First of all, it's spring in Paris. Rather early, because last year at this time (March 16), there was snow on the ground. See all the daffodils in the Jardin du Luxembourg.
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| Spring comes to the Jardin du Luxembourg |
The very warm temps (as high as 72 degrees) and a stationary high pressure over Paris have caused a severe pollution problem these past few days. Particulate matter is too high--90 ppm which is considered dangerous to one's health--people are advised not to exercise and children not to play outside! Tomorrow only cars with odd numbered license plates will be permitted to drive into the city!
A Birthday party
A French friend invited us to her birthday party. Her apartment was not large enough, but she has a friend with a large country house in Dampierre en Yvelines, about 45 minutes south east of Paris. So we went invited and went to a birthday party for grown ups. It included a big dinner, and everyone brought desserts, and I of course brought American apple pie, which I made after much experimentation (the flour in France is different that in the states, so it took a while to find the right flour and the best cooking apples! C'etait un succès (it was a success). There was dancing, including by the teenage kids of the host and birthday lady, and many of us stayed overnight, since the party ended around 3 am.
The next morning was a beautiful, sunny and warm day. The particulate matter alert in Paris didn't seem to apply in Dampierre. We all had breakfast outside, as people woke up and wandered down for breakfast. After, Chuck and I walked through the little town of Dampierre en Yvelines, and to the local chateau. Not a huge palace like the Chateau de Versailles, but something still rather big--more like a big country estate. Below are photos of the town and also the Chateau.
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| The local pond (once part of the chateau) |
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| The chateau of Dampierre |
Sounds like so much fun. Keep an eye out for my firemen in the Gardens!
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