A wonderful afternoon chez John and Carol...thanks so much!

Carol always makes a fabulous lunch...this time "rubbed salmon"...wow! And we had lots of great conversation and exchange of writers, ideas, and cool stuff on the Internet. And I got their copy of Kate Atkinson's latest book, "Big Sky". I love that they buy these as soon as they come out. It was going to be forever for me to get it on hold. Perfect timing as I was really anxious to get a good book to read. Atkinson never disappoints for me.

John is mugging for the camera but he has been having some leg problems so not a complete joke. We hope things will get back to normal soon. John is so active that it's tough to have to slow down.

On not reading books...

I usually finish books I start but with all these books and authors mentioned in the FB group The British Bookclub I find I often don't agree with the recommenations. I am much more successful when I choose authors I've read about, reviews that appeal to me and recommenations from friends. But it is still fun to try these books and I am also reminded of authors I sort of forgot about.

Some rejects:

"The Woods" by Tana French. This seemed quite promising but then I realised I had read it and didn't like her writing after all.

"Round Ireland with a Fridge" by Tony Hawks.  This was recommended as being hilarious. I don't read much humour so that I'd give it a try and I liked the idea of experiencing all these places we visited in Ireland. I gave that one up pretty quick.

"A Darkness of the Heart" by Gail Bowen.  Not my cup of tea. Too bad because she's written a lot and they are mysteries.

"The Crossing Places" by Elly Griffiths. This seems good but it is somewhat familiar and yet not really. I'll have to give it a bit more time.

“Unsheltered” by Barbara Kingsolver. I’m about half way through and thinking of giving it up. It’s actually very good as you would expect and has various important social messages but I think I need something a bit lighter at the moment.

Out to Crescent Beach yesterday

Well, the sun didn't shine but it was amazingly fresh and great to get out for a drive. Donna's suggestion and we all enjoyed it. It was drizzling while we walked on the beach but not a problem since the air was so wonderful....ozone from the rain and the smell of seaweed. Our families didn't tend to go to Crescent Beach. We always seemed to go to White Rock. I think the beaches are sandier and there is that great pier that is almost repaired now from the big storm.

We had lunch at The Cabin. I believe the structure is about 100 years old. There was lots of old ski decor as well as old golf clubs and tennis racquets...all sports we have participated in.  There are a lot of restaurants in this beach area. I imagine they are all pretty packed when it's a great day. We didn't have any trouble parking.

Well, never hunting, of course.

There were a lot of very cool houses and cabins on the waterfront. I was attracted to this one because of the white picket fence and the blue stairs. A highlight of my life was getting paid $5 to paint our white picket fence when I was a kid.

Palais Garnier

Donna just came back from a Sante Fe opera tour and mentioned one of the operas she saw was Tosca. That reminded us of the time we saw Tosca in Paris at the Palais Garni er in 1972. It was a pretty spectacular performance beginning with a chorus with a couple of hundred singers and four horses to boot on stage!  The seats we had were "demi-visibilité" (half view). There were actually some which were "sans-visibilité" (no view). The seats were in a room about 6' x 4' but you did have to strain your neck to see the stage. 

About half way through the performance an American woman knocked on the door and asked if she could sit with us (there were extra chairs and I guess the usher said there was room) as she had bought tickets very high up so she could see the famous painted ceiling but was getting dizzy.  

So I looked up this famous painted ceiling and found out it was by Marc Chagall! At the time, it wouldn't have meant anything to us.

Chagall’s magnificent ceiling in Paris’s Opéra Garnier, a masterwork that was unveiled on this day in 1964.

The nearly 2,600-square-foot canvas, which required a staggering 440 pounds of paint, was not initially so well received, however. When French Minister of Culture André Malraux announced the commission for the project in 1960, many were outraged by the prospect of a modernist painter—and a foreign-born one, at that—taking his brush to the ceilings of Charles Garnier’s neo-Baroque masterpiece. But Chagall’s passion for the project won out.

Completed over the course of eight months in various Paris studios, the canvas commemorated contemporary and historic composers, actors, and dancers, evoking the transformative power and beauty of art through the rich color and composition for which Chagall was known. The work quickly won over many early doubters and became a benchmark for integrating modernism into France’s historic landmarks: A year later André Masson would be commissioned to create a new ceiling for the Théâtre de l’Odéon. Chagall’s ceiling is now one of the Opéra’s most popular attractions.

More photos from this very interesting link. The writer mentions that dress is smart business now but when we were there the men were in tuxedos and women in formal gowns except for us and a few other stray tourists. I was wearing red "hot pants" (a short pants jumpsuit)...the most dressy thing I had! And he mentions you don't need to tip the ushers. Well, our usher rattled her bag of change so not much choice for us at that time.

https://independenttravelcats.com/attending-a-performance-at-the-palais-garnier-tips-and-advice-on-going-to-the-paris-opera-garnier/

Hmm....I think perbaps I posted something like this before. I guess I forgot it was Chagall. Ah well...pretty pictures!
Update:  Actually she didn't see Tosca in Sante Fe....looks like I got a lot wrong.

