Roses at Roland Garros

Hong Kong Airport

Standing outside Charles de Gaulle Airport just after dawn in the chilly greyish light after two long flights (via Hong Kong) totaling 27 hours, trying unsuccessfully to escape the clouds of obligatory cigarette smoke from gasping travellers as I waited for my shuttle, I thanked my lucky stars I'd packed tights, boots and down vest necessary for Paris in Spring.

Later that day after a 'magic' shower then catch up brunch  (delicious ham, brie, baguette and pastries) with friends Alexandra and Phillipe Watrelot and their gorgeous babies, Anya and Seraphine, at their charming apartment in the 17th (just off the long narrow parc on Pereire), we all bundled into a local bus heading for the famed Roland Garros armed with umbrellas and rain jackets. It was great to get straight out into the streets, walking to and from bus, getting the feel of Paris again.

First day of play is tomorrow (Sunday), however today's event is the hugely popular day of Exhibition matches with all proceeds going to a Children's Charity. Parents in their thousands brought their children.  There was an air of carnival with clowns on stilts, balloons, music and lots of ice cream.

Dotted around the centre are several stadiums with the distinctive red clay courts, lots of side courts, all landscaped beautifully with clipped topiarys, roses flowering profusely, banks of white jasmine and hedging. We moved around watching a game here and there, getting to know the lie of the land!

Back at the apartment I took a walk to buy wine then we ate little black-blue mussels with pasta drenched in garlic, wine and butter for dinner. Délicieux.