tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41081256614733560572024-03-05T04:49:08.553-08:00Colin Churcher's Blog for 2015Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.comBlogger106125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-32796836343120003482016-01-01T01:42:00.004-08:002016-01-01T01:43:09.341-08:00Blog for 2016For my continuing travel blog for 2016 please go to <a href="http://colinchurcher2016.blogspot.ca/">http://colinchurcher2016.blogspot.ca/</a>Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-3113772959819240722016-01-01T01:29:00.002-08:002016-01-01T02:39:49.725-08:00Thursday 31 December - New Years Eve<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0fHuJuL0iyn2U7XTNQC60SsTsLAsHivunVfG2UUEeGTp8SgBdFoyvijlPZe4o9jev-XyF7qZyeuO6iW_hJDs9u7ORT6yOTMvdw4yeXSII1toG-Uo8uD5LrLs6wVZ_PoNbzR0b0S-55Q7/s1600/IMG_4093.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl0fHuJuL0iyn2U7XTNQC60SsTsLAsHivunVfG2UUEeGTp8SgBdFoyvijlPZe4o9jev-XyF7qZyeuO6iW_hJDs9u7ORT6yOTMvdw4yeXSII1toG-Uo8uD5LrLs6wVZ_PoNbzR0b0S-55Q7/s640/IMG_4093.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are some pleasant patches of color in the parks - Square des Batignlles</td></tr>
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It was a beautiful bright and sunny day today although the wind was a little cold - nothing my parka couldn't handle. I went for a walk through the Square des Batignolles then to Clichy and on to Au Pullman model railway shop and finally Saint-Lazare which was busy but not frantic.<br />
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Of course, the main meal of the day would be the menu de Saint Sylvestre this evening but we "snacked" on a brioche at lunchtime.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The brioche came from the bakery at the top end of the rue de Levis by the metro station. It as infused with butter and honey</span></td></tr>
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Public transport was free in Paris from 1700 on Thursday until 1200 on Friday and the RER was running all night. Service is particularly good as well - the metro lines we rode were all running on three minute intervals. The trains were not very crowded, yet the RATP had its platform staff out at Saint-Lazare to ensure people did not try to rush the closing doors. There must have been at least 6 staff on each platform.</div>
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We arrived at Aux Iles Marquises in good time but several other tables were already in use. Apart from one other table, the restaurant was filled with people from the area, most of whom were greeted with hugs and kisses by Mme. Thiery</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It seems hard to believe we have been coming here for New Years Eve for ten years (with just one year missing)</td></tr>
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Of course, no decisions were necessary over the meal, other than how we wanted the venison cooked, so we were able to concentrate on the drinks. Aux Iles Marquises has a good selection of half bottles of wine. So we chose half bottles - of champagne, a Puilly Fume white and a Saumur Champigny red. The champagne was good as were the two Loire Valley wines which have become our favorites. And so to the meal.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amuse bouches</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rosache de homard avec lit de mache. The hard lobster work had already been done and the salad had a very creamy dressing with nut (probably walnut) oil. The mango made a pleasant counterpoint.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Consomme de huitres et sa frissures de legumes. Again the hard oyster work had been done. They were freshly opened and placed in the soup just before serving.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Escalope de foie gras de canard chaud aux raisin. The foie gras was covered in sliced lychees and the grape sauce was very rich and sweet. I had to ask for additional bread to sop up the sauce as I didn't intend to leave any of it</td></tr>
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There followed a granite de champagne which cleared the palate for the meat course.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqGA_rKZRoxB09by_kadiQS8CLsesMMEmSj8n6cmt3PHEmOIzemeiM-wORtwGcS0x0hmVlZOE6HbIbPa9bRHDP3TF_e_vnj9cH1CxO0Fcr2adn0xOl671JCa_BxF_-QzmiSgSBkAamdcs/s1600/IMG_4109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyqGA_rKZRoxB09by_kadiQS8CLsesMMEmSj8n6cmt3PHEmOIzemeiM-wORtwGcS0x0hmVlZOE6HbIbPa9bRHDP3TF_e_vnj9cH1CxO0Fcr2adn0xOl671JCa_BxF_-QzmiSgSBkAamdcs/s640/IMG_4109.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noisettes de chevreuil venaison avec mousseline de marrons. The venison was excellent and the chestnut mousse went well with it. The little accompaniments were interesting - grognes, chips, apples, fungus and redcurrants. Again, the sauce had to be carefully sopped up.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Farandole de desserts. The problem here was deciding where to start. The pecan tart was excellent as was the chestnut cream slice. The tropical fruit was fresh and a good way to finish</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were mignardises with coffee</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxdhRnAI7SLwXFLNlRAfLkOM5Tm0Y30UsOHAb551chtjsYRkzH8ugHOP79Z_siOe3IuHkYrHVLnXfFs2YlCwo5KkOTNVy0gOcCR73HdDBODA2qz0qs7bFWFPzc_oFO0X3m37S1uhMrvCy/s1600/IMG_4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="608" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlxdhRnAI7SLwXFLNlRAfLkOM5Tm0Y30UsOHAb551chtjsYRkzH8ugHOP79Z_siOe3IuHkYrHVLnXfFs2YlCwo5KkOTNVy0gOcCR73HdDBODA2qz0qs7bFWFPzc_oFO0X3m37S1uhMrvCy/s640/IMG_4116.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">We said goodbye to our good friend Madame Thiery and made a hopeful reservation for next year</span></td></tr>
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The metro brought us back in time to celebrate the New Year at the apartment. The metro was not crowded. The city of Paris tried to reduce the numbers gathering on the Champs Elysees this year. Trains were not stop at the Champs Elysees station. It was pretty quiet in our district although a few wandering groups were to be heard until around four o'clock.</div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-36614765483321535722015-12-30T07:04:00.000-08:002015-12-31T02:18:40.128-08:00Wednesday 30 December - Versailles and Beethoven's Ninth<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blazon of the day - on a Z6400 series electric train at Versailles Rive Droite.</td></tr>
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We used a mobilis ticket to go to Versailles today. The line from Saint-Lazare via La Defense to Versailles Rive Droite is the most convenient. These trains date from the mid to late 1970s and are beginning to show their age. We were rattling along and there was a very loud bang. My first thought was that we had run over a torpedo, but some of the lights went out - circuit breaker. A minute or so later there was another loud bang and the lights came back. This was quite an entertining ride what with the loud traction motor sounds and views of the Eiffel Tower after La Defense.<br />
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We bought a quick lunch and walked into the grounds of the Chateau, There were evidently a lot of tourists visiting Versailles, and many had rented four person electric golf carts to get around - not a good idea as many parts of the grounds were formerly a long way off for the average tourist. The trianon and the lake are now within easy reach. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is as close to the chateau with its screaming hordes as we came.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were a lot of magpies in the fields with the sheep. They rode on the sheeps' backs which caused some annoyance.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the way back we ran parallel with a train from Normandie with this locomotive in push mode.</td></tr>
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This evening we attended a concert at La Madeleine. The performance was of the Mendelsohn Psalm 42 and Beethoven;s Ninth Symphony (The Choral). The venue is superb but the acoustics can be difficult at times, particularly during the loud passages. At the end of each section the echo lasted a second or so. Nevertheless it was a very good performance that we both enjoyed. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Paul Kuentz, orchestra,chorus and soloists taking a bow</span></td></tr>
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The metro with a change at Saint-Lazare got us there and back in very good time.</div>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-50883128819701761622015-12-29T09:10:00.001-08:002015-12-29T09:10:41.130-08:00Tuesday 29 December - Hotel de Ville, Place des Vosges and Ile de Saint LouisIt was a beautiful warm day today with a lot of sunshine. We went first to the Hotel de Ville to see what was happening there. The usual skating rink has been replaced by a display of endangered animals. There is normally a photographic display which was replaced by some pictures and comments from the recent global warming summit meeting which was held here in November. The message was that technology is helping us in the fight towards sustainability but we have a long way to go .<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At the Hotel de Ville the free manege was put to good use</td></tr>
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The rue de Rivoli was not very busy and it was a pleasant stroll to the Hotel de Sully and the Place des Vosges. We picked up a quiche and ate it sitting on a bench in the sun. There were a great number of sparrows in the vegetation in the Hotel de Sully and it looked as if the bushes were in a wind.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sun bathing at the Hotel de Sully</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Htel de Sully exhibits some movement in the building</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A wonderful display of seafood near the Bastille</td></tr>