A new cat café

It's nice to see another one opening up and I'm sure it will help many more cats finding good homes.

What's Catoro?

Catoro Cafe is a brand new cat cafe located in Vancouver, BC. We house rescue cats to temporarily live while also being a neighbourhood retreat and bubble tea cafe that allows our community to come relax and relieve stress by bonding with our friendly cats. We hope you can join us!

“Time spent with cats is never wasted.”—Sigmund Freud 

Milltown Bar and Grill

Donna introduced us to this pub which is situated by the Fraser River and overlooking the planes coming into Vancouver Airport or you can get a view of the marina on the other side. We took the side that viewed the planes although I didn't manage to get any photos of the planes but it was really cool to watch. A beautiful evening to be riverfront and the food was excellent. And then we were treated to ice cream and blueberries and nuts chez Donna. So lovely...thank you so much!

Jim had their turf and surf special which was an excellent 8 oz steak although you don't see it as it's hidden by the crab. I encouraged him to get this as I knew he wouldn't want to fiddle much with the crab so I got most of it!

Donna and I both got the halibut and chips...excellent as well.

OVERLOOK THE MARINA
OR WATCH THE PLANES LAND

We have water views
on each side

Opened in 2014 and situated on Richmond Island, Milltown Bar & Grill is the only restaurant in the lower mainland that has two unique waterfront patios. With our rustic Westcoast décor, you’ll enjoy an intimate/cozy dining experience with expansive views.
North, we look over the mountains and the brand new Milltown Marina and our south patio looks over the Fraser River and the main YVR runway.

Our Gallery

Not my photos but we were treated to planes coming in all during dinner.

Now that is hot, hot, hot!

Palm Springs hits 121 degrees, topples 50-year-old temperature record

One way to stay cool! I'm glad Canyon Sands has cooling fountains in the pools in the summer time. Folks who live there year round say it does help.

Wonderful sunset tonight...wow!

Itty Bitty Book Review: "Jane Austen: A Life"

 "Jane Austen: A Life" by Carol Shields.

Just so loved this biography of Jane Austen.  I never read biographies but this was short and by Carol Shields...who I  admire so much as a novelist.  I just may re-read some of Jane Austen...Emma, perhaps. Although I'm not really a reader of classics, I read them when I was doing a degree in English but I really love current literature and always have.

Vancouver Mural Festival

I think we should try to take this in this year and I guess we'll see murals from other years as well.

"This year’s program includes 10 days of events, starting Thursday with the opening of an art exhibit featuring 90-plus original works from mural fest alumni and culminating on Aug. 10 with the massive Mount Pleasant Street Party and concert at Jonathan Rogers Park.

“There’s so much, and we really want to try to have stuff that’s interesting to everyone,” said the festival’s executive director David Vertesi.

Twenty-five new murals are currently in the works and will be completed in time for the Aug. 10 street party. This year’s lineup of artists includes world-renowned muralists and street artists, such as Australia’s Fintan Magee, ONEQ from Japan, Germany’s SatOne and Medianeras, who hails from Argentina, as well as local talents KC Hall and Pablo Zamudio."

https://www.vancouverisawesome.com/2019/08/01/vancouver-mural-festival-2019/?utm_source=Vancouver+Is+Awesome+Weekly&utm_campaign=45105930f7-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_7_28_2019_8_30_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_f592a7afc0-45105930f7-136521497

'Karma Cat' by Krystle Cole, USA

This came up on FB and I was quite attracted to it so looked up her website.
https://www.krystlecole.com/?page=2

She does a lot of animal stuff but I was also quite interested in these "abstracts".  I have been thinking of doing something abstract. I seem to do a lot of thinking about getting back into doing art:)

Could my attraction to these be because they are a bit Mondrian like?

Some of my favourite things from France

This photo was part of a post on Linda's blog. Just loved everything about it. Tile roof, white stucco, bougainvillea, black wraught iron, and that wonderful blue of the door and shutters.

Celebration of Light celebration

Maureen and I had lunch at The Sylvia yesterday and she was especially celebrating the last fireworks that will take place Saturday. The fireworks do get "old" for people who have been living in the West End for many years. More and more road closures and problems now that they have added all sorts of "cabanas" and places where food and drink is served. She couldn't even get out of the West End Wednesday morning because of all the trucks making deliveries for all these new food events!

They do give pleasure to a lot of people and we enjoyed having our magnificent view of them when we were on Beach Avenue but we are not missing being basically imprisioned on those days when they take place.

See saws across the border...love this!

Children and a man play seesaw installed between the border fence that divides Mexico from the United States in Ciudad de Juarez, Mexico, Sunday, July 28, 2019. (Photo: Christian Chavez, AP)

In a fluorescent show of unity across the border, a set of bright pink seesaws were installed between the United States and Mexico with children bopping up and down along the divide.

