIBVdLbIDggbLC1FmVh1DdMXtD/s1600/IMG_1423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgsfSpfYpUui9YZ9p4fiCFCba2Q7Vf-Pnulr_4JGHuk91HRsZVnKkGq0OIwcP4jYi-pHfCL6xCFSOLKWGQD1WQCgwrxmWsJMfSDqu-gWIQMgV_YTetBErIBVdLbIDggbLC1FmVh1DdMXtD/s640/IMG_1423.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We said good bye to our friends at Diva et Chocolats</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-5115775453157833512015-01-03T13:15:00.001-05:002015-01-03T13:15:58.005-05:00Saturday 3 January - Taking it easy<p dir=ltr>It was raining most of the day. Not heavily but enough to make it unpleasant. We abandoned the idea of a walk in favor of watching rugby, reading and getting captions on the pictures in Flickr.</p>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-34385350540446149162015-01-02T11:17:00.001-05:002015-01-03T13:13:23.207-05:00Friday 2 January - Hunter Gatherers<p dir=ltr>Paul and Karen return to Canada tomorrow and we prepared dinner. There was a captured Époisse, called Horace, in the fridge that was let out into the kitchen where it percolated sullenly to itself. Some serano ham, carrots and red peppers crawled out and were sacrificed on the cutting board. A nicely roasted chicken was tracked down. Baked potatoes were persuaded to join in the fun along with some pate de canard en crout.  At Pascal Caffet, four macatartes were jumping up and down in their display case until Mary liberated them. A small galette du roi was tracked down at Diva et Chocolats along with a couple of baguettes traditions.</p>
<p dir=ltr>After this exhausting preparation Mary and I went for a short walk in the warm sun.  A circuit of Monceau Park with its plaque to the first parachute jump in October 1797, was followed by rue des Malsherbes to rue Jouffroy to Pont Cardinet and the Square des Batignolles. </p>
<p dir=ltr>Paul and Karen brought a bottle of  white Valais wine from Basel which turned out to be very good. We finished off a number of bottles of wine and cleared the fridge somewhat ready for our departure on Monday. </p>
<p dir=ltr>We had a small Galette du Roi and Karen won the feve</p>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-71144592149012869912015-01-01T08:20:00.001-05:002015-01-02T06:15:26.496-05:00Thursday 1 January - Trams, La Madeleine and Le Train Bleu<div dir="ltr">
The first sounds I heard from the street this morning were cawing from a couple of crows nesting in the roof tops further down. I went with Karen and Paul to ride trams this morning. Public transport was free until noon and we made good use of this. This is not so much of a benefit to Parisiens as it may seem because in many areas fare evasion reaches 40%.<br />
We went to Saint Lazare and took the train to La Defense. It was a beautiful day with a clear blue sky although it was very frosty in places.<br />
Tram T1 took us to Porte de Versailles. The views towards the Eiffel Tower and the Seine were very good in the sun. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Porte de Versailles</td></tr>
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At Porte de Versailles we took a coffee in a cafe to use the bathroom and then took T3a all the way to Porte de Vincennes. The T3b took us to the Metro 7bis. We just made it through the turnstiles at 1155. Buttes Chaumont was looking good in the sun. There were many family groups and joggers. The gulls were walking on the thin sheets of ice that had formed overnight. We had to pay to get back to Villiers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacre Coeur from Buttes Chaumont was quite hazy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hotel de Ville of the Nineteenth Arrondissement</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed St. Augustin on the way to La Madeleine</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Augustin</td></tr>
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The organ concert at La Madeleine had a good first half with pieces by Delalande, Daquin and Bach, the Bach Prelude and fugue BWV 552 was extremely good. However we should have left at the interval. Perin, the organist, played melodies from The Sound of Music which would have been more appropriate for the organ in the Blackpool Tower in front of beer swilling holiday makers. Better yet, sitting naked doing a Monty Python. The organist's own improvisations on themes of noel was a painful disaster. He should stick to playing the organ rather than trying to compose</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had dinner in Le Train Bleu at the Gare de Lyon. The room has been recently renovated</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amuse bouche - parmesan froth over asparagus soup or bisque with pate de foie gras and fig jam</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We both had sliced scallops in a mango jelly - very good indeed</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I had doe with foie gras on turnip</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mary had veal chop with breaded cheese, bread stuffing and roast potatoes</td></tr>
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The food was extremely well done. However, the service, although very polite and friendly, was off hand and slow.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcvVujhn_o1hBJ0RXsYEgUpello8lOm1onj8pS0V9cxQoXDIupJPH6EgDgODhIhvNEoLgnkXU72nlOtpV9rOh8210qhmqFIvtAKfMj-oqLRLawqPnmgENLU1mbbq0CJ5wrcS2wiapl4nBK/s1600/IMG_1416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-62556299558126745822014-12-31T10:27:00.001-05:002015-01-01T08:53:01.271-05:00Wednesday 31 December - New Year's Eve <div dir="ltr">
I went out to Barbes Rochechouart and was surprised to find a street market set out underneath the Metro bridges towards La Chapelle. It must have stretched 400 yards. I had wanted to get pictures of the approaches to the Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est but this was not possible because of the wire fencing and restricted views from the overbridges. I took a picture of the front of the Gare du Nord but this was even difficult because it is so vast.</div>
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The St. Quentin market was interesting and I found a large Wallace fountain inside this covered market. It did not look as if it had been used recently.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the St. Quentin Market</td></tr>
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With time to spare I came back to Villiers by bus - a lady got on carrying two scraggly Ostrich feathers.</div>
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We had our New Year's meal, as usual, at Aux Îles Marquises. We were greeted by Mme. Thiery as old friends. M. Thiery, the shef, came out to speak to us as well. The meal was up to the usual superior standard and the menu had been lightened a little. The scallops with black truffles (which I forgot to photograph) were a welcome variation as was the lobster soup, a broth with much lobster.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHl-tkSb-Sn-V_jm9rmsjb9YPMBI7KgLp324O04kSzdN9y7Ql0qSagKBAJakrhYTSorq_yhyphenhyphenT1GHM6z5S7Ns-04nYGvOAUc6COW9x9Q7d0E9EKFWTRvsa9PY6doAGE43g3J4NNcdeuvBdV/s640/IMG_1395.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consomme de homard with homard</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7ZfnrW1Gwh9G8jeYAiX_BGNlXkG-BFl5FiMpvqKyy6yEgnDc3yj3OrvJWfHXJ5V49zchYF-tSUKwIleHkzY8s_ioaWSU09FrWWOXKEeh8NzdO3RdvdcWuk_RVd4r7LHjYgoed2lGhC2M/s640/IMG_1396.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Barbue (brill) with oysters</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPbxgRMEjhAr6Z1x-ZL8MY5-y1JFsbEjvvRZ5uWfdkUWoqfdeOL8cAozYvnWM1e4f4Q1JCZ38idXqnmbEoBMZNxFNDge_MEnRN8pGybpre2CDx0qEvnh1OGZ4A6iO7QR7f1Is7j3arHog/s640/IMG_1397.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Venison</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5LlyTb6DXOL_DL-woInrEIAYr0Bkm6gXvuL5TN_8b97pqRCX3HA9I3Vcnf72sUjhH_-oke_x9bfVf0lnyyFP8KomkEnrSXqhYgyFLbIRAPT5qG65RUZFAD-dpg8fKbQKewSMFXHFgavn/s640/IMG_1398.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert</td></tr>