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The Bastille was busy and the Christmas funfair was in full swing.</div>
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The Ile de Saint-Louis was quite busy but the crowds at Notre Dame were very heavy indeed - the heaviest we have seen in Paris on this trip. We were not encouraged to linger and caught the metro back to Villiers. Some grocery shopping was in order and we managed to score a barbecued poulet fermier and roast potatoes at our favorite butcher. One surprise was that Nicolas, the local wine merchant, did not have Izarra (either yellow or green). This will become a cause celebre.</div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-34110665319751506492015-12-28T09:13:00.001-08:002015-12-29T08:50:30.289-08:00Monday 28 December - Icelandic MovieI took a quick look at the Gare du Nord and Gare de l'Est this morning. Both were very busy, Gare de l'Est seemed to keep its normal air of calm. The piano has been moved away from the platform end into the shopping area.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">Gare de l'Est</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the new Eurostar trains which have just been put into service to London. The train length problem has evidently been resolved.</td></tr>
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I saw one of the old 170xx locomotives on a local train at Gare de l'Est but could not get close enough to see the number. First one I have seen on this trip.<br />
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I took the bus back from the Gare de l'Est. The ride along rue Magenta to Barbes-Rochcchouart is always interesting as it passes through an accumulation of shops selling, wedding and formal wear, shoes etc. Some of the gowns and suits are pretty garish. </div>
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This afternoon we went to an Icelandic movie at a cinema just off the Boulevard de Clichy. With French subtitles, it was quite good but with only a handful of people it is not hard to understand why it was not in the first run places. The building was interesting as it has been renovated from a much older cinema and there was an interesting display of old celluloid projectors. The theatre itself was extremely large. </div>
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We had planned on having barbecued chicken this evening but it turned out that all of the butchers on Levis (all four of them) were closed today. The back off was an excellent meal at the Bistro D'I-D which is very close to the apartment.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The terrine du moment was very good indeed if a little too much </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Civet du sanglier (wild boar) with tagliatelle came in a rich well herbed and spiced sauce.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-73443955267604769472015-12-27T06:52:00.002-08:002015-12-27T09:26:31.085-08:00Sunday 27 December - Mouffetarde, Dancing in the StreetWe took the metro to the Monge market which was very quiet and then walked to the Rue Mouffetarde. This is normally busy on a Sunday but today it was very quiet indeed. Tourism is obviously down heavily but it may be that Parisians have taken the opportunity to go out of town for the period between Christmas and the New Year. So far as we were concerned it was good being able to move around easily.<br />
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On Sunday mornings a group of locals get together with a piano accordion and a guitar and sing and dance in the area at the bottom of the street close to the church. When we passed first the accordionist was trying to get people together by singing La Mer. A little later a couple were dancing and the seats for the spectators were beginning to fill up. I found the video was a little difficult because of the constant stream of people.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Seats are provided, along with song sheets, for the spectators.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pigeons were enjoying the entertainment</td></tr>
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This was a truly local Parisian experience and we spent some time watching the crowd and the dancing. We had a hankering to go back to a restaurant on Mouffetarde to which we have been several tmes. Mary liked the poele de St-Jacques which many tourists took as being chicken rather than scallops. This time the menu has been changed slightly to St-Jacques a la Provencal which is more explicit. It was very very good as was my confit de canard. As usual we started with the onion soup which was very good but in a large bowl.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Confit de canard</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scallops</td></tr>
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The Jardins de Luxembourg were quite busy in the warm sun but surprisingly there were no boats being sailed in the pond in front of the Senate building. The gulls and mallards had the water to themselves.</div>
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The restoration work on the front of St-Sulpice has been finished and it looks great. Once again, there were few people around.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A large Wallace fountain at St-Sulpice</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-68728460791821577782015-12-26T09:05:00.000-08:002015-12-26T09:54:38.989-08:00Saturday 26 December - Buttes Chaumont<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLAl4coHYC4CEyX99MT8z1c_8-VE3cC5eX9YFk7-yc3wIqufkF_KeY2h3xzTzIGsRfIgqr6Xcv0m8TT7o6l7x9s4mdaM654GHBirBp-PWaKWACneFE-tg9LSTjQ4kHwK3EhHBPQyWoJm-/s1600/IMG_3997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPLAl4coHYC4CEyX99MT8z1c_8-VE3cC5eX9YFk7-yc3wIqufkF_KeY2h3xzTzIGsRfIgqr6Xcv0m8TT7o6l7x9s4mdaM654GHBirBp-PWaKWACneFE-tg9LSTjQ4kHwK3EhHBPQyWoJm-/s640/IMG_3997.JPG" width="606" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Typical classic entrance to the metro.</td></tr>
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It was mild and sunny today and Buttes Chaumont was at its best. I lot of work has been done in this park and the results are very good. The one disappointment was that the overlook was closed for renovations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were many holly trees with lots of red berries</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The originalreinforced concrete fences are very much in evidence</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The island is a haven for bird life</td></tr>
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We walked back to the canal at Jaures and came back almost to the Bastille. Unfortunately the city has caged off the canal with nasty green fencing and has destroyed what was formerly a pleasant walk into an obstacle course.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There must be fish in the canal</td></tr>
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Mary came straight back while I looked in at Saint-Lazare which was very quiet indeed.<br />
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Dinner this evening was a very good cassoulet from a jar purchased from the charcuterie. It was full of sausage and chicken. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dessert was the Christmas special from the new meringue shop on Levis - variations on pavlova. Chestnut cream with maron glace, orange and crystallized orange peel.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-13040532483268073842015-12-25T01:53:00.003-08:002015-12-26T02:05:37.016-08:00Friday 26 December - Christmas DayAlthough it was Christmas Day the daily garbage came around as normal. Trains were running into Saint-Lazare as normal although in England the railways shut down completely on Christmas and Boxing Days.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trains were running into and out of Saint-Lazare roughly one a minute.</td></tr>
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There were not many people around this morning except in the rue de Levis where all the bakeries and specialty food shops as well as florists and laundromats were open.<br />
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We walked down to the Grand Colbert on rue Vivien for our traditional Christmas lunch<br />
Coupe de champagne<br />
White wine for Mary/red wine for me<br />
Half a dozen oysters<br />
Flan of scallops and lobster with caviar/french onion soup<br />
Plate of scallops/confit de canard<br />
Christmas suggestion du chef - <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px;">vanilla mousse with caramelized apple and shards of caramel</span>/apple sorbet with calvados<br />
The food was excellent and the service was exceptional.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flan with scallops and lobster with caviar</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scallops</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42WX92LQgawYqkbDcVW96ddnbd6nwo9QCK1AMuUwvzR4OazSLiWvCzVElVJSEIw03wPwpd1bjiSrvvgPwBcsGesmYcYPsHU4hoKM0EpTqNxtRlmpLCY8NvR_c75u8TGoSG_c4oqW_YIdk/s1600/IMG_3991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="518" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj42WX92LQgawYqkbDcVW96ddnbd6nwo9QCK1AMuUwvzR4OazSLiWvCzVElVJSEIw03wPwpd1bjiSrvvgPwBcsGesmYcYPsHU4hoKM0EpTqNxtRlmpLCY8NvR_c75u8TGoSG_c4oqW_YIdk/s640/IMG_3991.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Suggestion du chef -<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.8px; text-align: start;">vanilla mousse with caramelized apple and shards of caramel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkc4P2YA2D3OPWe0-cgAtJ7oz0-kEeFFLnTkkRYauQyFwH4R4DRkQpkZPmW4Yu9y-TK3ZTdRsTsPSjlKU_xafopWHldenX8wmwWHgDlQhyZxKQH26EBdU614ZwZTyZbo7u21gYku6GGcZ/s1600/IMG_3993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkc4P2YA2D3OPWe0-cgAtJ7oz0-kEeFFLnTkkRYauQyFwH4R4DRkQpkZPmW4Yu9y-TK3ZTdRsTsPSjlKU_xafopWHldenX8wmwWHgDlQhyZxKQH26EBdU614ZwZTyZbo7u21gYku6GGcZ/s640/IMG_3993.JPG" width="614" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Apple sorbet with vieus calvados</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3ff7JEHJ-fl7-_Vn02c_lLPaGY5pqwIuO3dc34nR8cHXLaQQ7z1EcwJZ47lgMDxigXrAkjW6YfainqlR0P1ENgXH6fmOWxjxOTm9X5p5vSiDnXtM9b6PHl_CUJ4001fNB8WURnPHeBh_/s1600/IMG_3994.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ3ff7JEHJ-fl7-_Vn02c_lLPaGY5pqwIuO3dc34nR8cHXLaQQ7z1EcwJZ47lgMDxigXrAkjW6YfainqlR0P1ENgXH6fmOWxjxOTm9X5p5vSiDnXtM9b6PHl_CUJ4001fNB8WURnPHeBh_/s640/IMG_3994.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The serving staff were very good</span></td></tr>
