Birthday! Turning 42 in Paris ... What a Great Distraction!

It was 20 years ago that I first came to Paris, with my friends Kate and Jaqii.  I was going to be away for 3 months and stayed for 14 .... most of that time being in London.  I never thought I would be back here celebrating my 42nd birthday .... but I now know that anything is possible.

 

Me, with Serge & Monique

Peter, Monique and Guillaume sang to me just after midnight ... I had gone to bed earlier as I was getting a cold and Monque had given me the "tiger balm & coin" treatment, which involves massaging Tiger Balm into the back and then scratching it with a coin, it is supposed to help release the fever.  It is best to go to bed afterwards and sleep, but I was still awake.

Thierry, Peter and me

The next day was a quiet one .. we were going to have lunch at a Mexican restaurant (as I LOVE Mexican food, or I should say Tex Mex.  Erika has taught me that what we think is Mexican cuisine is vastly different from the real thing).  Due to the cold/bug I thought it best to conserve my energy for the Irish Pub, Coolins, that we were going to later that night.

I made pizzas for lunch and Peter booked me an appointment at Emmanuel's to have my hair washed and dried ... luxury.  After that, I wandered around the streets for a while, looking for a pair of flat boots ... I came home empty handed :(

Big Brother and Me

Then it was home for a quick change and off with Guillaume to the Pub.  Peter was following with Monique later.  We also needed to see if G was allowed in as he is a minor.  The first guy we saw at the pub (we later found out was James) said it was no problem as long as he didn't drink whisky!  G was delighted and so was I, it wouldn't be the same without him and he had dressed up so beautifully.  Waiting for us at the pub were Erika and her friend Norman.  Erica is the fantastic girl from Mexico I met at Le Cordon Bleu and Norman is her friend of many years!

The edge of Serge's face, Erika and Norman

We went inside to find a table, it was packed and there were no tables.  We went to the bar to order our drinks and it was taking a while ... in the meantime Thierry arrived.  I thought this was Leanne's husband as I didn't know he was coming, but Leanne was! After some confusion, it turned out that Thierry is a good friend of Monique's and Peter's and he speaks perfect English.  We eventually got served and just before our drinks were delivered a gentleman offered us his table, three of them were leaving immediately and the other two after they had finished their drinks.  It turned out to be one of their birthdays too!  So we settled in and the night began.

G finally got something to eat!!

I had heard they played music at this pub, but not long after we sat down, all the TV's were turned on and we realised there was a soccer match being televised hence the huge crowd.  Peter and Monique arrived after 9pm and the table grew.  Last to come was Serge and Leanne.  It was a great night and I had lots of fun with my family and new-found friends.  I was happy to be in a pub, which is a bit more lively than a French bar or cafe! I was drinking Carona ... YUM!

 

Me with Leeanne

My brother had set up a a tab so ordering drinks was much easier, "just get them from James the Kiwi" he said.  I had a chat with James and noticed that his accent was Irish ... an opportunity to take the piss out of my brother!!

Peter and James

Guillaume left earlier with Serge as he was tired. We stayed until closing and were the last one's there.  James very kindly gave us all a glass of champagne to celebrate.

When I got home, G was not in his bed, I panicked, Peter said "he's in here, guarding your presents".  There on the couch was a huge pile of presents and G under a rug, all sleepy.

I was overwhelmed ... I was thoroughly spoiled and Monique and Peter had conspired with friends and family to buy me a bag I had found at Cotelac that I loved, but decided was too expensive.  I couldn't believe it when I saw the package!


Not to mention all the bakeware and cooking utensils that Peter, Mon and G gave me.  I got a French rolling pin, heart baking rings, silicon baking sheets, cylinders for shaping food and, piste resistance .... a piston!!

All is all, it was a great day and night and I feel very blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. I also not believe that life after 40 is as good as they say it is!!!