Watery reflections

It's not actually raining today, but it feels like we've had quite a bit of rain lately, so I've been gathering together a collection of watery reflections. Some in rivers, some in canals, some on the road and some in puddles. 

Here are a couple a Parc de la Villette.

Here are a few in a back street of Paris.

The river in Donegal town.

Gutters in Paris, not all bad.

After the rain in the Jardin des Tuileries.

The stream in the Square des Batignolles.

Our balcony.

A green traffic light blends with blue.

And finally another non Paris one which I love, Donegal bay.

Dreaming Spires

Hello, I'm back. We've been in Oxford and London celebrating Christmas, a mere 54 days late. Yep, that was the snow's fault.

I was brought up in Oxford. While I lived there I never really appreciated what a beautiful city it is. By 18 years old I was champing at the bit to leave. Oxford, for me was 'soooo boring' (insert exaggerated eye roll). It was only a while later when I returned with friends that weren't familiar with Oxford that I realised how beautiful it is. A real 'place' with lots of gorgeous parks, many restaurants and cafes and well over a hundred pubs. And of course plenty of amazing architecture.

I don't have photos of any pubs, but here is a the general philosohpy.

The parks.

Spring is on its' way.

The dreaming spires are quite something.

The thing is that where I live, Paris, there are some pretty good spires as well. 

I think I'll stick with Paris! Are you happy with the place you live? Or do you have a dream place you would like to move to?

Gathering Hearts

"Aimer, ce n'est pas se regarder l'un l'autre, c'est regarder ensemble dans la même direction."

"Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction." 

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry,1939

Over the past year I have been collecting hearts. My favourite is this one. I found it while giving my daughter a leg up onto a tree in Parc Monceau. I would never have seen it without the leg up.

Easier to find are the ones hidden in the bark of Parisian trees.

Then there are leaf  hearts....green ones.

Red ones...

Edible hearts.

Chalk heart.

Sacré Cœur's heart balancing act.

And finally another of my favourites, the puddle heart. Only noteworthy in the rain.

Oh! Look what my amoureux just brought me.

More hearts can be found here (thumbnails) and here (slide show)

Silver

After having walked up to the Place de Tertre and the Sacré Cœur the other morning I headed home walking along rue André Barsacq, a small road that runs east-west to the west of the park in front of the Basilique. I came across the Galerie Chappe, a small art gallery that holds exhibitions of up and coming artists. The outside of the Gallery is painted silver. 

 

The other morning it was was catching the sun in such a way it looked like a stage set.

Oh what a beautiful morning

The weather has been harsh lately. Either it has been freezing cold, and dry; or a bit warmer, and raining. Today we were spoilt. It was beautiful, sunny and comparatively warm. I've been waiting for a morning like this for some time, with the intention of walking up the hill to admire the Place de Tertre, the Sacré Cœur and of course the view of Paris. 

I was not disappointed. I always love going up this little side street, rue Saint Rustique, and seeing the hazy dome of the Sacré Cœur appearing.

I then turned into Place de Tertre. The restaurants take down their tables and chairs towards the end of the year, and if you get there early the Square is empty and you really get a sense what a beautiful, simple Square it really is.

The Sacré Cœur looked stunning against the clear sky, with the early morning sun shining at a low angle. 

The Christmas light baubles are still up.

The Eiffel Tower didn't clamour for attention beyond the roof tops. But it still got mine.

The curled wrought iron railings caught the sun in front of the Sacré Cœur, but at the rear of the church they were still in shade.

The Eglise Saint Pierre de Montmartre basked in the sun.

The Sacré Cœur kept popping up in unexpected places.

 As I headed down the stairs in front of the Church I enjoyed the flowers (yesss, the flowers!)

I couldn't help thinking that this yellow camper van had chosen a perfect spot to spend the night. Now that's what I call a five star campsite! 

Judging from how closely the cars in front and behind the van are parked, it looks like the camper van might be stuck there for a while. I guess it could be worse.