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We had a little time after lunch before the concert at La Madeleine and we made good use of it to walk through the jardin du Palais Royal and then to view the shop window displays at Le Printemps and Galeries Lafayette on the boulevard Hausseman. There were not too many people around so it was quite pleasant looking in the windows.<br />
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The organ concert in La Madeleine was an enormous disappointment which we had expected. The introduction to each piece was much to long, almost as long as the piece played. The first couple of pieces were tuneless, slimy music which the organist made worse by playing them much too loud. There was a piece from Handel's Royal Fireworks Suite. However, it was arranged by the organist who managed to butcher it so that the tunes were lost in the overall sounds of the organ. We and many others left half way through.<br />
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The walk back to the apartment (Malhderbes to Miromesnil then Levis) was very pleasant, the weather was mild and the winds moderate.</div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-71225735189709691042015-12-24T05:29:00.002-08:002015-12-24T17:52:07.835-08:00Thursday 24 December - Christmas Eve - MontmartreWe did our grocery shopping early this morning. The shops were not too busy although there was a long line up at the fishmongers - both to be served and then to pay the ticket.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sacre Coeur from Boulevarde des Batignolles</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rue des Abbesses</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A very ornate copper hot chocolate machine near Sacre Coeur</td></tr>
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Montmartre is not very busy at all. There are significantly fewer tourists this year. Place du Tertre almost had more artists than tourists. The steps of Sacre Coeur were empty and there was just a small trickle of visitors to the church.<br />
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We walked around to the back of Sacre Coeur to get an unusual view of the building.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVg3e9IW1mCc2KMweS-2uZipbIlAcUXymu5Wbx1UbN35Y1EjQrOYElyZHeVHiOldK7C4Lm5IfGiwWfoVXFS3qTV_fqiheswt9Vu07aCB_VE3PN7HCW7z9yd65j26kM5YVu3gA-i768EmW/s1600/IMG_3966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxVg3e9IW1mCc2KMweS-2uZipbIlAcUXymu5Wbx1UbN35Y1EjQrOYElyZHeVHiOldK7C4Lm5IfGiwWfoVXFS3qTV_fqiheswt9Vu07aCB_VE3PN7HCW7z9yd65j26kM5YVu3gA-i768EmW/s640/IMG_3966.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw0SmC5aNivmi3Qa8V21tuAjWB2bam39dAb0S_1bxNRNYoenTc030fd-LcItmm2nj06IKwrrDbLNvdR18C_nKn4ojJH7zGCQg-GqkNUIwbDbxTbYfKOeQYonC0GMPEHwVQh4ASG6wiWOY/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="428" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCw0SmC5aNivmi3Qa8V21tuAjWB2bam39dAb0S_1bxNRNYoenTc030fd-LcItmm2nj06IKwrrDbLNvdR18C_nKn4ojJH7zGCQg-GqkNUIwbDbxTbYfKOeQYonC0GMPEHwVQh4ASG6wiWOY/s640/IMG_3967.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lapin Agile cabaret <a href="http://www.au-lapin-agile.com/">http://www.au-lapin-agile.com/</a> This is just across from the Montmartre vineyard.</td></tr>
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As usual our Christmas Eve meal was in the apartment from items purchased locally on teh rue de Levis.</div>
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We started with foie gras n gingerbread toast</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumN526o53qDvWwrBN3JTUg6ZnTlS4NpGySIQlNFnv1ZhN93mPFvUzMFtkiL6o-hh-4Uk6C0hxl7pRLEi5rkOYBOJNTubqvj0e0pFXisDd9OiyarcLV3n2gYXFKBDjog9gm_2dnLNTvLK5/s1600/IMG_3969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhumN526o53qDvWwrBN3JTUg6ZnTlS4NpGySIQlNFnv1ZhN93mPFvUzMFtkiL6o-hh-4Uk6C0hxl7pRLEi5rkOYBOJNTubqvj0e0pFXisDd9OiyarcLV3n2gYXFKBDjog9gm_2dnLNTvLK5/s640/IMG_3969.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gambas sauvage</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlm3Vxgl9WjeP59TimIpiewxrTZaaBsb10XlUvzY5j9F3JQ87GE5UBe5-FGsJtOvQS6EVM8jCw-lL2aISHwtlUEfhNK1S-rF_eklO8MWytSsIJdXjabn1BZ5Fn8retWdjKX8_9aOEAKpu/s1600/IMG_3970.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvlm3Vxgl9WjeP59TimIpiewxrTZaaBsb10XlUvzY5j9F3JQ87GE5UBe5-FGsJtOvQS6EVM8jCw-lL2aISHwtlUEfhNK1S-rF_eklO8MWytSsIJdXjabn1BZ5Fn8retWdjKX8_9aOEAKpu/s640/IMG_3970.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pate en croute de canard a l'orange</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppzoyqg_BGHZerNjCGRIOn3SE2bE0Qw_fY917F9CcSmP4bEI7cU_v4RGKK0WdYV4S6goQPKHm6Z3Z9j7PjJ1TJzOHCsXpFtw3PkOPTDmMpRAz4sfQ4vNOOVDoV12xH6Ls8LETBE-qTpWw/s1600/IMG_3971.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="584" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgppzoyqg_BGHZerNjCGRIOn3SE2bE0Qw_fY917F9CcSmP4bEI7cU_v4RGKK0WdYV4S6goQPKHm6Z3Z9j7PjJ1TJzOHCsXpFtw3PkOPTDmMpRAz4sfQ4vNOOVDoV12xH6Ls8LETBE-qTpWw/s640/IMG_3971.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stuffed quail</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCRGJaEThtu6jVQHwAn0J_zNSB9F0fpHBu2osre07EaWoCSQZhvH6kixjXRaLKqBBwkEiYDpuYmFjdupxGbv5cmwMXt2LIfMLeI_EneIDDhvt7Ac3s0oL2pxat2Du4XuPRmM7U2JByJ3d/s1600/IMG_3972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="556" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRCRGJaEThtu6jVQHwAn0J_zNSB9F0fpHBu2osre07EaWoCSQZhvH6kixjXRaLKqBBwkEiYDpuYmFjdupxGbv5cmwMXt2LIfMLeI_EneIDDhvt7Ac3s0oL2pxat2Du4XuPRmM7U2JByJ3d/s640/IMG_3972.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mont d'Or cheese</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1kz1buyNLetasZkDdHcWaJ8mWdO0bVOkhC_5n1LXAkgFubFTA7VzJmuVI0EfMOeD7U3Zhst05eZolcV0txG7UpO1eX_64Ifk5dZ86z4ukk5fZKZcduiyGU46CTILF1GYySECzO815QBX/s1600/IMG_3973.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1kz1buyNLetasZkDdHcWaJ8mWdO0bVOkhC_5n1LXAkgFubFTA7VzJmuVI0EfMOeD7U3Zhst05eZolcV0txG7UpO1eX_64Ifk5dZ86z4ukk5fZKZcduiyGU46CTILF1GYySECzO815QBX/s640/IMG_3973.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salted caramel bouche de noel</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-13758842010819805662015-12-23T08:19:00.001-08:002015-12-23T12:30:09.840-08:00Wednesday 23 November - Relais de Venise, Model Shops and Gare Saint-LazareLe Relais de Venise is one of our favorite restaurants. It is strictly steak and frits. There is a set menu which includes a salad then steak and frits. The only choice to make is what wine to have (a bottle of St. Emillion) and how do you want your steak cooked. Just when you think you have finished the waitress brings around the second portion of steak and frits. The sauce is exceptional and the frits are excellent.<br />
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The restaurant does not accept reservations so it is best to line up. Space inside is very cramped and the staff are good at shoe horning customers into a small space. We were there in good time and but the two rooms quickly filled up and late comers had to wait for the early customers to leave.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS9aUcBbFo6x2iOipljE6VOVy0Qz4PqEar_4C-2inVeAyWIhymUOyv-4LjgzXSXFquZS5mrlf8Il5uQ2_OeOlGjiCK9pTzAJo4vw33NevAWtN7IklZ3-cyOCuLC0axDYPhvaqyru4rWoA/s1600/IMG_3938.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOS9aUcBbFo6x2iOipljE6VOVy0Qz4PqEar_4C-2inVeAyWIhymUOyv-4LjgzXSXFquZS5mrlf8Il5uQ2_OeOlGjiCK9pTzAJo4vw33NevAWtN7IklZ3-cyOCuLC0axDYPhvaqyru4rWoA/s640/IMG_3938.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">To get people into the back seats the table is drawn out then pushed in so that the person is effectively imprisoned. It is important to go to the washroom first</td></tr>
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One advantage of being so close is that it is easy to get into conversation with your neighbours - pass the mustard etc. This time we talked to two ladies from Finland as well as two men from France..<br />
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The desserts are exceptional:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhN-su3y4LQVqPU-RP6n5drnOvdbKvO1BWhxVxoa8awCAUjtU9LoSq68unPTMJfKWigq811mlkjocX-PKWjBeccbwHKso5HcmTQ7-LuMWUb2VmNqF1tk_JZAa4BDyfYgGvqEWH4P3H4hK9/s1600/IMG_3935.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhN-su3y4LQVqPU-RP6n5drnOvdbKvO1BWhxVxoa8awCAUjtU9LoSq68unPTMJfKWigq811mlkjocX-PKWjBeccbwHKso5HcmTQ7-LuMWUb2VmNqF1tk_JZAa4BDyfYgGvqEWH4P3H4hK9/s640/IMG_3935.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vacherin</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8KORJqvpJCs6Tcqozjr5Ok7A7sV-Nf26D_bITvaIs07qpOl8oFbTYcVvZygAF8FEf8TRiqVPuDtyDaxUqmTTJYORlhyphenhyphenkifSJNtneYU-GM6jQautpCb1KgZ8ZJBT5h0M93ZmhILfaG-ly/s1600/IMG_3936.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU8KORJqvpJCs6Tcqozjr5Ok7A7sV-Nf26D_bITvaIs07qpOl8oFbTYcVvZygAF8FEf8TRiqVPuDtyDaxUqmTTJYORlhyphenhyphenkifSJNtneYU-GM6jQautpCb1KgZ8ZJBT5h0M93ZmhILfaG-ly/s640/IMG_3936.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Profiteroles</td></tr>
