A Day Trip: London to Paris on the Eurostar
Bonjour mes amis,
How delighted we were yesterday to have our now annual lunch with special friends from London, Malcolm and Antonia. There years ago, we happened to be seated next to them at the Jacquemart-Andre tearoom. We sat for the entire meal overhearing their wonderful British interchange, and finally I boldly made overtures to them. A friendship began which has been another glorious piece to our Paris array of serendipities. Occasionally, you click instantly with people
and such was the case with our foursome.
Like us, they are both retired and in a later-in-life marriage for the past 13 years. Sometimes, our lunch together hits on or close to their anniversary earlier in July. However, yesterday we had the pleasure of their company for about four hours only to discover that their day trip over on the Eurostar had been just to see us. Wow! They departed back to London around 8pm.
We ended up walking to their LOVELY apartment in Place de la Madeleine which they are presently leasing. Here’s just a tiny peek. 
Then we took in a desperately needed aperitif to cool us down at a mutually favorite spot called Le Village after our walk from lunch. Bernie introduced them to iced beer! 
Our plans are already laid for next year. We will break with tradition and have lunch at Le Cristal Room in the Bacarrat Museum. It’s a “jewel” of a spot if you’ve never been there. Add it to your list. Our last visit there was with our dearly missed friend, Barbara Buice.
It was 95 degrees here yesterday. Maybe you think that’s not terribly different from Alabama but without air conditioning, it’s horrendous. After thirty minutes outside, everything on your person is soaked. It’s supposed to be worse today. I’m thinking we will hang out in one of the air-conditioned department stores and try to stay cool. Perhaps Le Bon Marche on the Left Bank.
The street scene of the day is another pissoir which was located right in front of the St. Paul church in our neighborhood. We were shocked to see it and don’t know if it’s permanent or just considered “art.”
Stay cool!
L & B
August 4, 2018 @ 10:05 am
Believe I spotted another new dress in the first photo? How sweet of your friends to make the journey just for y’all!! Love the apartment…Paris or London? Dare I ask if the pissoir is what it looks and sounds like??! Oh my!!! And it’s open??
August 4, 2018 @ 1:09 pm
The apartment is in Paris. Don’t get your expectations up. Looks nothing like ours. Are you getting excited? We are. And yes, the pissoir is exactly what it sounds like!
August 4, 2018 @ 3:05 pm
You should stay at that apartment next fall! Yes I’m getting excited. And… GROSS!
August 4, 2018 @ 3:35 pm
They do multi-year leases only!
August 4, 2018 @ 10:39 am
A lovely day for sure, despite the heat! Hope you’re having a good one today in some air-conditioned splendour.
No comment about the pissoir, except we’ll pray it’s temporary. Eek!
August 4, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
Well, it’s definitely in use as I witnessed just a few minutes ago!
August 4, 2018 @ 11:53 am
I caught an interesting sentence up there that made me glad and sad at the same time. “Like us, they are retired and in a later-in-life marriage for the past 13 years.” Have both of these beautiful couples been married for the past 13 years and I didn’t know it. The marriage makes me extremely glad, but sad that I wasn’t invited, let alone allowed to officiate at the wedding. Oh well, some really great things are done in secret. Love to you both, and though I am thoroughly enjoying your trip, kind of ready to have you home so I can see you in person.
August 4, 2018 @ 1:08 pm
Poor choice of words on my part!!! No marriage here that I know of…ha!
August 4, 2018 @ 12:57 pm
Linda, I love seeing the tearoom. Beating the heat at the department store sounds like a good idea! The temps are going back up here again. You and Bernie looks so fabulous and relaxed. Seriously! Jeanie
August 4, 2018 @ 1:07 pm
Merci beaucoup, Jeanie!
August 4, 2018 @ 1:58 pm
What a bright spot for you and Bernie that your new friends took the time and braved the heat to come spend time with you. I’m hoping that you get a break from the heat during Natalie’s visit.
August 4, 2018 @ 2:15 pm
Oh, I hope so; otherwise, it will be hard to do everything we have planned! The grand finale for our year…
August 4, 2018 @ 5:00 pm
I have to say it before someone else does –another title for today’s post could also have been ‘From the Penthouse to the Pissoir’. I don’t guess you could interest Malcolm and Antonia in a sublease. It looks like the trip between Paris and London takes a little over 2 hours. Have you and Bernie done that? Thanks for another good day.
August 4, 2018 @ 7:13 pm
Great title. Wish I had thought of it! We have gone to London on the Eurostar under The Chunnel. And yes, it takes about two hours. Very nice.
August 4, 2018 @ 6:36 pm
Thanks for the Actually, I prefer the pissoir then the trickles running down the walls and across the sidewalks! We’ve seen them come by with a vacuum(?) to empty them, then they give them a heavy duty spraying down. Very interesting! But it begs the question… what is a poor lady to do when nature calls in the middle of Rue Saint-Antoine?
August 4, 2018 @ 7:12 pm
Good question though still the public toilets that wash down after each use for 1 euro.
August 5, 2018 @ 3:47 am
Your blog is so nice. Thanks for the great photos, enjoyable commentary and devoting your precious time in posting each day…
August 5, 2018 @ 4:51 am
Merci, Glenda. How’s everything in the neighborhood!
August 5, 2018 @ 11:41 pm
For now, about the same. We’ll catch up later.