I once thought the perfect mix was chilled Bombay, a splash of vermouth, with olive optional But now, in these threescore plus ten plus years I’ve discovered a much more delightful combo: a handson adventure in a new environment followed by a distinctly handsoff small, luxury canal barge cruise.
It started with a rental found in an academic journal, summer 2010, a restored fourth floor garret on a mostly pedestrian street, the end of which offered three streetside cafes and a shot bridge to the backside and gardens of Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, France. The latter opened its doors at 7 AM; no tourists! Although the French cafe au creme is not quite a match for a Starbuck’s latte, the streetside, freshly baked croissons and fresh orange juice were unbeatable. And, a short trip away by metro, several magnificent Cavaille-Coll pipe organs, complete with their roaring 32 foot bombards. Magnificent sound, the genesis of much of Ceesar Franck’s music.
The second half of this French combo began a week later on a Burgandy Canal barge, six California friends, four jolly, English cree, endless gourmet and visual delights. And a chance to wander freely into the real, rural France, witness the greeting I got from a senior lockskeeperess and her daughter while the barge, the Elizabeth, was getting tern feet taller!
But, as with a good martini, there’s a downside to the French Combo. As the great Budda wisely said, one delight inevitably leads to a desire for more; in this case a jaunt on the Thames, nearby to one of those great organs the Brits adore. Suggestions?
2 replies on “FRENCH 2010 COMBO”
Of course, the lure of far away, greener pastures and all of that, is so bewitching.
Maybe the staycation is overlooked. The Stanford organ is magnificent! I haven’t seen the Ruffatti Organ in Davies Symphony Hall, but it is frequently mentioned here in Northern California. Probably worth a peek!
The Stanford Organist is Robert Huw Morgan. He’s been there since 1999.