The 9th arrondissement is mostly, a pretty swanky part of Paris, at the base of Montmartre. It encompases, the Palais Garnier, the Opera House, Boulevard Haussmann, Galleries La Fayette and some seriously good food shops. Feeling like a kid in a candy shop, walking across one side of the street to the other, peering …
Sometimes it is just the simple things, that pleases us. I encountered a few simple things today. After leaving my umbrella at Jim’s on Sunday night, I needed to venture back over to his place today, in the 14th arrondissement, to retrieve it. I have only visited Jim’s home in the evening, when it is …
Jim Haynes in his usual position, perched on a stool near the stove, donning an apron – connecting people Dinner at Jim’s is obviously so good, people come back for more, myself included. Jim Haynes, an American living in Paris, has opened his apartment, every Sunday, since the 70’s, to anyone who would like to …
There is something about Sundays in Paris I love. Apart from the odd person walking their dog, or another scurrying off to market, the streets are quiet, in the morning. I took this opportunity to take some photos before the crowds hit the street for church and Sunday brunch. At numbers 11-13, on rue …
Christmas Tree Made from Drink Bottles Strange; when I am working, I am waiting for the weekend to come. Time to rest, get things done around the house, go out, be with friends. It is no different in Paris. People want to get out, meet friends and shop, the streets are busy, the shops pumping, …
Fortunately, a couple of days ago, I had sense enough to start packing up things I wasn’t going to need. Which was most of the clothes I brought with me but didn’t receive until two weeks after arriving, thanks to British Airways. Two weeks without, you learn not to miss things. In an effort to …
A big knotted ball has developed in my stomach. I know, this is a signal, I don’t want to leave Paris and this is my last full day here. What is it about this beautiful city of Paris that steals people’s hearts. Is it the beautiful design of the city, the architecture, the ancient café’s …
My good friend, Peter, flew up from Nice especially to visit me in Paris. He arrived unwell, with a bad cold but still managed to meet me for dinner. I had been dying to go to Au Pied de Cochon (at the foot of pig) and finally my time had arrived. Au Pied de Cochon is a …
My good friend Peter and I had a nice lunch with a lovely French friend of his, who he tutored English many moons ago, when we were all young and free, in the 80’s. Afterwards, he had a business meeting and I decided, I might try to find some great over the knee boots, I …
Sunday evenings are now locked in for Jim Hayne’s famous dinners. This, being my second dinner, I didn’t look like a deer caught in the traffic lights, it was the new incoming, who took over this role. But I rush ahead of myself. Pierre had offered to take me on the Bateaux Mouches and, Emile had kindly …