Designed by University of California Berkeley architecture professor Ronald Rael and San Jose State design professor Virginia San Fratello, the installation popped up over the weekend at Sunland Park, New Mexico, near El Paso and Ciudad Juárez.

Photos and videos showed children and adults on both sides of the border playing on the seesaws Sunday.

"The wall became a literal fulcrum for U.S.–Mexico relations and children and adults were connected in meaningful ways on both sides with the recognition that the actions that take place on one side have a direct consequence on the other side," Rael said in a statement.

British Bookclub group on FB

Susan K. is really into this now and it has started her reading a lot again. Someone mentioned they were reading Tana French's "In the Woods".  This is how it starts. Reading reviews of French it seems that once you start you end up reading all her novels. A pretty good beginning. I think I may become a fan.  And I love that it is set in Ireland.

"Picture a summer stolen whole from some coming-of-age film set in small-town 1950s. This is none of Ireland’s subtle seasons mixed for a connoisseur’s palate, watercolor nuances within a pinch-sized range of cloud and soft rain; this is summer full-throated and extravagant in a hot pure silkscreen blue. This summer explodes on your tongue tasting of chewed blades of long grass, your own clean sweat, Marie biscuits with butter squirting through the holes and shaken bottles of red lemonade picnicked in tree houses. It tingles on your skin with BMX wind in your face, ladybug feet up your arm; it packs every breath full of mown grass and billowing wash lines; it chimes and fountains with birdcalls, bees, leaves and football-bounces and skipping-chants, One! two! three! This summer will never end. It starts every day with a shower of Mr. Whippy notes and your best friend’s knock at the door, finishes it with long slow twilight and mothers silhouetted in doorways calling you to come in, through the bats shrilling among the black lace trees. This is Everysummer decked in all its best glory."

Finally a swim in the ocean yesterday....

It was sunny and the water was very warm. We went around 5pm and the tide was pretty much in by then. We had a very persistent seagull stalking us for food even before we started our dinner from the concession. He didn't get anything and did eventually make a very loud vocal protest...still to no avail. Poor thing. He even pecked in the sand to make himself more pathetic, I guess.

Itty Bitty Book Review: "The House of Unecpected Sisters"

"The House of Unecpected Sisters" byAlexander McCall Smith

Very light summer reading but his usual wisdom which never gets old somehow.

Empire Landmark and Cloud 9 Restaurant....end of an era for us.

We had so many wonderful times in the revolving restaurant. We always went there when we visited  Vancouver when we were living in Victoria and then so many times when we lived in the West End.  The bar had $7 appies and three made a dinner for the two of us.  Good-bye, old friend. I think the final end of the demolition was a month or so ago. I didn't really want to think about it. but it is gone from the landscape now that is for sure.  

https://www.straight.com/news/1242586/gradual-demolition-vancouvers-empire-landmark-hotel-captured-time-lapse-video

Bon Weekend from France

I found it quite interesting to read about the Opal Coast that she mentions and a bit surprised I hadn't heard of it before.  With seals basking on the sand no less!

Bonjour

Hope you had a great week.

Here it’s been sweltering as a heatwave has hit France and in my area, the top of northern France, Thursday was officially the hottest day on record and way hotter than in the south of France. My chickens dug holes all over the gardens and fluffed dirt all over themselves to keep cool and the garden now resembles the surface of the moon, craters everywhere, ready to catch me out.

There was only one thing for it – head to the beach. We have the most glorious beaches on the Opal Coast, and they’re surprisingly not that well known. Most visitors to France head straight to the south to seek the sun in Normandy and Brittany and all along the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast - they completely miss the far north. It means our beaches are rarely crowded even on the hottest days, and the seals that bask here often have the sand to themselves.

When I went on Tuesday night though, at 8 pm it was still over 30˚C and many others had the same idea as me, dinner on the sand and a cool dip in the water (see it here on Instagram, the beach I mean not me dipping, I wouldn’t do that to you!).

Despite the heat there were still queues at the friteries (chip shops) – not even the hottest weather on record stops northerners going for their chips (preferably in a baguette with a foot long saucisson)!

We’re set for a summer of sun here in France apparently, interspersed with thunderstorms like the one that’s going on at the moment as I sit here talking to you and writing posts for the website, huge drops of rain are falling, creating a miniature waterfall off the roof and onto my thirsty pot plants. 

Wishing you a very bon weekend wherever you are and I hope you enjoy this week's posts...

Bisous from France and wishing you a happy World Friendship day on 30 July. I really appreciate you subscribing to my newsletter, your messages and following me on social media...
Janine

Editor 

Katey and David come from London yesterday.

 Richard and Grace and Liz jointed us. Just once a year with Katey and David but always so much fun and talk of old times!