UEFA A Licence Football Coach for 30 years, L5 Talent ID. I globetrot watching S American/European football for a living. Human Dad to Barney the Airedale #FOM
A little story of ‘keeping your chin up’ in retail.
Last week a customer came in to browse our bed selection. They left saying they can buy a cheaper bed at the ‘big pet store’.
That’s true, they can.
But our beds are made in the U.K. (not far up the road from us), using top quality upholstery fabric, they are deep filled with channels of padding. They are washable too. I think they are great value for that.
I felt a little disappointed that they chose to tell me they were leaving for another shop.
However, on Saturday they came back and purchased one of our beds.
Of the many things I’ve learnt owning our own empawrium is, that you sell what you believe in. And the people will find you.
💕 🐾
Le Train Bleu is one of those Paris places that feels frozen in time. It opened in 1901 inside Gare de Lyon, built to impress travelers heading south on long distance trains. The ceilings, murals, and chandeliers were all created by well known artists of the era, each painting showing a different region of France the trains once connected.
Walking into the dining room is an experience on its own. The details are overwhelming at first, so take a slow lap before sitting down. You will see scenes of the Riviera, the Alps, and Provence spread across the walls. It is one of the few surviving grand railway restaurants that still looks exactly as it did during the golden age of train travel.
The menu stays close to classic French cooking. Dishes like roast lamb, seafood, and traditional desserts are the main draw, and the service keeps the old school style without feeling stiff. It works well if you are catching a later train or want a long lunch that feels firmly rooted in French dining history.
Even if you are not traveling, it is worth a visit. Few places in Paris offer this combination of architecture, art, and atmosphere all in one room.