1 st January 2024 - Blog continues at 20Arrt.

Breakfast in the lounge was a surprise. The hotel does not have a large kitchen and the meal offerings are pretty basic but the full buffet was a delight.

 Last night, we were told, there were 1 million people on the Champ Elyeese and 90,000 police on duty. This morning, at 10.00 am when we departed, the streets were empty, clean as a whistle and deathly quiet. A public holiday for sure but we noticed on the drive up to the apartment that some of the bistrots and cafes were open. Jolly good.

 Our taxi to the new digs in the 20 Arrt. was an easy drive and we managed the two flights of stairs to a roomy one bedroom apartment home exchange, owned by a musician and comedienne couple who are in the US for a few weeks. An admin day today. Unpacking, repacking, rearranging loads and wondering what can now be done without. Making shopping lists for the seven nights we are here and wandering off later to see what we can find in our neighbourhood.  

 Monoprix supermarket delivers some basics, but they are not permitted to sell alcohol today. Flashy helps himself to the owner’s opened but still OK red, as he makes pumpkin soup requested by Lady P. Bloody delicious of course. Playing Lou Reed on vinyl in this apartment. They have an eclectic taste in music, so it might be fun.

 Finally got onto their wifi, after calling them in the US. It’s their first home exchange, so we roll with the punches. An early night after Googling instructions for the washing machine. It’s OK to say “please play the piano” yes, there’s one here, but a basic note to say how to operate appliances, whose instructions are in French – well basic really. Luckily Flashy can workout a few words in French so he has the kitchen under his steely control.


9 guitars, 2 ukes and a piano











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