Lemon Squeezy

Holiday souvenirs can be a mixed blessing, can't they? Why is it that in spite of all the photos you took, the postcards you bought but never got around to sending, you end up wondering if you shouldn't also buy that 'something' that will sum up the time you had. From a de-cluttering point of view, this is dangerous, especially on the last day, because with that thought uppermost it is all to easy to succumb to the shops and stalls  that you pass on the way to Departure. Then when you get home and settle back into 'Normal Life' these formerly appealing items just have no place or purpose in your lifestyle and the next time you handle them is several years down the track when you hold them hovering over boxes marked  Donate or Dump.
But you can be lucky and end up with something that passes one or other, even both, of William Morris's critieria. It might be beautiful and/or useful and above all bring back memories of the good time you had.
My little bird lemon squeezer is one of my favourite holiday souvenirs.

The holiday was a couple of summers ago when Daughter and I were invited to spend a long weekend in Nyon near Geneva. This invitation came from a very special friend. She just so happens to be my husband's cousin but this is only relevant to our special friendship in that she has known him about 20 years longer than I have and  that  occasionally we get to use family gatherings as opportunities to catch up. She, her husband and her grown up children are simply the most wonderful company. Over those few days we did so many things, ate gorgeous food - much of it at her table- and spent time being together and talking in those ways that phone calls and emails don't allow. We had our last lunch at a restaurant in the countryside and on her advice, chose the fillets of perch. Do you know, I can't recall what the fish was like, I was just so taken with the way the lemon juice was served. We each had a little bird-like jug with half a slice of lemon. So clever; all the juice could be poured onto the fish instead of ending up on the front of my shirt or in the eye of the unfortunate person sitting opposite. Now wherever you are reading this, perhaps these little devices are common-place but where I come from they are impossible to find. Clearly the staff of the restaurant are used to people asking where they got them because they will sell them and so I brought one home.
Every time we have fish or pancakes this little squeezer is on the table and along with lemon juice the occasion is seasoned with thoughts of those days,

•  The magnificent views of the lake and the mountains
• Staggering out of a cafe drunk on nothing more innocuous than shared laughter
• The ferry ride over the lake to the beautiful town of Yvoire and the serenity of The Garden of Five Senses 
• Sitting in St Pierre's Cathedral  'discovering' the music of Cesar Franck in an organ recital. 
• The most amazing fireworks at the Fete de Geneve - (and the longest ever wait to get out of a public car park afterwards)
• Going shopping, meeting her friends for coffee and cakes
• Sitting on the balcony listening to the sound of sheep bells

And so many more - can it really have been only 3 days?
Granted, as souvenirs go, it was inexpensive and even plastic but it is practical and now much used. I'd love you to comment if you know somewhere else that sells them.
If only all my travel souvenirs were as delightful. What are the best and worst among yours?