Thursday to Monday 23 to 27 July 2026

Thursday was a recover at home day. Friday, we went into Paris again, back to the 13th Arrt for a look at the street market, a walk in the gardens and lunch in Rue de la Butte aux Cailles. Our restaurant recommended by our Paris Greeter was closed for the holidays and many others were not opening until evening, but we had a good burger at Restaurant Tanneurs and a walk through the Jardin Brassai.

At 33 Rue de Croulebarbe we saw Paris' first residential high-rise building from 1960 known as the Tour Croulebarbe. Here we met an 80 year old lady who came out of the building as Lady P was photographing it. She has lived there for years. A retired theoretical physicist who spoke five languages, she entertained us for a couple of minutes.

A train ride to Bercy Metro and a walk to the Seine was next, where there were many pop up restaurants. We had a glace and a glass of ‘pas terrible’ Rose and watched some seriously stupid people swimming in the Seine. Many Olympic athletes got sick after swimming in the river in ’24. The Paris Mayor apparently not so and of course, Macron chickened out. Would you swim in the Yarra? You’d probably drink it as a health tonic over the Seine!

Paris street fashion is, well not fashionable anymore. While it IS summer and there are lots of shorts, thongs, and the like, there are also lots of exposed tats on men, women and girls – some seem to be about 15 years old. Girls that is, not tats. And I’m talking head, neck ears, fingers, toes, arms, legs – and that’s just what is visible. Torn jeans, tops with no bra (some excellent, some just swinging in the breeze), flats, runners and well, you could be in Sydney or anywhere. At least there is no dog shit on the footpaths. Time for a train and tram home.

Saturday, Lady P is off to Paris again. She was excited. No appendage (Flashy), so she can walk wherever she wants and go into lots of shops. He is cooking, of course. And cleaning. Some reading, grocery shopping and a beer at the local Indian café. Bliss.

Meanwhile, 200,000 people have been evacuated from the bushfires in Southern France (now threatening Bordeaux) and Northern Spain. On Sunday, they evacuated guests from a hotel at Bordeaux airport. Methinks there might be some smoke tainted grape vines in the Bordeaux appellation this year. 2026 probably not a good investment in Chateaux Margaux Vin.

Sunday it turned cool and a couple of drops of rain. Packing up for tomorrow’s departure to Sancerre.

Pop up sign.
Mocking Bird Cafe art in Butte-Aux-Caille.
High fashion these days.
Swimmers in the Seine. Probably still alive.


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