West of the Town

Wednesday 6 June 2012

The Marie does "Alice in Wonderland"

As you can see, part of the garden design at the Marie has a strong "Alice" influence. We rather like it. But I am sure those tree blooms were white last week?...
Photo by phone.

Tuesday 5 June 2012

Fireworks and a Concert to Herald in Terry's Birthday

It wasn't easy, but since the Queen could not be there for all the concert, I thought I would make a special effort.
It is not easy because dear old aunti BeeB will not allow its web TV service to operate outside the UK. We are in France and are clearly considered unworthy to view (without a licence!).
Several sites offered "free" viewing of the event - if you signed up and downloaded their (possibly dodgy) software. One tried to get me to sign up through a competition, to complete which needed a text to a premium number.
So we started the event by listening to BBC Radio 2 (radio is available over the web). There was clearly something missing from our experience, so whilst the radio played, I searched again using Google. "There's one" said June and sure enough it was. A TV station was broadcasting the event without restrictions. A simple "click here" brought the whole event to life (with a delayed sound over the Radio 2 station still playing!).
We went for full screen (resolution was good) and sat back to watch and enjoy. Suddenly the compare was translated with subtitles in Dutch. The station was "NOD" from Holland. They transmitted the event, without their own comments, right until the credits and almost until the last firework went off.
Brilliant. Thank you NOD.

Sunday 3 June 2012

Vitry Mother's day Parade

Well we have just finished watching the diamond jubilee sail past over the good old web. It was certainly bigger than the parade here, but we were dryer!
June's Balloon!
For you!
Here in France they have not mentioned the queen's jubilee. And their parade for mother's day appeared to have not very much to do with mums, although one little boy (left) did give June a heart-shaped balloon (right).
Here is my new experiment - a movie (with sound - no silent black & white soft start here, but pocket-sized colour and sound movie camera that doubles as a phone).
Click here for the French version of an Egyptian experience!
 
Sorry about the video. It no longer works for me either.
Keen listeners may hear June commenting on the clown's shoes (the one pulling the camel by the nose).