Wednesday, May 30, 2012

Travelling about

Eiffel Tower - Paris

So Shevvy and I made it to Paris. Here is the Eiffel Tower.

Eiffel Tower - Paris

It is the coolest structure. And big.

Eiffel Tower - Paris

I don't like heights, so I admired it from the ground.

Basilique du Sacre-Coeur - Paris

We also went up the hill to the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur in the area of Paris called Montmartre. You can see all of the Paris skyline from there. We rode a boat down the Seine from the Eiffel Tower to the Louvre - it is a sort of slow touristy water taxi which gives you a far better view of the river, the stunning old buildings built along it, and the people hanging  about at the edge of it.

Musee du Louvre - Paris

We went to the Musee du Louvre. It is beyond huge. And stunningly beautiful.

Musee du Louvre - Paris

This is the pyramid in the court yard and one of the little ones. Old and new.

Musee du Louvre - Paris

I liked the view from inside the new structure looking back on the old.

Musee du Louvre - terrace ceiling - Paris

We ate dinner on the terrace. That is the ceiling. Paris reminded me of Quebec, especially Montreal. I guess it is proper to say it the other way around, that Quebec is much like France. And Paris is very different from London, yet both are so old and full of medieval mysteries to my Canadian eyes. I hope to go back to Paris for a much longer stay soon.

Station to catch the Eurostar - Paris

That is the station where we caught the Eurostar train home. You can leave London in the morning, spend a day racing about Paris, and be home before midnight - the highspeed train goes under the ocean.

Backyard courtyard at Ray Stitch - London

In London I went shopping at Ray Stitch. Besides wonderful fabric, (yes I did buy some) you can have a latte and hang about in their backyard, which has very old brick fences and lovely flowers. When I grow up I want to have a little shop exactly like this one. They directed me to Loop as well, which is a most wonderful knitting shop down the road.

Natural History Museum - London

I have walked past the Natural History Museum daily and continue to marvel at the details of the building. I stopped one day in the courtyard for a cold drink and to knit for an hour.

A street - London

This is what the streets people live on look like here, at least the ones nearby in this neighbourhood - South Kensington. Stone or brick row houses with no front yards at all, often near a fenced park which is open only to those with a key, who I presume are the people living nearby.

View from the Tate Modern - London

Today I went to the Tate Modern art gallery. This is the view from the balcony - London is such a mixture of old and new. The gallery itself is new and amazing and it is located in the most interesting neighbourhood of very old and very new structures.

I have to get to sleep, tomorrow I am up early to catch the train to Susan's house.

Best,

Leanne

19 comments:

Susan said...

Oh, you did all the best things in Paris (except maybe the d'Orsay!☹), even the boat down the Seine!!! And it looks like London is all you'd hoped it would be!

elle said...

Thanks for sharing this Leanne. This is as close as I'll likely get and you have some wonderful images. I'm noticing all the wrought iron work. Lovely!

Canadian Abroad said...

What a fabulous day in Paris. And such luck with the weather.

www.randomthoughtsdoordi.com said...

I have been to Paris several times and never have I seen such beautiful weather! Give Susan a hug for me!

Debbie said...

oh my - you lucky girl! So awesome for you!

Kelly said...

Very cool pics, have fun at Susan's :)

Judith, Belfast said...

Girl you get about! Sounds like you've had a wonderful week so far! Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow. Have fun with Suz and LJ! Jxo

Annabella said...

It`s Thursday it must be Northampton - so cool that you got to go to Paris. See you tomorrow!!

Dianne Neale said...

Great to see you having such a good time. And the weather looks great.
See you VERY soon!

Rafael's Mum said...

Fabulous photo's Leanne, thanks for posting them! So you are at Susan's tomorrow? guess won't see you in London till Saturday then?

Laura said...

Wow, what stunning pictures. I think the Eiffel tower ones are my favourites - it all looks so beautiful :)

Jenny said...

gorgeous pictures...thanks for the memories...i did many of these things right out of college with my best friend!

Sarah said...

Have fun with susan :-) See you soon!

Archie The Wonder Dog said...

Looks like you're having a fabulous time - hope you're currently enjoying some of Susan's homemade cakes and looking forward to one of her fabulous meals!!

Catherine said...

Paris is great isn't it. my girls havn't been so am hoping to take them in the summer. Your pics are wonderful and it looks like you had a great day. Hope you got to Susans ok

Claire Jain said...

Ah, magical times bouncing back and forth between Paris and London on the Eurostar. Looks like fun!

Mrs Flying Blind... said...

Oh you are cramming so much into your trip - brilliant!

Shevvy said...

I am only just getting to blog about it now and catching up with everyone elses blog posts. Have a safe journey home tomorrow and thanks for the push I needed to get to Paris.
Its been lovely getting to meet you - maybe see you in Feb?

Rhonda the Rambler said...

Great pictures.