Antique buying in England & France

Call me obsessed, infatuated, or captivated by antiques. When it comes to shopping for them obsessed is a good descriptive word.   I look forward to my shopping trips abroad and am always eager to see what finds each trip will bring. I often visit small towns and villages while in France and of course, there is Paris.  Who can resist shopping in Paris? Not I.  And I will press on against all odds to get there.

Several years ago I had plans to meet my youngest daughter in Paris while I was on a buying trip.  I would be shopping during the day and we would meet some evenings for dinner.  She was staying with friends in Neuilly Sur Seine on the outskirts of Paris.  Three days before I was to leave I was jumping my horse and one of my stirrups broke over the fence.  I was fine except for one knee that hit a wooden pole.  The next morning I thought not so bad…a little more ice… a little more aspirin…and all would be well.  That was until I fell down the stairs at our house rushing to get ready to go.  The knee began to look like a small watermelon by that night.  More ice, more aspirin.  The next morning, I was packed, dressed, and ready to go.  Go yes; however, not very fast.  I could not bend the knee at all and had to walk with a straight leg.  But go to Paris I did.  How could I not go?  There were antiques waiting in Paris and I needed to go see what was there.  There were auctions to preview and shops to visit.  I had to get in cabs and slide backwards across the seat since my knee would not bend; however, the Parisian taxi drivers were very patient (yes, I said patient).  I was a bit slower getting around the Paris Markets.

The trip was a success and I went on to England for another eight days of buying and was left with great memories of Paris.  The cherry trees were in bloom and they were glorious!     I was able to meet up with my daughter on several occasions for dinner including one of her most memorable meals in Paris, a Mushroom Risotto that we have yet to be able to re-create.  We were so obsessed with the most beautiful dog that was keeping his owner company across from us; we never took time to beg for the secret to the cream Risotto.  There is always next time……

                               Trees in bloom; Spring in Paris.  My photo

     
                                          Who can resist?   My photo

                                         Shopping in Paris; my photo

         A beautiful set of 12 silver knife rests found on that buying trip