paris

We were in Paris for le quattorze Juillet, the holiday that celebrates the storming of the Bastille. I was there to meet my old pen pal from school days and my oldest friend, Joel, his wife Paula and son Kenny. Also there, Yasser from London. Somehow in this miserable summer I've managed to get all the best bits. The weather was superb all weekend. On the Friday evening we met up and went to Bofinger, the old brasserie just near the Bastille, where the food was tradiitonal and very good.

Needs no introduction!

Next day we saw the big public military parade in the Champs Elysees and then went up to Montmartre. Paula managed to pick up a few paintings and we had a relaxed lunch outdoors in the main square. Although it's such a tourist haunt, a bottle of wine and the dappled sunshine soon makes you feel like you are in a Renoir painting.

It was great to spend so much time with Joel and family, and they seemed to enjoy it immensely. They were on a rapid tour of Europe, taking in Vienna and Berlin before Paris.

Joel, Kenny, Paula and Montmartre

On Sunday they left early for home and Yasser and I just had a lazy day in the shadow of Eiffel Tower. Main memories are of lots of food and lots of laughter.