Friday, 18 April

Another busy week... and already it's the weekend! This week there was a farewell party for a friend, Renato, from the Italian Delegation to the OECD. Then on Tuesday I went to a concert of French chanson at the Sorbonne (photos below). Wednesday I found myself waiting for an hour in the opticians (luckily I bought a good book with me). Afterwards I went to a post-funeral gathering in honour of my friend Charles who died recently.

The concert at the Sorbonne was not musically great. Though from a cultural point of view it was interesting. The music was the kind of music you can hear in small cafés - piano, accordeon, guitar. The music was mostly French and written by the musicians. The ambience in the auditorium where the concert was held was quite jovial, with people clapping and singing along...

Pianist

Accordianist

This weekend I am going to London again.. I have been to London quite a lot recently! Lately I just have the feeling that I want to leave Paris.. I think I need a holiday. No chance of that until June - but I'm looking forward to planning a nice trip somewhere sunny. In May I will be going to Moscow for a few days, but I don't think I'll have much time to relax - It'll be my first time there, so I think I will be running around with curiousity!

Monday, 14 April

At the weekend I went to London! It was nice to be in my home-town again - lately I find myself missing it... Nowadays I think I know Paris much better than London. When I was walking around town I realised that so much has changed in my absence (I last lived there in 2003). Anyway, I enjoyed rediscovering the city - usually when I'm in London I am too busy meeting people and shopping to just look around. On Sunday I went for a walk around Westminster and along the River Thames - here are some photos:

Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower

Victoria Tower is part of the Houses of Parliament (or Westminster Palace). It houses the Parliament archives. The Houses of Parliament can be visited by the public - it is best to go on Wednesday afternoon, when the Prime Minister is speaking.

Here's a view along the River Thames towards Westminster Bridge - on the left the Houses of Parliament and on the right the London Eye:

River Thames

... and a panoramic view of the Houses of Parliament:

Housess of Parliament

Here is a vertigious view of the London Eye. The other day I read that it broke down, leaving passengers stranded - I decided not to risk it!

London Eye

Thursday, 10 April

Today I went to a reading at the Irish Cultural Centre in Paris. The centre always has a very good programme with some interesting readers. The reading today was of poetry by Michael Coady and Paul Durcan. I especially like the Centre because of its venue. The building is set around a large and leafy courtyard with tables and chairs. Before readings visitors are offered a free drink - I usually have a Guinness to enjoy fully the cultural experience:

Guinness at the Irish Cultural Centre