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After lunch I took the Metro to Place de Clichy to visit some model shops to make my way to Saint-Lazare.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAysxX-b4Q2X_Fh2EMUN-_fIxmtCRp3uFT-kXpTDA_CApG7tvVfHY7p-hm_Ztgm5cx0_hbNUgiRSKdVfmipCIj4_5v9BWQ7fN-LWWANWJUkjO5uix30eOl38pHTB1oSBj5mk-q2q_YEfOx/s1600/IMG_3943.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAysxX-b4Q2X_Fh2EMUN-_fIxmtCRp3uFT-kXpTDA_CApG7tvVfHY7p-hm_Ztgm5cx0_hbNUgiRSKdVfmipCIj4_5v9BWQ7fN-LWWANWJUkjO5uix30eOl38pHTB1oSBj5mk-q2q_YEfOx/s640/IMG_3943.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I was surprised to see a Sybic locomotive in here. First one I have seen in Saint-Lazare</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQFKHN1OqhGmDYsG1s57rgnzR1Q4uIdYccBTqZl9jJYCl0FgZ4Myo86afdIOtpQm4AsGrVUYQl_W7UffMRL96XU_v9NPBUT-kQTc0a4oeR08WJ_SBiIfdZFYcrUqia_U-f3Jk68rKiGll/s1600/IMG_3944.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOQFKHN1OqhGmDYsG1s57rgnzR1Q4uIdYccBTqZl9jJYCl0FgZ4Myo86afdIOtpQm4AsGrVUYQl_W7UffMRL96XU_v9NPBUT-kQTc0a4oeR08WJ_SBiIfdZFYcrUqia_U-f3Jk68rKiGll/s640/IMG_3944.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A crocodile - used as part of the train control system </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnpaNwGxx649Hgnj8jrjANLzbb5h7FI7Q6z1Iomy0Sr1CPthZX9h5iwuKBHlDwneOVh8hQV799wQPZzeKRUsewPGbs6NK65e-49l1VbN73a6VHzQhcFH_dRPrMCtqPNQsgXPmXT1pLdkl/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnpaNwGxx649Hgnj8jrjANLzbb5h7FI7Q6z1Iomy0Sr1CPthZX9h5iwuKBHlDwneOVh8hQV799wQPZzeKRUsewPGbs6NK65e-49l1VbN73a6VHzQhcFH_dRPrMCtqPNQsgXPmXT1pLdkl/s640/IMG_3946.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are still some blazons to be seen on the old electric trains that have not yet been painted into the STIF livery.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLx1VpAyhs1TjMVWwT8tBet17FRllH8ZaU1Hf6KaLzCPJ8wsedbi8y_8ZvgZYkbJFua_6eZpPgJ4qOZIiGbQ5aNONzUQaya5Y-4BzYG4M_UNfILgcC8s4dfO8uss-iupMm9gF_xl6b0vJ/s1600/IMG_3948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhLx1VpAyhs1TjMVWwT8tBet17FRllH8ZaU1Hf6KaLzCPJ8wsedbi8y_8ZvgZYkbJFua_6eZpPgJ4qOZIiGbQ5aNONzUQaya5Y-4BzYG4M_UNfILgcC8s4dfO8uss-iupMm9gF_xl6b0vJ/s640/IMG_3948.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This diesel hydraulic shunter was lurking under the warehouse area.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-48081090422959041452015-12-22T07:27:00.002-08:002015-12-22T11:55:10.764-08:00Tuesday 22 December - Ternes<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ-5ooKY-HmCI2KFmWoU3yGMp_YXyc2gZLs0hZb0gAiAyY0M19iAcM4i_25bDP7m5zKjingJlFNUjX7JJj_K5sNSMt8RZ5hn45oZAMEIiWeVTy9jES-7VzKYRJuQw62N1UniBbqYR-LEv/s1600/IMG_3921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiQ-5ooKY-HmCI2KFmWoU3yGMp_YXyc2gZLs0hZb0gAiAyY0M19iAcM4i_25bDP7m5zKjingJlFNUjX7JJj_K5sNSMt8RZ5hn45oZAMEIiWeVTy9jES-7VzKYRJuQw62N1UniBbqYR-LEv/s640/IMG_3921.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I walked over to the Square des Batignolles this morning. The main line out of Saint-Lazare has eleven tracks. Three trains are visible in motion here - I have seen up to six.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcjJErXXI5blDrywDb6w6fqdJOPacMXZkNdKiQGMz-WzJwxH38AkOg_dd2Fm3AqVDkp75XLjFjEzSBWRIvCJ_ivU60QjQBV6mv_Jr7NhmbAnM4O9wcx2wFLZlzvWzABjsirvVM3uZ7oXc/s1600/IMG_3912.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdcjJErXXI5blDrywDb6w6fqdJOPacMXZkNdKiQGMz-WzJwxH38AkOg_dd2Fm3AqVDkp75XLjFjEzSBWRIvCJ_ivU60QjQBV6mv_Jr7NhmbAnM4O9wcx2wFLZlzvWzABjsirvVM3uZ7oXc/s640/IMG_3912.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: 12.8px;">The Square des Batignolles. The plane trees in the centre and on the right were planted in 1840 and 1872. In 2015 they were given the label Arbre Remarquable de France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgwbIvkQ7DFZLdzL8K4FHxrGep-Pj3URDYYUOIcvgL41-OexiMc0Bw1yrbMyJx1p9Y7fz6GxPD9kcPJqyL3KNnDD0tFUed-htZ6eGtL5BZ9pqze82TdCsp-FT1RN710whTSKf1tOCNRhe/s1600/IMG_3915.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHgwbIvkQ7DFZLdzL8K4FHxrGep-Pj3URDYYUOIcvgL41-OexiMc0Bw1yrbMyJx1p9Y7fz6GxPD9kcPJqyL3KNnDD0tFUed-htZ6eGtL5BZ9pqze82TdCsp-FT1RN710whTSKf1tOCNRhe/s640/IMG_3915.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The water works are attractive</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjEO-3Y6psnH9vBZ73e-_ZExCEb4Id17vweoUC-EXyThZJLg_llUNgUFJUp9-VIiO-S2OdzqTN97ruaWx5gc3RptvWRYRzAZnXaPri1omNP8HACAyzjfpZGK0nFMyNpwyqMUOo9dXtbZK/s1600/IMG_3914.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="532" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVjEO-3Y6psnH9vBZ73e-_ZExCEb4Id17vweoUC-EXyThZJLg_llUNgUFJUp9-VIiO-S2OdzqTN97ruaWx5gc3RptvWRYRzAZnXaPri1omNP8HACAyzjfpZGK0nFMyNpwyqMUOo9dXtbZK/s640/IMG_3914.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And very much appreciated by the water fowl in this case shell ducks.</td></tr>
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The free roundabout was very much in demand by the small kids who had to line up until it was their turn to get a ride. There was a large group of kids all wearing high visibility vests with "Mairie de Paris" on the back. One little girl couldn't get a seat and was close to tears. Another mother noticed this and talked to her child who agreed to give up his seat so the little girl could be with her friends. The look on her face said it all.<br />
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We walked up to the Arc de Triomphe to see the crowds. There were a number of electric "trams" which are run by the RATP.(the Paris equivalent of OC Transpo)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These minibuses are being charged - the drivers were all sitting in one of the buses.</td></tr>
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Our next stop was the street market just off the Avenue des Ternes for a quick snack then on to FNAC to get some tickets for a performance at La Madeleine next Wednesday.</div>
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For dinner we went back to the P'tit Canon where Mary had the lamb shank and I had the magret de canard. Both were excellent. Mary needed extra bread because she had to sop up the gravy in the pot as well as on her plate.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lamb shank</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Magret de canard au miel</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-21811408122012486602015-12-21T08:37:00.001-08:002015-12-21T11:25:46.268-08:00Monday 21 December - Aux Iles MarquisesWe were happy to find that Aux Iles Marquises was open for lunch with Mme. Thiery out front and M. Thiery in the kitchen. We had made a reservation for New Years's Eve but there was a strong possibility that they would have sold the restaurant and retired. We were happy that our reservation is good but the Thiery's must be disappointed that they cannot begin a well earned retirement,<br />
Lunch was outstanding and it was good to chat briefly with M. Thiery and look forward to his meal on New Years Eve.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrine de chevreuil</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kidneys in a rich gravy</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dorade</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mignardises</td></tr>
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It was a warm sunny day today although there was a cool wind at times. A short metro ride took us to Balard and we visited the Parc Andre Citroen. This is a very large space on the site of the former Citroen automobile plant. It is set out in the grand style with a lot of concrete, reminiscent of La Defense. There are grand walkways similar to Versailles with large well trimmed trees. The whole place has a lot of small spaces with many interesting small gardens and wild areas. Each one has been carefully thought out and each area is different. One end of the park fronts on to the Seine. This is an urban park as opposed to Monceau or Buttes Chaumont which have plenty of green spaces.<br />
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On the way back I stopped off at the Gare Saint-Lazare where I noted a number of changes. There are a lot of the new electric multiple unit trains and the long distance trains I saw were all equipped for push pull working with ugly driving trailers. I didn't see any of the old 1960 vintage electric locomotives. Their numbers were declining last year so may be they have all been replaced,<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A really ugly driving trailer conversion</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are many more of the new trains now in evidence.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-57453485444383637832015-12-20T06:52:00.000-08:002015-12-20T21:42:06.348-08:00Sunday 20 December - Flaneurs<div class="MsoNormal">
After some more
shopping at Monoprix we visited our friends at Diva et Chocolats. They were
both pleased that we had returned to Paris.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A short Metro trip
took us to Bourse and we stopped in to Le Grand Colbert to make a reservation
for lunch on Christmas Day. It was
surprising that they were not already fully booked – tourism is down at the
moment.<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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It was a beautiful
mild day with plenty of blue sky. The Jardin
du Palais Royal was very busy with some playing pick up soccer and others just
enjoying the warm weather. The flower
beds were particularly colorful, possibly as a result of the recent world
conference on climate change.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOqmV6BIm1q5NABei3J4rXfrXb8tG_Pauz210P312kzY4QH89vSPdbaoeQJ39V4yqHRtUbg-XzPS2f7Fq0tWrn8buVmHkbjUt7Jh5qyCqSLduI5n2ObFe5UbmM87Psnp1j6J6PwjXzEWo/s1600/IMG_3879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOqmV6BIm1q5NABei3J4rXfrXb8tG_Pauz210P312kzY4QH89vSPdbaoeQJ39V4yqHRtUbg-XzPS2f7Fq0tWrn8buVmHkbjUt7Jh5qyCqSLduI5n2ObFe5UbmM87Psnp1j6J6PwjXzEWo/s640/IMG_3879.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Palais Royal</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApx2tj4faJ-5vAeONofX2dTDhfvjnZgi2nRkNB0lmDhAOuI0FAqgPAuEMu0BWI5-EkHx4JELkmeBD2dkVqZu5lm5FzrtScBRaH5oTOD6Al7nzIjVFY2PBBKQcjfZ6-wryovjdiqnzbXe9/s1600/IMG_3876.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiApx2tj4faJ-5vAeONofX2dTDhfvjnZgi2nRkNB0lmDhAOuI0FAqgPAuEMu0BWI5-EkHx4JELkmeBD2dkVqZu5lm5FzrtScBRaH5oTOD6Al7nzIjVFY2PBBKQcjfZ6-wryovjdiqnzbXe9/s640/IMG_3876.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
The rue de Levis seems
to be going from strength to strength.
