bordeaux :: street corners & street musicians

20 January 2015

I'm a bit of a planner when it comes to going on trips. I'm not particularly organised about it - E handles the logistics - but I like to make a note of the things I want to do and see, and get a little fixated on the checklist. While that has its advantages, there is something to be said for just letting yourself get lost, wandering aimlessly and seeing what gems you might find without seeking them out.

As Bordeaux isn't particularly overflowing with major landmarks, I felt like this really allowed me to just... be, without worrying about missing out and being a bad tourist. And the thing is, I notice and appreciate so much more detail and charming quirks when I'm not marching towards a destination.

Walking around without an agenda led us to festive music played by a band in a pretty courtyard, a delicious Nutella crêpe (the batter of which was definitely spiked with rum and all the better for it), gorgeous street corners and signs, colourful doors and balconies covered in flowers.

We did intentionally take a stroll around the Esplanade de Quinconces, a fountain (shut during the winter) of magnificent sculptures. I'm sure it's beautiful in Spring and Summer, but even without the water it's impressive.

Of course, we enjoyed the spoils of the market at home with some fresh, crusty bread - foie gras, rillette, saucisson... let's just say my jeans were feeling a little tight come Boxing Day.

Here's to getting lost a little more in 2015.









































5 comments:

  1. Stunning pictures! I'm desperate to see some more of Europe (and the rest of the world) but travel is definitely taking a backseat at the moment whilst we save for our house deposit.

    I'm awful when it oomes to over planning, whenever we have a holiday booked I research and research and end up taking loads of papers and maps with me - in some ways its great to have a plan but in other ways I'm sure I do miss out on stuff cos my head is buried in paperwork and I'm frantically trying to get us to the next place in time!

    Chloe x
    newgirlintoon.co.uk

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  2. Your beautiful pictures always capture and sense of place. I'm the planner with Mr S and I, there's always a couple spreadsheets for our holidays.
    Lots of love,
    Angie
    SilverSpoon London

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  3. Gorgeous photos!! I felt like I was there!

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  4. I, like Sara, felt like I was there. Your photos perfectly captured a sense of the streets and the details - even making my mouth water a little when I saw the crepes and the many coloured versions of saucisson!

    I love that feeling of getting lost in a new place. That time when you don't quite know where each street will lead you - that is when your senses are the keenest, and that is the time when you may notice the smallest things that would normally be overlooked. In that moment, I feel like an explorer! I am sure you felt that too, and here is to many more adventures!

    Zoe :) Xx
    http://life-gazing-and-wildstrawberries.blogspot.com

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  5. I love wandering round unfamiliar places! That way, when you come across a beautiful building, market or restaurant, you feel like you discovered it all by yourself without the help of a guide :) And you come across the most surprising, beautiful things - like that amazing cobalt blue door! The best way to get to know a city, I reckon :) xx

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