Tuesday 2 October 2012

October thoughts on a Paris summer

Since the cold and wet are upon us, and for no other reason, I have been playing with images from this summer one last time  


- these from Paris in June -


as a farewell to the season before I embrace the autumn, as I've been asked to do by kind and persuasive Marsha for an international blog posting (see here).


But why surrender just yet to the closing in of darkness on gloomy London days when you could be dreaming of Paris in the summer ... nursing a petit noir on a sunny pavement of a morning while watching the passers by ...


... moving on to a little kir or pastis at lunchtime, and a chilled Sancerre for the evening apero ... voilà, your chairs are ready and lined up for the entertainment of watching the passing parade


oh to be a flâneur in Paris ... Susan Sontag's 'voyeuristic stroller'. Though oops, this one below has crept in from Berlin - I just loved the range of intent expressions, of watchers and watched ...


You can see and be seen by beautiful people at Chez Julien on the bank of the Seine 


or take a bottle down to the river bank and stretch out on sun-warmed stone


(Vanessa Paradis can help you get the mood, though her sweet little ditty gets a bit repetitive, be warned)

Vanessa Paradis La seine.mp3
Found at bee mp3 search engine



On a quiet pedestrian bridge closed to traffic 


there's an accordionist on hand with saccharine music for lovers


a magician's dogs patiently wait their turn to entertain


and Notre Dame glows in late evening sunshine


I'll get to welcoming the autumn, just give me a moment longer ...

11 comments:

  1. I just came back from Paris, but these beautiful pictures make me long to return. I never take the beauty of Paris for granted and enjoy every moment there, except , perhaps on these cold, dreary, rainy days of late fall and winter...

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  2. Oh my, I do so love your take on "Thoughts of October" Karen. This is unexpected and delightful.
    And, the photo collages make me smile, as I can still recall all those exact scenes in my mind, memories of not so long ago. Beautiful collection and a beautiful thought. Thank you so so much for being with us for "By Invitation Only." You add so very much to our international group. I am so happy you are here. xx's

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  3. What wonderful memories of summer's splendour in Paris!

    Why not jump on a plane and come to Vienna? Glorious blue Indian Summer sky stretches over the city, and the weather forecast promises more of the same for days to come!

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  4. That's done it. I've had no longing for Paris of late - until now. You have captured what draws me there, the chairs, really, and all the places to sit and watch and experience the light and the people.

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  5. Oh my word, Karen...how I loved this post!!!! Your pictures are Gorgeous and they brought back sooo many memories from my visit to Paris... I am itching to pack my bags...Love, love the collages!

    Thank you so much for your kind comment and encouragement!

    Sending hugs and Cape Town Love!!

    V

    xx

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  6. Karen, I skipped through these Parisian scenes earlier today, and now have given myself the treat of a return view. You have reminded me of some fine April days I spent in Paris so long ago, and given me more inspiration for another visit...perhaps next year.

    Many thanks. xo

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  7. Spectacular pictures Karen
    jaw-dropping really
    I don't know how you do it.
    Come visit when I'm in Paris and show me how-to
    ! ! !

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  8. You have really captured it!
    So real, so captivating, I almost forgot my autumnal New England surroundings here and felt the warmth of soleil sur pierre, watched the Seine ripple by (helped by your sound bite), enjoyed all the beautiful people. I like the saccharine music of that accordionist!
    Like Carol, I don't know how you do it! Especially because you make it look easy ---and it really really isn't.

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  9. wonderful images for beautiful memories
    meravigliose immagini per bellissimi ricordi
    Ciao Eleonora

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  10. wonderful images i like the bridge and the dog is so cute.. The fashionable people around and pleasant atmospheric..very nice post.
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  11. Very nice post. you have cover all spots here. i love the window design and beautiful bridge and cute dog their on bridge. Very nice post.
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