Magical Monday - A Magical Mother's Day Flower

It was mother's day in France yesterday. My daughter (11) wrote a lovely poem that brought a tear to my eye, carefree lines like 'sprinkled with daisies and flittering birds' followed by more reflective lines like this 'Supporting my heart with those strong hands relentlessly.'... It's been a big transitional year for her.

My son (8) made a magic flower. He then earnestly suggested I put it up on Magical Monday. In my books it totally qualifies for Magical Monday, so here it is! 

Isn't it clever? I'm not sure how he made it but I do know it involved 6 sheets of origami paper and some salty tears.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Montmartre Snapshots

After the school run this morning I resisted the urge to return straight home and hunker under a blanket on the sofa with my computer. There was some sun and I decided to walk up the hill towards the Sacré Coeur. It seems like an age since I have done this. I'm not sure where the time is going. Hours pass, days pass, weeks pass, in a foggy blur.

I'm so glad I decided not to return straight home. I thoroughly enjoyed gathering together a collection of snapshots from my neighbourhood on this cold May morning. 

First off the infamous Sacré Coeur, as seen from the park just north or the Basilica, Parc de la Turlure. 

There is a beautiful wisteria covered pergola in this park. The vine is in full bloom and looks wonderful.

I also saw a stray cat, enjoying the morning sun.

As I came round to the front of the Sacré Coeur I enjoyed the views across Paris. 

Walking along La rue Saint-Éleuthère towards the Place de Tertre I saw this forlorn line of pigeons on an apartment building.

Just by this door. As you can see there was sun (long gone now!), and lovely shadows.

Along from the door, I snapped these two framed pieces of street art. Placed by an avid anti smoker, Kaiaspire.

Looking back towards the Église de Saint Pierre from the Place de Tertre I saw Mary Magdalene silhouetted against the blue sky.

And along from the Place de Tertre, the restaurant Le Consulat was laying out their terrace tables. I loved these talls stacks of chairs.

Walking down Rue Norvins I glanced into the artists' colony and didn't have too much difficulty imagining I was in in a small village in the countryside.

Down Avenue Junot I admired this elaborate glass canopy, a grand entrance to an apartment building.

And on the other side of the road an owl, faithfully guarding this letter box.

Magical Monday - pink paper flowers

These giant pink tissue paper flowers looked so lovely blowing in the breeze.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.

More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Beautiful Paris Bridges

My son has recently been learning about Paris bridges. He has had to learn all manner of small detailed facts about how many there are (37), which is the oldest (Le Pont Neuf), what are they made out of...etc. etc. This information, which he had to learn off by heart of course, coincided with me getting a job on the *other* side of the river from where we live, the rive gauche. I've been crossing the Seine once a week, with bridges on the brain.

I cross town to what feels like another world, the 6eme arrondissement, to teach at a design school. I usually go by metro but then return home by a mixture of walking and cycling ('Velib-ing). This walk/cycle, allows me to savour the beautiful city I live in from another view point. There really is nothing quite like crossing the Seine to make you appreciate how grand and spectacular Paris is. Long visitas. Big skies.

We used to live near the Bastille, by the canal that connects Place de La Bastille and la Seine, Le Bassin de l'Arsenal. We were always very aware of the water level since we were so close to the river and the canal would change colour as the water level of the river rose. Up in Montmartre we are less in-tune with the water level so I was surprised when I crossed the Pont Royal back in February and saw this. 

A lone bench.

Looking back towards the Pont Royal on another evening, the Bateau Mouche looked like it may not squeeze underneath the bridge.

Some evenings I finished work later and saw the sunset.

I take different routes home. Here is a view of the Pont Neuf - the oldest bridge in Paris (1607), as seen from the Pont des Arts.

The Pont des Arts, from Pont du Carrousel.


I love the Pont des Arts, the metal structure looks so delicate, resting on the big solid stone footings.

And of course the crazy love-locks on the Pont des Arts get more numerous every time I cross the bridge.

Locks and shadows.

Here is a sketch I did many years ago of the Pont des Arts. Not a love-lock in sight back then.

Water colour and ink, by bbonthebrink.

Another Love-Lock post by bbonthebrink can be found here.

Magical Monday - Faces in Places

More button monsters, the shadowy kind...

...and the 'real' kind.

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.
More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.

Magical Monday - Scribbling With Light

The M25 motorway, by night.

You can see more Light Scribbles on my Flickr account here (thumbnails) and here (slideshow)

Every Monday, Magical Monday, I post a photo that is hopefully puzzling, fantastical or unexpected.
More photos from the Magical Mondays series can be found here.