Coming to Paris

I cut my finger on a Zebra.  I carried him across towns and countries and continents as a present for Mike.   I never know what to buy for my husband as a holiday present and I thought the Z would like to stand on Mike’s desk.  He is beautiful and made of twisted wire but, as I was trying to unpack my case, he bit me and now I’ve dripped blood all over my pyjama trousers and other garments.

We’re in Paris.   I left Dubai yesterday in the sunshine and it’s snowing here.  Early yesterday morning Sue and I were swimming in the pool.  This is literally five steps from her back door so she takes a mug of tea out there before work.  You leave the tea on the side by the shallow end, swim a length or two and then stop for a refreshing gulp - very practical and a good lark.  But this all happened at 7.00 am and Dubai is 3 hours in front of France, so it was 4.00 am French time.

Peter was immensely kind and drove me to the airport.   I had thought I would be going by taxi which was worrying as taxis can’t always find where Sue and Peter live and, even if they can, don’t necessarily come on time.     But, glory be, everything went okay.  A short changeover in Doha, where I had already determined on catching my booked flight to Paris, with or without my luggage.    I spent time mentally rehearsing resistance in case of trouble.   And none of it was necessary.  Not only did Qatar get everything on time, but I was given one of those great seats at the front of the row with tons and tons of legroom. 

The flight was on time, Mike met me and now we’re in a hotel in the 5^th arrondissement three floors up where they bring you breakfast in your room.  I feel like Mr Salteena, the chap in Daisy Ashford's Young Visiters, who goes visiting and can't get over the fact that he is served tea in bed.  "Tea in bed," he shouts to his friend, Ethel Montagu, "I have had some tea in bed".  We've had breakfast on our room and it was lovely.   We’re staying here till Wednesday then coming back to Cherveix.  

 The whole trip has been grand.  I’ve met with nothing but kindness the whole time I’ve been away.  I'm glad to be back. But I think I've become addicted to blogging and won't stop now.