THE LAST TIME I SAW PARIS, AND OTHER MUSING

 

Ooh, la la, doesn't Queen Camilla look incredible, on Their Majesties first official visit to France since the Coronation...

Pictured outside the Palace of Versailles, with Prime Minister Macron and Madame Macron before the official dinner...

Camilla looks regal and glamorous in navy Dior, with the fabulous King George VI Sapphire Suite of jewels.   Her hair looks different, and I think it suits her well.

On arrival in Paris, Camilla was chic in pastel pink, with a sweet beret-style matching hat..

I think every woman feels a desire to be chic when in Paris...

Springtime bees among the flowers outside the Red Cardinal Chateau...

It was 36C here this afternoon, a record breaking all-time high temperature for a September Spring..

Fortunately, a cool wind has blown up tonight....

I went looking for old pictures of myself in Paris.

This was in 2008.  I no longer recognize this woman...

2014: With Mona Lisa.

Clearly having a Bad Hair day...

Maybe having a thing for French stripes...

Buying hats in Nice, 2019.  We did not see Paris on that trip.

Dinner on the beach, Nice.

It seems unlikely we will ever travel to France again, but you never know.  Airfares from Australia to anywhere are now astronomical, and we are planning to close our family business and retire completely next year.  It is both exciting and a bit daunting.  Mr. Red Cardinal is already decluttering his office....

Keep cool, wherever you are.  

It seems the world is quite the hot place these days.

XXXXX

SEASONAL NEWS

 

Hello

While I was not looking, Summer suddenly arrived:

up came our scarlet Hippeastrums, aka Amaryllis in some parts..

 the purple of the Jacarandas has spread across the city...

and the Agapanthus are flowering in the Red Cardinal garden.

The change of seasons also saw the Royal Family out and about.

Red is key this year:

I thought Camilla looked very smart at the opening of the Welsh Parliament.

I wish I knew her dressmaker - her clothes are beautifully tailored..

Catherine dazzled in red to give a keynote speech at Action on Addiction, one of her patronages.

A Ralph Lauren sweater was paired with a pleated skirt by Christopher Kane.

What a stunning combination...

How are you all?

I had a relatively common surgical operation, and am taking recuperation slowly, as suggested by my doctor..

Fatigue is the enemy...

Our State of Queensland has been blessedly, largely Covid free, since the Pandemic began.   This has been achieved by isolation, a management strategy which goes back into history.  I have read about methods to contain the spread of Bubonic Plague in the Middle Ages, and really, it was much the same then.

However, because Covid has been 'somewhere else', and vaccine supplies sparse for much of this year, many of us have not completed vaccination.  

Now it is catch-up time, as our Government will open the borders just before Christmas, and basically we will 'learn to live with Covid'.

At the moment our state is 56% fully vaccinated.  I will have my second shot next week.  The experts are pushing towards 80% vaccination before Christmas which will be difficult given our large State, and relatively small and decentralised population.  Fingers crossed everybody can get to a vaccination centre and get the jab.

And maybe, just maybe, we will eventually be able to see our daughter and grandchildren in Canada once more.

They are into hiking these days, and are out exploring in the fresh Autumn air..

Take care and be safe

XXXXX

THE FASHIONS OF CHRISTMAS

The Garden of Neglect is throwing up a few blooms, despite a crazy heatwave...

I love this old rose, but have no idea of its name..

Meanwhile, didn't the Queen look amazing at Church in Sandringham?

Brilliant orange, with black fur trim.. Gorgeous..

 I would love to think I could wear such an outfit when I am 87!!

Kate, festive in tartan, but it was no contest - the Queen wins hands down!

Camilla, stylish in purple - it seems to me her outfits are becoming increasingly elegant, in line with her popularity .. but maybe that's just my imagination...

Meantime, over in the USA, Michelle wore some pretty festive party looks this year.. 

Gold says Christmas...

as does green ...

I've been perusing my Vintage Fashion book:

Fashions in the 1920s were So Chic!

Jackie's in there ..

and Grace..

Post-Christmas, I find I am suddenly completely without energy -

bone weary, in fact!

Was it the champagne, the egg-nog, or the excitement??

Perhaps it is time for a bit of a rest in this little nest...

Enjoy the post-Christmas lull!

xxxx

INHERITANCES

Now I don't want you all to get excited, but it seems Colin Firth has been around the place lately,

filming The Railway Man in a railway town about 30 minutes from the Cardinal Nest.

Not that I noticed, of course...

I have been preoccupied with the sorting out of my old family home.

My 91 year old Dad relocated a few months ago to a beautiful care facility not far from where he lives.

He has adjusted really well and by all accounts is quite a star there,

loving all the attention and first on the bus for their many outings.

Mum died a few years ago, so we are not in the throes of new grief.

Therefore it was a cheery day, and quite the fun gathering for we six,

the perfectly matching family: 3 x girls, and 3 x boys.

My mother was so organised she alternated as she went -

 girl, boy, girl, boy, girl, boy.

Won't bore you with everything I brought home, but I am pretty happy with my Orange Florentine glass jug.

I know it will be happy here.

An olde worlde tea service.  Mum, I'll think of you every time I make tea!

It's no secret I am in love with milk glass: 

here's another gorgeous piece for the collection.

Ye olde Singer treadle sewing machine!

How old would this be??

A sweet swan from Germany.

My parents travelled a lot.

Speaking of swimming on water, did I mention Colin Firth is in town?

Thought not .......

ahem, now where was I?

Coles have bunches of ten roses, two in each colour for $8.00.

Handy when the garden has frozen into non-action for the winter.

Everyone is talking about the royal pastels at the Order of the Garter Service.

I am too, and it is Camilla's pale pink that has me besotted.  Just beautiful!

Just as well she is in London and I am, well, here,

or I would be Stalking with Intent to Steal it all for myself :)

As always, Kate looked wonderful too!

Happy Wednesday to you!