My (small) bag is packed . . . . London, Paris, j'arrive . . .

Today's the day. All the house-sitting, pet-sitting, mail pick-up has been arranged, all our good-bye visiting has been done, a few last-minute items to pick up and we're off late this afternoon. The worldwide headlines jangle my travel-day nerves even more than usual, but I'm with Pater, and together we'll manage whatever challenges and thrills the next six weeks deliver.Yesterday's plans

Packing: The Challenge Begins . . .

I've noticed a climate change when it comes to talking about packing.  A few years ago, any claim that I'd managed two weeks in Paris with carry-on luggage would be met most often with incredulity. Occasionally, there would be admiration--as if for a heroic accomplishment--occasionally, and sometimes there'd even be ridicule (why ever would you want to do that?). But when Une Femme introduced the

Travel Plans: A Tale of Three Cities . . .

Right now, there are four or five centimetres of fresh snow on the railings of our apartment balcony, and freezing rain making a mess of the sidewalk -- and the only boots here are unlined rainboots with a 2-inch heel and dubious traction. I wanted peace, quiet, and much slowing down, and I'm getting what I asked for!Last night, on my own (Pater had to go back to the island for the weekend), I