Cellar Scribblings

[brianr]

Not so easy when you are on a holiday. Here in Paris it was 34'C on Saturday. I had planned a walking tour of Montmartre (had not been there since 2007) but not wise as I had flown 14 hours Sydney to Dubai on Thursday (6 hr time difference) then another 7 hours to Paris on Friday (another 2 hrs difference). The train from airport to apartment was unbearably hot. Back to Sat morning I walked about an hour with copious drinks of water and felt dizzy. Montmartre is probably the hilliest area of Paris. Stopped for fresh lemon drink, started again but had to grab a post as I nearly blacked out. Returned by metro to my apartment which has a small fan and I have not turned it off in the 4 nights I have been here, just down from 3 to 2 when I go out.
Went back out to the Isle St Louis for a strawberry crepe and wine in the afternoon then out again for dinner (a gristly sirloin steak, no wonder it was the plat du jour) in the evening.

Sunday was better only 31'C and cooler in morning. Walked about 6km along a canal and in late afternoon went to an organ and trumpet concert in Madeleine church. Better roast chicken dinner. Yesterday back up to 34'C, went to Chateau Vincennes, new to me, a medieval castle so not sumptuous like Versailles and not that many people. Walked in the gardens afterwards  but the plants looked very sad. Threw out the cheese and tomato baguette I had prepared in the morning and bought some yoghurt and a bowl of tropical fruit. Do not know how people could eat a hamburger in that heat. Went to the museum (Petit Palais) I had planned to visit on Saturday but forgot that most museums are closed on Monday. The heat in the Place de Concorde was horrendous so back to slightly cooler apartment.  The windows face west so have to keep blinds drawn until about 8pm. It did not really cool until about 5am. I cooked a microwave dinner.
Today suppose to be 35'C but I am going on the Eurostar to London. Even there it is forecast 31'C but cooler (24'C) tomorrow. I am usually crying when I leave Paris but not today. However I will be back for 2 nights Sep 10 and 11.
I usually visit here in April/May, sometimes cool and showery, but my main purpose this year is the Proms in London so it had to be August.

[CellarDweller]

Hello Brian!

I hope you're having a great trip!

[CellarDweller]

Hello Bettermost Friends!


My, today was busy at work!!!   I was running around getting things done from start to finish!   I'm just glad that I got everything done by the time I had to leave!

Anyone have plans for the weekend yet?   I'm going out to dinner at some friends' house on Saturday.

[CellarDweller]

Hello Bettermost friends!!!




TGIF!!


Work went well today, and I was able to get all my filing done, and leave on time.

Picked up some grilled chicken at the local supermarket that I can put on my salad, and have a healthy dinner.

Tomorrow I have to run out and get some cupcakes, and then I'm going over to my friends' house for dinner. 

Anyone else have any good plans for the weekend?

[Corax]

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Anyone else have any good plans for the weekend?

Yes! Going to Las Vegas, not to gamble  though. Just to drink some Margaritas and to go shopping at the outlet centre.

[serious crayons]

Yes! Going to Las Vegas, not to gamble  though. Just to drink some Margaritas and to go shopping at the outlet centre.

I've only been to Las Vegas once, years ago, and also didn't gamble. My impression was that it's a great place if you're not a gambler because the gamblers subsidize your cheap food and lodging. My family of four stayed a couple of nights in Caesar's Palace for $100 a night. Granted, this was the late '90s, and we got the room that cheap because we waited until the end of the day, when they're eager to get whatever they can for rooms that would otherwise go empty.

[BradInBlue]

Las Vegas is ridiculously expensive these days. Gone are the cheap deals on meals and such (the heyday of that was the last time Katherine & then family visited). Steve's sister and hub live there and we stop for a week during our trek north from spending the winter on the Colorado River on the CA/AZ border. I like to gamble but, along with the disappearing cheap meals/accommodation, the casino's are tight these days. I agree with Crow. The margarita's is where it's at and those at Michoacán in LV are to die for. Chuck, you need to get on a plane...….

[brianr]

I do not gamble, have never had a margarita (sp?) in my life and only shop when necessary so Las Vegas is nowhere on my horizon. to ever visit.
I am complaining about the costs here in London. Last night I  bought Fish 'n chips for £7 (NZ$13.50). The same in NZ which I buy usually once per week costs me $8 and is much nicer.  I had coffee and cake in the afternoon for £7.75 (NZ$14) and would think expensive if I paid NZ$10 at home. My first night at the Proms I bought an ice cream at interval and it cost £4.50 (NZ$8) and again, while the tub is a bit smaller, it only costs NZ$5 at a concert interval at home.
The $NZ is currently about US 66 cents but thankfully my travel money is $Au which is currently US 73 cents.
I am buying dinner out tonight as I have 2 Prom concerts, one at 4pm and the other at 8pm. It is the only meal out of my apartment this week in London. I am hoping next week in Scotland will have cheaper prices as I am staying in hotels or B&Bs so have to buy dinner out every night. I will be back in London in a different apartment for 2 weeks starting August 22.

[Front-Ranger]

Just looked up Proms in England and it means outdoor concerts, where you can "promenade" around while the music is playing. Sounds awesome!

[Front-Ranger]

Anyone else have any good plans for the weekend?

Saw a good musician play last night with LauraGigs, then watched fireworks from my balcony. Today, I'm taking grandsons to the circus after church. A great weekend!