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We started with a bottle of champagne, progressed to an excellent white Sancerre and then to a Saumur Champigny red. Madame accepted our reservation for next year although there is the possibility that they will have retired by then.<br><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR5LlyTb6DXOL_DL-woInrEIAYr0Bkm6gXvuL5TN_8b97pqRCX3HA9I3Vcnf72sUjhH_-oke_x9bfVf0lnyyFP8KomkEnrSXqhYgyFLbIRAPT5qG65RUZFAD-dpg8fKbQKewSMFXHFgavn/s1600/IMG_1398.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-26871739992456392002014-12-30T08:20:00.001-05:002014-12-31T10:17:29.813-05:00Tuesday 30 December - The Invalides and Passage Choiseul<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHDMbJ1wRC4y5WNKz6gAI2Kl5tZrIpc0q5757ASvoaE1cy-d1dPBiI4LTSOK11CYTkXTF0MsOfJdLigfAFpWLnvO47Oz-WGWW74QpCAkLxcbGEqb87-nGTj-goCPBVKgXJwXI6VPQH1PIb/s640/IMG_1360.JPG" height="480" width="640"> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgnHWOZgfs7XloneczKTHk82XwJEINz2B1IiCSmj3CyT3AjWvFrqKQpTrCF1SPwerqYjRO_KpPw1MwyX4k6qGgLC4uTt4e3MVRT3RfZsA1pfyEfhpoiQYD3VZzU4gWYNSTyTK3QgbL5Eg8/s640/IMG_1363.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Steam effects from the sauerkraut and rotisserie on rue de Levis</td></tr>
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There was a cloudless sky today and the effects of the low winter sun were excellent. We went first to the Invalides where the sun was shining brightly on the dome. We were able to walk around to where the sun was shining to the grearest effect on the ornate golden dome. </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUfuEr57aOgSVOsajZtJH2wPvkKRf-cbYOhcrvQyw2UklA31nEKIhWqM7px0tJzpxuUDH1djxNLeEXVyHlYUq6jKslynuGNatGNe2F7lI8juYuILryzzWzJwux0TAuKKQEAUvF17fS-yp2/s640/IMG_1365.JPG" height="640" width="480"> </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbaO3cVT9lXRInvhnjicwwyZTQA6Y-R7x4E3KriLUlG5-qMbYUx4JR22kM2b0qJUfDUYtW9xQJwHvX-_C3K9EZDdXkF0q6V4tQfjizPkc8UeU9aVbLrz8M7LV2t7m9rJ4fuyNNvCHR4tPC/s640/IMG_1366.JPG" height="640" width="480"> </div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm-h4y7AQxeLSMhDxFQrZLXU7fArj9Daaz5ManbVJTzevYtNiSNB0X4vN7_L9fpFK0tCM1FOz4jE7OjIEyxaYvSLYM9Ufe4BjKB-9CW4OODAnKZAnYtsm-sOExaNKI3EEwoBeki3jgdtdH/s640/IMG_1367.JPG" height="640" width="480"> </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIrGbF1KPJ5R1d79_LRXmNE8wpoZjPDCym9PvQwY26SKXrFOKK9QC39dISmCU4qRHShaHK1m92Feknws7EdQ2T3hVQTMV3DXZEt9mxopQYdmaEr2MsWYPIQ_AdOJBJ0uUWesGtGSAnCrW-/s640/IMG_1370.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Eiffel tower seen from the Invalides</td></tr>
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The rue de Grenelle is always interesting with it's official buildings in the west and the small shops and boutiques in the east. We made a detour to look at the Basilica of St.Clothilde and found a very quiet area. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcq1NWj3DhCPmW0hNe6jpsKBhTcHWpOO9fsodcPJePy3Cu10PPI2qltu30TLvA9WV8j9F6pb34jXrHVm50WZqWJio0Es_XLw6IjKKzTTTyAqMjbh1kpdS-7YWUz_EbqN-cx5zOy0rt-NpN/s640/IMG_1371.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. </td></tr></tbody></table>Cloth independent
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwAywAttdMK12ZFolkFbNKxsMV7oArmelka7VcczRnMHbPRn_F-ZLJReG4_dh4ti8vGZM7NBsWe6AkNFSOTUrIfBYAVs8bCL2Vf9V-TmTt9Mnjr10I2wfFzTsKakzLVTcwmtzpUvcJvtP9/s640/IMG_1375.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The magpies had a wonderful view from St. Clothilde</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1BpZDU-JIBCeWqjNdvM9eAmtB3d0TgZP50AvQWxDHN_CzYwIK9ZyggJTmSRvkH90WNOooUQbWEbk4cFB9llcx4VWJipo17XTuGuQSDQCjke-XeqDju-rY4JrzEFjqWPqutu3XMT1zILjG/s640/IMG_1377.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue de Grenelle</td></tr>
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The St. Germain market was not very interesting so we quickly walked along the rue de la Seine to the river with its expansive views across to the Louvre. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgajfZb_I5uJ23WOdT5Lhs-RpzPV4PwGdaqLvIvbC1N81P3XrX3mQW8ieI_oUzOjoZsqKsbKmSQ0UUB3QdDaj0_11mvhJmUtAZ33rEil5PUS2V83kCHKal0vQ7GPpTGW1tBGkQXxIVL_lBD/s640/IMG_1379.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Louvre</td></tr>
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There is a pedestrian foot bridge over the river to the Louvre. Couples have placed so many padlocks on the railings that a couple collapsed under the weight. The places to put locks has been significantly reduced but the touts were out in force selling padlocks as well as Eiffel towers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjECiwhBAFJtYWqYY3mdagFIewqCfSyB_3cUAEXJEqLmrTFjWRPeXl9I_2q5bqS-7nehy56fLKgk3pNgOxDvQyrGAHLixAokw8ugAVmVOwWqdqLoemepkGVCUk6q-q6t4ZysneSVglVrzHU/s640/IMG_1383.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le jardin du Palais Royal</td></tr>
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The passage Choiseul is one passage we have not visited previously. It is long and the glass roof lets in plenty of light. It was lunch time and the small restaurants and take out counters were very busy indeed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe3UC9x-rCqtr9EuhjJFUnJExgpPojvVkL349MD7WNwjlqV0pXa_4sN5KlAuwZsILthTE4PMYx_q5afbQBWkfRLKMKJNl9_5LqsoQGgUEiCM7gOLnBjofUIXj77RoG5Z7z56BDa0bqFav/s640/IMG_1384.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passage Choiseul</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghe3UC9x-rCqtr9EuhjJFUnJExgpPojvVkL349MD7WNwjlqV0pXa_4sN5KlAuwZsILthTE4PMYx_q5afbQBWkfRLKMKJNl9_5LqsoQGgUEiCM7gOLnBjofUIXj77RoG5Z7z56BDa0bqFav/s1600/IMG_1384.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_TU9wOYLfzvrrGK4iHJmUZ4Trta_HtHCe6C3omz9a5Ac3aC54nbAgBxsX8FLaf1yI_iQcFtrU9ZPUsfVvk0dMjYEOMXGqAcEq-fyhJ12lr7AFFh9jSiQucC-XL34izhUFVumomoseMH-/s1600/IMG_1385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2_TU9wOYLfzvrrGK4iHJmUZ4Trta_HtHCe6C3omz9a5Ac3aC54nbAgBxsX8FLaf1yI_iQcFtrU9ZPUsfVvk0dMjYEOMXGqAcEq-fyhJ12lr7AFFh9jSiQucC-XL34izhUFVumomoseMH-/s640/IMG_1385.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner was at Le Relais de Venise where Benoite served us. Paul had vacherin for dessert.</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-31984068035953581372014-12-29T13:07:00.001-05:002014-12-29T13:08:21.011-05:00Monday 29 December - Errands<p dir=ltr>We were woken this morning by a symphony of sounds. The first movement was a prelude for doors, car doors and starter motors. The second movement was scored for garbage trucks and garbage bins. The minuet and trio was performed by the street sweeper where the dulcet tones of the broom acted as counterpoint to the tinkling streams running down the gutters on both sides of the street. The final movement was for angry car horn with car radio accompaniment terminating in a percussion finale of car doors. All very entertaining. </p>
<p dir=ltr>After yesterday's trekking around Paris Karen and Paul are in Basel today leaving us to get in some essential supplies such as wine, cheese and a baguette.</p>
<p dir=ltr>It was sunny today and not so cold as yesterday so we walked through Monceau Park to the Arc de Triomphe then around the Arc. This took some time as there are eleven roads leading into the Étoile. We returned via Place des Ternes.</p>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-38487783670774694342014-12-28T14:06:00.001-05:002014-12-30T03:47:37.248-05:00Sunday 28 December - Tourist stuff<div dir="ltr">
