January Monthly Round Up

LIFE LATELY: January was a relatively quiet month, I didn’t go anywhere exciting and only had a few invitations, I ate some delicious food at gorgeous restaurants, but, best of all, January was spent catching up with some of my favourite people.

WALKS: In winter the “Sentier des Sautes” is deserted, but in the summer, the good weather pushes the Genevans to the edge of the water for swimming and barbecuing... nicknamed “Jonx-beach”, this place is a must to discover in summer if you visit the city.

The Viaduc de la Jonction (Viaduct of the Junction) is a rail viaduct completed in 1945.

Jonction is a neighbourhood located near the confluence of two rivers; one side is bordered by the Rhône and the other by the Arve. 

A beautiful building on Boulevard Carl-Vogt in the popular neighbourhood of Jonction.

EXHIBITION : Uni Carl-Vogt (66, bd Carl-Vogt)

« La Villa d'Hadrien à Tivoli » is a small and interesting exhibition at the university.

Hadrian’s Villa is an ancient villa built by the Roman Emperor Hadrian in the 2nd century. It is spread over an area of ​​120 hectares, of which about 40 are visible nowadays. Hadrian’s Villa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and an important cultural and archaeological site.

Resting Satyr statue

Discus thrower statue

STYLE: I’m totally in love with this grey fluffy faux fur short coat. I bought it a long time ago, but it is only recently that I have been wearing it each time I go out. I feel funky and a bit sexy in it. Especially when I pair it with these high heel boots.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS: Klorane Shampoo and Conditioner. If you are looking for excellent hair products, don’t look any further. These Swiss hair care products are expensive, but, trust me, they are worth every penny.

CAKE LOVER: Stettler & Castrischer (69, Rue du Rhône) We finally succumbed to the temptation of the Castrischer dark chocolate Black Forest, a super soft and airy sponge cake with a thick layer of ultra-light whipped cream.

Café Remor (3, Place du Cirque) I like to go there for a cup of tea and to eat the lemon meringue pie, which is a delight - the best I’ve ever had! I highly recommend their dessert menu.

RESTAURANT: La Plancha (2, Place des Eaux-Vives)

It may be relaxed and convivial, but La Plancha is a truly special place. The food is fine and hearty. The setting is very nice, the staff efficient and friendly, yet discreet. I highly recommend this restaurant, especially in summer when the terrace is open.

We ordered the menu of the day:

Aperol Spritz

Leek soup with curry and parsnip chips

Bavette beefsteak with Bleu d’Auvergne sauce, fondant turnips with sesame and gratin potatoes

Wasabi Sushi Carouge (6, Place du Temple)

Whenever I’m craving for sushi, this is where I go. For me, their sushi is very good, fresh and affordable, plus they have a delivery service. I sat by the window with a nice view of the Temple and I enjoyed my menu composed of sushi rolls and makis tempura shrimp.

BOOKS: Here’s what I've been reading in January (books from my bookshelves).

Child of Happy Valley: A Memoir by Juanita Carberry. This book covers Juanita’s life in Kenya and her adulthood in the UK up to her joining the Women’s Territorials. A very pleasant read. I will review it in the coming months.

Girl with a pearl earring by Tracy Chevalier. I have just read this book for the second time (248 pages) I re-read it to be able to write a better analysis. This great novel gracefully combines true facts and fiction about Johannes Vermeer, whose life is very little known. This novel tells the story of Griet, a poor young girl living with Vermeer’s family in Delft. Stay tuned for this book review.

I hope you all have a fun February…

The animals of the farmyard are in the village

At the beginning of each year (this time from the 17th to the 21st of January), in the heart of Carouge, at Place de Sardaigne, the animals of the farmyard are the guests of honour at the exhibition of poultry farming, rabbit breeding and pigeon fancying.

It was a grey, rainy, chilly day, but I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. I am very excited to share my visit to the exhibition with everyone.

Place de la Sardaigne where the exhibition takes place.

Every year the exhibition welcomes more than 800 animals and one can buy these cute creatures at affordable prices. Chickens, rabbits, geese, pigeons and even cows and horses represent the animals of the farmyard.

I learned a few things about the origin and breeds of rabbits: Lapin Feu, Lapin Chamois de Thuringe, Lapin Blanc de Hotot, Lapin Doré de Saxe…

Lapin Blanc de Hotot

Lapin Chamois de Thuringe

Lapin Doré de Saxe

Lapin Feu

Have you ever seen a black swan? Did you know they exist? Here is a beautiful black swan. They originally come from Australia.

Dead Wake: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania by Erik Larson (2015)

Regular readers will know that Erik Larson is one of my favourite historical novel authors. It is therefore no surprise to learn that I loved this book tremendously. Even if we know from the beginning how it will end, we feel the suspense rise in each chapter and that, to keep you going all the way through 555 pages, is an art, believe me!

May 1st, 1915. As the First World War begins its tenth month, the Lusitania, a luxurious British liner, leaves New York bound for Liverpool. Nearly 2,000 passengers enjoy the modern amenities of this powerful and fast ship nicknamed the “Greyhound of the Seas”. Germany has classified the seas surrounding England as war zones, but the captain, William Thomas Turner, knows the rules prohibiting attacks on civilian ships. Shadowing the liner aboard the German submarine U-20 (Unterseeboot-20), Kapitänleutnant Walther Schwieger, nevertheless decides to ignore these rules. On May 7th, as U-20 and the Lusitania make their way to Liverpool, an array of forces both large and achingly small - hubris, a chance fog, a closely guarded secret and more - all converge to produce one of the great disasters of history. 

Erik Larson enfolds us in an incredible plot with a suffocating atmosphere. He has done tremendous research work to tell us this true story where espionage mixes with sentimental setbacks and the rivalries of decision makers....

I can tell you that I was disgusted by the British leaders who, instead of behaving like noble men, behaved like idiots (to be polite). Instead of using information intercepted from their German enemies to save civilians, they remained in manipulative mode for the sole purpose of forcing the United States to join the war against Germany.

I find that the strength of this book lies in the characters of the story. Here are a few: the captain of the ship Thomas TURNER, an old sea wolf;  US President Woodrow WILSON, in full sentimental turmoil; Alfred VANDERBILT, a millionaire; Edith BOLLING GALT, the second wife of President Wilson; Winston CHURCHILL, already in a position of responsibility; the bookseller Charles LAURIAT who carries a unique manuscript copy of Charles DICKENS’s “A Christmas Carol” of 1843, a treasure; “Dowie”, the ship’s cat mascot, who leaves the ship before it sails...

And let us not forget the one by whom the horror arrives, the Captain of U-20, Walther SCHWIEGER, described by his officers as a handsome man of great culture and kindness.