There are new food shops (baker, patisseur, green grocer) as well as a
number of high end clothes shops. There
were two carpet sellers with their wares spread over their cars.<o:p></o:p></div>
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A short walk in the
afternoon took us to the Square des Batignolles where the kids were riding the
free Christmas roundabout and petanque was in full swing. The small stream and pond was pretty busy,
the water seems particularly clear at present.<o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This Mandarin duck was strutting its stuff in the Squre des batignolles.</td></tr>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-11123912886617372402015-12-19T09:04:00.000-08:002015-12-19T22:48:07.505-08:00Saturday 19 December - Travel London to ParisBeing a Saturday morning the Underground was not as crowded as during the week. We took the Piccadilly line across to St. Pancras and had a little time to wait for our train to be called. A Star Wars trooper drew lots of attention and people were lining up to have their pictures and selfies taken with him. In fact, he was advertising for one of the shops that sold luggage. Both customs (UK and France) as well as security were cursory and we found seats close to the gates. Eurostar follows the SNCF mantra of keeping the departure gate a deep dark secret until the last possible moment. Luggage accommodation on Eurostar is ludicrous and it is advisable to get to the car as soon as possible. I had already surmised that our train would leave from platforms 7 or 8 and by listening to the chatter on the employees' radios we were ready to go as soon as the gate was announced. Mary was quick off the mark and was first into our car while I was a close second. Consequently we found spaces for our cases with ease.<br />
<br />
We left St. Pancras four minutes late but arrived in the Gare du Nord a minute early. We ran into platform 7 which is a non-Eurostar platform so this train was presumably going to the sidings rather than working back to London. The journey does not have much of interest.<br />
<br />
The Gare du Nord was very busy but we found our way to La Chapelle and the metro to the apartment. Not a great deal has changed except that the internet is not currently working and so we are using a temporary, slow connection.<br />
<br />
The first order of business was to get in some supplies so a quick trip to Monoprix was carried out. On the way back the greengrocer managed to get Mary to buy a whole tray of strawberries from Morocco - we'll be snacking on strawberries for the next couple of days.<br />
<br />
For dinner we walked down to the corner to see if we could get a table at le P'tit Canon. We were not hopeful as it is a Saturday and just before Christmas. However we got the last available table. Isabelle, the owner, remembered us and we had a great time. They had the usual extensive menu which has many favorites. Mary started with freshly pickled herring and I had terrine de campagne. We both had the duck confit which was excellent. The duck was crunchy on the outside and very tender inside. It was accompanied by a pile of fried potatoes, again crunchy on the outside and soft inside. I am sorry Fred, I didn't have my camera with me. We had half a bottle of Sancerre with it. The restaurant was very lively and several people were stacked up at the bar anxiously waiting for a table. Isabelle was everywhere, laughing and joking and taking time to explain the menu. There were several English speaking groups with whom Isabelle was quite comfortable but, of course, we used French.<br />
<br />
This was a great way to start eight weeks here. Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-19577149614510467392015-12-18T09:42:00.000-08:002015-12-18T22:54:32.868-08:00Friday 18 December - Travel to London<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMBjaOPWGhcm_4ZB_Je__rlMUeJgw-JPXkkWh0kuzX4SbWdhnYNTkLCJkhhiaTrxA2XYnq8zno9lo1irB-6UzB149TCjaudxv9BcEz9qRg-j1xnQoKcEiIlCMWwsAu6mkt4e0HQxDJ67o/s1600/Shrewsbury26.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAMBjaOPWGhcm_4ZB_Je__rlMUeJgw-JPXkkWh0kuzX4SbWdhnYNTkLCJkhhiaTrxA2XYnq8zno9lo1irB-6UzB149TCjaudxv9BcEz9qRg-j1xnQoKcEiIlCMWwsAu6mkt4e0HQxDJ67o/s640/Shrewsbury26.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - Severn River Junction Signal Box which oversees train movements at the east end of the station. The largest in the country</td></tr>
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A London Midland train took us the Birmingham New Street and a Virgin train brought us to London. We allowed plenty of time to transfer at the newly opened station in Birmingham. It has a very spacious concourse but is awkward to navigate. There are ticket barriers to negotiate. We had three tickets each and only one of them would work the barriers, The toilets are woefully inadequate while the escalators from the platforms are narrow and incapable of handling the crowds. In fact little seems to have been done at platform level which maintains its blackened brick stygian Victorian gloom.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHYcqieU7PsipfMrQwWoEE91eW-4j_UYzc8z96o9GK3gbZKtzmxetCFBzaSK8oqUUfDYyNYBBKLmMcPHnbv5ji0yaWpJhRNlVneUc7qdz0KWNoLjdmo4bM-ajkt6eVi5q17Z8ufxGthDd/s1600/Birmingham+New+Street0305.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHYcqieU7PsipfMrQwWoEE91eW-4j_UYzc8z96o9GK3gbZKtzmxetCFBzaSK8oqUUfDYyNYBBKLmMcPHnbv5ji0yaWpJhRNlVneUc7qdz0KWNoLjdmo4bM-ajkt6eVi5q17Z8ufxGthDd/s640/Birmingham+New+Street0305.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Virgin Pendolino to London with a Cross Country train arriving on the next platform.</td></tr>
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It became milder as we moved south. In the Shrewsbury area there was a lot of standing water in the fields, the horses wore overcoats and the sheep were fitted with water wings. In the Birmingham area the sheep had Wellington boots while further south the horses were bare as were the sheep.<br />
<br />
The journey went precisely to plan and we arrived in Euston a couple of minutes early. I think this amazing for the Friday before Christmas. We even scored seats on the Picadilly line across the to the hotel at Gloucester Road.<br />
<br />
A late lunch was fish and chips and supper was marmelade flavoured ice creamColin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-45543956267718298102015-12-17T08:38:00.003-08:002015-12-17T08:41:43.499-08:00Thursday 17 December - Star Wars<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTo55hePLsKHddmleMlJETw-vatgxaW9IUe4GzvUYtq5W_SlTTAolDYuhvvSzSqc7v0jgOBWBfWRizkrMHligehIUphNEnJeL-w1sbK0cG6dpWBRW7NTTc6RC2sBr1EenyuecLnOgUzNMW/s1600/23311108210_373bc02cba_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTo55hePLsKHddmleMlJETw-vatgxaW9IUe4GzvUYtq5W_SlTTAolDYuhvvSzSqc7v0jgOBWBfWRizkrMHligehIUphNEnJeL-w1sbK0cG6dpWBRW7NTTc6RC2sBr1EenyuecLnOgUzNMW/s640/23311108210_373bc02cba_o.jpg" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - Barker Street. Very ornate decorations.</td></tr>
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Today is our last day in Shrewsbury and we spent a little while packing our cases. The Star Wars movie opened today so we went down to the afternoon performance at the multiplex cinema in Abbey Foregate. It was about what I expected - lots of action, explosions etc but with poor plot lines,</div>
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It was raining lightly when we went in, the river is still very high under the English bridge - the pathway along this section has been flooded the entire time we have been here. When we left the theatre the clouds had lifted , there was blue sky and it looked as if there would be a sunset - ah well - next time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtXFNlPhnS1cmVUq0JB-N7hAZYLtXwy3SBJord0OyVMlu2iiyNbaFOAkmOinaoir5EiBsxsbwn9k6RX0PKFGuZywu8EqKe_yKWhTlC06QwYbJE0nhU_s_TxCPy7W2zWlxWR-_ekjsub5n/s1600/Shrewsbury25.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqtXFNlPhnS1cmVUq0JB-N7hAZYLtXwy3SBJord0OyVMlu2iiyNbaFOAkmOinaoir5EiBsxsbwn9k6RX0PKFGuZywu8EqKe_yKWhTlC06QwYbJE0nhU_s_TxCPy7W2zWlxWR-_ekjsub5n/s640/Shrewsbury25.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical Great Western Railway lower quadrant signal complete with metal finial and a hopeful sky. This is the southbound home signal for Sutton Bridge Junction</td></tr>
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<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-20085626799229169092015-12-16T06:42:00.006-08:002015-12-17T08:26:53.987-08:00Wednesday 16 December - Carols in the Square<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgzwTkBFhgOYu2Zhn3GAR4au_pLwiiUk6yp3FwyVsin2Oqvn7NKLsUy22x2Id3TdehNG27P_0rbxIMFFzEpYRC7JFHSiVFrr1XQGpUnj3ngYQJWy0G6LT2Nh8HQupaZMU4NNkAb7TbZq4/s1600/IMG_3836.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqgzwTkBFhgOYu2Zhn3GAR4au_pLwiiUk6yp3FwyVsin2Oqvn7NKLsUy22x2Id3TdehNG27P_0rbxIMFFzEpYRC7JFHSiVFrr1XQGpUnj3ngYQJWy0G6LT2Nh8HQupaZMU4NNkAb7TbZq4/s640/IMG_3836.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - Castle Hill</td></tr>
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The first order of business was to get a haircut. The little girl did a good job on my hair. Turns out she also works at the Coach and Horses in the evenings. She mentioned that all the local restaurants would be full this evening following the Carols in the Square which is being broadcast by Radio Shropshire.</div>
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With this in mind we decided to have a meal at lunch time. The Three Fishes has its Christmas menu so we decided to try the roast turkey and all the fixings.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaOOGOWii8UgrA7LyEhYrbA2MSzMCOr9C5Ajnc_9tFHWe_tSmAGqncrqeIUqdvEkG3HfNcr5CqP61uy-DjRZQEeXaLBRLSxvHSrU7CxOoj_W_l7nL2eDhP-D_gg_qFtFI1RtfULWhrFTb/s1600/IMG_3846.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAaOOGOWii8UgrA7LyEhYrbA2MSzMCOr9C5Ajnc_9tFHWe_tSmAGqncrqeIUqdvEkG3HfNcr5CqP61uy-DjRZQEeXaLBRLSxvHSrU7CxOoj_W_l7nL2eDhP-D_gg_qFtFI1RtfULWhrFTb/s640/IMG_3846.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This took a lot of eating, there is a chipolate sausage with bacon while the stuffing is hidden underneath the turkey.</td></tr>