Quite a bit colder today and the wind was pretty strong at times. However the clouds cleared off mid afternoon leaving great light effects later in the day. The Monge market was in full swing and Mouffetarde was reasonably busy. There was singing and dancing at the bottom end of Mouffetarde.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaJigaVH486fXPUrutEbKCrLmpa-DpDzvzm2-YhA3MmpL-U64w2ErvoFQeISG1dI2S32Y247kkdJZiZBLWcI9ZDic8oq-pz8giuXIaDr_WRac4afztHfg2JardQ6zU0vrkItCfVeljURS/s640/IMG_1349.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In the window of a chocolate shop on Mouffetarde</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3gPcerlfplghb5QHBBoCkBhIM07lmYtbCQu5ma2023f0iaZ9hw8JQQmbuIodl3x90maZK5Kr7FK_IlpFzWQWQmGWKU02Fs8bgzL9GxYiwdZ-JnW4M7SihgfvXv7hvoRUJwDQenUfv6Mq3/s640/IMG_1350.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A beautifully decorated house on Mouffetarde</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOZgmCBj-fhnM_otKIwVciDjerDPOO254fxe0V5tjZLZbDdgenWu62BMwDpKNwx8eY-7w70QfdCkIWLJseSAfdhoBznyNBj_YcocnqpKD2B7K4druiLSkdTIqQyBKv7wJ7Jj9Yw5s9oF8k/s640/IMG_1351.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The singing and dancing on Mouffetarde was in full swing</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnGe5WxOkaHhBrDMTpQok-l3vjIeblRt7iu_FO-yT5nSY_Bnzy0qng9xh3zVTi-JYWzCz18cEOiY95UjTE9IUNxj6GIHGDKHvfKIStXbsQ-jK0E8EgVJ7BY5Pt_X2rqUiOWbVKs8YyZJU/s640/IMG_1352.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame from the Ile St. Louis</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMkCDzMcbmer5rLzRqb5q66b_HMFcBZHQUSP8lWxvv8rf5P1MbvcEsD84R4o23IyusqRl1Drjfv2iqcmpQM7R2ZQcqSkqqfTQKKx0o30csl8isyevounWgip63W77Ow576ZzDHJUFfupM-/s640/IMG_1353.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hotel de Ville</td></tr>
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We then went to the Île St. Louis and Notre Dame and then to lunch at Le Bourguignon du Marais - onion soup with bavette of beef. We have found the staff to be very friendly and attentive and the cuisine is excellent.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMtwAMBnVymC-8Wh1AqNMogC9jvZRd0vIBYsRNGSMFg7mU8Rn4OvkZc48MbXsN-X1EO_8tXeMHIyKAyHrVfhbaYotcj_bMcGyJZe1xFCwg8kHyTo9F9GpVz3upQMfd02kyW3BE2QE5z2RD/s640/IMG_1354.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new piece of art in the garden of the Hotel Sully. The metal plates were vibrating in the wind.</td></tr>
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There followed the Hotel Sully, Place des Vosges, the Marais, the excellent metro station for Arts et Métiers and the Pompidou Centre where there was a pause for (very) hot chocolate. The parvis of the Hotel de Ville was very busy with skating and free roundabout rides. One man was making very large soap bubbles for the kids to burst. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The children were having a great time jumping to burst the bubbles but not many realized that the man was trying to raise some money</td></tr>
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Next came the Jardin du Palais Royal, the Louvre, Tuileries and Place de la Concorde before heading back to Lévis. The Palais Royal was quiet but the hoards of tourists elsewhere were very heavy.<br />
Paul and I did a dry run to Gare de Lyon and back as he and Karen have an early start tomorrow for their day in Basel.</div>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-41352827620925415612014-12-27T15:41:00.001-05:002014-12-29T05:48:41.856-05:00Saturday 27 December - Karen and Paul arrive<div dir="ltr">
I took the RER out to CDG to meet Paul and Karen and bring them to the apartment they are renting for the next week. It is close by in the rue de Lévis. Everything went as expected. We all went out for lunch at the Bistrot D'Id. There was onion soup gratinée and rabbit on special. We then went grocery shopping and finished up at the fromager on the rue de Lévis. Even though we only wanted a Langres the lady took trouble to select the particular cheese that was just right for us. There were smiles all round for a simple and small transaction and we left the shop wishing each other a Happy New Year. <br />
This evening we went to the Trocadero to see the Eiffel Tower lit up and came back via the Arc de Triomphe and the top end of the Champs Élysees. The tourist crowds in both places were heavy and not very pleasant.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At le Bistrot D'Id</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-67412918227472347102014-12-26T11:45:00.001-05:002014-12-26T15:20:47.412-05:00Friday 26 December - Flaneurs in the 17th<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhThWnmtSR_vlxPfUAPMGAZHdKwRVwiw9h_7Gw1XFFZzCAxIp85E7Ym69Pg0-bnCg-Mb0dRrkhWOAm7z7jZPk3URPigxWMj6_kCeXoQMCiMMfX_UUatb702eFN-zL-Up-2KxoVdox3bcEod/s640/IMG_1341.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With parking being less of a problem in the holiday period this was the first time I was able to get a clear view of our favourite boulangerie</td></tr>
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Today was a slow day. We mucked out the apartment and went for a walk through Parc Monceau.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUcYgEQVJPuWTfG63ZAN-nPuwAXbL2T-LoJh5ud_pyP0f9VNtr3qvehg4t3wPwQfSQXMIE2JkWR1268A6SgYj0dlH2LTCZ5POyFTRGtfLForPvf39ZFbchuCRU6vTCxah0-_esR26mW_3B/s640/IMG_1342.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The gull detracted somewhat from the classic pose. The pond in the background had been drained for a major rehabilitation. The fish have been relocated to the Bois de Boulogne.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZM9e_JhhTnbxHkEgaG8ikPjihDEiobN6oT9D-dCScElglVPSExZha_PDA8nTlOl5HhVYG3DaszAnDfz5o1M5wT3Q9Oe7AetK973UFVJkLjb2TSgB_RsI4BUarkfVBUgSbg3TwKg9Hw4H/s640/IMG_1343.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Now that the leaves are off the trees we noticed this tree with large orange fruits. There were many birds feeding on the soft flesh</td></tr>
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From there we went to Place des Ternes and along the Boulevard des Ternes as far as Pereire. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quite a display at the Place des Ternes</td></tr>
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Walking this way we had views of the Arc de Triomphe down the side streets but from several different angles. There were people about and many businesses were open but there was a feeling in the air that the pressures of buying presents and preparing a meal were gone - almost a feeling of relief. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Poncelet market was in full swing although the horsemeat shop was closed.</td></tr>
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Dinner this evening was at Le P'tit Canon, our favourite local restaurant. The rognons and confit de canard were excellent as was the tarte tatin. We have found the Chinon is a good red wine for these meals.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhp7zS_hGM00-fyhZddI_DmT5-OrL1N6MIoRF9-Z0sWLHAVS7_trI4y9N0smoUGDEVEeHbKpHHuPfCOGGLLc_yii0k3hDp1sXaA9xoAwXJ4FMh98ZIAyTSndaXzBX-kuGAKnKETztom58OD/s1600/IMG_1346.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-79129544326959774762014-12-25T12:17:00.001-05:002014-12-25T12:49:05.986-05:00Thursday 25 December - Christmas Day<div dir="ltr">
