Fish la Boissonnerie

Click on the menu for a larger version.

Paris was incredibly kind to us. We had not been for over 30 years and last time spent our days walking, talking, drinking, eating and sleeping. And nothing has changed.

The highlight this time was to meet up again with Cousin Drew Harre. Drew and I had last met each other at Tinopai around 40 years ago where, I seem to remember, we went with Malcolm on a successful rabbit hunt. Armed with telephone number from Bib I contacted Drew and arranged to meet him at his restaurant Fish la Boissonnerie at 69 Rue de Seine.

It was a wonderful meeting and we seemed to talk as if we had known each other for a long time, which we had at least in pure time! The time with Drew and the venue bought back memories of his grandmother, my Auntie Marge, and her fabulous Town and Country Roadhouse at Albion, Oratia, Auckland. Fish la Boissonnerie for me was redolent of Auntie Marge and the Roadhouse.
It was wonderful too, to be able to introduce Gina to another Harre. I think that Auntie Marge, and my Grandparents, Lat and John, were in the restaurant with us, along with a whole lot of other family!

The meal was fantastic and the menu of the day is above. Drew chose us a wonderful bottle of Hubert Lamy Saint-Aubien 1ER Cru 2005 which complemented the food beautifully. It was simply the best food and wine we have had in Europe. Superb sauces setting off food apparently cooked in a simple way. And no wonder as when I rang Dave and Barb of Oratia I was told that the restaurant had been voted 1 of the best 10 in Paris.

Thank you Drew for a wonderful evening that Gina and I will never forget. We are really looking forward to seeing you over here very soon!

As well as Fish, Drew also owns Cosi, across the street, which is a cafe style restaurant serving Drew's flat Italian bread with fillings and wonderful fresh ingredients all in a very informal atmosphere. The following day we went for lunch and again, at the risk of going into over-superlative mode, it was beautiful food, simply served.

More to come on Paris soon.

London

London in December was cold, grey and extremely welcoming! We stayed at Adrienne's superb pad, had a wonderful time with Adrienne and Luc and got to know London a lot better.

The highlight of our stay was the time we spent with them. Lots of good wine and whiskey (Talisker, no less!), and chats about catching up things, family and the like. Also the walks around London and the visit to Adrienne's new jewellery boutique in Chelsea. I was reminded about how talented numerous members of our family are and how this has been so for generations. Adrienne's particular design expertise and flair reminded me of Auntie Briar, one of New Zealand's first and foremost potters. The jewellery is exquisite.

You'll notice a link to Adrienne's web site on the left column of the blog at the top.

We visited the Tate Modern with the initially controversial work which is a long crack stretching the length of the entire building.

Generally we followed the river and saw how the other half live. And how the river emphasises the development of the railways and the huge role they have played in the development of the UK and the Europe in general. A wonderful legacy from Britain.

A sign near to the Globe Theatre asking Buskers, in a stylish way, to desist.

The Royal Courts of Justice and the George Hotel Across the road.

St Bride Church. It's steeple was the inspiration for layered wedding cakes.

We spent New Year's Eve in a local Ethiopian restaurant and then went on to Luc's Talisker back at the pad.

Cold at Covent Garden

Kiwi Cabbage Trees in Central London

We finished this trip to London with a visit to the Wyndam Theatre and a performance of "The History Boys". We were in the front row of the stalls and the seats were excellent. One could see every nuance of the acting. What a show! Thanks Luc!

Christmas Day 2007- Copt Hewick

The following are a few pix taken by members of the family at Copt Hewick on Xmas Day. A thousand thanks to Brian and Judith for making such a wonderful day possible.

The pix are of limited interest to anyone but those in them. I haven't labeled them but you will recognise some of us. Nick had to work either side of Xmas day and so he and Amy couldn't get down from Edinburgh. We missed them both.

Don't do it Ed!

!!Season's Greetings!!

The Ripon Canal in November.
Cold and still - awaiting ice.

At this time of the year our thoughts turn even more to home, family and friends.

Truly home thoughts from abroad.

Thank you for your emails and phone calls through the year.

Have a marvellous festive season and a happy and prosperous new year.

Arohanui from us both.

Especially good wishes to my colleagues at MIT who are having more than just a little to cope with at present..

Hola Gaudi! The Temple Sagrada Familia

Barcelona has treated us to 4 days of perfect weather: cloudless, windless days at 15 degrees. What a relief after the 6 degrees and cold grey of you-know-where!

To say that we were overwhelmed with Barcelona would be an understatement. The Gaudi buildings we visited, all built or renovated in the early 2oth Century are simply sensational combinations of faith, artistry, skill and function.

For me Barcelona was, on this visit, simply Gaudi. So I am not going to say too much but just share the pictures with you in the hope that you may come and visit for yourself. Suffice to say that on first glance some of the buildings appear rather "way out" in their form. For example straight lines do not appear where they may be expected. But on even short acquaintance they show themselves as superbly practical and beautiful.

Gaudi was extremely religious and his churches are truly organic as he uses the forms of nature to shout his beliefs. Initially over-elaborate to my taste they quickly enveloped me with their subtlety and Grace. To this agnostic, visiting his buildings was a moving experience.

I remember the surprise and delight I experienced when, years ago, I discovered fossilised sharks' teeth in the foothills of the Southern Alps in NZ. The impossibility of this absolute truth and the dawning of the reason for it was reminiscent of my experience in this church as I realised that Gaudi has used the natural forms of trees and branches to build his Temple.

The Temple Sagrada Familia
Still under construction and planned to be finished,
through public donations, by 2025