The Eurostar enters Gare de Nord

While I am waiting for my son's train to arrive from London, those from the last train to Paris are still wait in line for the taxis that arrive one after the other: but there is only one line, so it takes long.

That is one of the reasons my son prefers I come to take him with my car. And yes, at 74 almost, I do drive well, even if I am not very queen to drive at night.

As I arrived early, as usual, I have the time to buy some journals. Today, most big towns here change the Maire. In my town too. But that will be in tomorrows papers, or on the Web.

Eurostar arrives: three minutes before the time! So it comes in slowly...

I have time to take a last picture of the advertisement. It sais:
Forget Watterloo, now the TGV Paris London arrives to Pankras!
"More central and faster tool!".

True, but it took long to finish the new line from the Channel to London and let the train go so fast in UK as in France! Only 2:15 now, from center to center!

We are so near to each other even as yet far away in some other ways.

As there is a direct metro from King's Cross Pankras to the Airport in London (and the Earl's Curt hotels) I'll try next time to fly - I have the impression that it is even cheaper, now with the low cost planes!

My son has his contract for three years now, he tells me his last impressions. It is always a big pleasure to discuss with him! We arrive soon home, his home, then I drive on to my place, not far away.

What will the future bring?

A week in London as video

London in mars 2008
envoyé par julie70

London discovery week trip as video

Apple slices and yogurt

I begun to go to the Weight Watchers in September, every week once, as my legs were to tired to support my 95 kilos!

Now, at around 82, I can walk better, but it is still too much.

It was more easy to loose the first ten kilos (about 20 pounds) then it is now to continue, even if I learned to eat better. Not less but more equilibrated and, ok, with less fatty (butter) and less sugar (cakes).

That was my snack yesterday: if you slice the apple thin not only it looks more appetizing, MORE also but it's also, for my age and teeth easier to eat. I also discovered a new Sveltesse yaourt from Danone, with vanillia taste and 0% sugar, 0% fats added - so they tell on it at least. Yummi! It is excellent and sweet too. How, I do not want to know.

I hope, it is true and it does not "weight" more then the 1 point usual in my 21 points a day Weight Watcher allowance.

It is easy, it would be, if from time to time I did not revert to old habits: when tired or when upset to through myself on some food.

Fortunately, I do not have home other then "healthy" foods, no chocolates, no cookies, etc. but even bread sometimes I still eat too much! When will I be thin as I was as young girl?

Probably never.

Still, I hope to loose some more kilograms soooon!

Butte Montmartre: emotions

I spoke about my afterclass group on Flickr, every month we learn about some other photographic techic. You are welcome to participate!

We are now about 2000 but each month some others contribute more, depending on the theme. Now it is about flowers, next month is will be birds.

In May about emotions and how they can be expressed in photography. In June, about differences in cultures & countries.

This month is the 22nd class!

One can read all the old classes and discussions, but we do contribute only to the new classes - at least until the end of each month. Then each of us can add pictures to the old classes... AFTER CLASS, that is from where the name comes.

I was frustrated in the Masterclass, that after a theme finished, I could not show later what I learned from it.

Here are birds Before the class, I am sure by the end of next month I'll do a lot better.

Afterclass is my main "job" that I have taken on voluntarly of course, after another similar class called Masterclass closed and I felt the need for it.

In 22 month we had different themes and at the same time I learned a lot from each, by actively participating also to them.

Come and have a look.

Last week: tuesday with Chris in Fulham

Here are all the photos I have taken, from Earl's Curt station to Thames, toward Fulham: it was a wonderfull afternoon!

Album created by Picassa (from Google) automatically from my "mardi avec Chris" folder.

I'll go, but when?

The lilacs are in buds in my garden. Soon they'll open.

I decided not to hurry, let my son's family go first, then see and decide.

That does not mean I'll not go, but without stepping on their feet, without mixing with their lives and trying to decide for them.

After all, living a few more month near Paris is not so bad!

I'll still continue this blog, once I begun to follow up what will arrive.

Butte Montmartre avec Marco

Back to Paris again, I met Marco from Rome (and flicker photographer) and showed him the places I lived for 22 years and walked often.

Not only those for turists, with people looking and letting be taken a drawing of them, admiring Paris from the hill, but also the very quiet streets around it.

"The Real Montmartre" - told me Marco, who loves three cities the most: Rome where he was born and lives, Venice and Paris.

It rained from time to time and then the sun came out again, then Marco exclamed:
"In Rome when it rains, it rains - it does not stop now and again."

I heard in London the weather is rather like in Paris, rain, sun, rain, sun again. But mostly not sun here but covert sky - Paris is grey often.

Butte Montmartre is wonderfull in all weather and I did like to live there, love to go back anytime I can.

It was cold yesterday and I was not enough dressed, but we walked up and down so I did not catch a cold.
For almost 30 years I have seen only men drawing around place de Tertre, only yesterday seeing this woman (and two others) have I realised it: something is new even on the Butte!