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There was an old lady eating lunch whom we have seen before. Turns out she is 98 and comes here for lunch every Wednesday. She gets dressed up and puts on make up to look her best.</div>
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Overheard at the bar:</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I sent you a Christmas card."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I didn't get it."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I sent it to Wales but didn't put a stamp on it."</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
"I'll go to the sorting office to pick it up."</div>
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After this enormous lunch we went for a walk in town. The river level has dropped a couple of feet but the protection has not been removed from the Theatre Severn yet.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07UsztDme0JwbLf05OQoSTHxMTnEp7vG6jcCJI11H2waEtA4J0WcEzw_AcCJJJmPaUHDSsttUTrI_PyQ99xvHgNyBKifzPMRMYYkxIZ44TWYxVSnaHlI9I7cthyphenhyphenGOHGJCt5JST9hloTFA/s1600/IMG_3847.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh07UsztDme0JwbLf05OQoSTHxMTnEp7vG6jcCJI11H2waEtA4J0WcEzw_AcCJJJmPaUHDSsttUTrI_PyQ99xvHgNyBKifzPMRMYYkxIZ44TWYxVSnaHlI9I7cthyphenhyphenGOHGJCt5JST9hloTFA/s640/IMG_3847.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grave stone for Ebeneezer Scrooge at St. Chad's. This was made for the filming of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens and it was decided to leave it here. The film was made entirely in Shrewsbury. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvYTPzhXa9nDouTGs1GENFip5hzI6jTkZsZZWVUYZOrF3Oa3qxwpxsrQ-D0Rs-DBYOUEb6gKbsIZTI2D8q8f05-oRMFWujToNsqZ0pdJimNTFEjdlpjPST4mzu2FTtuOdaN9MN-tOws7_/s1600/IMG_3851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUvYTPzhXa9nDouTGs1GENFip5hzI6jTkZsZZWVUYZOrF3Oa3qxwpxsrQ-D0Rs-DBYOUEb6gKbsIZTI2D8q8f05-oRMFWujToNsqZ0pdJimNTFEjdlpjPST4mzu2FTtuOdaN9MN-tOws7_/s640/IMG_3851.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St. Chad's</td></tr>
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Back at the Market Square preparations were well underway for the carols this evening,</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb8B-L6p3KKMuq7j9i02I40CxEtJ4EreO8GTT1AwaA_TDgVoVB41hZVSoYJxw4kedyTJ-kou9AQ5FW-TDoLTOSNZhW-4CnXVrmZnoDOP5lE3ILuc9iXFbkyy8rwQMIrjq0vFeZ6RM_4Gw/s1600/IMG_3853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFb8B-L6p3KKMuq7j9i02I40CxEtJ4EreO8GTT1AwaA_TDgVoVB41hZVSoYJxw4kedyTJ-kou9AQ5FW-TDoLTOSNZhW-4CnXVrmZnoDOP5lE3ILuc9iXFbkyy8rwQMIrjq0vFeZ6RM_4Gw/s640/IMG_3853.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An interesting display in a shop window in the Market Square.</td></tr>
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Carols in the square was broadcast live on Radio Shropshire this evening, It was sponsored by the Shrewsbury Town Council and included the Shrewsbury Brass Band and the Shrewsbury Male Voice Choir. The performers from the Pantomime were there and the event was well attended. Messages were read out from all over the world as well as from people in the crowd. It was quite a hectic pace getting through 15 carols in the hour but everybody had a good time. All the shops were open this evening and Pride Hill was busy after the carols were finished.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL_LO-DBJAP8s2yg5A3-scuDsK41E2TBtRaLPlWfyLp0-Fipbknh7ZmrEI2IjUxPNeISkmxrF68dAo2ormIHnx36V0IfQIon_u3huNt57a4mogysFZtCcPWZ64S3JJfaqtIF2iKQtXtlR/s1600/IMG_3857.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUL_LO-DBJAP8s2yg5A3-scuDsK41E2TBtRaLPlWfyLp0-Fipbknh7ZmrEI2IjUxPNeISkmxrF68dAo2ormIHnx36V0IfQIon_u3huNt57a4mogysFZtCcPWZ64S3JJfaqtIF2iKQtXtlR/s640/IMG_3857.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHqY_WGO6sGJn5jMzF4IcbdZVuO_OK2i_MGn_RSJqrGlv6uk1viIoAa350g9_SyASygP5_OdTqRJBW9rzK8I5TQuLvQ2NbWG9gO9vGuG80TALcNRb3RR4my6RA1ZyElIHfSCsUdwyAwz1/s1600/IMG_3861.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAHqY_WGO6sGJn5jMzF4IcbdZVuO_OK2i_MGn_RSJqrGlv6uk1viIoAa350g9_SyASygP5_OdTqRJBW9rzK8I5TQuLvQ2NbWG9gO9vGuG80TALcNRb3RR4my6RA1ZyElIHfSCsUdwyAwz1/s640/IMG_3861.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first verse of Once in Royal David City was sung by a soloist from a window overlooking the square</td></tr>
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For once the weather cooperated. It was very warm and dry - there had even been some sun this afternoon. We leave Shrewsbury on Friday so this was a great way to wind down our stay here.</div>
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-12755215240718184472015-12-15T07:04:00.000-08:002015-12-17T08:42:16.789-08:00Tuesday 15 December<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLK-pifgOFT3YIIDhUm06-iBcmqWE8r8HT_moY5PcU6gp8frMMqIhSHqDx_k6ffouaERTCyiYTqZkGnc_Gd8l3ALzF-a9lhho55dD86hOde4-ZirUXfO98fxjLIIojAGyqf5C0gQjt7au/s1600/IMG_3844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxLK-pifgOFT3YIIDhUm06-iBcmqWE8r8HT_moY5PcU6gp8frMMqIhSHqDx_k6ffouaERTCyiYTqZkGnc_Gd8l3ALzF-a9lhho55dD86hOde4-ZirUXfO98fxjLIIojAGyqf5C0gQjt7au/s640/IMG_3844.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6oWmYVZVQCX2ItmUGAsHHDE-pqjOARi3NSqcBMAeKjkLaLhbGPI5SruQ45eCtt9NypkL0BRzbMFF_zLUgdzSIZrL1cXLXACZHoHA3L9OLAVI2pm07FxrwTm4I7OX_nKykRmhAVi-kUWD/s1600/IMG_3845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF6oWmYVZVQCX2ItmUGAsHHDE-pqjOARi3NSqcBMAeKjkLaLhbGPI5SruQ45eCtt9NypkL0BRzbMFF_zLUgdzSIZrL1cXLXACZHoHA3L9OLAVI2pm07FxrwTm4I7OX_nKykRmhAVi-kUWD/s640/IMG_3845.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - on Mardol and the camera was held level.</td></tr>
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Another wet day today. The river Severn is still very high indeed. It didn't start raining until this afternoon today but it has been overcast all day.</div>
<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-4694699578333185582015-12-14T08:05:00.001-08:002015-12-14T23:37:50.627-08:00Monday 14 December - Brian visits<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQJCmWpuqgq95micvBd8P1JDx-XIMZh_ScDT5sEC5oSaMtgwGj2ij2v3272yom2bJzH_abqDgRRy4kwhyphenhyphenK_qHCehAK3y1Y1B4EQTvdIfmLDUh3yRBfpdlxHFWudm9bS3Z1dFTxkdbMtTE/s1600/IMG_3831.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQJCmWpuqgq95micvBd8P1JDx-XIMZh_ScDT5sEC5oSaMtgwGj2ij2v3272yom2bJzH_abqDgRRy4kwhyphenhyphenK_qHCehAK3y1Y1B4EQTvdIfmLDUh3yRBfpdlxHFWudm9bS3Z1dFTxkdbMtTE/s640/IMG_3831.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - The Railway Station. Built by the Shrewsbury and Hereford Joint Railway. It seems the top two floors were built first and the lower floor, now the main entrance, was built later.</td></tr>
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Our friend Brian came to visit today. It was a flying visit, three hours in each direction coming out from Market Rasen with changes at Lincoln, Nottingham and Birmingham. It was good to see him again and he enjoyed a whirlwind tour of Shrewsbury. (Pride Hill, Mardol, Quarry Park, St. Chad's, Old Market, Grope Lane, Three Fishes, Bear Steps, St. Alkmund's, St. Mary's and The Parade)<br />
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It started to rain in the early afternoon and became progressively worse. The River Severn is in full flood again, it is as high as we have ever seen it,<br />
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We had lunch at the Armoury and looked at many of the listed buildings in the town.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLkUiKeGF6ty_FbEZb7iX7z3YOKRvnvIN1E37fyRbu0CgFvX1TBEjr4YbIV4zjBOMmx-le15SmweCgKg37oR29rsu_p0UZxVLyxJC_X1hW-FGV-fx1usOZkAhT2ywFAJgpLaANflKEEWW/s1600/IMG_3840.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsLkUiKeGF6ty_FbEZb7iX7z3YOKRvnvIN1E37fyRbu0CgFvX1TBEjr4YbIV4zjBOMmx-le15SmweCgKg37oR29rsu_p0UZxVLyxJC_X1hW-FGV-fx1usOZkAhT2ywFAJgpLaANflKEEWW/s640/IMG_3840.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Old Market Building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixer0JCKBYoydlWPYBrb7HDt3CoUXYnk0NXRnWTWJNKtFzNXckRCjZmN6nIKh4X43XKvsv0XWUfNRSt2nzIEDV9PqQycQpkI1-ZMTzKIZakJ4e3GVziTBosq8I1nJs3wsGrGX-uhBYyHwK/s1600/IMG_3841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixer0JCKBYoydlWPYBrb7HDt3CoUXYnk0NXRnWTWJNKtFzNXckRCjZmN6nIKh4X43XKvsv0XWUfNRSt2nzIEDV9PqQycQpkI1-ZMTzKIZakJ4e3GVziTBosq8I1nJs3wsGrGX-uhBYyHwK/s640/IMG_3841.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PVUrnE0AnnM42WKxsASRyaclxElZ6vRZmT-rTpBQMbVzAM0iC0dT451-H9akApuIrWnb7AXWumkvpFjJN2ohkJZA7VN43eSY_MUoZwa9IypR2LlfUu9o1wdxnJx7Mo2Jq2YYJeIuQZHj/s1600/IMG_3842.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2PVUrnE0AnnM42WKxsASRyaclxElZ6vRZmT-rTpBQMbVzAM0iC0dT451-H9akApuIrWnb7AXWumkvpFjJN2ohkJZA7VN43eSY_MUoZwa9IypR2LlfUu9o1wdxnJx7Mo2Jq2YYJeIuQZHj/s640/IMG_3842.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Castle Hill detail</td></tr>
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Brian's visit was all too short and he took a train back to Birmingham just before 1530.<br />
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This evening I met Charles at the Wheatsheaf on Frankwell and we had a long talk about railway level crossings in relation to the Welshpool and Llanfair Railway.</div>
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<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-25616533698176402382015-12-13T02:27:00.001-08:002015-12-16T08:45:10.035-08:00Sunday 13 December - St. Chad's Carol Service<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydQqrF7KNm_-SrwJzhISYAa0myujcKiruQFmiyhCgyBgCoIwjGgnrZaWUna9Zs1060q7YVSaHTL3hCgzz3ZYE6YmadwHS9C7vT4IjBpqZRCMNnzxGL2JmLBe8qrHcPnWSjGAPHpfrTRqH/s1600/IMG_3827.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjydQqrF7KNm_-SrwJzhISYAa0myujcKiruQFmiyhCgyBgCoIwjGgnrZaWUna9Zs1060q7YVSaHTL3hCgzz3ZYE6YmadwHS9C7vT4IjBpqZRCMNnzxGL2JmLBe8qrHcPnWSjGAPHpfrTRqH/s640/IMG_3827.JPG" width="578" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - Three Fishes on Fish Street. Our favourite pub.</td></tr>
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Another wet and miserable day again today. We had lunch at the carvery of the Coach and Horses. As usual it was very good. I had roast pork with crackling while Mary had a medley of pork, turkey and beef with Yorkshire pudding.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V8mhX9bHZEgJlZ3vHlf0Ly7QvAhalDtz6OeIbx6Wm0JJHmbyQSnBCrvN7oYAvThnAinOdPdKSZnSL5mMrI14M-u3cPy0opyOjNpQdA8AatqCTw7SOq91BydbUgG8CSmvoaoCefGd3qts/s1600/IMG_3828.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="564" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4V8mhX9bHZEgJlZ3vHlf0Ly7QvAhalDtz6OeIbx6Wm0JJHmbyQSnBCrvN7oYAvThnAinOdPdKSZnSL5mMrI14M-u3cPy0opyOjNpQdA8AatqCTw7SOq91BydbUgG8CSmvoaoCefGd3qts/s640/IMG_3828.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Not only is the meat good but the roast potatoes are exceptional</td></tr>
