Some notes and photos on my home exchange to Paris last weekend:

http://www.autolycus-london.blogspot.com

http://www.flickr.com/photos/patrick...7601670143924/

"Weekend home exchange"

I'm sure it's in the blog somewhere. But how do you organise a WEEKEND swap? Or even a week?

Never occurred to me before. But it sounds a terrific way of grabbing a few days in Rome - or New York.

You make friends with people....

No, seriously, the whole point about home exchange is that it's down to whatever suits both parties, by prior negotiation, once the initial contact has been made. In this case, this was a contact I've known for some years who can only get away for short periods; at other times, it's been people who were new to exchanging and preferred a short break as a way of trying it out. Be warned, though, the amount of cleaning you need to do before you hand your home over is just the same, however long you're going to be away.

Lovely pictures and I enjoyed reading your blog too. Thanks for sharing.

Patrick, I've been going through your Flickr France albms. Some great stuff. I love:
The BHV floor plan,don't recall seeing it and I agree it's pretty darn clever.
The copper pot sign (chandelier) - a beauty.
The "closed for the Olympics" sign at the restaurant.
The "communal staircase" makes me weary. (I have 5 flights to my own apartment)
The straight up view from under the Tour Eiffel - would make a great rug.

Anyway, thanks for sharing all the pictures, which help, slightly, to mitigate the envy of running over to Paris for the weekend.

TC

Thanks TC, I wouldn't be surprised if BHV hasn't replaced that particular display already.

Thanks for the vicarious weekend in Paris. I identified with the artist's project recording people reading Proust in two page segments that will last until 2050; I am making my way through it at that very pace.

The cleaning before the home exchange is why I could never do an exchange of our main residence. The vacation house on Cape Cod, on the other hand... Any takers from across the pond?

some wonderful photos taken at odd angles, making the often photographed look new. I never have been to the Musee des Arts Forains. It looks like fun.
thanks for my Paris fix. I yearn to go back.

Thanks for sharing, more interesting things to see.

Very very nice, Patrick.

Will look at it more later. How did you get the Nymphéas to yourself long enough to film them uncluttered with fellow art lovers?

What great photos, Patrick, thank you! I am off to read your blog.

Nikki, I am currently on p. 230 of Within a Budding Grove (Moncrieff translation b/c ultra-cheapo hard copies at my local used bookstore). Previously had only read Swann's Way. I read Proust solely on my commute to/from work. It's taking a while. A very long while.

Patrick, your photos of Montreal and Quebec are very beautiful as well.

Your blog is always super well done, Patrick.

The CentQuatre, however, was never a warehouse. It w

Your blog is always super well done, Patrick.

The Cent Quatre, however, was never a warehouse. It was the Paris municipal undertaker center. I made a photo thread about it here with quite a few shots of the 'Villa Arpel': http://tinyurl.com/dhgzz9

Thanks for that, kerouac, I knew there was a connection with undertakers, but not exactly how it worked. Still, I suppose that's a sort of warehouse..!

Leely, I think I have you beat for the ultra-cheapo volume (as well as duration of study). Livre de Poche rather than hardcover, but I'm on page 389 of Du Cote de Chez Swann, purchased for $1.25 at the University of Chicago Bookstore in September, 1969.

Granted, there was a forty year hiatus.

If I ever get to the next volume, I'll have to pay a little more. Maybe when I get to France in September.

"The vacation house on Cape Cod, on the other hand"

How does it feel about dogs?

Nice pictures, Patrick - I especially like your gargoyles!

Flanner, I don't think so, but I have an idea...
NKermish at hotmail

Patrick, Coffee and your Pictures, nice way to start the morning. Thanks...