Il est très chaud!

Well we have arrived in Paris. Our flight arrived yesterday, June 30 about 13:30. After clearing customs, which was just a glance and a stamp in our passport, claiming our luggage, we followed the signs,  Paris par Train. It is 10 euros each for the ride into Paris and the entire journey took us about 1.5 hours from the time we got off the plane. From the Gare du Nord, we called the caretaker of our apartment, and set up a time to meet to get in, something we should have done earlier. We were lucky that she was only about 30 minutes away. We walked the few blocks to the apartment and waited to meet her. The apartment is a studio with a hide-a-bed. It opens up to a court yard. While the size of a medium hotel room, it has a fridge, sink and 2 burner stove. Just enough to make coffee in the morning and to keep our wine, beer and cheese cold. Between the overnight flight, and the heat, we decided to nap for a bit. Feeling more alive, we headed out early in the evening to discover our neighbourhood, the 9th arrondissement. We discovered the Carrefour for a few groceries, and then a sidewalk café just across the street. I took fellow traveler, Sharon's advice and had the quiche of the day, while Steve tried a Chinese chicken salad. Both were very good meals, and quite reasonably priced. After dinner, we climbed up Sacré Coeur. From here we could enjoy the views of the city, and enjoy the people on the street. This ended an excellent first day in Paris. I did title this Il est trés chaud. The temperature here in Paris is in the high 30's, so everything we do will be slow and steady. We won't be needing the down duvet here in the apartment tonight

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1 day and counting

Well after about two years in the planning, our next great adventure is only one day away. Our flight leaves for Paris on Monday at 14:00. For those who may not know, we are packing up and heading to a small town in France for the summer. We will be leaving for Paris on June 29, spending 4 days in Paris, and then on July 4, we will be driving down to take over a 3 bedroom house in the village of Bellac, France. It is located about 4 hours south west of Paris,  on the River Vincou,

Cafe on the river bank

between Limoges and Poitiers. To the south of us is the Bordeaux wine region and to the north is the Loire Valley wine region, which also has the landscape dotted with Châteaux.  We won't be alone as family and friends will be passing through, throughout the summer. We have a menagerie of friends and family joining us for short and some not so short lengths of time.

We are looking forward to improving our French, learning how to relax as we edge nearer retirement, seeing and soaking in the culture of France, and having a great summer. Hikes, lakes, wineries, châteaux, Medieval ruins et plus will keep us busy and active. We might even find time to head to the beautiful beaches along the Atlantic coast.

Clearwater, Florida

As we near dinner time on day four of our Christmas Holidays 2014, it's time to start thinking about Spring Break to chase more sun before spring and summer arrive in Vancouver.  We have settled into Cedar House here in Clearwater Fl. The house is over one hundred years old and provides a comfortable and relaxing base for this year's holiday. We have spent our time on the deck and in the pool. The pool guy was surprised to find anyone swimming in the pool, but once we said we were Canadians he understood. The weather is perfect except for Sunday night's storm, but after quite the lightening show, it blew its way out by Monday morning. Today is in the high 20's with some humidity.

"Family Reunion"

Well all is going well with the Family Reunion. The weather is holding

Staycation 2014

After a recess from writing, I thought it best to get back on the proverbial horse and reactivate our travel blog. You might think that we are jetting off on an exiting getaway, but we are now just past the half-way mark of my staycation,

Seaking the shade on Ambleside Beach 

I say my because Steve is still working about 2 days a week, while I'm off until at least September 2 and that could be the subject of another blog. After Christmas in New York and then a Spring Break in Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon in the near past, and Christmas in Florida in the near future, it seemed like a good idea to stay close to home for the summer. Even a  short return visit to the Sunshine Coast that we enjoyed last summer fell through, so we thought it must be in our tea leaves that the backyard was the place for us this summer. We are planning to make up for this staycation next summer, as we have already put down a deposit on a house in Bellac, France for the two months. More about those plans later. New patio furniture and excellent weather has turned our back deck into our new living room, and our even newer barbeque has turned it into our second kitchen. Since there is no place like home, Steve thought his mum would enjoy a visit out west from her home in Waterloo, Ontario, and she has been our guest since early July. We have had day trips to Belcarra, White Rock, the Vancouver beaches, and West Vancouver to enjoy the sunshine, scenery and the mother-son bonding. At home the two of them, well mainly Jean, has been painting up a storm. 

In her West Coast Studio

So the summer has past with the sounds of Martini In the Morning on the stereo, some gardening, a few trashy summer reads as well as some more substantial literature such as Romeo and Juliet. It seemed like a good plan to teach it to our grade 8s in the fall back in June, but it could be very interesting....  The peace and serenity of our own little Giverny is about to be invaded by even more family. A family tree might be helpful, but 4 generations of the Michalek family will be landing this Saturday. Two of Jean's daughters, Donna and Victoria, two of Jean's grand kids, Paul and Evie along with their spouses and 3 great-grand children will turn our little garden oasis into 3 ring circus. It is fortunate that Evelyn, Jean's youngest daughter, lives just through the forest and across the creek from us, as wel,l her partner Kevin, has an apartment in the building right next door to our complex. He will vacate his apartment and bunk in with Evelyn and our cat Puffin, who is on her own summer camp adventure, Jean is allergic to cats. This frees up two bedrooms and a den for our out of towners. A week of sunshine is in the forecast and the beach, parks, pool, picnics are on the agenda. 

Viva Las Vegas.....

Well Spring Break is here again. After our last year's trip to Palm Springs, we are now making this an annual escape to somewhere warm and sunny. This year we are off to Las Vegas for 3 days and then driving up to the Grand Canyon for a couple more days. Our flight leaves on Sunday afternoon from Bellingham. Our neighbours, Elke and Paul are joining us on this year's adventure. We have taken Steve's sister's advice on our hotel. The Plaza Hotel on Main and Freemont will be our Las Vegas home. With a little luck the pool will be nice for an afternoon dip. The forecast is sunny and almost hot for the next few days in Vegas, which is better than our rain and 10 degrees forecast for the next few days here. Well off to pack and run the last few errands. Looking forward to discovering Las Vegas with our Las Vegas virgin neighbours.

Viva Las Vegas....