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This afternoon we went to the Carol Service at St. Chad's which was being recorded by Radio Shropshire. They had to go over a couple of things again to ensure everything was good for the broadcast.<br />
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<iframe width="640" height="480" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ca_kveYehKg?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
Click above to hear the Organ voluntary after the service. J.S. Bach Toccata and Fugue in D minor BWV 565</div>
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<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-32810420114133376682015-12-12T02:23:00.001-08:002015-12-13T09:15:38.097-08:00Saturday 12 December - The Mikado<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv94_9OGjYyy1CZR1WzfM1aowxVEJEGMO_N4109Qq8rIHiSd9YNawo3kHl1jbZb99HJRYokvwub454creSAD-fEXlf8tzKw4BGQhLNrJ_Pn9c8vUaLyxsA5vpRxV2QP-rbCuye3keiciU/s1600/IMG_3820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="570" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnv94_9OGjYyy1CZR1WzfM1aowxVEJEGMO_N4109Qq8rIHiSd9YNawo3kHl1jbZb99HJRYokvwub454creSAD-fEXlf8tzKw4BGQhLNrJ_Pn9c8vUaLyxsA5vpRxV2QP-rbCuye3keiciU/s640/IMG_3820.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kingsland Bridge Mansions - a wonderful brick structure with tile ornamentation</td></tr>
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Surprise, surprise. It is raining again and it rained all day. The weather during our stay has been atrocious. At least in an apartment we can choose when we go out. While I was cursing the weather today the garden railway guys in Ottawa were running trains at a time when there are normally snow and low temperatures. Mike Hamer wrote an excellent blog with pictures:<br />
<a href="http://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.ca/2015/12/december-garden-railroading-in-canada.html"><b>http://gardenrailroadottawa.blogspot.ca/2015/12/december-garden-railroading-in-canada.html</b></a></div>
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The highlight of our day in wet Shrewsbury was a performance of The Mikado by the English National Opera Chorus and Orchestra - a repeat of a live screening of 3 December from the London Coliseum. The performance was superb and the audience thoroughly enjoyed the singing, dancing, humour and music.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tqcZ8qaQQws">Click here to see the trailer</a></b><br />
- A Wand'ring Minstrel I<br />
- Three Little Girls from School are We<br />
- The Lord High Executioner<br />
- I've Got a Little List (with topical references including Scottish Nationalists and the England World Cup Rugby Team.)<br />
- For He's Going to Marry Yum Yum<br />
- The Madrigal<br />
- Let the Punishment Fit the Crime (making criminals ride the buffers of Transport for London trains).<br />
- (bugger) the Flowers that Bloom in the Spring tra-la<br />
- Tit-willow<br />
One unfortunate surprise was that the Overture started over five minutes before the posted time with the result that people were still finding their seats making it difficult to enjoy the music.<br />
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Mary has found the way to work the bar of the Theatre Severn. She had a large white wine in a plastic glass which she could take into the auditorium and drink during the first Act. This made time for a chocolate ice cream on a stick during the interval.<br />
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The streets were actually dry when we walked home. There was just time for a quick one at the Three Fishes on the way back.Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-36481113247684275082015-12-11T02:36:00.000-08:002015-12-11T08:48:38.697-08:00Friday 11 December - St. Chad's Concert and lunch at the Market.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5H5BCSOJQneK_MV7c_kHcN3VBOKSiPF70jTz9saU2Z0cc9_MeKJNfTT_AZTiFKeeeWJsPOa1i6DWVSdgPwCLqJ_XTaikabHBsUnPidBHJ0ngWsLg_3bkuGPGqCYCNjCPAbtAGSLISni3/s1600/IMG_3792.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw5H5BCSOJQneK_MV7c_kHcN3VBOKSiPF70jTz9saU2Z0cc9_MeKJNfTT_AZTiFKeeeWJsPOa1i6DWVSdgPwCLqJ_XTaikabHBsUnPidBHJ0ngWsLg_3bkuGPGqCYCNjCPAbtAGSLISni3/s640/IMG_3792.JPG" width="432" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the day - at the corner of High Street and Pride Hill.</td></tr>
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There was a lunch time concert at St. Chad's today. Walking there we foubd several interesting features.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WRJQ8WNrZOiIviSwO9g5bruNKqftKne9GsZh3r56izu_3ndn39A7tr26UD0K34w7cekgftpBTxf3Xistkx6mCXtkRH-W6X5WPVF0ACRko8aqr0ZRVP7pqy8q5_tLxMwxzE378qaGyqOn/s1600/IMG_3817.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="566" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7WRJQ8WNrZOiIviSwO9g5bruNKqftKne9GsZh3r56izu_3ndn39A7tr26UD0K34w7cekgftpBTxf3Xistkx6mCXtkRH-W6X5WPVF0ACRko8aqr0ZRVP7pqy8q5_tLxMwxzE378qaGyqOn/s640/IMG_3817.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">College Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFTnipr8F065-KbiaUj9-FG_0z7EngGZQWajnkaB7WLZEL1HUGLywv1OGBuPuSENLPR7zkpJXRM5Ue5DmyKKh7uScSztF2QZ17iMqfrX5OMAI5DoNvuK4IvAcrj9Nh0SOvywuHW-j5CVf/s1600/IMG_3818.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnFTnipr8F065-KbiaUj9-FG_0z7EngGZQWajnkaB7WLZEL1HUGLywv1OGBuPuSENLPR7zkpJXRM5Ue5DmyKKh7uScSztF2QZ17iMqfrX5OMAI5DoNvuK4IvAcrj9Nh0SOvywuHW-j5CVf/s640/IMG_3818.JPG" width="430" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bottle Glass in the front door of the Admiral Benbow Pub, Swan Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KUfiD20TqSX_aFMcTpC3Zd0pOjWWV_6m-_NBy5xZd0tjyZP4cdSDWotncchrkqyBRBdN1K6DWBTbOaCCdWvukSeVMRHNBRaQPGOXeDGiZ6SJ_g9jaKmRbJo_WqzLHQVbRhHSdS7sLsBP/s1600/IMG_3819.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0KUfiD20TqSX_aFMcTpC3Zd0pOjWWV_6m-_NBy5xZd0tjyZP4cdSDWotncchrkqyBRBdN1K6DWBTbOaCCdWvukSeVMRHNBRaQPGOXeDGiZ6SJ_g9jaKmRbJo_WqzLHQVbRhHSdS7sLsBP/s640/IMG_3819.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In a wall on Swan Hill, the Shrewsbury Town coat of arms.</td></tr>
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The Severn Wind Quintet gave the concert. The only composer I recognized was Joseph Haydn but the pieces were melodic and well received by the good sized audience.</div>
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Click above to hear the Shoulder Blade Dance by Ferenc Farcas</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwrHg9-Ltnn0ka4uGhXIDickUGc6uy0CgE78fKP2AjRl8X2EB7nXdSJ7s4vYLcxd0ly-PrYouIwYiMuwSvyrG8c3dRzeuyu6X9t7HR7Z2PSuZpczaJ2N6THMC5V3H_BVA3-rmDT4na5Kl/s1600/IMG_3826.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVwrHg9-Ltnn0ka4uGhXIDickUGc6uy0CgE78fKP2AjRl8X2EB7nXdSJ7s4vYLcxd0ly-PrYouIwYiMuwSvyrG8c3dRzeuyu6X9t7HR7Z2PSuZpczaJ2N6THMC5V3H_BVA3-rmDT4na5Kl/s640/IMG_3826.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the upper floor of the market building</td></tr>
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A short walk took us to the Market Building where we managed to find two places in the small fish restaurant. Everything is prepared while you wait so you know everything is fresh. Mary and I both had the Bouillabaisse which was delicious - full of all kinds of fish and shell fish (clams, mussels, scallops, shrimp etc).<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN64jOUogq43aVafcLjb8S_VTVaEQDfsY5aLnXJqEJsHO2SsysxprERCRDOnyuXfeOylm8c2_9tQZgG7KXELNkssNET0KIqnr0HeYq9gm8YG9lyrjES5jmtjIvH7WM00TxuBWp7oY5uw7/s1600/IMG_3824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRN64jOUogq43aVafcLjb8S_VTVaEQDfsY5aLnXJqEJsHO2SsysxprERCRDOnyuXfeOylm8c2_9tQZgG7KXELNkssNET0KIqnr0HeYq9gm8YG9lyrjES5jmtjIvH7WM00TxuBWp7oY5uw7/s640/IMG_3824.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">The Bouillabaiss</span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">e came with a great plate of delicious bread and butter which made a great </span><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , , sans-serif; text-align: left;">accompaniment</span><span style="text-align: left;"> </span></span><span style="font-size: small; text-align: left;">to the glass of Sancerre.</span></td></tr>
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One of the features about the market restaurants is that space is very limited and people are seated close to each other. Today we came into conversation with a couple living in Shrewsbury but who owned the Boathouse restaurant in Ellesmere at which we always eat when we visit the Mere - we were there last Wednesday. The food is all prepared on site and I mentioned the wonderful Shropshire game pie which is prepared from ingredients supplied from the market here (see Wednesday for a picture). It seems that the warning about finding shot in the pie is a serious one, We were sitting next to a young couple, the girl's parents lived in Church Stretton. He was a software designer who has travelled the world. We had a wide ranging discussion and managed to solve most of the world's problems in short order.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8j8rhb1sEmEBIifXo5im9TgOcw9PCyza0qXK7q4k5mPzeGZq2Qzpgau81oeEWIVUeilRQhq1kjpCP4s9u29kOV6rvQJOBkGHIzNqGQdJveu-nf8OOgcdRHDAlpv7oZMzEX-Hj2jmf0fg/s1600/IMG_3825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8j8rhb1sEmEBIifXo5im9TgOcw9PCyza0qXK7q4k5mPzeGZq2Qzpgau81oeEWIVUeilRQhq1kjpCP4s9u29kOV6rvQJOBkGHIzNqGQdJveu-nf8OOgcdRHDAlpv7oZMzEX-Hj2jmf0fg/s640/IMG_3825.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our interesting and delightful lunch companions.</td></tr>
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Lunch took longer than expected because of the pleasant company and we had to rush to the Bear Steps Coffee House to get a coffee and a iece of iced cake before they closed at 1600.<br />
