Anne in Oxfordshire

Apologies to all my Blogging friends....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Mon, 23 Nov 2009 07:26:00 +0000

We are on holiday, so blogging has been put to one side, I am checking in though and have had more lovely comments. I see that there are many new posts by you all,So Lots to catch up with when I return home.

Hope you are all having fun, Have a great week. :-)

Merci to my wonderful friend…..

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 19:39:00 +0000

Leesa!! Another great postcard fell on to my mat today, such a lovely way to start my day!! Thank you so much for thinking of me on your travels..!!

This time from Lisbon (Lisboa) the Capital of Portugal. I love the postcard, I get the feeling of warmth, and vibrancy!! This great place needs to be on my to visit list.

Leesa and her friend Lindsey , have been having a ball, travelling around Europe…. Here, Here and Here!! Why not visit Leesa’s blog, and view all her amazing photos.!! Thank You so much Leesa. Hope you and Lindsey had an amazing trip. Take care.

Technorati Tags: Postcards,friends,fun

Wooohooo I have reached my 300th Post!!!

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:42:00 +0000

According to my calculations, this will be my 300th post!!! I would like to dedicate this post to all of my readers, old and new. I have had quite a few new readers lately, which is brilliant, so welcome to my blog, and thank you for calling in and leaving your comments. A big Thank you to my friends that have stuck with me since the beginning and the blogger friends that have come on board, over the last two years or so.

Incidently my first post was on 14th January 2007..it was all about our trip to Sicily, which we took on November 6th 2006! I remember arriving at our villa, once we found it, and sitting on the beach in awe of our view!

I have yet to finish my posts on Paris, a bit slow, I know. So I have put together a few montages of Paris, there is more to come...I just loved walking round, and snapping away..!!

My wonderful friends in Paris

Two in one…Estonia and Lot !!………

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:03:00 +0000

Have you been to Tallinn in Estonia? I haven’t, but I know a lady that has. My wonderful friend Kim B from Paris, has just returned from a great trip there, and yes bless her, she sent me a postcard. You can read about this trip and many more over on her blog…Sassiland!

Kim’s blog is full of fantastic stories, and one which I found so great is Kim’s amazing story about how she ended up in Paris!

I was also sent a wonderful Calendar from a lovely lady whose name is Laury. The calendar has a lovely poem on one side.

Laury lives in Lot Valley in the Midi-Pyrenees Region of Southern France, and is another lady with a fantastic story about how she came to be where she is! You can read all about it and more great stories on the blog which is called Soar-Dream-France. Oh yes forgot to mention, She loves Paris too!!

A big thank you to Kim and Laury!

Technorati Tags: Friends,Postcards,Blogging,Fun

Thank you to Trubes…..

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 14:08:00 +0000

for my lovely postcard from Costa Blanca, Spain. Di whose blog is Trubes, so kindly took my address, so she could join in the fun of sending postcards, and adding to my collection. A big Thank you ..a lovely surprise to come home to at the end of a days work.

Technorati Tags: Fun,Friends,Postcards

Merci Merci Merci…..

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 19:50:00 +0000

is a fabulous shop in the 3rd arrondissement ..The store is located at 111 Boulevard Beaumarchais, Métro: Saint-Sebastian Froissart, Line 8. I read about this fab shop a few weeks before my first trip to Paris, and I thought it was in the Marais area, tried to find it back then , so this time I went hunting.

The shop has a little cafe on the front, where you can sit and read, or purchase a second hand book from them , a restaurant is also available for you..

I am so pleased I went to find it, as it made me go into another area not walked, more photos to follow!!

Technorati Tags: Shops,walks,Paris,France

Thinking PINK...

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 20:21:00 +0000

for Breast Cancer Awareness month is something we should all be doing and it was Scintilla of Bell'Avventura, that came up with the great idea of changing the colour of a tag we were sending out from Blue to Pink!

Thank you Scintilla for the starting this, so happy that more have joined in!!

A few others I know have taken part in this...Laura from Ciao Amalfi, Welshcakes Limoncello from Sicily Scene, and a reader of Laura's blog, travellingsuep from Pownall Chronicles as done a post too!!

I hope some of you can join us, but if not, that you get the chance to read some of the other blogs...AND THINK PINK!!!

I would just like to mention my friends Leesa and Dawn, and their wonderful friends who took part in the Breast Cancer Walk Paris 2009....Well done to you all!!

Ladies, Lunch and L'oisive The....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 20:00:00 +0000

Leesa, Barbara, Dawn and I all met up at this wonderful cafe L'oisive The, owned by Aimee. The Cafe is in Butte aux Cailles in the 13th arondissement and can be reached either by getting out at the metro station Corvisart (line 6) or Place d'Italie. I am sure my good friends in Paris will tell you the best way, I remembered Corvisart from my first trip in April!

