Spring Has Sprung, April 20-28

 Wednesday the 20th was Take The Car Back To Paris Day. The drive north was much easier than the drive down; no rain or wind so the traffic was much more manageable.

We dropped off the car at the airport and proceeded to or least favorite chore, riding the RER, the suburban train, into Paris. It’s always packed, and I do mean packed, almost like those pics of the Japanese trains with the train attendants shoving people in so the doors will close. Luckily it wasn’t hot. That makes it even more unbearable.

We got off at the Chatelet metro stop and headed for the Marais. We needed lunch. Rue Rosiers might as well be known as fallafel street. There are several takeout fallafel restaurants in about 3 blocks and the lines are always epic but the food is good. We chose Mi-va-mi because our first choice, L’As du Fallafel, was closed for some reason. Our hunger sated, we headed for the Gare de Bercy where we would catch the train back to Briare.

On the way we made a stop in the famous Place de Vosges and found that, since it was Spring Break and the weather was fine, it was very busy.

The square is surrounded by an arcade filled with shops and restaurants but we just sat on a bench for awhile and took in the scene.

After another brief stop at a cafe for a little liquid refreshment it was off to the station.

Ah, the French trains. Bercy is the station specifically for the lines headed for Burgundy and the Loire River Valley so the first stop isn’t for about 45 minutes, but there’s nothing quite like shooting smoothly through the spring French countryside at 90 mph.

Back to the boat about 7:30 pm we settled into the cruising routine with transportation now sans voiture.

Friday was Cathy Jo’s birthday so we celebrated with a delicious dinner at the nearby Le Petit Saint Trop, where we have enjoyed many great meals.

Foi gras for Cathy Jo and escargot for me for starters. Yum.

Cathy Jo also received several Happy Birthday wishes. She says “Thanks!”

Spring has sprung here in Central France and the long days lead to a riot of growth. You can almost see the leaves and flowers popping out.

There was a picture of these trees off the stern of the boat in the first posting. 

Compare and contrast. Discuss.

A flowering fruit tree we spotted on one of our walks.

This display at the city hall is in the colors of the Ukranian flag. 

There’s also a big blue and yellow flag hanging on the building.

Cathy Jo among the wildflowers alongside one of the many waterways

 that crisscross the area.

Late in the week there was a spell of much cooler weather with some rain. It was kind of cold and damp so we fired up the stove.

The new solar panels are installed and making electrons, Market Day is tomorrow, Saturday is laundry day, there’s a big vide grenier on Sunday (May Day. A big thing here in France. The canals are closed.) and we think we’ll be getting underway on Monday. Southern France here we come!