Easter Stroll 4-5-15

Today was a quiet day for us, Deb did some housecleaning and I took a morning walk (is there a pattern here?) and then did the vacuuming of the floors and shaking of the rugs.  My walk took me back into town via the Canal de l'Ourcq to the Canal St. Martin, since the weather was bright, clear, and pretty warm I walked all the way to where our main busline leaves the canal and goes up into the 19th, about a 45 minute walk if one doesn't stop and take pictures along the way. 


But of course I did take pictures and I was frankly amazed at how much the canal has changed since we last walked from Bastille out to Parc de la Villette in 2004, I knew how the canal became really popular but the development that has taken place is unbelievable.   New buildings line the canal all along the canal with just a few older ones still in place.  

2004                          2015






I was walking back when I fell victim to one of the two major street issues that I almost always guard against, specifically don't step where the dogs have left presents and don't stand under trees where pigeons roost and leave deposits as the fly off.  While trying to frame an interesting photo, I must have stood under flock of flying cows and bam I was suddenly tattooed.  I beat a hasty, but late, retreat and went back along the canal to a pub where I purchased a half pint and access to a toilet where I could waste about half their towels washing off the biggest part of my mistake.  When I got back home it was into the washer with my jacket and a bit of relief that none had gone down the back of my neck.

Anyway one I got cleaned up we had a lovely lunch on our little kitchen balcony with roast chicken, olives, celeri remolade, wine and bread.  After which we both took off and walked north on the canal into the suburb of Pantin which is just on the other side of the Perapherique.  After going out for about an hour we crossed the canal and headed back towards the apartment.

  As we got into la Villette we came across a little fete where many vendors and artists, both musical and graphic, were displaying their skills.  One of the stalls was a group of young artists and writers who would give you a portrait and an accompanying poem for a free will offering.  They were really charming and so I dragged Deb back to have her portrait and a poem created.  



Here are the fruits of their efforts and I must say they are very dear to me.   I'm sure they expect to get a few euros for their efforts and are having lots of fun, but they were surprised and asked very pointedly if I knew how much money I had donated.  I assured them that I did and I wished that they would have a few bottles of wine in celebration.   After that we walked home and had a very pleasant evening.