Summer of 1987, a happy time

Monet's Garden and House in Giverney, July 1987

Our summer in Paris was in full swing.

Our house in Les Ombrage, Marly-le Roi was full of the coming and going of visitors and we were comfortable in the rhythm of living in France. I could shop and get by with my little bit of conversational French, I could move around with ease, and things felt familiar at last having lived in France for a year.

We maximised this summer of 1987, popping into Paris and St Germain-en-Laye, watching celebrations which the French do with such style.

Slightly further away, to the west of Marly was Giverney. I really loved my visits to Claude Monet's house in Giverney, particularly the yellow and blue kitchen which I have always coveted. These two colours have featured in my kitchen here at home too, a throw back to these visits.

The garden at Giverney is the highlight of any visit. My letter to Mom on the 16 July 1987, mentions these gardens; 'Quite beautiful especially the water-ponds and Japanese bridges, water lilies were in bloom and the garden was a riot of colour.'


The visit to the Bois de Boulogne with Shawni and Oma was another summer joy.

Just reading my letter brings back so many memories. The exhibits, Shawni swimming, riding the carousel, watching a puppet show, playing in the sandpit to find fossilised elephant teeth, all so wonderful.

I was even more excited than Shawni at the Babar exhibit.

'Babar the Elephant is a fictional character who first appeared in the French children's book Histoire de Babar by Jean de Brunhoff in 1931, and enjoyed immediate success'.

 Each elephant was about 10 inches and dressed by the top Parisien designers, elephants in Hermes scarves had me completely smitten.

I see Martie's travel plans were coming together too and she was due to visit in August. More on that in another blog.