We got up late and walked down to the 2nd arrondissement for lunch at Le Grand Colbert. It was a great meal. Not too busy when we arrived but it was soon full although the noise level was not too high. We started with a coupe de champagne and had a bottle of Saumur Champigny with the meal. I started with the pickled herring (help yourself from a great tureen), and Mary had the onion soup au gratin. For main courses I had steak au poivre with really good fries while Mary had veau au citron with risotto. Dessert was apple sorbet with vieux Calvados for me while Mary had two scoops of caramel salé ice cream. The entire meal was very good, made especially so by the waitress and waiter who served us. We got into conversation with a couple from San Francisco. She lives here and is applying for citizenship. She speaks French and thoroughly likes Paris and the French way of life.</div>
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We stopped in at La Madeleine on the way back to hear an organ concert.
In the past these concerts have been somewhat unsatisfactory as the
organist has tried to show how loud he can make it play and the tunes
are lost in the overall noise. This was a little different. Two
organists played works by Albrechstberger, Dandrieu, Gigout, Soler,
Daquin and Wagner. They played some at the Choir Organ and some at the
Grand Organ (four hands, four feet) and some at both organs together.
The Wagner was the only piece we knew - The Ride of the Valkyries.
Wagner never wrote for the organ and this transcription suffered from
the tune being lost in the general overall volume. The church was well
filled.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was dusk when we came back, the church of St. Augustine was well lit.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-73463008635203871332014-12-24T03:58:00.001-05:002014-12-25T12:20:55.377-05:00Wednesday 24 December - Christmas Eve<div dir="ltr">
People were out early today doing last minute shopping. The number of baguettes purchased must be enormous. <br />
It was nice this morning, sunny and mild. After a last minute foray to Lenotre as well as Diva et Chocolats we walked down to the Square des Batignolles via the book store in the rue des Dames where we found the book Chats Parisiennes which has Roxanne on the cover. At Batignolles several little kids were floating sticks through the channel between the two water sections. Kids must have been doing this for almost 150 years. The free roundabout was going well. It stopped at one time when there were no new kids wanting to get on, everybody else sat tight and so it started up again. The kids were really packed in on some of the vehicles - there were eight in the fire truck.<br />
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Our Christmas Eve meal. All of this was purchased within five minutes' walk of the apartment. <br />
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<tr align="center"><td class="tr-caption">Pate de foie gras and mousse <u>forestière</u></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bisque de homard avec gambas sauvage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ballotine de volaille with vegetables.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbMiMSsczxhghbJuqZyktorOmVaQQp10ELUIlUNxplTI-ehpdVISuFDmLcPiJf_MSwhsTs7HACqO5gALqZphFUyWDZG-ajzPKAifS1hLhWgiZsrYFwcYk2xXHkMx39ZgcYns3p_eTLQWcx/s640/IMG_1314.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fromage - Cammembert, Langres, Valençay</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Le Nôtre, maron glacé (l), celebration (r)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG47gVj5cbT0hp5xyHOwWpY5dPU1W5ew3BWY0WsI2VQZ7fORtmsiC2lTi5rVKRDDHKIJ2UphRzQ5w3CjSqGxtFssn21K8wqJXRJr3jpb7KFUjwq9ly6dQjuGcp6cchCL01tDu2IUz4QWa/s640/IMG_1329.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Diva et Chocolats caramel (l), chocolate (r)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyir5I7DvDO2b_ot2hyI2AoamNOJsymlBmhAMzJGjBBtDZTcbAPzyaT1hi37cpiMzI7NB-s97rJwuM4dbgLC3RyvFO8-ayAOcxLGYsTNnq_aTn6a6CB5jDvxIzkemh7dG46Jss2ryj_DSm/s640/IMG_1318.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champagne, Sancerre (white), Margaux (red)</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeG47gVj5cbT0hp5xyHOwWpY5dPU1W5ew3BWY0WsI2VQZ7fORtmsiC2lTi5rVKRDDHKIJ2UphRzQ5w3CjSqGxtFssn21K8wqJXRJr3jpb7KFUjwq9ly6dQjuGcp6cchCL01tDu2IUz4QWa/s1600/IMG_1329.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
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We decided to go for a walk today bearing in mind the holiday season will soon be upon us. We have found it great fun to choose a Paris street and see where it will take us and find out what it will reveal. We went to Barbès Rochechouart and walked down the rue du Poissonnière. First there was a profusion of wedding and formal dress shops, the more expensive ones are on the rue de Magenta the next street over. Some of the dresses are over the top from bright red to fluorescent lime green. <br />
We made a side trip to look at Trinity church.</div>
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<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfwh5GfpmBKAtznuZHG2lsWc4kwxHYb4U3yMcfZjdoLThxT__lWzHpGO2PT2f7ILBLwx7ZD650gUreotJSVIZKMcihb-RsmU3_C6EfJkyEmqgjqVQBX2gpr733-hnlVYDWYe2gmQBahtLe/s640/IMG_1307.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These barracks were built in 1932 on the site of earlier barracks. The soldiers here were originally sent to Nouvelle France or Canada. The area is now known as Poissoniere or Nouvelle France</td></tr>
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We eventually crossed the Boulevard du Poissonnière which runs at right angles to the rue of the same name and passed the enormous Rex cinema which has a roof shaped like a Greek temple. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjttW_15ecOdyUO0P1QLPVFrmtPqDnM1BP6dDeN6JFVxg2-njTAavmBuPDaq0Zev9x5q35gYQGYDGyc3C0snOK4NpC7LNZn1ha5igPJP0wjdR4zz-qNLFMBoYsMmnZe-f0mGbKfZk20DibF/s640/IMG_1310.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This green wall completely covered the end of this building.<br />
See <a href="http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/">http://www.verticalgardenpatrickblanc.com/</a></td></tr>
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Rue du Poissonnière becomes the rue du Montorgeuil, a higher class version of the rue de Lévis.<br />
We turned right or west, and walked along Rue Etienne Marcel eventually to the rue de Saint Honoré with its high end shops, embassies and the Élysee Palace. We turned north on rue Miromésnil back to Villiers and home.<br />
Some new streets as well as some familiar ones. Things were quite quiet until around 1330 when a number of businesses closed for the holiday and the shops, restaurants and take outs became busy.</div>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-44553572256011110502014-12-22T13:27:00.001-05:002014-12-23T01:35:45.433-05:00Monday 22 December - Trams<div dir="ltr">
I decided to ride the T8 tramway again today to see the branch to Villetaneuse as well as the main line to Épinay in regular operation. I took first the branchline to Villetaneuse. Nothing special of note although the section beyond the terminus has a sharp curve and goes to single track, presumably leading to the car maintenance and storage yards. I returned to the main line and rode out to Épinay and back to St. Denis Gare. Many of the traffic regulation problems seem to have been fixed although there were a number that still need attention, maybe the running time could be reduced by a minute or so. Some work has been done at stations although some signs had been placed at the wrong locations so that one station bore two names. A squad of inspectors was out to ensure people were tapping in.<br />
St. Denis Gare is a great place to watch trams with T1 crossing T8, both double track. However there were a lot of people lounging around, deals going down etc. I was very careful where I went and took care getting out my camera. The trams on T1 are short and always crowded east of St. Denis. I decided to go west to Courtiles which is less busy. This section has been open some two years now and has a good interchange with the Metro.</div>
