No visible police

Some tourist places, in Paris, you can see visible police presence, in others, like the Butte Montmartre, almost never.

Do not think they are not there, do not think they do not look to defend tourists from pickpockets!

This man is reading his newspaper, but as soon as there is an incident, his is there, he is in fact surveying, or waiting for others strolling around in the middle of people, to be called.

Even at night, as I went out once to stroll, fast, a car came to see what I am doing, Ah! you live here, good stroll, then.

I felt well defended, not at all offended.

Lots and lots of people from all over the world come to see the Butte Montmartre, I felt reassured that discretly, there are always people to see all is going quiet.

Of course, not all does, all the time.

It is still better, in the middle of lots of people, to care for your pocket...

Bastille day

Bastille day is called the 14th of July in France.

The Bastille day the Bastille Tour was destroyed and officially is not only the French revolution beginning but also the French national day.

The morning of the 14th the army goes to the Champs Elysees.

The festivities begin, the popular ones the evening of the 13th with free music and dancing on many squares of Paris. The young soldiers are also allowed to participate then.

The fire fighters houses are open and balls and dancing is taking place there too for all who want to come.

On this picture, I showed the dismantelement of the podium near the new Opera at the Bastille place. I went there the afternoon of 14th but all was finished, only traces remained and thos muscled young men as if dancing, working on the place.

You can go to the Tower Bridge in London and the Tower is still there, do not seek Bastille Tower on Bastille place, every brick was taken away and used, at the time. It was a prison for nobles only, so it is not clear why this one was attaqued, other then that was nearer and easier for taking bricks?

If you have occasion to go to Paris, go to the 13th festivities, the evening, more interesting then the military marching on the main avenues. I have danced twice at Firefighters House, and once in a small square under the foot of Butte Montmartre, were we lived that time. Great memories!

Tower Bridge

We were (I was at least) very afraid to miss the Wedding Ceremony.

Up Saturday at 5 we started after eight, but before two we were there and in time.

We were happy to be part of the familly to participate at the ceremony uniting a very happy couple.

Started back at noon, Sunday.

No way my son and grand son to miss the final of world cup.

As we arrived in time to the Tunnel, under Thames to take us home, we found it - closed. Closed for the weekiend. What a same!

We tried the boat - two hours delay.

We finally crossed bumper to bumper the beautiful Tower bridge, but then again the road was full. We arrived home after the match was played and finished.

Happily, my young grand son has programmed to be saved, before we went away - so they could replay and watch it later. It is never too late in lafe - at least for some things.

One few hours before my 76 anniversary, I watched too the Final of the World Cup - for the first time in my life.

After it finished, my son took me home. It was indeed a great match - and also a great trip.

Children

Wonderful afternoon, in a but York garden.

So much fun for the children!

They had jongleurs, as the bride is one of them too in his spare time, fire and balls and place for gym too.

My grand daughter was teaching the smallest one what she learned lasts month and my grand son playing with the other boys from the familly.

So many children, so much fun!

It was a great pleasure for me too look at them, as was also to discuss with so many different people of different ages. I found again, and I am so happy about it, that I can find something commun with so many age group!

What a work for the mother to prepare all that - but it went really great.

And miracle of miracles, we even arrived in time!

London York and back

Who knows where our roads go once we have chosen a way to go?

Ths time, soon we are off and as soon, even if it will seem a long way to us, we will be back.

I only hope we will not, inadvertently, make someone feel bad and that we will succeed - that I am sure - make good impression with my grand children, and for sure too, their parents.

I am not important in the equation.

With these thoughts, I took out the stress from our trip.

Magie of programming and colour photos

Urban landscape London

It is not easy to photograph those, but for me it is one of the most fascinating facets of Thames walk. These remains of the old bridge, reminding me the Athen's old remains.

And all that near two new different bridges.

I love their colours too!

I do hate the difference between the American 'color' the British 'colour' and the French 'couleur' - all signifying the same thing and differing in writing - just to confuse us!

Yesterday, I told at the table topics a fraction of my Monday's tale - and I won the Best Table Topics Award for the evening. Of course, when it happens, for a while, I change my opinion that we should not vote for "Best's"