2 January 2024

According to Lady P, the spending for the holiday only starts on 1 Jan, so if we ignore NYE Champagne, food and accommodation, we’re pretty much on budget for daily Euro 100.

It rained for the first time of our visit last night and is still raining lightly this morning. May have to duck into Monoprix for a cheap umbrella before heading off to explore the west of Paris. We saw the temperatures in Helsinki this morning and as we will be there in a fortnight, the minus 12c and minus  19c being experienced gave us pause to reconsider additional layers that may be needed before we arrive rather than when we arrive there. Will have a look about at stores today.

Talking about clothing and the weather, our puffer jackets are brilliant but not waterproof. So, after heading to the café for coffee this morning, it became obvious, that in our quest for light baggage, we, that is Flashy, needs to find a solution that meets waterproof and warmth. You see, the Parisian don’t have that travel weight issue. They have a wardrobe full of fashionable items for every occasion.

Lady P’s cunning suggestion of using my black jacket (sort of waterproof and a bit formal) with a thermal under layer (toasty!), might work. In the light rain it did the job but I feel a Katmandu, bum covering, waterproof parker is on the agenda and I’ll dump he black jacket. Stay tuned.

Our expedition eventually got underway around mid day and we caught the Metro into Bourse and walked around the burbs a bit. Stocked up on essentials for dinner at Monoprix St Halles, including a bottle of Crozes Hermitage to accompany the planned braised chicken and vegetables for tonight.

Back at the apartment around 4pm and had the remainder of yesterday’s pumpkin soup, crusty baguette and Port Salut cheese. Food photo for Tas, who loves them so much!

The soup