Food shopping in the Marais.

Tamara @ Thyme For Tea launched the annual Paris in July event this week. 

For a very long time I was quite ambivalent towards Paris, 

as a Brit I couldn't really see what all the fuss was about, 

after all London is the capital of the world, n'est pas?

Hold on just a minute, I hear you cry! 

Arrêtez!

Since we came to live in the Calvados region of Normandy 

I have had the pleasure of visiting the City Of Light several times

 and have succumbed to her charms at last.

In 2010 the Senior Partner and I rented a charming apartment on Rue des Francs Bourgeois

 in the 4th. Arrondissement -  le Marais.

just steps away from the beautiful Place des Vosges.

First things first - breakfast and the SP is sent downstairs to bring back crusty baguettes,
crispy croissants and melt in the mouth pains au chocolat.

Can you imagine living above such an emporium of Epicurean delights?

After breakfast, time to "faire des courses" 

a mouthwatering selection of fruit and vegetables

found on the corner of Rue des Rosiers.

Schwartz's Delicatessen, 16 Rue des Ecouffes.

Shopping complete what better way to spend the morning is there

 than sitting at a pavement cafe watching the world go by?

Camille was a favourite of ours, 
 a wonderful bistro on the corner of Rue des Francs Bourgeois 
offering traditional dishes such as pot au feu.

Linking this post to 
Paris in July @ Thyme for Tea
 click on the sidebar button for more adventures in Paree.

à bientôt

wide open fences

wild, wind born colza a.k.a rapeseed seems to have taken over this empty field where horses once grazed

 In rural Normandy there's no shortage of fences as you can see 

even if a piece of ground is lying fallow there'll be a fence around it.

The ubiquitous hay bale seen through a plain post and rail fence

The driveway leading up to this equestrian facility has fields on either side.

It looked so picturesque that I trespassed inside, just a little, to capture these shots.

After taking my shots I turned around

 and on the opposite side of the road spotted this old piece of fencing

 almost completely hidden by the weeds and overgrown hedges.

and finally because I live in Calvados, home to the wonderful breed of Normandie cows,

a very important fence which keeps this young lady and all her girlfriends 

in their field and out of my back garden.

You can probably tell from my photos
 that I've been monkeying around with that PicMonkey gadget again this week.
Still not got the hang of it yet but it really is fun to play with!

Joining TexWisGirl  for

Good Fences @ The Run*A*Round Ranch Report.

summertime - raspberries & tea in the garden.

The lazy, hazy days of summer are finally here.

This week I've spent my afternoons glued to the television
watching amazing tennis being played at the
All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, Wimbledon.

golden raspberries, so sweet I eat them straight from the canes

The heat is on, literally and figuratively.

Who will win the mens final

Andy Murray 

or

Roger Federer?

Today is Sunday so no play today.

Instead a chance to enjoy another of my summer time favourite things
tea in the garden, next to the potager which is thriving.

courgettes; parsley, chives & thyme; herbs & raspberry canes; mesclun salad leaves

How are you spending your afternoons now that summer's here?

Joining Judith @ Lavender Cottage
for Mosaic Monday

Percherons

I often stop to chat with this beautiful pair of white horses

whilst out walking with the SP and M'selle Fleur.

I think they are French Percherons.

The website of The Equine Society of France Percheron 

tells me that there are two types of Percherons.

The white e trait Percherons are used for heavy duty work on farms.

The black or dark grey e diligencier Percheron used more for recreational and sporting events.

Last Sunday I actually had my camera with me, 

they posed so artistically and seemed to enjoy the extra attention.

I think you'll agree they are simply stunning.

Joining TexWisGirl for Good Fences @ Run*A*Round Ranch Report

2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt - First Round Up.

with chief scavenger Rinda @ Gallo Organico
for the

 2015 summertime photography scavenger hunt

SCAVENGER HUNT LIST

1. A bouquet of flowers

2. An ornate door knocker

3. A person walking a dog (or other animal)

4. People playing a board game or card game

5. Architectural columns

6. A metal bridge

7. A turtle

8. Someone "plugged in" to social media 

9. A tent

10. A college or university

11. A cellular tower or television satellite dish

12. A public restroom, bathroom, or toilet

13. A merry-go-round or carousel

14. A traffic signal

15. A flag pole with at least three flags on it

16. A panoramic view, taken while standing someplace high in the air

17. At least two people wearing matching outfits or uniforms

18. An overloaded truck, car, bicycle or other vehicle

19. A ticket booth

20. A natural body of water

21. A photograph of you with a sign reading "2015 Summertime Photography Scavenger Hunt". Note: you may not use a substitute for this item.

If you find something on the list too difficult, you may substitute one of the following items for any one item on the list, except for Item #21:

Alternative A: People eating outside

Alternative B: Someone holding an umbrella

Alternative C: A rocking chair

#3 person walking a dog

#15 a flag pole with at least 3 flags on it

#9 a tent

#18 cousin Colin's overloaded car ready for the return trip to UK

#2 & #5
ornate door knocker & architectural columns

#12 a public bathroom, restroom or toilet

# 20 body of water

#21

Linking through to

Mosiac Monday

I Spy

Friesians stand and stare

As I pause at the ancient gate

To stare back at them

Linking to Good Fences hosted by TexWisGirl

@ The Run*A*Round Ranch Report

Flower Power

For Mosaic Monday this week

 a delightful bouquet of Normandy wildflowers.

hidden in the hedgerows

unseen in the forest

flowering in the field

Linking this post also to
Our World Tuesday