Monday, September 27, 2010
Canal de Midi
On to Homps with supplies of vin, fromage and pan (wine, cheese and bread) where we met up with Mary's brothers and one of their wives and the big surprise of Cat and Julie! A few happy tears were shed by Dira and Cat when they jumped out from behind the admin building shocking her with the very idea that they were here! For those of us who knew about the surprise it was a great relief not to have to pretend that they were in Port Douglas FNQ! The gang now numbers 13.
Onto the two boats and down came the rain.....
We stayed in Homps that evening as the weather was not very nice at all and we were assured that it was set to improve.
The next day it started out raining but settled into a grey and windy day. It was cold up top for the uncovered steering crew. First up we had 4 locks to navigate and with a little help from some kind Frenchmen, we had it mastered. No disasters, just a few clumsy attempts at getting in and out of the narrow spaces and trying to throw and collect ropes. We were pros by the end of it though.
The Canal itself is just like the pics, picturesque at every turn. Geoff drove our boat most of today with myself having a turn, fishtailing it along the river before finally getting the hang of it. While I say this at every passing boat or bridge I would hand it back to the skipper. Megan has now become the second steering pro and Helen does ropes and other important support duties such as feeding the crew. The other boat crew quickly saw Phillip bring Cat and Sylvie up to steering duties and we all motored happily down the canal.
We spent the second night at Capestang with it's 14th century church lit up at night. Ahh...
Onto the two boats and down came the rain.....
We stayed in Homps that evening as the weather was not very nice at all and we were assured that it was set to improve.
The next day it started out raining but settled into a grey and windy day. It was cold up top for the uncovered steering crew. First up we had 4 locks to navigate and with a little help from some kind Frenchmen, we had it mastered. No disasters, just a few clumsy attempts at getting in and out of the narrow spaces and trying to throw and collect ropes. We were pros by the end of it though.
The Canal itself is just like the pics, picturesque at every turn. Geoff drove our boat most of today with myself having a turn, fishtailing it along the river before finally getting the hang of it. While I say this at every passing boat or bridge I would hand it back to the skipper. Megan has now become the second steering pro and Helen does ropes and other important support duties such as feeding the crew. The other boat crew quickly saw Phillip bring Cat and Sylvie up to steering duties and we all motored happily down the canal.
We spent the second night at Capestang with it's 14th century church lit up at night. Ahh...
Leaving Salies de Bearne
Having spent a few more relaxing days wandering around this beautiful (and cute) town, we made our way to Carrcasone to see the restored medieval town. As the pic shows, it is a fairy tale setting, H and G refer to it a "dingilly Dell" town. The views from the top were spectacular even if the wind nearly blew us off and the clouds were rolling in. This set the weather for the next few days, unfortunately coinciding with our Canal de Midi boating trip.
O
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Thursday, September 23, 2010
Foray into Spain
Yesterday we went to San Sebastian with a flu bound Geoff. All the others went to Bilbao to see the Guggenheim museum there. They came home tired but impressed by what they had seen - the drive was 2.5 hours each way so I am glad we only did the hour to SS.
San Sebastian is a Atlantic coast city, in our opinion a cross between the Gold coast and Cannes! Picturesque beaches with lots of older people walking the beach with film stars arriving in limousines for a Spanish film festival. Dira mixed it up with the paparazzi to get a photo. We were hoping for Penelope Cruz or Javier Bardem but got the cast of a movie pan negres (black bread). Maybe it will be an international success and we can sell the pic to Who magazine!
Being in Spain, tapas was definitely on the menu for lunch! Went to a great district, centuries old and full of locals eating tapas at the bar. We went in and selected platefuls of tapas, sat down, ate with gusto and went back for some more! Prawns featured a lot as did ham, both staple foods in France and Spain.
Out to dinner last night at a local restaurant with the usual scrumptious food like canard confit, seafood - fish with garlic and tiny black mussels and creme caramel to top it off.
