Photos From the Front Line

At the end of August I had to go to Paris to meet some clients. They were staying at the Marriott on the Champs-Elysées, so I exited the métro at Champs-Elysées-Clemenceau by the Grand Palais and walked down to the hotel. I had time to check out a very moving exhibition of photos taken during the First World War that are on display along a section of the Champs.

Here is a selection of some I found particularly interesting or affecting:

The exhibition of 100 images stretches down the footpath.

 Anzacs on the eve of the Battle of the Somme in 1916.

 Verdun is the World War I campaign that resonates most strongly for French people.

 Service dogs were widely used for rescue and communications. For an account of the actions of one of the most famous messenger dogs and some other interesting pictures of World War I service dogs see here.

The Chasseurs Alpins are three elite battalions of French soldiers who specialise in mountain (and more recently, urban) terrains. They are identifiable by their big floppy beret.

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Fungi Foray: The Association de Botanique et de Mycologie de Sainte Maure de Touraine has organised a fungi outing to the Forest of Preuilly for Sunday 28 September. Meet at the carpark by the Etang de Ribaloche at 2.30 pm. The fungi gathered will be displayed and identified in the carpark after the outing.

From Preuilly take the D725 towards Azay le Ferron. After 5 km at the lieu-dit La Lieutenauderie go left on to the D63c towards Obterre. The étang is 2 km along this road.

From Ligueil or Loches, don't go into Preuilly, but take the D725 just before, towards Azay le Ferron, then follow the directions above.

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A la cuisine hier: Greekish Salad, with lettuce, red peppers, tomatoes, olives, feta marinated in thyme infused olive oil (one of Simon's current faves), gherkins and a dollop of mint yoghurt dressing.