Oh man, I just found you and love the story of your 83rd birthday! I am so happy to find so many beautifully aged fine wine type writers here on Substack. I am 70 and love the idea that we still have potential! I look forward to knowing you better through your words.
Lots of potential at 70. My good friend, who turned 100 this summer and still has all her marbles but stopped singing in a choir a few years ago, says you’re not old until you’re 90. This offers a whole new perspective.
What a wonderful story. As an 82 year old, I doubt that we'll be making it to Paris, but I now know where to dine if I'm wrong about that. Happy 83rd birthday, Ann!!
Thanks. It was in mid-February, so I feel I am well and truly 83 by now. The thing about our age is you may not make it to Paris, but you can still have wonderful responses from people. Yes, it was a super French restaurant but that kind of response could come from anyone anywhere - and that’s what gives the sparkle to life.
what a lovely adventure and experience. Love that you can pop over to Paris on a whim. and what a special treat to have the restaurant open just for you!
Love this Ann! Sending to my friend who moved to Paris! She’s far younger but loves great food and wine… just in case she’s not discovered Pierre yet! 😊 I’m in Australia at the moment…becoming 81 soon…so lots of cheers and congrats as my Aussie family celebrates me early! I am loving the trains and ferry transport… so easy even my age. Happy Birthday a bit late… I absolutely agree you’ve so much potential yet, my friend! Your writing and your agility/yoga body and your zest and delight in life! Much love and happy wishes to you! 🎉🎈🫶🥰
Thank you, Joan. I have had an extraordinarily lucky life and I guess it shows in the way I write. You will see even more in the post coming this week. I love the idea of someone going to Pierre Sang because of my post. I hope she tells him. He seems a lovely person. Happy birthday to you too !
Yes, with so much misery in the world at the moment, I thought I should share the pleasure. Indeed, not long ago, I wrote a post called Remember Joy?https://arichardson.substack.com/p/moments-of-pure-joy and my next post this week is about the nature of fun, I do write about serious issues, too but never politics.
Yes, it's great. It used to be a trip to the airport, with all the fuss that involves, and then getting into Paris from the airport - more fuss. Now, we just go to a train in central London and arrive in central Paris. Evidently, for years the British tended to forget to take their passport because it didn't feel like going abroad when you took a train.
What a lovely birthday and beautifully told! I note you eat your main meal at lunchtime, as do I. It means your body isn't busy digesting food while you're trying to sleep.
Thank you. Yes, we have done the same at home for years. Eating lunch out has the advantage that there are often cheap deals, so it is not so pricey. But the main reason is our digestion. The craziest people are the French who celebrate New Years Eve with a very heavy meal (usually involving foie gras) at somewhere around midnight.
Congrats on your birthday treat Ann, what a gift from your chef.
My birthday is in early January when most people feel gloomy, so I make it a duty to string out my celebrations for as long as possible to bring a bit of fun and joy to the dark days. So far this year I’ve had 4 days in Cornwall, lunch with friends from work in London, a trip to the Bristol Old Vic and a swim at Clifton Lido outdoor pool. More to come - it’s only March!
Sounds like a good plan. Birthday all year round, although swimming outdoors in this weather is not my cup of tea, much as I know it is supposed to be good for you. Just keep going and then it will be January again.
ah...and I thought you were one of those people I see on TV from time to time emerging from Hampstead ponds shivering and smiling. Outdoor and heated sounds good. I swim once a week in a local indoor and not hugely heated pool. I was thinking of writing about it sometime.
A very happy birthday to one so endowed with “character, elegance and endless potential”.
Thank you for your recall of the trip to Paris. Like you my wife, Pip and I enjoy the spontaneous whenever we achieve it. The very best times in our travels could be found by wandering the backstreets and engaging with whoever we come across.
I agree that engaging with whoever you come by is a fun way to live. It does make for some very enjoyable conversations. I talk to everyone when waiting in a queue or sitting on a bus - much nicer than staring at my phone. And thanks again for the Attila pictures.
I love how the day turned into a special day for you! I enjoyed reading this,thanks for sharing!
Happy birthday young lady! How gorgeous a memory you share! I adore the beauty and wisdom. 🌷
Thanks so much, Eileen. I don't think saying I am young makes me young, but I don't feel my age – very few people do.
Oh man, I just found you and love the story of your 83rd birthday! I am so happy to find so many beautifully aged fine wine type writers here on Substack. I am 70 and love the idea that we still have potential! I look forward to knowing you better through your words.
Lots of potential at 70. My good friend, who turned 100 this summer and still has all her marbles but stopped singing in a choir a few years ago, says you’re not old until you’re 90. This offers a whole new perspective.
What a wonderful story. As an 82 year old, I doubt that we'll be making it to Paris, but I now know where to dine if I'm wrong about that. Happy 83rd birthday, Ann!!
