River Walk in Bordeaux

 We've just come in from a splendid day in the Bois de Boulogne, but I'm determined to post my Bordeaux pics . . . these are of our walk Saturday morning along the marvellous waterfront promenade along the Garonne River. While we had lots of room to manouevre when we started out the promenade quickly filled with Bordelais families, singles, couples, all taking advantage of the spring sunshine.

Flanerie, Bordeaux-style . . .

Friday evening, we strolled down Rue de Sainte Catherine, apparently the longest pedestrian street in Europe.A lively, happy buzz of voices warmed by the street's lively acoustics, smiles everywhere thanks to the warm weather . . . Interesting cross streets to peer down . . .Certain charming Canadian men to watch -- oops! that's Pater, he's mine. . .More peering -- and of course we ended up

Simple Pleasures . . . in Bordeaux

 Yesterday's lunch, eaten in the Bordeaux sunshine -- Salade Landaise, which seems even better than the Salade Auvergnate I usually order. If you're a vegetarian, you won't be impressed, obviously, nor will you be if you dislike charcuterie.  As for me, I loved the warm gésiers and the smoked magret (duck breast) you see edging the bottom of the plate was amazing -- such an intense flavour. The

I love Paris in the Springtime!

Yesterday was a stunningly beautiful day in Paris -- we had enjoyed a glorious sleep-in, our first good sleep since arriving at Heathrow on Wednesday, facilitated by the quiet in our apartment, and so didn't get going 'til 10:30-ish, so the line-up was already snaking all the way up the plaza in front of the Pompidou Centre. Still, we persevered, knowing there was only one day left for the

Oh to be in London, now that spring is here

This is the sort of delightful surprise that makes walking in London so rewarding. Camels as supports for benches?  All along the riverfront, these never fail to make me smile. . . . by the way, that's Pater just ahead. Here's a closer view  --  I think he looks rather dapper, dressing from his carry-on only wardrobe as well.  We'll see how the look weathers over the next six weeks . . . Our

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

Should I Stay or Should I Go?

Thinking about my upcoming trip has been a welcome relief from some of the ugly weather we've had around here. But now that I'm actually packing my suitcase, making long lists of bill-paying and petcare-arranging and finishing projects for work and confirming reservations and . . . okay, you know . . .now that I'm doing all these tasks and the trip feels very real and imminent, now the weather

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

Eating in Yountville

Bored as I am with being convalescent and house-bound, it occurs to me that this would be the perfect time to dip back into vacation memories. Sadly, while I take notes when we travel to Europe, I didn't bother in California, assuming, I guess, that I could surely remember for a trip of only one week. Sadly, my memory is not even up to that. Pater's isn't much better. But we did resurrect three