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T8 at Épinay</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T1 at St. Denis Gare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T8 trams on the diamonds at St. Denis Gare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T8 tram for Courtilles approaching the diamonds at St. Denis Gare</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T1 trams at Courtilles.</td></tr>
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There was a piece on the TV3 news this evening about fare evasion on RER line B. When the SNCF put on a team of fare inspectors the ticket machine receipts go up 40%. It would seem like a good idea to increase these inspectors considerably. Jumping over turnstiles and dodging in after a paying customer is endemic in Paris. It is particularly easy on the Metro because there is no exit check.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHWnM7N92qZ8KrzU4LIAZS-lSvfUvLEZ-zX0pEj12lvqHDEY5Hyf-gJTcYj5IV8sjQL_zqCMIZJwJJpD1Da1Re4h8kd4RwqXt8fxO_iAs_q_7_t6AfrCR8hFu6QPLgjB5OeiNuG08dTAn0/s1600/IMG_1303.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> </div>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-2846832737098106612014-12-21T11:29:00.001-05:002014-12-22T02:24:10.287-05:00Sunday 21 December <div dir="ltr">
The city has set up the free rides for the kids at the Square des Batignoles.</div>
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<img alt="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895.jpg" class="shrinkToFit decoded" height="463" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Train_wreck_at_Montparnasse_1895.jpg" width="385" /></div>
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Fred Mills asked me about the famous picture of a locomotive which crashed through the wall of the Montparnasse station in 1895. There are many pictures and explanations available on the web but one of the most interesting is a dream sequence from the movie "Hugo"</div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YWpPEZnNq8">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YWpPEZnNq8</a></div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-39435872690309261472014-12-20T11:04:00.001-05:002014-12-22T14:17:54.180-05:00Saturday 20 December - Fontainebleau<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI90x4wXPRTBN_KrAl6mQtWTVL0SaHLhZeCtr1FXgdXFcBpRwi9VMoNyL9BQRJqW0rB3HYwAhTaIE43vZgaFzAQaXtc4AAmDoZJFZ3PJmz8EoOy-NYWFUpWZjayKiHygRiD-LfFCjKq5fU/s640/IMG_1275.JPG" height="640" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="480"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The recently restored clock tower at the Gare de Lyon.</td></tr>
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A Mobolis ticket is really good for a trip to Fontainebleau as it covered the metro to Gare de Lyon, the RER out to Fontainebleau as well as the bus to and from the Chateau. </div>
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This is a peak travel day and the Gare de Lyon was very busy. One
interesting innovation in the new Hall 2 was a roped off area for kids
with a number of things for them to do with crayons etc. There was an
SNCF employee on hand to play with the kids.</div>
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We enjoy the parc and chose not to visit the château. The château is smaller than Versailles and the grounds are in scale. Even so the place us enormous and the grounds very extensive. The reflections in the lake were good and the trees were interesting. Without their leaves it is possible to get a better idea of their form. It is difficult to believe that the English garden was built in the 1700s. It felt cold here, colder than Paris, and we didn't stay too long before returning to Paris.<br>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0A3cPgTmGZLaQEYbGbq7yDG_9S9dT2y0p5bThc4i7mAE5zhkGYLV1K_WQZsanrsBV1tZAnjiYTN_AOq9qDhdiwvPgsZcN2Nk-P2NS1qs7WqFW3xJ6XDqkSlcrwBNNMOzBQAtiOp7TJma/s1600/IMG_1278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir0A3cPgTmGZLaQEYbGbq7yDG_9S9dT2y0p5bThc4i7mAE5zhkGYLV1K_WQZsanrsBV1tZAnjiYTN_AOq9qDhdiwvPgsZcN2Nk-P2NS1qs7WqFW3xJ6XDqkSlcrwBNNMOzBQAtiOp7TJma/s640/IMG_1278.JPG" height="480" width="640"> </a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezUxJMafnEzVW1e4xvvbt34KOniCHGTqlQQAAzCxXANgPYrQE1lZ1Tpz9AYGSL9dQ_OfNmjthkoUyLq_5oom9ggn8UWdzgjBa2VfVI3liuCw1NfNhpZt1h0F1pwHrMEhIlfmMePxpSQSv/s1600/IMG_1281.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezUxJMafnEzVW1e4xvvbt34KOniCHGTqlQQAAzCxXANgPYrQE1lZ1Tpz9AYGSL9dQ_OfNmjthkoUyLq_5oom9ggn8UWdzgjBa2VfVI3liuCw1NfNhpZt1h0F1pwHrMEhIlfmMePxpSQSv/s640/IMG_1281.JPG" height="640" width="480"> </a> </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SVAp9VXCJ8fBPXIcIAWn-oYaBQ5NPaRELy2EDnOcSUO-BcfQEyT1BmKlBQOZhMtirc4m1bHt4Kn-txeejkDBYXvC7dm5_yrysPm-IxW_1DWloEN19BRAaGMxTKQuAEhJyyRTTSZtAWcB/s1600/IMG_1283.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9SVAp9VXCJ8fBPXIcIAWn-oYaBQ5NPaRELy2EDnOcSUO-BcfQEyT1BmKlBQOZhMtirc4m1bHt4Kn-txeejkDBYXvC7dm5_yrysPm-IxW_1DWloEN19BRAaGMxTKQuAEhJyyRTTSZtAWcB/s640/IMG_1283.JPG" height="640" width="480"> </a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This "small house" is a gate house</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vN-b-9d_cgMbi_99O8aKXramleZLRVpZLQ2nUVlr6eXVE20peaaceWwddLQ6kvNJ0X_ZAYGqmNWnaUGSJ46Dg1fXsSlkhFUo6eab9Y2ToVKh7OwaHjMUylvPaq1ky7ArW24y-DeMmtEi/s1600/IMG_1288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1vN-b-9d_cgMbi_99O8aKXramleZLRVpZLQ2nUVlr6eXVE20peaaceWwddLQ6kvNJ0X_ZAYGqmNWnaUGSJ46Dg1fXsSlkhFUo6eab9Y2ToVKh7OwaHjMUylvPaq1ky7ArW24y-DeMmtEi/s640/IMG_1288.JPG" height="480" width="640"> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtbMOAPP3zMLiyJi5Q95pfQ2i1Y0YRmFEauovNUc6DHo_pap7fZqD4vAF75An3kvABU7wtCbizpqu9jM8jQ03uITfLG6OF4pNl06VyBkgUYiny28r0576_ZSpyuC3tsNUBB0xbSfWd4lm/s1600/IMG_1289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtbMOAPP3zMLiyJi5Q95pfQ2i1Y0YRmFEauovNUc6DHo_pap7fZqD4vAF75An3kvABU7wtCbizpqu9jM8jQ03uITfLG6OF4pNl06VyBkgUYiny28r0576_ZSpyuC3tsNUBB0xbSfWd4lm/s640/IMG_1289.JPG"> </a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Dinner was at le P'tit Canon. Friendly service and excellent food.</div>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-61152488177183070392014-12-19T11:54:00.001-05:002014-12-20T02:43:39.050-05:00Friday 19 December - The Messiah<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh81ncG6MTTykuLPboNDOhMLrtgUCWUaWlNtlQvkpcfwY9BFwnhTwkeBX2o9WTk3xcKk0oN2EvuGwrall9232fr0CmSd2IJd-x_-UmJh6TzcGu-lBJTMSO9CsAzFC_BdyxyR-7rIprrb_7I/s640/IMG_1265.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seen outside a bank on rue d'Amsterdam</td></tr>
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The weather forecast was for rain today. I went first to the four model shops on the rue du Douai. As the rain had set in I decided to take up the time on tramway T3. At least it was in the dry. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggRxapV98qjWGPIz7bhDG-mCxhGokpS73s1zYbI-gKhobT7EXimRKjfZ5sCEf2bwNG6cvs_zhItWAoiD-8u4ALwsxHoKa1lGZHQAepF1kDeRIr6D30B4LMenszQiYFwmt6VlYxBHkMql_2/s640/IMG_1266.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tram disgorged about 50 schoolkids and 15 attendant adults</td></tr>
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At Porte de la Chapelle some 50 schoolkids, about 7 or 8 years old got off the incoming tram. There was one adult for every three kids and they all had to hold hands. Once off the tram they walked to the front and crossed the tram tracks in front of the out going tram. There was a delay while the last group of three got organized, it was difficult to hold onto three kids and an umbrella in the wind. They all got in to a RATP bus which was waiting. The schools organize many outings for the children.</div>