The menu is really great, such a wonderful choice...we didn't have room for dessert after these super salads..!!
We had a wonderful lunch, lots of chat and laughter as usual!! Thanks girls, and thanks Aimee. I hope that some ofyou get the chance to go and visit!

I would like to add, if anyone living over there loves to knit, why not visit the cafe on a Wednesday nights at 7 pm and join the Trico The, I am sure you would have a great evening!!

From my friend Sally....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 21:30:00 +0000

came another postcard for my collection!! Thank you Sally, will be up on my board with the others!!

Sally has recently been to Les Gets, Haute Savoie, France, where her boyfriend/partner Geoff has an apartment. Sally's blog has lots of brilliant posts and photos, about her adventures over there and all the other fabulous places she has travelled to! I am sure you will not be disappointed if you had a peek at her blog!!!

The Home Blues!

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 12:20:00 +0000

A few weeks ago, I was tagged by Loulou of Chezloulou. The tag was linked to a game, where you had to go round your home and find "blue" objects, I thought this would be hard, til I looked closer, and they were right under my nose!!!

Loulou was able to open up the game and took her camera outside! Why not call into see her fabulous pictures, and read her blog, it is wonderful, with such a mixture of interests...BUT the biggest interest I would say is "her" love of "cheese"...Loulou has done great posts, about French cheeses, you could not get more of an honest description. Go on have a look and Enjoy, you might be tempted to change your cheese too!!

I won't be tagging anyone this time, but feel free to join in..it is only a bit of fun, but it gets you thinking!!

Just to say......

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 08:16:00 +0000

to you all, I have been overwhelmed with comments, from old and new readers, from new countries too!

I have tried to reply and thank you all individually, some of you had emails from me, or a message on your blogs, and it is hard to think who I have replied to, or which post I have dealt with...So I think this way, covers all.

Onwards we walk.....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 14:34:00 +0000

After meeting Leesa and Dawn for the wonderful coffee, we had to part company! They had to catch up with their chores and see their husbands! So I thought I would carry on walking..

I went across to Ile Saint-Louis. I couldn't decide which direction to take so had a stroll and found a delightful church, Eglise Saint-Louis-en-l'Ile, I did manage a couple of photos just!! The mass had just ended so had to be a bit discreet!.

I made my way across to Pont Saint Louis bridge, where I found lots of people, young and old, sitting around, listening to a singer, who was very good.....

and watching people getting free massages..well they said free, you gave a token Euro or two. The massage only took ten minutes, it was quite strange to be sat on a bridge, with crowds watching you, but it was worth it. Unfortunately I was on my own, so no photo. Didn't really want to ask anyone, but thats fine.

After a few minutes of watching too, I felt I had to carry on, but in the direction of home! The route took me to the Notre Dame de Paris

The atmostphere was something different..the people and the presence of this magnificent cathedral...the crowds were all sat in the square in front, just looking up in awe!!

I continued from here to Saint Michel Metro..to travel home! But not before I took a photo of the famous fountain..
A fabulous day out, the weather was brilliant, friends lots of fun, and I was tired!! But no matter how I felt, I always ended my evenings, with a glass of wine in Cafe du Marche, Rue Cler!

Fancy coffee, cake and comfort....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 14:40:00 +0000

and you just happen to be in the Marais ..why not call into ....
Le Loir Dans Le Theiere! This is where we came after I met Leesa and Dawn at the Metro Saint-Paul.

Just one of the many cafes that Leesa and Dawn know! This is a very popular and delightful cafe, with some of the best home made desserts in Paris.. Crumbles, Tarts and Pies, more British I would say, than French..but still delightful, I am sure you will correct me if I am wrong!! It is best to try and go early for lunch, it can get packed out, and you won't want those desserts to run out!!

I loved the coffee, the quirkiness and the people, very friendly. Thanks Leesa and Dawn..another wonderful coffee and chats!!

Some one said it is "One of those places you don't want to recommend because you want it to be your secret".

Jardin Du Luxembourg ......

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 20:29:00 +0000

is so pretty, such a wonderful place to stroll around, go for your lunch, read a book, or even a game of Boules!

I took the metro so far then walked from Place Denfert Rochereau..

The Lion of Belfort

Jardin des Grands Explorateurs

The Gardens

Le triomphe de silene

Medici Fountain

This photo was kindly lent to me by Laurent of Daily Photo in Paris

I did take one, but didn't realize it was blurred until later. I then set off to meet Leesa and Dawn at Saint-Paul Metro to walk round Le Marais and go for a coffee!!!

Head for the Heights .....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Sat, 26 Sep 2009 11:06:00 +0000

of Montparnasse tower! It is amazing.

Leesa, Barbara and I decided to earn our wings, and go to the top of the tower. I have never seen such fantastic views..Brilliant. You could spend hours up there, trying to pinpoint all the great areas.

