Paris - Day 5. Aug 12

Alas, today is going to be a down day.  Down not meaning down as in depressing.  Quite the contrary, it will be a relaxing day, a day of recovery.  I neglected to put in last nights commentary that I had a bit of a crash on the bike.  Or I should say the bike had a crash.  I have been using the Velib bike sharing program.  These bikes are tanks. They are heavy, not very nimble and certainly not quick to stop.  I was rolling along heading out of the city when a little 5 year old strayed across my path.  I tried to stop and veered off the curb.  The bike went down in a tumble but somehow I simply walked off of it while it was crashing. Oh yes, the 5 year old did not even know what she caused and was not affected.  I remained upright while the bike did it's crashing thing.  No bumps, no cuts, no bruises...  A seemingly uneventful occurrence.  But this morning my knee is being a bit of a pain and complaining of ill use. I must've torqued it as I walked off the ill fated bike.  Stairs seem to be problematic.  I know, I know, what a complainer...

I am therefore going to give it a rest rather than push it by walking through museums or exploring new parts of the city.  I have plenty of time for all that.  A leisurely day reclining along the Seine is just what is needed.

Yes, this is the ticket...  😊   

Relaxing on the right bank overlooking the Ille St. Louis, my home.  The guide book lists this little isle, my isle, as the most desirable address since the 17th century.

The bridge as seen in the photo as in all the bridges used to have homes built up upon them.  They were residences of the well todo.  The Pont Neuf bridge (1607) was the first to have just a bridge and no houses upon it.  In its day, it was a marvel in that people could walk across the bridge and have a view of the river.

Pont Neuf means new bridge.  Although it means new bridge, it is now the oldest bridge spanning the Seine.  All the others that used to have houses upon them have been replaced.  Just some fun facts for you...

Another view of my relaxing day on the Seine.  I feel quite safe... as you can see in the photo is a police boat patrolling the river with 4 heavily armed policemen aboard.

Here is another picture of the right bank.  They have brought in sand and made "beaches" along the way.  It really is quite nice to walk along the river.  There are quaint little cafes setup to enjoy the river views.  Ahhhh this is the life!

And here is a picture of where a rather famous person resided on the Ille St. Louis just down the street from me.

Madame Curie lived at this residence from 1912-1934.  

Now here is something that once you see it you can't unsee it:  (this is a disclaimer, if you have young children viewing at this time please remove them from the screen)

Here is a svelt French gentleman in his thong bathing suit (if you could call it a suit) partaking of the  great weather and sunbathing along the Seine.  I warned you...  You can't unsee that!

It was a beautiful day.  It started out cloudy but then became quite nice with a high of 79 (26C).  I think the cold front is through now.  😎

Here is what has become my favorite:

It is a Mille Femille which supposedly means a thousand layers.  I'm pretty sure it means a thousand calories, or more...  I get one from the little patisserie that is right around the corner from my flat.  I get one at night so that I have it for breakfast.  The problem is... it doesn't seem to make it til the morning. So I have to go back and get another the next morning.  The shop owner knows me now.  When I enter the shop he goes and gets one out for me.  Isn't that nice...

And lastly for today...

Sunset over the Seine, highlighting Notre Dame as viewed from right outside my place.  Nice!?