I believe our two minutes of genuine Winter have finally arrived...
we had frost on the lawn this week..
and the dreaded bitter Westerly Winds are a'blowin today.. brrrr
I went to church in boots, leather gloves, long scarf, heavy wool jacket -
and struggled to sing in the choir: I think my throat was tight with cold..
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The Red Cardinal palms are doing battle with the winds..
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Mr C and I had hot chocolate (with mini marshmallows) for lunch -
but that didn't fix us..
Despite the fact that we both wish to lose a pound or two in the next 49 days, it seemed nothing would do but:
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Mr C said cake was Mandatory.
He is a Management Consultant and must be obeyed .... hmmm
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49 days?
Venice:
Florence:
Rome:
and of course, Padua:
Anyone like to recommend a hotel in Paris, or Padua?
I'll check out all suggestions...
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Mr C is chopping logs as we speak..
Could be a nice fire tonight...
Have a lovely week
XXXX
Ooh, sounds wintry! The Hotel Crayon in Paris is nice. It's really hard to find a good inexpensive hotel there, as property prices are so high, so I would say this is medium priced rather than budget. But it is in a brilliant central location, has nice coffee shops and restaurants nearby, interesting decor, nice staff. The rooms are small but well decorated and clean. The other way i find hotels is by going to booking.com and reading the reviews. It's better than Tripadvisor because you can only post if you have actually visited the hotel through them.
ReplyDeleteIt's cold here and it's supposed to be the middle of summer!
Thanks Jenny, Hotel Crayon does look nice. A central location is ideal, and I am used to the tiny rooms from previous trips to Paris. Cold there too? Global unwarming, perhaps?
DeleteI never imagine it to be really wintry in Australia, but you make it sound almost cozy :) I'm so glad you are finally getting your lovely European trip in! I just hope for your sake it stays warm here. It's not been bad at all this year…so far!
ReplyDeleteHi Val, yes it does get down to freezing in the early mornings, for about 5 days a year! I like to make the most of it, and the fire is roaring away in our little fireplace tonight. I'll bring my warm coat to Europe, whatever the weather predictions: can't be too careful!
DeleteWow, I didn't realise that your travels would be so soon!!! How exciting for you. It will still be warm here in Europe then! Cake and hot chocolate sound like a very good idea for keeping warm on wintery days though! xx
ReplyDeleteWhen I consulted my surgeon last week he said with a smile, re the cancelled trip: "Just Go!". Being an obedient patient, I am doing just that. Yes, most likely it will be warm and I will need to pack for summer plus autumn, but I'll manage it. xx
DeleteHello Patricia,
ReplyDeleteAs we swelter in the heat of the sun here in Budapest, it is difficult to imagine frost and wintry winds. However, thoughts of your holiday must be warming you from the inside!
And, what a wonderful programme you have. It will all be so interesting and beautiful. Such a lot to see and do. Yes, better have cake to build up your strength for this amazing European adventure!
Oooh, it is hot in Budapest, I just checked it out! Looks like a Queensland summer's day. Yes, I'm very excited to be cleared for take-off, and am enjoying the process of re-organising everything.
DeleteAnd I do love your thinking there: cake to build up the strength. Yes, that is the way to go! Thank you Jane and Lance.
Dear Patricia - I know a little hotel one minute from the metro in Paris, but typically I have forgotten the name. When H returns home from his Sunday walk I will tap into his knowledge and see if he can recall it.
ReplyDeleteWe used to go regularly when he worked for the UN so you would think I would remember. I will let you know.
Enjoy your hot chocolate and cake whilst I drink my ice cold elderflower cordial.
Dear Rosemary, Thank you, I would love to check out the hotel near the metro. How nice that must have been, going regularly to Paris! Elderflower cordial sounds refreshingly delicious.
DeleteH has returned now and I have the answer Patricia - It is Hotel Lecourbe on Rue Lecourbe literally 2 mins from Sevre-Lecourbe Metro on Boulevard Garibaldi. You can look on Google Maps to see the location and whether it is situated near to things that you want to see.
DeleteI don't know how much it costs now, but I remember it was clean, and pleasant. Small rooms with an outdoor patio area to eat breakfast which had a good selection of meats, cheeses, fruit and lovely bread etc Plenty of restaurants nearby to eat in the evening.
http://hotel-lecourbe-eiffel.com/sitegb.htm
Thank you Rosemary, This sounds like the type of small hotel we would enjoy. I will have a good look at the website.