Barbara and I went to the very top, whilst Leesa stopped for a coffee but I think she had been up there before. Great that she didn't mind coming with us, so another great day out with my friends.

Surprises .......

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 10:20:00 +0000

came from Canada, two wonderful surprises on my mat, so great when you never expect them!

I had a lovely postcard from my friend Barbara, Home in France, who was visiting Montreal and Quebec with her husband Didier. So pleased they had a great time, a well deserved break. They are back in Paris now, with posts up already! So why don't you pop over to her blog and read about their trip, she also has great photos. Thank you Barbara!!

and my other surprise, was from my friend Lucy, who's blog is On my way 2 work and other stuff.... she sent me a little package..inside was a cute little stamp!!

You press the stamp into bread, and when it is toasted it says Bonjour with an outline of the Eiffel tower! I will never forget Paris, great for my toast in the mornings with my French confiture !! Thank you so much Lucy..a great gift!!!

Lucy's blog is brilliant with fabulous photos, Sunsets, Sunrises, and lots about her area in Pickering Ontario. Why not call in and have a read of Lucy's blog , You will not be disappointed.

Hope you have fun reading both blogs. I do!! Lots of fab photos too!!

Thank you to my friends.....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 20:25:00 +0000

for your comments..on my last post! Oh it has been a hard week. Not only for me but also for Olivia. She is teething and getting used to having me around ..Ha ha..so hard looking after a baby, when you are not used to it, hard when you cannot get your sleep and have to cope the next day. Poor love, not her fault at all, I just needed lots of "pazienza". Back home on Wednesday, get my hair done, and have a good sleep, and hopefully I will feel back to normal!!

If by Chance......

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 18 Sep 2009 09:09:00 +0000

anyone is wondering where I am, I thought I would write a small note to you all...! I am down at my eldest son's house, grand-daughter minding...Olivia is 9 months old...and I have neither time nor the inclination to blog!! I also only have my small Ideapad, which makes blogging quite hard, but I am reading what I can!

So hopefully more Paris photos next week...that is after I have been to the hairdressers, had some much need catch up sleep..and some adult company!!!!

Today I get to see my hubby...not seen him for over two weeks, he is coming down today for a few hours, and he flies to Singapore tomorrow, from there to Japan, then Brazil then home..see him October 21st, I think!!

He was going to come down last night, I said "love as much as I would love to see you, there is no point us both having a disturbed night sleep" !! Him and children or should I say babies just do not mix..actually it is worse than me and babies....

So I wish you all a very Happy Weekend, lets hope the sun shines on us all :-)

Exploring paris - The walk to Rue du rivioli

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 18:17:00 +0000

took me past many great places...Assemblee Nationale, The Place de la Concorde Obélisque de Luxor, and Jardin Tuileries. Walking is the best way to explore Paris, you can be gone for hours.

This particular day, I wanted to go to Rue Du Rivoli to WH Smiths to see my friend Kim, who I knew was at work there.

Do you know what was great? This time, I knew where it was!!!
It was a lovely summers day, the crowds were out and I was in no hurry!!

And finally to WH Smiths where I saw Kim and a display I wanted to see in the shop window..this display was for a book written by a blogger Pia Jane Bijerk , the book is Paris: Made by Hand!

I had a fabulous time, the walk was excellent. I did continue walking after I stopped for refreshments, so more photos to follow!!

Sorry, the photo I named Concorde is actually The Obélisque de Luxor in the Place de la Concorde.

Friends and a wonderful evening on the Seine

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Thu, 10 Sep 2009 15:13:00 +0000

Exploring Paris.....Les Invalides

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 09:30:00 +0000

I had an amazing walk, finding my way around my new neighbour hood, new to me for two weeks, and such delights I found. You just never know what is just round the corner!!

I was near Les Invalides, which I had never seen, or really thought about, and it is stunning. A very beautiful building. The architecture is out standing.

In 1670, Louis the 14th, decided to build Les Invalides, a Paris military hospital, to take care of wounded soldiers. With their large church topped by a golden dome and 13 hectares building, Les Invalides are a masterpiece of French classical architecture.

Also at Les Invalides is the Musee de l'Armee, a museum which was originally built as a hospital, it now houses the Tomb of Napoleon and the museum of the Army of France. The museum's collections cover the time period from antiquity until the 20th century.

Eglise Saint-Louis des Invalides

The Saxe-Breteuil Market .....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 10:54:00 +0000

is fabulous. This well known market is open from 7am to 2:30 pm every Thursday and Saturday morning.. Among the many markets in Paris, this has the reputation of being one of the best and certainly the most beautiful.

It was so big, and the variety of the stalls kept me enthralled for over an hour or so. How many times have you been to a market with 3 or 4 fish stalls, or stalls that sell only Mushrooms or Tomatoes, the Fruit et Legumes stalls were packed with such variety. So much more too!! You will have to go and visit for yourself!

