Un p'tit séjour à Paris (Part One)

Myself and Kate have daydreamed about embarking on a Parisian adventure ever since we first met, so I could hardly contain my excitement when our Eurostar train began inching forward and I could proudly announce that it was actually happening - WE WERE OFF TO PARIS! Having packed our combined weight in camera film and meticulously compiled handwritten lists of places to visit sorted by theme and area, we were well prepared to explore and photograph as much of Paris as possible in the short time we had there. From "Thom & Kate HQ" in our apartment near the Canal St. Martin, we (metaphorically) pushed figurines around a giant map using one of those big sticks like in old war movies and made it our mission to take in as many photo booths, cute cafés and sweet boutiques as possible. This is the first batch of snaps fresh from the photo lab, hope you like them!

Christine Lebail - Deux jours avec toi

Here's my favourite - yet seemingly little known and under appreciated - track from Christine Lebail for you, from 1964. «Deux jours avec toi» is a sweet and catchy ballad of teenage romance, though she's only moderately sweet on her boy - she'd quite fancy spending two days with him but makes it clear that two months «serait la barbe», in other words a bit of a drag! Hope you enjoy it!

Parmi les fleurs au fond du jardin

Bristol University's botanical gardens have been on our to-do list for a little while and so when we woke up to a suitably morning a few weeks ago, we packed a tupperware of croissants and cake and decided to go for a little wander. As our visit fell within the university vacation period the adjacent halls of residence were devoid of any student bustle - so we not only got to enjoy the gardens in a setting of relative silence, we also ad the place to ourselves - free to snap away to our hearts' content.

Jocelyne - La la la la la

Here's a real foot-stomper from 1964 for you, courtesy of Jocelyne. Have a great weekend!

Chaque pomme est une fleur qui a connu l'amour

A wonderful summer's day spent at Garson's Farm, picking fruit and getting lost amongst the sunflowers.

Assis près des vieux et tressant l'osier, couchés au soleil buvant la lumière

Just a few snaps of an afternoon spent picnicking and playing pétanque with Kate and my family at Barbury Castle in Wiltshire.

Rosy Armen - Tu Croiras

Although not strictly yé-yé, I do find that this Franco-Armenian take on Ben E. King's 'Stand by me' has a certain charm. Hope you like it!