San Sebastian is a Atlantic coast city, in our opinion a cross between the Gold coast and Cannes! Picturesque beaches with lots of older people walking the beach with film stars arriving in limousines for a Spanish film festival. Dira mixed it up with the paparazzi to get a photo. We were hoping for Penelope Cruz or Javier Bardem but got the cast of a movie pan negres (black bread). Maybe it will be an international success and we can sell the pic to Who magazine!
Being in Spain, tapas was definitely on the menu for lunch! Went to a great district, centuries old and full of locals eating tapas at the bar. We went in and selected platefuls of tapas, sat down, ate with gusto and went back for some more! Prawns featured a lot as did ham, both staple foods in France and Spain.
Out to dinner last night at a local restaurant with the usual scrumptious food like canard confit, seafood - fish with garlic and tiny black mussels and creme caramel to top it off.
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
The Pyrenees
Today we ventured south of Helen and Georges to the base of the Pyrenees mountains, through small villages drove along side the river at the base of the mountains just like in the Tour de France. Picked fresh figs beside a creek and rosemary growing wild to make some petit fig and goats cheese tarts for pre dinner snacks. Took a drive up a track to see the views of the Asasp valley. The road was so steep I walked down it a way as I did not fancy the drive back down.. We are in the Basque country of France and so close to the Sapnish border truely beautiful country.
Monday, September 20, 2010
Sailes de Bearne
We travelled by train, a leisurely 4 hours at high speed, reading, playing Zilch and looking at the French countryside. We were met excitedly in Beyonne by Helen and Geoff, hard to tell who was most excited between us all! So great to see them hard to believe it's nearly a year. We then drove to their place about 45mins away.
What a town, just like the photo it is a storybook place that has amazing houses, centuries old and painted in the most beautiful blues including many with our favorite duck egg blue. Flags crisscross cross lots of the streets, adding to the picture book feel.
Spent yesterday wandering around little alley ways and basking in the warm sunshine.
Mary and Phillip finally arrived close to midnight after their plane was cancelled and they had to madly change airports and airlines to get here at all! Sylvie arrives today, hopefully with less complications.
What a town, just like the photo it is a storybook place that has amazing houses, centuries old and painted in the most beautiful blues including many with our favorite duck egg blue. Flags crisscross cross lots of the streets, adding to the picture book feel.
Spent yesterday wandering around little alley ways and basking in the warm sunshine.
Mary and Phillip finally arrived close to midnight after their plane was cancelled and they had to madly change airports and airlines to get here at all! Sylvie arrives today, hopefully with less complications.
The place where we lived
Our apartment was up three flights of very steep stairs.
Although we cursed this many an evening - we couldn't help peering out one of our windows on the Marais neighborhood. People watching was one of our favorite entertainments in Paris - just one glance between us communicated so much "did you get a load of her!" what taste, style, what beauty! So peering out our windows into others apartments we spyed poor patients in dentist chairs - and could even hear the drill, the nurse out on the balcony having a cigger. We would delight in watching a ginormous English sheep dog greet its owner leaping up to cuddle her on her lap. We would marvel at all the gorgeous gay boys partying on a tuesday night at one of our local bars. When do the French work? And in true French style we had a "sit in" across the way in the national archives. We didn't quite get what was happening but we think the French government was trying to kick out the archives from the sleeping beauty type castle and replace the archives with something else. Anyways signs, petitions and we imagine workers camping there in protest
But best of all - one night as we crawled up the stairs to fall into bed - just one final glance out our windows. A lithe swagger, a gorgeous black man clearly about to meet up for a date. It started as a little joyous skip, but he obviously couldn't restrain himself - it built into a uninhibited dance, anticipating the night he was going to have. What is the saying? Dance like nobody is watching - his joy was infectious.
