Subjectively, it may not be one of the best sunset views in the world with all the clutter of live-aboard boats and a footbridge marring it, but emotionally it could very well be the best cruising sunset view of them all.
The July Column in the place de la Bastille might have more symbolism attached to it than any other monument on the planet, its sixty tonnes of bronze and entombed victims, remembering or perhaps celebrating the “three glorious days” of the destruction of the Bastille, but for us it’s a sign that we are “home”.
I suppose it’s just another one of lots of places we call home really, but there’s something magical about staying in the Arsenal, that little pleasure boat port where we have spent many long evenings with friends aboard, watching the sun glinting off the “Spirit of Freedom” atop the column, the Opera House reflecting an incandescent golden glow like some giant radiator fighting the inevitable cool of the evening. It’s impossible to convey all that means to us with a simple snapshot.
That beacon is a constant reminder- “We are in Paris”.
It’s been many years since we’ve been here on our boat, and the port basin isn’t big enough to hold all of the memories we have of our times in this place, so when Pamela and Pat invited us to stay for a time, to reminisce and to make some more, we felt it would be rude to say no.
Meanwhile, back in Diksmuide Thijs and his merry band are occupied chopping new holes in our boat, and filling old ones, so it is a very good time to be as far away from the actual work being undertaken as “five glorious apps”, our hired car and a couple of trains, a metro ride and a bit of a walk could take us.
2 comments
I love the photo, but keeping up with you too ….? 😬
We are in travelling mode I guess, not cruising mode!
Post a Comment