Long time
Well less than a week and to be honest not a lot new has happened. A couple of days off at the beginning of the week followed by a long dive to Brum. Just thank heaven for sat nav when it came to driving through the city. Roundabouts, different roads running parallel to each other for different places, bus lanes – you get the picture. It was though nice for a drive in the sunshine…made uo for the rain that is causing crops to be behind. The fields were looking at the best damp and at the worst flooded. Probably mean that food prices will go up…tie that in to Brexit and things will go to hell in a hand basket fast.
Yesterday the greatest horse race over fences was held (in the eyes of many, in the eyes of others it should be banned but I don’t wish to discuss that…brain hurts too much) in Aintree, Liverpool. The Grand National – after 4 1/2 miles came down to a photograph to split the first two but also a photo to separate the next two horses who were some way behind. Only 12 of the 38 finished although 2 of those pulled up after the last fence although why I have no idea.
As I have now joined the ranks of the paid diary people, a discussion for another day of free v paid, I felt the need to put up a picture. No real reason other than I like the picture. Taken in 2016 on the banks of the River Seine in Paris. The river is deep set in places and the roadway is some feet above the river but also set back. The French have these stalls that sell a remarkable range of items as here. Books and vinyl albums seem popular choices. Being Paris, the books are mainly in French so if you are an enjoyer of old literature this may be the place for you. The weather as you may tell was hot…the French stylish – especially the women – and the city remarkably clean. Mind I didn’t get to see the areas that the people actually live in. By people I mean those that cannot afford the high prices of buying or renting in the centre. It has to be said that in the sun the architecture is stunning and typically, well, French. The long windows that open inwards as you may have seen in films based in France do exist and are every bit as beautiful and useful. The small Juliette balconies allow you to stand, or sit, with a nice glass of something and just watch the world go by. If you are fortunate to have access to a roof they are often decorated as gardens and yes they do have trees as well as pot plants that really do set off the skyline.