Although we cursed this many an evening - we couldn't help peering out one of our windows on the Marais neighborhood. People watching was one of our favorite entertainments in Paris - just one glance between us communicated so much "did you get a load of her!" what taste, style, what beauty! So peering out our windows into others apartments we spyed poor patients in dentist chairs - and could even hear the drill, the nurse out on the balcony having a cigger. We would delight in watching a ginormous English sheep dog greet its owner leaping up to cuddle her on her lap. We would marvel at all the gorgeous gay boys partying on a tuesday night at one of our local bars. When do the French work? And in true French style we had a "sit in" across the way in the national archives. We didn't quite get what was happening but we think the French government was trying to kick out the archives from the sleeping beauty type castle and replace the archives with something else. Anyways signs, petitions and we imagine workers camping there in protest
But best of all - one night as we crawled up the stairs to fall into bed - just one final glance out our windows. A lithe swagger, a gorgeous black man clearly about to meet up for a date. It started as a little joyous skip, but he obviously couldn't restrain himself - it built into a uninhibited dance, anticipating the night he was going to have. What is the saying? Dance like nobody is watching - his joy was infectious.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Paris Gastronomy
Well today was the day for the finest food days we have had in Paris, we started by meeting our friends Mary and Phillip for lunch at Derrier on Rue de Gravilliers a sort of weird set up in a house set up like the home of Andy Wahol. We ate in the courtyard.... salmon graxilax with horseradish cream, rabbit terrine, then on to roast duck, beef and chicken on large platters.
Then it was onto meet my Aunt and Uncle Phyll and Jim at their apartment. after a few good French champagnes onto a very sweet resturaunt Pramil on Rue de Vertbois. Fois gras, tart of zucchini and sardine, asparagus on proscuitto, and tomato salad with fresh mozerella followed by scallops and veal, great wine and fabulous company. Parted with Phyll and Jim on the corner of our street. Then a last drop by to our local wine bar for a final night cap to finish off the wonderful week we had in Paris. Up early to make the 10 am train to Bayonne.
Then it was onto meet my Aunt and Uncle Phyll and Jim at their apartment. after a few good French champagnes onto a very sweet resturaunt Pramil on Rue de Vertbois. Fois gras, tart of zucchini and sardine, asparagus on proscuitto, and tomato salad with fresh mozerella followed by scallops and veal, great wine and fabulous company. Parted with Phyll and Jim on the corner of our street. Then a last drop by to our local wine bar for a final night cap to finish off the wonderful week we had in Paris. Up early to make the 10 am train to Bayonne.
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Time is running out...
We have decided that there is not enough time to absorb Paris so in our next life we are coming back as Parisiennes!
Today we all did Pompedieu to look at the Picasso's, Kadinsky's and the Chauval's...ah so wonderful. There was a women's exhibition on the 4th floor that was best avoided, the 3 metre high, brown wool knitted vagina and a video of Yoko Ono's buttocks .... if you get my meaning!
Went to Rue de Rossiers for famous falafel which was worth it's reputation and then visited the Paris Museum which was full of paintings and artifacts showing the history of Paris through the different centuries.
Megan is making dinner tonight - Nicoise salad no less and a bottle of bubbles to wash it down. Ah Paris...!
Today we all did Pompedieu to look at the Picasso's, Kadinsky's and the Chauval's...ah so wonderful. There was a women's exhibition on the 4th floor that was best avoided, the 3 metre high, brown wool knitted vagina and a video of Yoko Ono's buttocks .... if you get my meaning!
Went to Rue de Rossiers for famous falafel which was worth it's reputation and then visited the Paris Museum which was full of paintings and artifacts showing the history of Paris through the different centuries.
Megan is making dinner tonight - Nicoise salad no less and a bottle of bubbles to wash it down. Ah Paris...!