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<br>
I took the tram to Porte de Vincennes and transfered to the tram to Garagliano. At Porte de Charenton the rain seemed to have stopped so I got off to take a look at the SNCF maintenance sidings for both TGVs and suburban trains. There was no yellow postal TGV in sight. The post office is planning to stop using these next August.<br>
I caught the tram on to Balard and back to Villiers.</div>
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I had bought tickets for the Messiah in La Madeleine before we left Ottawa. It was an excellent performance although the church was barely a third full. We arrived in good time and found seats in the fifth row in the centre where we found the acoustics to be excellent. Several friendly ladies in the choir acted as ushers and sold programs. They had on filmy long black skirts which blew out when they passed over the hot air vents in the floor. The choir filed in followed by the orchestra and there was an expectant hush. Then it was discovered that one of the lights over the orchestra was not working. There was then a flurry of activity from several men and women in the choir and orchestra, all in formal dress, tracing cables and throwing switches in obscure locations. The conductor took advantage of the delay to promote some of his upcoming productions. Suddenly the errant light came on to a collective sigh of relief from the audience and smiles from the amateur electricians.</div>
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The performance, which was in English, was excellent. All four soloists were good and they were not overwhelmed by the orchestra. The audience was reluctant to stand during the Hallelujah Chorus, maybe because they were not aware of this tradition. After a couple of bars the conductor turned to the audience and vigorously got them to stand. Before continuing he said</div>
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"C'est la loi de se lever pour la Choeur Alleluia"</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hallelujah Chorus after the audience had stood.</td></tr>
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My favorite part is "The trumpet shall sound" and this was very well played. The clear notes echoed back from the dome in a memorable manner. At the end, after the applause the conductor gave an encore, something I have never seen before. It was, of course, the Hallelujah Chorus and he made sure the audience stood up. He and the soloists then encouraged us to sing along.</div>
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It was a well performed, happy performance which we both thoroughly enjoyed.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The conductor, Paul Kuentz, with the four soloists</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From the steps of La madeleine</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-15676675573276739452014-12-18T13:15:00.001-05:002014-12-18T22:59:12.503-05:00Thursday 18 December - Bagnolet, Charonne and Hotel de Ville<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-i4ipuaqPEEsH4_jkcRTDxvWWYEohnjzeB9OT3VaFiJemkf1RZtdCpHQMbaIBNTbpQ0pXN7DcVMdw_9tTiNPXlXzbDIJR6AHwu0bIAKRQimkR7mIrzBbY_vyCxNMT0dLhgVokBie1pKcG/s640/IMG_1255.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The trains on line 3 are getting a little dated now. They were the last ones fitted with the manual door lock levers which have to be lifted to open. An old lady on the train was not strong enough to lift the lever and had to be helped.</td></tr>
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It was cloudy today but no rain and there was a little sun. It was a good day for walking except with temperatures around 13C it was pretty warm in our winter coats. We took the Metro to Porte de Bagnolet and walked along the rues de Bagnolet and Charonne as far as Lodru Rollin. From there we went along Ledru Rollin to the park created from the railway viaduct to the Bastille. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tram T3b on a nicely grassed section at Porte de Bagnolet</td></tr>
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The area is quite interesting. There are many small businesses many of which had unusual names frequently in English. The city has gone to great lengths to improve the area with small parks and a few pedestrian areas. The kids are still in school and we came across several groups on outings. A lady dropped two baguettes on to the wet sidewalk, they had slipped out of the paper in which she was carrying them. One rolled in the wet. We didn't stop to see what she did.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A small urban park off rue de Bagnolet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6DViQPGpQJwPT7WUinJJtzNgE4vEXu6jIukK0CqIGmEDnhy2vOQ41kBWMmpE1ZiSWdk18rnvZiLqjIqUdY-uMsH7Nyrtmh36M0rbD5Tp8il2ehDz5JSHyvzftuXATLhB7afmkGIat0s85/s640/IMG_1259.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrianized street off rue de Bagnolet</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5ZF4uFl41MIdfyWJSvVffqDHujvXC5_7YmXWC-q0ca7g4Lc0OGWbFNq4TyA6ietmx1yL8IlBHjFDSKx47T00Zm2dUR3WbLCinWyT0KpwxWcKN39O_UEePZw2PkI5lf3vlLJEryjSeN8u/s640/IMG_1260.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We passed over an unused section of the old Ceinture railway</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3amdSUd22qqxtkYi544X3tpjUySDD0Wzk6gaPL3QPV8Ruq8m2YKA6erG9XZ81-tTnlNWF6duJPYzfe88n1P3VHsWy4EoFYERx5SxAJfipF8bIddFFd5bSxnlpdFSGIdwDRBe31QIqKIhn/s640/IMG_1263.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The station was still standing including the Ceinture sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrw8GHx3QNpHfrn6fTfrw39VNoCBVA93BMZsuHigv_iVzWjDtUSncOvhV_1fKqjLxfF0hZNxi9L4H85KnMEoJqUjPPGPSLbbP4-UhAprDhcBP9JgCcxwL4rCwoT7i5vISnc15UjOKN-1Vv/s640/IMG_1264.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ledru Rollin. This is part of the viaducts that brought the high level railway into the former Bastille terminus station. This urban park now stretches for almost 5 km,</td></tr>
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Lunch was at a restaurant just off the rue de Rivoli, no tarte tatin
this time. There was a good exhibition of photographs at the Hotel de
Ville. This traced the changes that have taken place since the 1930s,
paying attention to social problems. The rioting in 1968 was covered,
showing the way street paving stones were lifted and used. The lack of
food and housing after the war was also covered. The annual exhibitions
at the Hotel de Ville. An added bonus this year was that we were able to
walk straight in. There was a waiting line when we came out. </div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-5051334440131418622014-12-18T03:18:00.001-05:002014-12-20T02:24:08.607-05:00Wednesday 17 December - Musée de Luxembourg and St. Sulpice<div dir="ltr">
It has been raining lightly all day. The Musée de Luxembourg is a small gallery in the Jardins de Luxembourg close to the Senate building. There was an exhibit entitled "Paul Durand-Ruel, the Impressionist gamble, Manet, Monet, Renoir." All the paintings on display had been bought originally by Paul Durand-Ruel who had an apartment in the rue de Rome. There works by Renoir, Monet, Manet, Camille Pisarro, Gaugin, Degas, Sisley, Rodin, Millet, Courbet and others, practically all of them new to us but all familiar by their style. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-erRMBI9ajGzMZ3zEzFXlPqJU02lPC9Hg9NuPWYhEXqaUNTKLaUmNgPN_gYc0ErFPAGnZBvvkRM4M6g30yhdNHQkUIkVa4tqBggcDOQwm9gMGz0DdKlkJPefEKBAcsYb3Fuh7YciqxzbN/s640/IMG_1248.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Claude Monet Bateaux de Plaisance 1872-3</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxsSOYx7keNyhxG3S0eqg-WNwrHmhVgNj1JzRblpmm7AfVt3BE4JTfbII0zAI6SWyccYC0geUiQmFMBLwnVa8PPdbhH0LkI9KQ3bmeL0DDD2ZDmAuHFdiP1KDs6SntqWb4ZvhrzmmEwQI/s640/IMG_1247.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Camille Pisarro Entree du Village de Voisins 1872</td></tr>
