Sat 8 Mar 2008
We are now in Provence. Our house has been closed since November and sitting in the cold winter without any heating on. To say it was cold when we walked in doesn’t begin to describe it. We turned on the heater, kept our coats on for a couple of hours, started a fire and I even turned on a little electric floor heater that I have and kept it aimed at my feet all evening. I even took it to the bed to see if I could warm it up but it kept shutting down under the covers-probably a good thing. The weather isn’t too bad here right now-in the 50’s or so during the day but it is definitely nippy at night. I have lots to do, mostly housework and pulling weeds and haven’t been out with my camera as yet so I am posting some photos of an interesting part of Paris called Bercy.
We often go to movies here at a place called Cour St Emillion. It is mostly chains stores and places to eat. It used to be the major storage and shipping facility for wine in Paris being near the Seine. They tore down everything which is probably a shame and built a huge park and this area. It’s always really nicely decorated at Christmas.
Another shot from the outside probably following the line of the buildings that were once here.
They have left some of the old railroad tracks around that, while interesting to see, are murder on the ankles if you step wrong.
Nearby is the Bercy Entertainment complex. We’ve seen tennis here before and it is where performers like Madonna perform as it holds a lot of people. I think it is rather strange looking with grass growing up the sides. I’m told that they have to have some sort of special lawnmower to cut the grass, plus they have to water it. What were they thinking?
Some interesting metal sculpture in the park.
Large areas of water are in the park.
The park is split in two by a major road so there are two large bridges which span it and connect the two sides.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:09 am
oh Provence…….just the name is filled with magic. You definitely need hot water bottles!
March 8th, 2008 at 3:16 am
I was just about to echo Maryam, you really do need hot water bottles, they are my life savers out here in freezing eastern France. Bercy is also home to the Cinematheque Francaise (which also has a cinema museum in it)which is the only thing I’ve ever been out to Bercy to see in fact! It’s a very quiet area. I remember one day they were filming a movie and the scene entailed a waiter running out of a cafe and kicking a ball, he had to do it repeatedly!
March 8th, 2008 at 6:25 am
Cold as well here in Brittany. We had the heat off day before yesterday while renovations proceed [electrical connections being made]. Then we suffered when the pilot wouldn’t reignite, waiting overnight until the service rep could get it going. It was probably only hours, and I guess we’re awful sissies. But we had all the fireplaces going at once and went to bed with long underwear under nightclothes, plus down comforters and wool blankets. Can’t imagine how any people survived the Ice Age.
March 8th, 2008 at 7:50 am
Hi Linda…you really need to get hot water bottles, or some wheat bags that you heat up in the microwave, they are excellent…
March 8th, 2008 at 11:15 am
So you are back in Provence. I agree with the other comments, hot water bottles hugged close to the body are the best.
Hope you settle quickly and get the chores done so that you can enjnoy the beautiful countryside again.
Been catching up with your last 3 posts. Lov ed the snow in Colorado and John Denver, say not more. Liked the Aspen trees. They look just like very tall and thin Silver Birch.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
Enjoyed your photos.
Hope you’re thawed out now in your Provence home. Looking forward to reading about your escapades down there, along with photos.
Best to you.
March 8th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I so had to chuckle when I read you took the heater to bed, lol! I am so glad it cut out!! I hope things soon warm up for you and look forward to seeing photos and hearing of your ventures in Provence.
March 8th, 2008 at 6:40 pm
Bercy is not in the center of things but I think it’s a really good middle-of-the-road place to stay when visiting Paris. I personally liked that area and I would go back. It’s got plenty of shopping and places to eat and even has a weekend “scene” but overall seems relaxed and more suburban, while being just a 12 or 15 minute metro ride from the heart of Paris.
Yes, hot water bottles — and you need knitted covers for them too!
March 9th, 2008 at 3:42 am
Heater in the bed? Shame, shame. How about an electric sheet or blanket? We used them when we lived in New Zealand without central heating (and in Japan). They were little gifts from heaven that helped me cope with the cold.
March 9th, 2008 at 10:31 am
It’s so pretty. But I know what you mean in warming up a house. We have the opposite problems with Riverside–it takes hours to cool it down once we arrive. xo
March 9th, 2008 at 11:31 am
I’m sure you will warm up soon.
Enjoy Provence and share it “all” with us