Bon Marche
The food hall at Bon Marche was tres bien the spaghetti and pastas were amazing, some in soft pastel stripes and licorice all sort colors, the eggs also were boxed in soft pastel cartons of six,and each egg costing $4 each. Ate at a small local restaurant last night recommended by our landlady,we had smoked duck salad, goats cheese salad a cassoulet of seafood and stuffed peppers. Not sure what was happening last night but the streets were partying we thought it must have been Napoleons birthday to be carrying on till the wee hours on a school night.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
The views of Paris
Today we took the metro to Moncea park, a super posh local park just a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe. Sat on a park bench watching the world go by. Walked then to the Arc de Triomphe and climbed the 284 step spiral stair case to the top, view spectacular. Walked home via the Champs Elysees - sun shining. At the moment we can't post any pics because our Ipad does not allow this function so will post some pics once we get to Helens on Sat. So stay tuned
Monday, September 13, 2010
Ah Paris....
What can we say? Paris is as beautiful as ever, if a little busier.
We made ourselves stay up last night (well to 7pm anyway) to try and beat the jet lag but all succumbed eventually. Dira was awake at 2am having cups of tea with Megan while I slept.
Today we went to the marche de rouge enfant (markets of the red children) to buy fresh food for dinner and beautiful pink hydrangas for our apartment. oh salad! Megan and I then went for a long walk on the Left Bank in search of places where the likes of Oscar Wild and others hung out. Came back through Luxemburg Gardens watching half of Paris enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon. But no one is allowed on the grass so chairs are valuable commodities here. Tennis, pony rides, big band jazz and lots of couples smooching is the order of the day here. Oh and don't leave out the small boys with long sticks steering their rented antique sail boats in the Grand Basin! Tres bien!
Dira went walking to Places de Vogues and in search of French onion soup which She found in a square near Pompedieu. Again tres bien!
We made ourselves stay up last night (well to 7pm anyway) to try and beat the jet lag but all succumbed eventually. Dira was awake at 2am having cups of tea with Megan while I slept.
Today we went to the marche de rouge enfant (markets of the red children) to buy fresh food for dinner and beautiful pink hydrangas for our apartment. oh salad! Megan and I then went for a long walk on the Left Bank in search of places where the likes of Oscar Wild and others hung out. Came back through Luxemburg Gardens watching half of Paris enjoying a sunny Sunday afternoon. But no one is allowed on the grass so chairs are valuable commodities here. Tennis, pony rides, big band jazz and lots of couples smooching is the order of the day here. Oh and don't leave out the small boys with long sticks steering their rented antique sail boats in the Grand Basin! Tres bien!
Dira went walking to Places de Vogues and in search of French onion soup which She found in a square near Pompedieu. Again tres bien!
Paris via London!
After getting back on the plane a few hours later we landed in London dizzy from circling Heathrow a number of times.
Then a train ride and a cab we arrived at St Pancreas station to catch another train to Paris. But before getting on the final train we had a breakfast date with Izac. Yes Izac who lives in New York was in London after working in Glasgow for the past three weeks. His sister Jess and partner Paul also joined us. Seems a bit surreal? It was! But great to see them.
Onto the train and a fast trip over to Paris.
Then a train ride and a cab we arrived at St Pancreas station to catch another train to Paris. But before getting on the final train we had a breakfast date with Izac. Yes Izac who lives in New York was in London after working in Glasgow for the past three weeks. His sister Jess and partner Paul also joined us. Seems a bit surreal? It was! But great to see them.
Onto the train and a fast trip over to Paris.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Bonkers in Hong Kong
I flew into Hong Kong looking like I had not been in fear of flying therapy for years all going swimmingly until half hour before landing and KABOOM! We entered a huge electrical storm and at one stage I had thought the plane was on fire due to all the colors out the window. At this stage I was 10 out of 10 in the panic mode. All I was thinking was that I could not go down in the South China Sea without having made it to Paris for an almond croissant. They closed the airport to all traffic and we hung around until the storm passed and it was safe to venture on.
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