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The exhibition was well attended and worthwhile. However, it was quite small and we were left with several hours to kill before a concert at St. Sulpice which is close by.</div>
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After chocolate, hot for Mary and ice cream for me, we found out that the Jardins de Luxembourg were closing so we walked around the area in the drizzle. The temperature was about 11C so it was quite pleasant. The wall of the Mines building is heavily pock marked as a result of the fighting to liberate Paris in 1918.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEgAYsveyb88uUIauHeZ1fDo7yQwpJc4bQd6yI0OnUPiCTpKoT9XmaWx8ILctHjt6mVhth6PnQp7uX1teGMReKjnNue2qrPbgOmqa7O4W_Hn5T5LkU7gBNXkj2fxFy9VCT_Mn_v3sRHN67/s640/IMG_1250.JPG" height="480" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="640"></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are several of these stone or concrete table tennis tables in the park close by</td></tr>
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We had dinner in the Nostrand a good restaurant overlooking the Jardins de Luxembourg. A bottle of Saumur Champigny helped to pass the time. The place was filled with local people coming in to have an after work drink. One lady arrived in jeans and a sweater, presumably she lived in an apartment above. There was a white cat who had sneaked in and surreptitiously made a nest below a Christmas tree. I took a picture but the waiter noticed it and moved it out. It turns out this is a famous cat. It appears in a recent book about cats of Paris. It is even on the cover. For more information and additional pictures and video click this link<br>
<a href="http://www.linstantparisien.com/en/chatsparisiens/">http://www.linstantparisien.com/en/chatsparisiens/</a> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxanne under the Christmas tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Near St. Sulpice on a wet evening</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Sulpice earlier in the day. The forecourt was surprisingly empty. A large number of pigeons were roosting in the tree to the left.</td></tr>
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Radio France were recording a Christmas concert in the church of St. Sulpice. It consisted of three performers, the organ, the baroque Ensemble Sagitarius and the Radio France choir. The organ was a bit spotty and the opening work, Bach's Prelude and fugue BWV 547 was a disappointment. The prelude did not flow. I have heard this piece played better in this particular church. The baroque was done very well although I am not a fan of this genre. The choir was excellent and performed very well. At one point they filed down and sang from both sides of the audience - right next to us. The seats are not comfortable but there was an interval during which hot wine was available. The scent of hot wine permeated the church for the second part. There were slots in the program for the audience to sing. I never thought I would be singing French carols in French in the largest church in Paris.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were sitting just under the pulpit. The chairs had been turned around to face the organ.</td></tr>
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The program will be broadcast on France Musique on December 24.</div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg32Vwvi7RXC-IHmCumtwJk0oDK3W6qVVTr5QVatBTwnTdEJglW_e4LJlodQATNE_WtOQdh9qy_3k4egeBlpjgBlXtQD0vLoGgS_XJo21WTzGV-2EkRwl25ESp8rFSq32wJxsaiOEAe7775/s1600/IMG_1254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a> Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-15329979877544796392014-12-16T14:19:00.001-05:002014-12-17T06:15:23.801-05:00Tuesday 16 December - Opening of new tramway T8<div dir="ltr">
After lunch at le Bon Georges (foie gras and scallops) I went off to metro Saint Denis Porte de Paris to be at the opening of the new tramway T8. There were no details on the RATP web site although it was announced briefly on TV3 news yesterday. At the station there were no signs at all, in fact the only indication were two flags close to a raised dais. There was still a lot of work to do and it quickly became evident that the opening should have been delayed until the tramway was ready. The area is very different from Chatillon last Saturday although both are high density. This area is diverse and contains many middle Eastern and north African businesses.<br>
The opening was announced for 1600 - just at the beginning of the evening rush.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A spare set waiting at the Saint-Denis terminus. These five unit trams have three trucks but they are not articulated, the second and fourth "cars" are hung between the adjacent cars.</td></tr>
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There were a lot of RATP personnel in high visibility jackets, at times they outnumbered the potential passengers.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At 1515 there was not a great deal of action</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first tram in with invited guests</td></tr>
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A tram arrived full to the gills with invited guests, another followed it. There was organized chaos as the guests were channelled politely towards the stand for speeches. Finally a tram full of the important people arrived wrong line and the cameras started rolling. This formed the first official tram out. It was well filled but I managed to get a seat. We took off about five minutes late and we had to stop by the reviewing stand for photo ops.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tram congestion - three trams in the holding sidings at Saint-Denis with another one in the departure platform at my back.The right of way is nicely grassed or concreted. Note the blades of the switches are in the concrete and not in the grass.</td></tr>
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The trams are very smooth, pleasant and quiet but the journey to the end of the line at Épinay Orgemont took an age. There was a wait for 5 minutes to smooth out the traffic flows which was strange as we were the first tram out. There are many sections where speed is severely limited by very tight curves, a consequence of trying to fit a tramway into an existing built up urban area. There were many stops for traffic and I hope the RATP can get the sequencing sorted out. Adjusting the traffic lights to give trams priority can take some time - it took months on the first section of T3.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At Épinay Orgemont a group of drummers entered the tram and livened things up.</td></tr>
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As of tomorrow the RATP is making changes to some 15 bus routes and eliminating two others. It might have been better to have delayed the opening of the tramway until the kinks had been eliminated.<br>
It was good to finally ride over the double line of T1 at Saint Denis Gare where the four diamond crossings have been in place for several years. There were some decorations at several of the stations and a group of drummers at the terminus. I have the impression that the RATP opened the tramway to make good on their published plan to open by the end of 2014 rather than to ensure it was really ready.<br>