Thanks. It was in mid-February, so I feel I am well and truly 83 by now. The thing about our age is you may not make it to Paris, but you can still have wonderful responses from people. Yes, it was a super French restaurant but that kind of response could come from anyone anywhere - and that’s what gives the sparkle to life.
That’s true, Ann. Good people are around us and keep us going.
what a lovely adventure and experience. Love that you can pop over to Paris on a whim. and what a special treat to have the restaurant open just for you!
Yes, it is certainly one good reason to live in London. The other reason is that it is great to live in London.
Happy birthday! I am 72 in May. I'm glad to have found you here!
Thank you, Deborah. For a birthday I was intending to ignore, I have had a lot of well wishes from all over the world! Life is a constant surprise.
Love this Ann! Sending to my friend who moved to Paris! She’s far younger but loves great food and wine… just in case she’s not discovered Pierre yet! 😊 I’m in Australia at the moment…becoming 81 soon…so lots of cheers and congrats as my Aussie family celebrates me early! I am loving the trains and ferry transport… so easy even my age. Happy Birthday a bit late… I absolutely agree you’ve so much potential yet, my friend! Your writing and your agility/yoga body and your zest and delight in life! Much love and happy wishes to you! 🎉🎈🫶🥰
Thank you, Joan. I have had an extraordinarily lucky life and I guess it shows in the way I write. You will see even more in the post coming this week. I love the idea of someone going to Pierre Sang because of my post. I hope she tells him. He seems a lovely person. Happy birthday to you too !
What a lovely article! And a reminder of the goodnedw in the world—I've often found Parisiens to be genuine and kind
Yes, with so much misery in the world at the moment, I thought I should share the pleasure. Indeed, not long ago, I wrote a post called Remember Joy?https://arichardson.substack.com/p/moments-of-pure-joy and my next post this week is about the nature of fun, I do write about serious issues, too but never politics.
What a wonderful story. Potential! I envy your four hour from door to door trip to Paris.
Yes, it's great. It used to be a trip to the airport, with all the fuss that involves, and then getting into Paris from the airport - more fuss. Now, we just go to a train in central London and arrive in central Paris. Evidently, for years the British tended to forget to take their passport because it didn't feel like going abroad when you took a train.
What a lovely birthday and beautifully told! I note you eat your main meal at lunchtime, as do I. It means your body isn't busy digesting food while you're trying to sleep.
Thank you. Yes, we have done the same at home for years. Eating lunch out has the advantage that there are often cheap deals, so it is not so pricey. But the main reason is our digestion. The craziest people are the French who celebrate New Years Eve with a very heavy meal (usually involving foie gras) at somewhere around midnight.
If you liked that, you might like the one just before (it is just funny) https://arichardson.substack.com/p/my-household-smerconish-and-attila
A most excellent piece of prose and remembrance. Keep ‘em coming!!!
Thanks, Susan. I like happy readers.
Love that word-POTENTIAL! So you, and so all of us who are excited by life every day.
Yes, it's good, isn't it - but I didn't initiate it, I received it.
What a wonderful story! It gives me much joy. Well done on 83 amazing years. Sending heaps of hugs. 🤗🤗🤗
Thanks so much, Beth.
Congrats on your birthday treat Ann, what a gift from your chef.
My birthday is in early January when most people feel gloomy, so I make it a duty to string out my celebrations for as long as possible to bring a bit of fun and joy to the dark days. So far this year I’ve had 4 days in Cornwall, lunch with friends from work in London, a trip to the Bristol Old Vic and a swim at Clifton Lido outdoor pool. More to come - it’s only March!
Sounds like a good plan. Birthday all year round, although swimming outdoors in this weather is not my cup of tea, much as I know it is supposed to be good for you. Just keep going and then it will be January again.
Excellent idea Ann! I agree re outdoor swims - the Lido is heated and you can leap into the steam room afterwards, great for us chickens!
ah...and I thought you were one of those people I see on TV from time to time emerging from Hampstead ponds shivering and smiling. Outdoor and heated sounds good. I swim once a week in a local indoor and not hugely heated pool. I was thinking of writing about it sometime.
Of course your are right.
always happy to be told I am right, but about what?
A very happy birthday to one so endowed with “character, elegance and endless potential”.
Thank you for your recall of the trip to Paris. Like you my wife, Pip and I enjoy the spontaneous whenever we achieve it. The very best times in our travels could be found by wandering the backstreets and engaging with whoever we come across.
I agree that engaging with whoever you come by is a fun way to live. It does make for some very enjoyable conversations. I talk to everyone when waiting in a queue or sitting on a bus - much nicer than staring at my phone. And thanks again for the Attila pictures.