Windy afternoon

It's nearly Springtime

And the palm trees want to fly away ....

... then the day draws to a close and the air settles down 
to go to sleep. Aaaahhh!

Smily Time

An oldie and goodie with a touching and moving video treatment!

Kirsty MacColl: "In These Shoes?" (2000)

Video: Ironman (Youtube)

A Carousel - and an administrative merry-go-round ...

             In Paris France! Next to le Tour Eiffel!                       

Much enjoyed, much photographed...

BUT

There's a story lurking behind the music and smiles (of course) ...

So here is the story:

1. In 1986 the showman M. Roger Alliot received a one-year permit from the City of Paris to instal the lovely traditional carousel with its 36 horses. 

2. From then on, he always paid his annual fee but the one-year permit was never renewed. 

3. No problems until 2001 - new Mayor, new intention to MOVE this illegal structure. 

4. Then, nine years of Administrative Tribunals, expulsion orders, defamation charges, claims & counter-claims of "shenanigans", "extortion", "guerilla procedures". 

5. But still the carousel stayed, still the children had fun and the footsore parents were grateful.

6. The stand-off finally came to a conclusion one year ago. The carousel was dismantled July 2010. And almost immediately replaced by another - almost identical but with a different owner. Hmmmmm......

These pictures of that stubborn naughty illegal installation were taken May 2009.

 And here is the answer to the Quik Quiz (previous post).

This cameraman (and his protective friend) like the yellow horse. Or are they spies from City Hall??

*Hurdy-Gurdy Music: Walter Losi