DeleteCozy fires and hot chocolate for you, Sassy Water and cool cotton blouses for me! How exciting to be planning such a trip. Will you be posting blogs during the trip? If not, we will look forward to a full report upon your return! Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteI hope to be posting blogs, Sanda, if only small updates. The hotels all seem to have free Internet these days, which certainly makes it easy. Perhaps just having the energy at the end of the day will be the decider!
DeleteEnjoy your brief winter, Patricia. There's something very comforting about being tucked into a warm house with a cup of tea or cocoa on a cold winter's day. That's so exciting that you have actual dates picked for your trip - and not all that far away either!
ReplyDeleteThank you Kristie, yes, dates are now set, and some fares paid for and hotels booked. It is fun to plan. It my be part of the human psyche to enjoy the freshness of the change in seasons. I am enjoying what is really quite awful weather :)
DeleteEnjoy the wintry weather, Patricia. I look forward to the cold weather too. I hope you feel better soon.
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer, Off to have my daily walk in the blustery wind. I have been searching the house for a good cap or beret - my hat would blow right off!
DeleteExciting re trip. Seems hotels in Paris often are small rooms - not a problem with so much to see you are only there to sleep. We stayed in a dear little hotel, small rooms and lovely dining room with delicious breakfast. Can't remember the name of the hotel but remember the street - L'Hospital. I know we walked there from Notre Dame and it was opposite a train and Metro station with lots of cafes etc just outside. Somewhat inexpensive compared to others I recall. Have fun choosing.
ReplyDeleteHi the Caitlinsgrandma, yes, previous trips to Paris have always been in the tiniest of rooms. I will look at the street L'Hospital and see what I can see. Meantime having lots of fun seeking out everybody's suggestions.
DeleteWe haven't had frost yet, but I'm so over the wind, I bet you can't wait to start your holiday.
ReplyDeleteYes, it doesn't take long to get over that wind, does it? I'd be happy if it left us right now too.
DeleteHard to imagine you all bundled up against the cold. I'm really excited for you and your trip plans.
ReplyDeleteDarla
We bundle up more than you would think necessary Darla, because our houses are not built for severe cold. The house is almost as cold inside as out, so lots of cashmere layers being worn this week. Let's hope the trip comes off - a lot of detail currently being worked on.
DeleteOh Patricia, the weather has turned freezing in Canberra, lots of snow nearby and gloves, and woolly coats a must. Stay Warm Shell - A Darlings Nest
ReplyDeleteHi Shell, here's a secret: we are sneaking off to Canberra for a few days, very soon. I will have to look for my thermals today...got my new Sportscraft wool coat to wear, and the leather gloves I found in Hobart :)
DeleteThe cool weather you have had will prepare you well for the Canberra chills - do enjoy yourself there. I haven't been for years, but I always enjoy the art gallery there. Do enjoy yourself.
ReplyDeleteI'm off to Wagga Wagga soon - and it looks as cold as Canberra on the weather map. We'll have to compare notes in due course.
I have never seen the art gallery in Canberra, so I'm looking forward to it. Thank goodness for my stash of warm items for Canada - warm hats, gloves, thermals, all being packed. Wagga Wagga is cold; I remember we went there once on the way to the snow - brrrr. Fun to compare notes!
DeleteThanks Val, it is indeed Excellent! I have noticed the tiny rooms in Paris - is that why the French are so small and slim? Definitely need lifts; we are too old to drag the suitcases up the stairs :)
ReplyDeletePatricia, I've never associated frost with Queensland so your first images really surprised me. I do hope the cake helped. :-) Gosh, only 7 weeks until your Europe trip! It will still be beautifully warm then, especially in Italy and the light will be wonderful. Enjoy your planning...
ReplyDeleteIce on the car windscreen which had to be chipped off, yesterday! It might only be 2 minutes, but an intense winter when it happens. I am completely excited by the prospect of our trip, and I didn't know about the wonderful light. Can't wait to see that...
DeleteOh Patricia, what a great trip you are embarking on!!! I wish I were coming along!
ReplyDeleteHard for me to think of July, July and August as winter months. They are the hottest months, with August usually being especially hot and sticky here in the USA. I like summer though for the sun, longer days and comforable dresses.
Oh, I wish Blogger would let us go back in and edit. I meant to type: June, July and August abve.
ReplyDelete