Will this be my blog?

Still deciding on a layout ...

With the Paris trip looming I had better be like The Thinker and make some decisions soon !

More Matters of Pink

This Spring I was fortunate to make a return visit to Claude Monet's superb garden at Giverny in France.

The house was as pretty (and pink!) as ever and the front beds were in full bloom with pink tulips and blue forget me nots - a heavenly combination.

Claude Monet lived in this charming house with his family from 1883 until his death in 1926.
He was happy here and painted so many of his magnificent works in the studio at Giverny. Even with failing eye sight he painted the Waterlilies series which now hang in the Orangerie near The Louvre in Paris. See them if you can!











The Clos Nomand is a sight to behold in summer when roses climb across these arches and in Autumn when colourful nasturtiums cover the pathway just as they did when Monet lived here.

Matters of pink

Mmmm Macaroons

It's morning tea time here at my place and I am just wishing I could pop into a Parisienne patisserie and purchase a few dainty delights.


Somehow the local Baker's Delight just doesn't cut the mustard for my macaroon fix !!


















Yes please, these will do...

Lovely lilacs

Just one of the many joys of Paris in the Springtime is the sight and smell of the lilacs...



At the fantastic Saxe - Breteuil street market...











In the parks...












In the florists...














...and in the stunning garden at Musee Rodin.
Always worth a visit.

A blooming good morning to you !

Still at Giverny enjoying Monet's garden....

















Forget me nots are the most beautiful blue, aren't they ?












Now we are in the garden at Malmaison, the delightful home of Napoleon and Josephine.











Some perfect peonies for you!

Bee happy!

A busy bee at work in the centre of a glorious flower is quite mesmerising I think.
Don't you agree?

As you can see I am purely practising in my visual diary for now...will I continue ?
To be decided!