Comment from Shirley E Kennedy

Excellent

Hi Tony,
Geography, history and cameraderie mix quite well to tempt the interest of the uninitiated traveler.
It all sounds so grand as you eloquently address all things french.
I enjoyed the realism in the relationship of the travellers and the
detaiil in the dialogue.
Blessings
Shirley

 Comment Written 18-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Very many thanks, Shirley. You encourage me to keep going!

Comment from Giddy Nielsen-Sweep

Exceptional

This is such an entertaining and engaging story, the way you tell it, Tony. "Survival appeals to me." This sort of expression is quite amusing and gives the story its lighter moments. I'll keep reading this one, it's great, Giddy

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Glad you are still enjoying it, Giddy. Thanks very much for the affirming award of excellence, with that little yellow cross at the end of the stars!

Comment from Gloria ....

Excellent

You had me at the fromageries, as I am big cheese lover. Excellent opening as it entices our senses to participate in the following events.

An interesting segue from his thoughts of the civilized pace of Paris to the exact opposite of hurrying. It works and it a most creative way to show a lapse of time and helen's arrival.

Great imagery and I very much enjoyed the sweatshop seamstress and its demostrates a certain inelegance whilst moving at such a fast pace. A study in contrasts for sure.

What's that one?" She pointed to a small rectangular block.

"They are wonderful," Charles said. "Light and moist. I found that section a little off as Helen asked the question what and Charles responded wonderful. Just an observation.

And you left us with a question to be answered in the following chapter. A most delightful story, Tony. Much enjoyed.

Gloria

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Thanks for the heads up about the dialogue in the patisserie. Appreciated. I, too, am a cheese lover and would have liked to have left these two there longer, but the story had to move on. I read quite a bit about Alléosse when doing some background research for this chapter. I've never been there, but will certainly drop by if I'm ever in Paris again. We were in walking distance of it during our recent visit, but I didn't know.

Comment from lyenochka

Excellent

Delightful chapter where you took us to what we all dream France would be like (including the crazy driving!) I like the repeated rhymes of the "ee" sound in the first sentence and the imagined smells of the cuisine. Cute allusion to Marie Antoinette and the possible tie to Helen's own fate/past.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Thanks, Helen. Glad you liked the opening paragraph. There is a definite romance in the French names of the various food shops!

Comment from damommy

Excellent

I'm beginning to think I know Paris as seen through your eyes. I've never been, so this is the next best thing. Great imagery of driving and characters. A cliffhanger that will keep wondering what's next.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Thanks, Yvonne. Having only recently returned from a brief visit to Paris on our way back home from visiting my daughter in NY, the place is still fresh in my mind! Glad that you think I'm getting something of the sense of it across in my writing.

reply by damommy on 19-Aug-2018

Of course, you are. 8-)

Comment from royowen

Excellent

What a fascinating lady...and very dangerous to boot. I love the car ride, the fairly cheeky provocative sauciness of Helen, who mentions to Charles when he protest her somewhat Cavalier driving qualities, that perhaps her driving should er on the side of conservatism. Well done Tony, blessings, Roy

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Thanks, Roy. More examples of driving prowess in the next chapter.

reply by royowen on 19-Aug-2018

Well done

Comment from estory

Excellent

Charles and Helen make their way around the stalls of the French market, picking out their lunch. It is an exotic lunch. exotic setting. the touches of French add to that savoix faire atmosphere. And then they are off to Versailles. But this chapter looses a lot of the suspense, the sense of mystery surrounding Helen, and that apprehensive feeling Charles had about her. estory

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Yes, he seems to have dropped his guard a bit. I hope he doesn't regret it too much.

Comment from Sally Law

Excellent

You are such an excellent writer. You made me hungry for French pastries and confections with this piece. Helen sounds like she may or may not have aristocratic ancestry. The plot draws be in. It looks like Helen is doing the same to Charles. I am staying tuned...
Sally

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Thanks, Sally. Glad to hear I've got you hooked. For the moment, at least! All the best, Tony

Comment from kiwijenny

Excellent

I love this chapter.....I was in love at chocolate eclairs...I can't buy them here .
Sigh...
"Not me, Charles. I have been too close to the edge of starvation for that."...again you give us a tease and tantalize us to read the next chapter. Thanks for the photo of Rue Poncelet Market.
God bless

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 19-Aug-2018

Chocolate eclairs are definitely the best - especially when made with fresh cream and good chocolate! It doesn't look as if Helen will be starving today!

Comment from Sandra du Plessis

Excellent

A very well-written chapter in your great developing story of a great time in France and all the great places to go to and the good things to see around there. The closest I will get to France is my surname that originates from there.

 Comment Written 17-Aug-2018

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reply by the author on 18-Aug-2018

Many thanks for your comments, Sandra. The du Plessis seem to have been spread around the world. We have some of them here in Adelaide, too!