Off to Montmartre to See a Precious Friend
Bonjour,
I was under the weather yesterday unfortunately but did manage to keep our lunch date with our dear friend, Carolyn Barnabo. Years ago, Carolyn, who lives in England, started following my blog. She and her husband Clive linked up many times with us, always with gifts in hand, as we made our way through the city. We lost Clive early in the year to a hard-fought battle with cancer.
Carolyn insisted on treating all four of us to lunch up at Montmartre in tribute to Clive. Such a great pleasure to visit with her, and we pray her grief journey is easier as we approach 2025. We thought there would be almost no one on the mountain, but au contraire. Even the art square was replete with artists.
Bernie, Malcolm and Antonia continued on to the Champs Elysées and I bowed out for home. I did step inside L’Eglise St. Paul, St. Louis. They have a lovely Christmas display set up at the front door.
Since I took very few photos yesterday, I will share the ones we took the day before at the Hotel de la Marine on La Place de la Concorde. “The Hôtel de la Marine was originally the home of the royal Garde-Meuble, the office managing the furnishing of all royal properties. Following the French Revolution it became the Ministry of the Navy, which occupied it until 2015 (as part of the Ministry of Defence). The building was entirely renovated between 2015 and 2021, for it to now display the restored 18th century apartments of Marc-Antoine Thierry de Ville-d’Avray, the King’s Intendant of the Garde-Meuble, as well the salons and chambers later used by the French Navy.” (Cited from Wikipedia) It’s a beautiful place!
We will say goodbye to Malcolm and Antonia today at lunch as they return to London on the Eurostar. How truly wonderful to make friendships from around the world. THAT is the blessing of travel. Do it while you have your health!!
Much love to all,
L & B
December 7, 2024 @ 11:38 am
Hope you’re feeling better soon, Linda. You are definitely a trouper!
December 7, 2024 @ 12:33 pm
I’m sorry to hear you were under the weather, but it’s sounds as if you made an effort to be with your friends and capture some photos to share with us. Carry on my friend!
Cindi
December 7, 2024 @ 1:29 pm
Beautiful photos, Linda. Thank you.
Hope you are back at the top of your game!
December 7, 2024 @ 6:16 pm
I am trying to imagine waking up in such beautiful surroundings as a Naval Officer. Wow! Thank you for sharing those outstanding photos.
Hope you are feeling much better.
December 7, 2024 @ 9:29 pm
You and Bernie are such a joy, as are Antonia and Malcolm! Your photos of our lovely sunny day are great, too. Thank you for sharing your time together with me — that was very generous of all four of you, and I really appreciate it. You are truly a trooper, Linda, and I hope you’ve felt better today. A bientôt, chers amis 🙂
December 8, 2024 @ 10:08 am
Carolyn, we thoroughly enjoyed our lunch and time with you. We will see you again before we leave, hopefully for Christmas lunch at our place!
December 9, 2024 @ 3:14 am
What exquisite photos, Linda. What a joy it must be to be there now. Thank you for sharing these with us. Enjoy every day!