20/02/25 20:47

Le Franklin Hotel Restaurant, 1 rue Benjamin Franklin, 75116.  I had a nap and I cleaned out the fountain pen.  However, upon trying to use it again, I realised that I should’ve let it dry.  Separately.  It’s here, in this hotel restaurant bar that I wish I not only created content but could also record a podcast episode.  Next year’s Caffè Culture should be an experience.

Oh my days, I’ve just taken a sip of my cidre avec sirop de grenadine and it’s divine.  A beautiful red colour that deserves a photo all by itself.  The flavour is almost strawberry, taking in the harshness of the apple and the sweetness of the grenadine.

I had a plan for tomorrow as to where I was going to go.  After researching and reading, I had completely the wrong arrondissement.  I decided to change that plan.  Instead, after my nap at 17:00 for an hour, I did some additional research. And I now have a list of 7 hidden outdoor spaces and 10 hidden cafés that need investigating.  Much like de Flore and Lipp, it won’t be an overt operation.  I’ll have some photo and a video on entry and exit but that will be the only visuals.  Whilst I want to share my experiences, I still don’t feel it’s my niche.  I’m more of an explore and discover rather than a shower.  Even my master’s degree told me I’m a teller.  Ask me anything and I’ll tell you but I won’t be forthcoming without the prompting.

Much like tonight.  Although there’s a little video, a timelapse which is actually sert as a hyperlapse because I forgot to adjust the settings.  I wonder if it’ll look any different?  Anyways, is it safe to go out alone in Paris?  I won’t categorically say yes but on the whole, yes.  Okay, as mentioned in a Season 4 episode – I even mentioned it in a Season 3 episode – I’m a 6 foot 4, white male, quite hefty and of an age that doesn’t look for trouble.  Is it the same for other people of various descriptions?  I can’t answer that for I don’t knoe how they fell.  However, from various evenings out in Paris, I’ve seen many various people in groups, couples and alone, walking the streets of Paris or taking the Metro.  How do they feel?  I don’t know.  As a visual, they tend not to look or act scared.  Don’t forget, Paris is still a city.  And as with any city, there are good parts and some not so salubrious parts.  The parts that don’t feel safe, won’t feel safe for the majority of people.  Walking through a group of 6 youths, mid-twenties, hoods up, loud and wearing generic clothing in a dimly lit street at night won’t make you feel at ease.  But that could be anywhere in the world.  Cross the road earlier, keep your wits about you.  Just be safe and sensible.  Out of all the streets I’ve walked in Paris over the last 5 years, I may have felt uneasy maybe twice.  And those times would’ve been when walking through a group of 6 youths, mid-twenties, hoods up, loud and wearing generic clothing in a dimly lit street at night.  The first time, I crossed the road.  It was in the 10^th, tucked a few roads behind the Gare du Nord.  The second time, I stood up to my full height, looked straight ahead and with a stern look of serious shizzle in my eyes.  They then parted, apologised and repositioned themselves so as not to block the pavement for future pedestrians.  This was around the backstreets of the 11^th.  To be fair, it may have been 4 people the second time.

This cidre is going down so well.  I’m looking forward to my lay-in tomorrow.  In the meantime, I must try and find a boulangerie/patisserie with table not too far away.  I also need to decide on two locations for tomorrow.  I bought Rory some Monoprix chocolate, but I think I’ll get some for Jasper, too.  Nev’s black beret will either be tomorrow if I find a touristic hut or it will wait until next week when I have about 15 hours to do nothing in Paris.  If I play it right, that’s Season 5 taken care.  I can then get n track with Season 6.  June 2026.  That said, I want to do the Paris marathon next year for my 50^th.  That’s only if money allows for such mad frivolities.  I’d love the boys to come over with Nev to support me but money, time off and all the other implications (like a family summer holiday) will need to be weighed up.  I may try and see how much a stay at the Ritz is for my birthday.  That would simply be Nev and myself.  If I can hold out for everything, I should be better off financially.  We know that won’t happen.  And thinking about things, I’ve really shot myself in the foot with next week.  I’m losing 2 evenings where I should be podcasting and blogcasting.  I do believe I’ve got the process nailed.  It’s all about getting the time to do it.  And having the news at my fingertips.  That’s possibly the most unproductive part in terms of work-to-productivity ratio.

Still, everything’s a learning curve.  And I hope I can get the tooth at the top left, all the way at the back, dealt with quickly.  It’s restricting my eating and drinking as it’s getting very sensitive.  Which is down to the gaping hole on the side of it.

Right, I’m closing the notebook and capping the pen to plan for tomorrow.  4 pages is enough for now.