After at slow return I decided not to go on the branch to Villetaneuse Université. I can leave that and the crossing at Saint Denis Gare for another day.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was getting dark when I arrived back at Saint-Denis. On the left is an outgoing tram. On the right is the first tram back from Épinay Orgemont.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-73980353164506582172014-12-15T09:21:00.001-05:002014-12-16T02:37:34.964-05:00Monday 15 December - Errands<div dir="ltr">
The weather is forecast to be wet this week. We got up late. Mary went to a cordonnerie to get her bag repaired - it will be ready tomorrow. Monoprix has opened a new downstairs section which will give them much more space. Much of the new space was taken up with wine and champagne - not surprising at this time of year. <br />
I went over to the Alsatian Christmas Market in the forecourt of the Gare de l'Est to get a bottle of Alsatian Malt Whisky.</div>
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Alsatian malt whisky. Not bad, a little rough but very pleasant, but no peaty overtones.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madame at Diva et Chocolats was getting into the Chrustmas spirit.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-12801000442303000092014-12-14T14:04:00.001-05:002014-12-15T03:40:59.368-05:00Sunday 14 December - Provins<div dir="ltr">
The weather forecast was for sunny or misty today but rainy for the rest of the week. This is the day that Provins has its Christmas market and medieval extravaganza so we decided to take the train. We found out that the 0946 from Gare de l'Est does not run Sundays and the 1046 was very much overcrowded being a short train. The platform was only announced about ten minutes before departure and it seems the toilets are all locked out of service so they don't have to be maintained. Once again SNCF does not give a damn about its passengers. I have yet to find a fully functioning toilet on a train this trip.<br />
The train was very full and many had to stand for over an hour. Many were in medieval costume. We ran through dense fog until just before Longueville when the sun broke through and stayed that way all the time we were at Provins. On the platform at Provins a couple of hunting horns were sounded and we followed the horns up to the hill top where the market is held. Many, including kids, were in medieval dress, suits of armour, leather or wool covers. Medieval instruments were being played and there were impromptu processions.<br />
The weather was excellent with full sun - it seems the mist did not clear fully in Paris. We had mulled wine and hot chestnuts and then made our way slowly to the station where our train was a long one with just a handful of passengers. SNCF managed to get everything wrong. On the way back from Gare de l'Est we stopped off at Sacré Coeur and Place des Abbesses.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The roast chestnuts were pretty much carbonized</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7219450392360993745.post-37610228855314552112014-12-13T10:34:00.001-05:002014-12-14T02:33:41.779-05:00Saturday 13 December - Opening of the Paris T6 Tramway<br />
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Waiting for the off. The first one was that on the right</div>
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The T6 tramway from Chatillon to Robert Wagner was opened today - it is free all weekend. An extension to Viroflay will open some time next year. It was cold and wet which probably helped to keep the crowds down to manageable proportions. I arrived at Chatillon around 1030 expecting things to start up at 1100. Instead I found out that the festivities were due to start at 1100 with Brazillian drummers, there was to be a formal inauguration at 1130 and the first tram was due to leave at 1200. </div>
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To kill some time, warm up and make myself comfortable I found a cafe. Back at the event France TV3 were broadcasting from a makeshift studio. Both tramway platforms were beginning to fill up by 1100 and the numerous security personnel were herding people around in a somewhat random fashion. The drummers started around 1115 and the crowd began to sway to the beat. The people seemed mostly local with a large proportion of elderly although there were a great number of small kids.</div>
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The dignitaries tram arrives</div>
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Security moved people away from the arrival platform and made room for the arrival of a tram loaded with dignities. There was some sort of ceremony with TV and pictures but I couldn't follow it because I was strategically located on the departure platform with several thousand others. In spite of the weather everybody was in high spirits. </div>
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Finally, at 1155 the first tram entered the platform and shuddered to a halt. It then jerked forward a couple of feet and finally came to a stop (laughter). The crowd surged forward and everyone chanted "Ouvrez les portes". After several minutes the doors opened and we all rushed inside. I didn't really have a choice as there would have been no moving against this crowd. As it was I found myself going through the front door of this 6 car tram. Once inside everyone was hooting and cheering but after a couple of minutes this changed to a chant of "Fermez les portes". There was a security guard on the platform at each door keeping people out so the tram was not overfull. Finally the doors were closed (intense clapping) and the driver welcomed us (loud cheering). We set out a few minutes late (more clapping and comiserating with those poor souls who were left out in the cold).</div>
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These trams are rubber tired with a single rail for guidance. Straight away there were jerks at both starting and stopping. The acceleration and braking is good but the ride was not very good being rubber tires on concrete. This is a cheaper form of construction that gives nowhere near as good a ride as a two rail system with steel wheels. These trams do not hold as many as a steel wheel tram and the narrow corridor connections create serious bottlenecks in crowd flow. The ride to the end of the line took 39 minutes and many people were getting off before the end to go home.</div>
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Several people were surprised at how fast the tram was going compared to the bus. This tramway replaces the number 295 bus route, which was still running today to iron out the gaps in tram frequencies due to heavy overcrowding of the first ones out. The itineraries and timetables of some 30 bus routes have been changed to take advantage of the new tram, something Ottawa has still failed to do with the introduction of the OTrain.</div>
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I caught the first available tram back to Chatillon and came straight back to warm up. Tramway T6 has been enthusiastically opened.</div>
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At Robert Wagner</div>
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The connections between cars are quite restricted.</div>
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This evening we went to Le Relais de Venise. We arrived about 20 minutes before it opened and were seated quickly. The service was, as usual, quick and efficient and we were out by abut 2015. it was a good dinner. </div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0