Sunday Love

I adore Sundays for all the cliché reasons you see on the cosy television ads.  I love sleeping late and waking up in crispy white sheets with the sun peeping through the windows, children coming in to snuggle under the covers before the bouncing and giggles start.  I love the coffee that slowly pulls me from the last of my dreams so that I can pull on some clothes.  I love that the Sunday market will cover the square in front of the buildings above, abundant in fresh fruits, cheeses, and crunchy warm baguettes that are ripped apart as we've barely taken possession.  I love the life and the energy that comes on that square before the buzz goes quiet and all retreat indoors for a lunch en famille.  Wrapped up on the sofa's, newspapers will be read from front cover to back before an afternoon stroll or bike ride will complete the day. I could easily live a lifetime of Sundays.

Heavenly indulgence

Amongst the fall weather that has dominated Paris and the Yvelines throughout August, there have been jackpot days when golden sunshine has emerged, bright and warm.

This little guy soaked in it, as did we all. 

Diving head first into the centre of a wild flower, he drank away in her beautiful nectar before emerging covered in the fairy dust of pollen. So heavy was his binge, he had to take a minute to compose and prepare his wings before hiccupping off to the next flower.

A heavenly indulgence indeed.

Mille et Une Epices - Polaroid card set no.3

Strawberry Fields at the Ferme de Gally

Under the shade of the grey skies currently hovering over the Yvelines, is a farming land, full of colour, rich in flavor, and open the year long for harvesting by all who so desire.

With summer appearing to have decided on a premature exit this year, the last of the seasonal fruits are hanging in there, waiting to be plucked and quickly gobbled by the little fingers reaching up to pick them. 

On the edge of Versailles, and just a short twenty minute drive west of downtown Paris, lies the Ferme de Gally, a produce farm open to the public.  A wonderful example of community, the farm is an open picking ground where seasonal fruits, vegetables and flowers are grown and the gates are open year round to the public to harvest according to their needs, having tasted along the way.

We’ve long ago abandoned the purchasing of strawberries from countries that continue to fumigate with methyl bromide, so the arrival of strawberry season in the local fields is a time of indulgence chez nous. Elevated at chest height, row upon row of succulent Mara des bois strawberries grow, densely hanging, waiting for consumers to come along and pick direct from the producers.

Walking the fields, you’ll find yourself in the company of locals who come and select their weekly produce.  Retirees, wheelbarrows filled with hearty vegetables, share the fields with school groups on an exploration of nature.  Perhaps you’ll end up thick in the raspberry hedges, or as we found ourselves many times this summer, amongst the fields of strawberries where children reach high, grabbing at rich, juicy red fruit, smearing it on their cheeks as they gorge themselves on the luscious treats before they trundle off to the next.

With September drawing nearer, the days of the wonderful richness of the red summer fruits are numbered.  Soon, they’ll be long gone and replaced with pumpkins, squash and the vegetables of winter soups.  Heavy in flavour and warmth, but lacking the light happiness that comes with sweet summer fruits.

Despite the Beatles lyrics, the ‘strawberry fields’ will only linger for a few more weeks, not forever.  If you are after summer fruits and want to storm the fields like a revolutionary party after the likes of Marie Antoinette, time is running out. 

Take this as your official warning. 

NB: Before you set out, be sure to check the Gally website where you’ll find regularly updated information on the what produce is available any given week.

Reflections

It appears the gods are in battle over the control of the skies above Paris. 

Zeus seems to have cast a spell over the skies of Northern France and deemed summer 2010 to be cloudy and cooler than should be expected in August. With the cloud lingering long and heavy during the day, there have been only brief glimpses of the sun for many days now.

Then, as the evening arrives, Astraeus and his gentle winds have blown in and the clouds drift away allowing the stars come out, just in time from some last minute Perséides meteor watching. 

Whilst a little more warmth and sunshine would have been most welcome, the cloudy skies have made for a great canvas of reflections on the water during the day.  Then night arrives, and it's time to just lay back, look up at the skies and wish upon falling stars. Silent moments to reflect on the world around us.

 Perhaps the weather is like this for a reason.  Perhaps it's meant to be a summer of reflection.

More than Slightly Obsessed with Paris Plages

Yes, back to back posts on Paris Plages.  It can't be helped as these past few weeks I've been overtaken by the need to return time after time. 

I just can not get enough of it.

The people watching varies so differently each time, my favourite visit being last week when I snapped this photo.  There was a vibe in the air, lots of smiles all round and a wonderful sense of community. 

Camera in hand, I was back again.  This time taking a look in Black and White. My addiction raging, I'm already planning next week to include a stroll along the Quay.

Have you been yet?  If not, hurry, don't put it off any longer.