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Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-62078433990192837552015-12-10T05:51:00.001-08:002015-12-11T02:35:06.961-08:00Thursday 10 December - Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHd26VzkuCQp6cN4Z0cWKe52bLUMhsqO0ydx9FMtVybsjFx9FYvwaY-RBzXwubg7cayBfZUC9N2AVWoynWzBpN4nNqF9Q3c1hxt0sVplzHXx4SeaJwjThAzkv5R4-XY_kdV8nkglKaByK/s1600/IMG_3697.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGHd26VzkuCQp6cN4Z0cWKe52bLUMhsqO0ydx9FMtVybsjFx9FYvwaY-RBzXwubg7cayBfZUC9N2AVWoynWzBpN4nNqF9Q3c1hxt0sVplzHXx4SeaJwjThAzkv5R4-XY_kdV8nkglKaByK/s640/IMG_3697.JPG" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the Day - Seen from Fish Street the ground floor houses a boutique and the next floor up is the Bear Steps Coffee House. It is perched half in Fish Street and half by St. Alkmunds Churchyard.</td></tr>
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It was raining hard this morning which put a damper on things although it had stopped by lunch time. We went for lunch at the Porter House next door to the apartment. It must hold the record for serving the smallest piece of fish for fish and chips. Don't go there if you are hungry. Mary did rather better but they are pretty stingy with their fish.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJDv_Y4FPdfnsup6Mpv1MwQ74c-rbhwpReEzeG75JPki8sZ9WE0qsB_PUoT8_mCuAlKEbEph4_qnqlkir2T89Yq2Z29mQAqsZnqZ1KAhriPF1es7OrYMOE33Vwr46vYJCXuqfOpENZaxh/s1600/IMG_3811.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOJDv_Y4FPdfnsup6Mpv1MwQ74c-rbhwpReEzeG75JPki8sZ9WE0qsB_PUoT8_mCuAlKEbEph4_qnqlkir2T89Yq2Z29mQAqsZnqZ1KAhriPF1es7OrYMOE33Vwr46vYJCXuqfOpENZaxh/s640/IMG_3811.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theatre Severn</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeqzC7U9v3CguuEqsgfQWYckUQskrbyIDbKkPoUY6L7qPwZoEwJN6GVX6KG7wX3pXfemXHpeCn0VduL43oCJvGtz2JRs5L5Jg5iMx80OE9VRAIgaXidsJY-RdKSMfMIGzkkmQiMym97hc/s1600/IMG_3813.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjeqzC7U9v3CguuEqsgfQWYckUQskrbyIDbKkPoUY6L7qPwZoEwJN6GVX6KG7wX3pXfemXHpeCn0VduL43oCJvGtz2JRs5L5Jg5iMx80OE9VRAIgaXidsJY-RdKSMfMIGzkkmQiMym97hc/s640/IMG_3813.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This shows how high the water was outside the Theatre Severn at the height of the flood. Mary is standing by the slot where steel girders were inserted to keep out the flood waters.</td></tr>
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This evening we went to the Theatre Severn to see a live broadcast of Cavalleria Rusticana and Pagliacci from the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. This was also showing at the Shrewsbury multiplex cinema and there were over 800 cinemas involved in 23 countries around the world. As expected the performance was excellent. The production was well thought out, the singing was first rate and the orchestra was good. The Mascagni was probably more emotional than the Leoncavallo but they were both well worth seeing. The scene was set in a small village in southern Italy and there were several linkages between the two operas, both in the performers, the set and some of the props. It was very well thought out.</div>
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We talked to a couple during the intermission who said that tickets for Covent Garden could easily reach 130 pounds several years ago so we had a bargain here. I am looking forward to seeing the Mikado on Saturday although this will be very light indeed.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0HEdW-QyfYuRXbn6I37EXpEMyBn38xKoxEdQ8BXWjAkZH6kgS_HknI0uh2UsCMZ2ugNS8gUMestehej336EPvxAKuzJOKf0imGzBIT48cWthqC75smbzHh_au8BceHVBlQg3fDZ0tlkN/s1600/IMG_3815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD0HEdW-QyfYuRXbn6I37EXpEMyBn38xKoxEdQ8BXWjAkZH6kgS_HknI0uh2UsCMZ2ugNS8gUMestehej336EPvxAKuzJOKf0imGzBIT48cWthqC75smbzHh_au8BceHVBlQg3fDZ0tlkN/s640/IMG_3815.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One great feature here is that you can pay for drinks at the bar before the performance and they are set out for you at the intermission.</td></tr>
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<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-47706635479899843382015-12-09T08:27:00.000-08:002015-12-11T08:24:51.973-08:00Wednesday 9 December - Ellesmere<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcHbvASJjUA2UtjKBgPCcpGtWkygTCAA3aRdKgdTlJeKKcYVrNxsuvfrHHD6zVzQ7RrmF2lKBwz0iyMlufAMcI__xytJ0jJD_gTmPrMZKtkRhGttf1dcGty0IRTTPtpZjGPblFi79DNxB/s1600/IMG_3761.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQcHbvASJjUA2UtjKBgPCcpGtWkygTCAA3aRdKgdTlJeKKcYVrNxsuvfrHHD6zVzQ7RrmF2lKBwz0iyMlufAMcI__xytJ0jJD_gTmPrMZKtkRhGttf1dcGty0IRTTPtpZjGPblFi79DNxB/s640/IMG_3761.JPG" width="574" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">building of the Day - Drapers' Hall</td></tr>
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The forecast was favourable and we took the 1000 Bryn Melin bus to Ellesmere. We left with a clear blue sky but by the time we had traversed Preston Gubbals and Myddle the clouds were threatening and there was a strong wind at Ellesmere. There were only three of us in the bus and the driver apologized for having to stop two times because he was ahead of schedule. Head office knows exactly where he is these days through the GPS tracking system.</div>
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"Don't worry, we'll be in Ellesmere on time but I will have to do 80 miles an hour."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EdQrsyunz7evzSXl30wVBdExvqOdhwy2Zw8r7lxKhpkAKFZFjnCtPwGFZBgUDcPloY9ReFdRziOZnH4S8bypHrvXMYOPjg8tsX5dTNlg9723y99wgA-RGT6E7vrj3RRD5eayWTrcqx96/s1600/IMG_3802.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9EdQrsyunz7evzSXl30wVBdExvqOdhwy2Zw8r7lxKhpkAKFZFjnCtPwGFZBgUDcPloY9ReFdRziOZnH4S8bypHrvXMYOPjg8tsX5dTNlg9723y99wgA-RGT6E7vrj3RRD5eayWTrcqx96/s640/IMG_3802.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coots with tufted ducks behind</div>
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The Mere is an enclosed system and presumably is not affected by high water on the nearby rivers. The water was not appreciably higher that usual. A few people were taking their dogs for a run. One lady threw a stick which finished up in a holly bush. The dog was going frantic trying to get it. She said the dog would not come home without his stick and so she had to get into the holly and retrieve the stick. That will teach her to be more careful where she throws sticks in future.</div>
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In addition to the usual grebes, mallards and geese there were large numbers of tufted ducks which were over wintering here. The trees were also full of small birds including blue tits, great tits, nuthatches and woodpeckers.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-y3mujFi9m7WPJpkZotBXcqHc0Ez0SwipXJ7H1-M97LWhT7mKoAp8jPZ6iu1yzY3CiYq3RGb0OeqCDinjnh4kF1saC8K9mIfLIwEoLiPAOwYmXsDxocqAOA1QNeFK2MplBRX_IE1t9Cd/s1600/IMG_3804.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ-y3mujFi9m7WPJpkZotBXcqHc0Ez0SwipXJ7H1-M97LWhT7mKoAp8jPZ6iu1yzY3CiYq3RGb0OeqCDinjnh4kF1saC8K9mIfLIwEoLiPAOwYmXsDxocqAOA1QNeFK2MplBRX_IE1t9Cd/s640/IMG_3804.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shropshire Game Pie with red cabbage and mashed potato. There was a note on the menu against the Game pie - might contain shot. I didn't find any. The game pie and game gravy was delicious.</td></tr>
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We have always found the Boathouse on the Mere to be good for lunch. It was up to its usual standard although it was good we went early because it quickly filled up. It has Sauvignon Blanc from Tanners of Shrewsbury and Station Bitter from the Stonehouse Brewery in Oswestry, both favourites. </div>
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Walking along to the restaurant we were mobbed by a gaggle of geese looking for food. Mary only had to open her purse for a tissue and the noise was terrific. Lunch we saw a man feeding the water birds proper food (seeds).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMvfkit1hgNnJyoFfakHsZWjOaaSrOoatJxzt6XnAxwBj_yz8SpoEWG75VC5_FkNtN6Xkr7QOXzz6HLxCXZY2NuEVpYwvhHyTgeHASfRiyJzj0mP2EJU8PpnMiM6Yx2EgXm41WkCXh9E8/s1600/IMG_3808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJMvfkit1hgNnJyoFfakHsZWjOaaSrOoatJxzt6XnAxwBj_yz8SpoEWG75VC5_FkNtN6Xkr7QOXzz6HLxCXZY2NuEVpYwvhHyTgeHASfRiyJzj0mP2EJU8PpnMiM6Yx2EgXm41WkCXh9E8/s640/IMG_3808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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The weather had improved a little by the time we were ready to return to Shrewsbury. There was just a handful on the bus back.<br />
<b><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/colinchurcher/sets/72157652799112691/">Click here to see pictures taken at Ellesmere in May 2015</a></b></div>
Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4108125661473356057.post-67625721120137736742015-12-08T01:46:00.002-08:002015-12-08T14:11:05.210-08:00Tuesday 8 December<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRhD2wmON8hd3QQ491ZGdvWoON1phmo6mYBI-GAB7A0wdDFAhaN7DZzZKuczahU5YQ_R0Xk4LQomZnRPkZaycxeSxNmZ9VjYXjlnzG-zGFnLFot39cF973mk3gqIumQZDOadaHmsPAIG9/s1600/IMG_3717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="414" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFRhD2wmON8hd3QQ491ZGdvWoON1phmo6mYBI-GAB7A0wdDFAhaN7DZzZKuczahU5YQ_R0Xk4LQomZnRPkZaycxeSxNmZ9VjYXjlnzG-zGFnLFot39cF973mk3gqIumQZDOadaHmsPAIG9/s640/IMG_3717.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Building of the day - Rowley's House off Barker Street</td></tr>
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Quite sunny today and the River Severn is dropping a little although it is still over its banks in places. The recent winds have brought down a lot of fresh branches for the dogs to carry around. It would be interesting to know how many dogs use the Quarry Park for their exercise.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Belmont Bank</td></tr>
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This evening we had dinner with Lizzy Ann and Charles Spencer at the Armoury. The food, drink and conversation were excellent.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rabbit and Fig Faggot</td></tr>
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<br />Colin Churcherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16940224672981482338noreply@blogger.com0