Still in Paris

 

We had a pleasant surprise early in our stay at The Arsenal, Kit and John (our niece Rachael’s in-laws) were in Paris. We caught up and had a very pleasant evening together on board Matilda. It was good to catch  up with all their family news. 

We were in Paris but we knew that far away in Moonie Ponds,  Dame Edna was making her plans for her  retirement tour. As a mark of respect Margaret cultivated – at great expense to the management, a wonderful display of Dame Edna’s favourite flower. Our gladdies were admired far and wide.

The evening of the 14^th July, our son Robert’s birthday, was marked by a massive and spectacular fireworks display, based at the steps of the Trocadero. We cycled through Paris along the Seine to get a good viewpoint and found our place on the Pont de la Concorde where we had a reasonable view.

No photos do it justice so you will just have to imagine! Peter’s second most favourite bridge, the Pont de Alexandre in the foreground.

Even though probably more than five million people were present around Paris watching and thoroughly enjoying the display, little old Perth’s Australia day show, set to music and with a theme, and Sydney’s New Year display off the Harbour Bridge would equal what we saw.

Erika was still with us and her plans took her to as many museums and galleries as she could. She was devouring the Paris art and culture. This was great to see. A trip to Montmartre and the Sacre Coeur was amongst the outings.

We departed the Arsenal and travelled under the Bastille Monument in the tunnel on the canal St Martin. This canal travels under Boulevarde Richard Lenoir and Bd Jules Ferry for about one and a half kilometres in a beautifully made “cut and cover” excavation.

 After the tunnel we passed through a series of locks to the upper harbour of the basin de la Villette where we found the Paris authorities were constructing beaches! Yes, beaches along the canal St Dennis and on the banks of the Seine -  advertised to have palm trees and places to sunbake in the Paris summer sun.

 

On, into the canal St Dennis via this very old and deep lock. Totally overgrown but very attractive. Normally traffic uses a newer and larger lock but that was shut for maintenance and we were glad, as this one was far more picturesque.

A little further on we found another of Paris’s dramatic bridges, this one a swing bridge that completely crossed the canal. A span of probably 50 metres, all pivoting at one point. Peter thought it was a good design. (Not the one with people walking over it, the one below.)

The bridge opening in front of us.

Closing behind us.

We made our way down to the Seine river through some of Paris’s newer suburbs as well as some old industrial ground. We spent the night “greenbanked” alongside this jetty which is in an area that used to be all Renault factories. An island in the middle of the river had the test track for their cars. All derelict, the factories have now been demolished and are becoming huge housing estates but the test track is being rejuvenated and was being used to test Renault’s small electric four wheel scooter as we were there.

 

Another surprise visitor dropped in, David (Thommo) was on a whirlwind business trip to Paris and beyond. He and two of his colleagues spent a pleasant afternoon with us. We cruised the Seine and caught the riders in the Tour de France making their way along the Avenue du President Kennedy en route to the Champs Elysees and the finish line.

After we dropped our visitors back at Gare du Austerlitz we made our way upriver and out of Paris to a mooring closer to Orly airport. Marg and Erika were off on a vacation!

But, more of that later. In the meantime, keep in touch.