Can you imagine being so HAPPY over a market!!!

Tomatoes Galore!!!

Paris, Blogging and New Friends.......

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 14:07:00 +0000

On the 30th August, I got a new reader to my blog named Jennifer and she left a comment and it said...

"Hi Anne, it sounds like you're having a great time! Exactly how long will you be in Paris? I live here and was wondering if you'd like to meet in a café for a coffee or something, if there's time....best wishes, Jennifer....."

I was amazed, so I emailed Jennifer and we arranged to meet up, on the Monday 31st at 4.30 on the corner of my street....I did ask her what she looked like, we wouldn't of known each other at all.

On that day I also went out with Barbara, to Bercy Village, and Bercy Park, which I have yet to post about and put my pictures up. We both had a wonderful time, browsing around the great shops, chatting and having fun. It was also one of the hottest days of my visit! I arrived home at 16.10, only 20 minutes to sort myself out!

So off I went to the little restaurant on the corner, and waited, I saw a lady walking towards me on the other side of the road, and I thought, she has long red hair wonder if that is Jennifer..Yes it was...and we just started chatting.. I said where would you like to go for coffee, she said, maybe we should have a wine !! :-)

We went to my favourite street...Rue Cler and got seats in the open at one of the great cafes/restaurants, we went to Tribeca..and had a Kir or two and dinner. We had a wonderful few hours, and I have also put Jennifer in touch with Leesa, I am sure they will meet up too!!

Thank you Jennifer , I had a fun evening, and lots of good chat! She has blog too....Called My Year in Paris!!!

I got tagged by Leslie from The Pedalogue.....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Fri, 04 Sep 2009 10:17:00 +0000

..........to do this simple photo meme. Here are the instructions:

1. Open the fourth file where you store your photos.
2. Pick the 4th photo.
3 . Explain the photo.
4. Pass challenge onto 4 other bloggers.

This photo was taken by me, in 2004 at Magny Cours for the French Grand Prix. This was my first European race, and what great fun it was!

First of all, Whilst waiting for the coach to take me down to London to meet up with the rest of the tour, I met a girl called Louise, who strangely enough, was going to the race too!! We travelled together, and have been friends ever since, and have been to 3 other Grand Prixs together. The British, Magny Cours (2) and Belgium.

This was the race where I surprised my husband!! ha ha ...he didn't know I was going, so after being there a WHOLE day, I found my way to an empty grandstand, opposite Williams F1 garage, phoned him on his mobile and said "come out of the garage" and I was opposite waving too him!! What a shock for him...!!! I waited all day to do that :-)

Now the tricky bit... Who to tag???

Sally in Norfolk
Leesa from News from France
From My Swiss Window
Lucy from On my way 2 work and other stuff

Time to say Au revoir to my friends ....

annearnott1@hotmail.com (Anne in Oxfordshire) — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 08:00:00 +0000

and return home. I must go and see my husband :-). My husband has been travelling for work and only returned home yesterday. I am sure he will survive without me for another day! I might even hear from my two boys!!!

Anyone would think that I have been here for a months and months, and I have to pack up house and move back! No I have been here 14 days tomorrow, it feels so much longer.

I have had a fantastic time with all my wonderful friends.... Leesa,, Dawn Barbara, Kim B, Andrea, who met up with me during my time here.

Leesa is amazing as always, organizing super things like the picnic on the seine, where I met another group of people. I met Dawns husband Tom and his friend from work, Valerie, Florence, Jasmin and Patricia. We had a wonderful evening.

I have also met Leesa's husband Alex, who came to a farewell coffee at Aimees tea shop..where Leesa Dawn and I, discovered I was not going home on Tuesday at all, but the Wednesday..well I thought Tuesday and they thought Wednesday, turned out they were right!! :-) I had to send a text to my husband, ooops!

Barbara and her husband met up with me for dinner. Dawn has been there for our lunches, and coffee dates. Andrea and I went to Parc Monceau,Kim came to the picnic ....so nearly everyday, one/two/three of my friends has been with me, a .....

THANK YOU TO YOU ALL!!!!

We have had lunch and coffee dates, walks and walks, trips to other parts of Paris, that some of them haven't been to. I have been out and about on my own, walking around the Marais Area, Saint Germain des Pres, the 7th Arrondissment , which is where my apartment is. Leesa, Barbara and I went up Montparnasse Tower, which was well worth it, oh my word that is high!

We did so much, but still alot more to see. When I return, I am going to try and go on some walking tours, that Dawn has recommended!

Most importantly I have to give a big thank you to Elizabeth and Neil, for the fantastic opportunity to stay in their home.. with their cats! ... all has been well except one night when the cats decided to wake up at 2.30am and have a party :-)