We had one last cappuccino then the Humphries took me to Linate (about 35 minutes). Caught Easyjet (truly easy) to Paris, then hopped on the OrlyVal train two stops and changed to RER B into the city. (NB – hang onto the little metro ticket as it is needed to exit from the train, as well!).
Exited at Luxembourg Gardens, noted the new photos on the fence (bugs instead of World War I photos this time) and walked through the park and north to the apartment – maybe 10-15 minute walk on a truly gorgeous day! Mark was awake and cheerful despite major challenges getting here (Chicago FAA tower fire caused havoc on his departure – he found out at 10PM Sat night that he was going to have to leave at 6 AM for Houston/Dulles/Paris instead of 2PM for Chicago/Paris).
Gretchen soon arrived with groceries and while M took a snooze, G & I caught up a bit. We started preparing dinner and realized we were still missing a couple of ingredients so I popped down to Carrefour while she started dinner. (After standing in line with items, including lemons, I had to go back to the fruit/veggie area and weigh my items and get a sticker – I always forget that!). Dinner was smoked salmon with a Greek yoghurt/lemon/chive sauce, capers, boiled eggs, salad. Gretchen’s and Luigi’s friend Gabriel Poloni joined us and we had a delightful conversation. I kept thinking of friends in Wichita that I would like to have had at the table with us.
We had a quick FaceTime with Katharine and Martha at bedtime – Mark was nearly asleep and when Martha wasn’t getting much of a response to her “Ciao Papi’s” and “Good Night Papis” she began to get a worried look on her face so Mark finally lifted his head off the pillow to say good night and Martha was OK. 🙂
Hither, Yon and Skies 