A Paris Experience

I have just spent seven days in Paris on holiday with my sister. The weather was absolutely beautiful, every day sun and warmth.

Our apartment was centrally located on the outskirts of Paris in Belleville. It was quite a large village with a very nice church in the centre and lots of village shops, restaurants, cafes and of course wonderful patisseries much to the detriment of our figures.

We went out each morning to the metro and walked long distances each day visiting various places of interest. Having been in Paris three years ago we had seen most of the big attractions, however, we did return to Montmartre which I personally enjoyed.

We again took a trip on the Canals through Notre Dame and the East side of Paris. It was a really hot day and copious amounts of water was consumed. Each afternoon we would return to our apartment hot, exhausted and sore feet, but having had a marvellous time.

Paris is a very romantic city evident by the young and older couples walking hand in hand in leisurely conversation. Being school holidays there were also many families with young children. A very popular city for tourists of all cultures. I find it really rewarding when I can speak a few of the popular French words, I think it shows you try to fit in.

Our last day arrived and heading off to the Charles De Gaulle airport, the sun was hot and feeling a little sad to be leaving, we boarded our plane and said Au Revoir to France.

Arriving back in Bonnie Scotland to.........yes mist and rain, I will never get used the Scottish weather again as the winters in New Zealand are often like the Scottish summers. And so, back to cooler temperatures and for myself back to sweatshirt and track pants for warmth.


Have a lovely day

A Woodland Nature Walk

On a walk the other day I came across a lovely little woodland, Calais Muir, believed to be 120 years old, it had three way marked nature trails, of various distances. At the entrance of this woodland stood two very nice sculptures of wooden deer, apparently there are roe deer around and hopefully I will catch sight of one before my trip ends. There were also upright poles one of which had inscribed on it "Fairies, Goona, hags and Giants

During my walk I looked for a  buzzard's nest which apparently sits high on a tree, unfortunately, I was unable to find this, perhaps another day like the deer I hope to see.

I was amazed at the number of dogs that I encountered, all shapes and sizes and all perfectly behaved, so very relaxing and very nice to see. I do miss my own dogs when I am away, however, to see and be able to approach a strange dog to have a pat is always a bonus.

I am off to Paris with my sister for seven days to enjoy once again the sights we visited three years ago, namely the canals through Notre Dame and to Montmartre to once again find and listen to the Whistling Lady, a real treat, and of course to visit and sample the French patisseries with their delicious food. There are many sights and places to see, however, we enjoy the hospitality of the locals in the little village where we will be staying.

A tale to describe a "Hag"

An "ambivalent" character in Scottish myths was the "hag", the Goddess, the Gaelic Cailleach and the Giantess, a divine being who is harmful. The hag is also considered a "healer" and helpful during childbirth and is divine and said to have "long ancestry and incredible longevity". She is also known as "at once creator and destroyer, gentle and fierce, mother and nurturer"

Until next time," Au Revoir", when I may have some tales of my time in Paris.

Enjoy your day

The Scottish Kelpie

A week into my visit back to my homeland has been met with a very cold wind chill and dull days. However, today's outing which was a beautiful hot day took us to Falkirk, Stirlingshire, visiting the Falkirk Wheel and the home of the unique sculptures of the Scottish Kelpies

 

The Scottish Kelpie is a shape changing aquatic spirit of Scottish legend it's name may derive from the Scottish Gaelic words 'cailpeach' or 'colpach', meaning heifer or colt. Kelpies are said to haunt rivers and streams, usually in the shape of a horse.

 

But beware......these are malevolent spirits! The Kelpie may appear as a tame pony beside a river. It is particularly attractive to children - but they should take care, for once on it's back, t's sticky magical hide will not allow them to dismount! Once trapped in this way, the Kelpie will drag the child into the river and eat them.

These water horses can also appear in human form. They may materialize as a beautiful young woman, hoping to lure young men to their death. Or they might take on the form of a hairy human lurking by the river, ready to jump out at unsuspecting travellers and crush them in a vice-like grip.

A common Scottish folktale is that of the Kelpie and the ten children. Having lured nine children on to it's back, it chases after the tenth. The child strokes it's nose and his fingers become stuck fast. He manages to cut off his finger and escapes. The other nine children are dragged into the water, never to be seen again.


So the next time you are strolling by a pretty river or stream, be vigilant; you may be being watched from the river by a malevolent Kelpie........

Have a lovely day