For the longest time I refused to visit the Tower of London. I knew it had a gruesome history as all Tudor-ian books I have read mention the feared “tower” where traitors were taken for inquisitional purposes – most often … Continue reading
On Mom’s first full Sunday in London, the boys were away at Emirates Stadium watching Arsenal lose… or win, I can’t remember. We, on the other hand, were wandering about my very own stomping ground and learning about lost graveyards … Continue reading
Oh yes, friends, there is more! As I sort through my photos from the family trip to France, I come across more reasons to share the adventure with you, my faithful followers. I know most of you are family members who are counting down the days (of sadness) for another Christmas without the light from my striking blue eyes; or friends that wish I was gathered round the chestnuts a-roastin’ as we bellow eggnog-inspired carols. (Alas it’s not meant to be this year.) Some of you are random people who now know more about my family than perhaps they’d wish you to. Either way, here’s Marseille.
That was a bit of a digression… sorry.
Marseille. I’ve always wanted to go, having a romantical idea of the city in the south of France. Although it’s pretty, it paled in comparison to Arles where we stayed the night before, and our shoddy lunch only distracted from what could have been a lovely town. Here are some highlites that I’ve captured on camera…
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Final verdict on Marseille – I won’t be going back. There are too many other parts of France that intrigue me, even in Franc was quite dashing (xxoo Cora!)
It had been 17 years since Draker last feasted his eyes on the glory of Les Hautes Alpes. I’ve been spoiled, having visited every year (sometimes twice!) since 2008, but Drake was just 7 years old last time he was here, and he only remembered bits and pieces. It was with great satisfaction that I watched his face as we drove into the mountains. Turns out kid Brother has a relatively good recall of French and has a love-on for the French lifestyle about as fierce as moi.
Next step, get his French Nationality so he can move on over (sorry Mom, you’ll just have to come visit more often!!!)
Here are some shots from our first day in Les Vigneaux.
I’m going to try something a little bit new here, and write this entry in both English and French. This is particularly for Alain, who was our amazing tour guide/chauffeur/angelic cousin throughout our Provencal roadtrip.
J’essaier un chose nouveau ici, et j’ecrive cet blog en les deux langues – l’anglais et la francais. (Excuser des erreurs… mon Francais n’est pas parfait!) C’est pour mon cousin Alain, qui est un accompagnateur fantastique, et aussi un cousin des anges.
Drake stretches out upon arrival in our room at the Plage St. Jean Hotel in La Ciotat
Drake a reste des jambes sur le lit quand nous avons arrivons a L’Hotel Plage St. Jean a La Ciotat.
October on the Cote d'Azur. First clouds all week.
Les premieres nuages dans la semaine.
Mom, Drake and Chris look for a place to sit
Ils ont cherchent un place pour assis.
Not quite brave enough for the surf, but ready to bust a move.
Nous avons le peur de l’eau froid. Mais je n’ai pas le peur de la danser!
Chris and Mom check out the horizon
Des parents regardent le beaux paysage.
The boy was ready for a swim. Unfortunately it was too cold!
Il a voudrait nager, mais c’etait trop froid!
It's everywhere!
Je ne sais pas le mot pour ‘graffiti’.
Surf on my feet
De l’eau sur mes pieds.
The horizon and tide
Le beaux paysage.
Sometimes I wish I could just float away
Quelques chose, je voudrait danser avec la mer.
Boy finds stick. Shows sister.
Le garcon avec du boit. La soeure (moi) a regarde.
Too cold outside - time to join Alain in the 'spa' aka pool/fitness room
Parce-que c’est trop froid dehors, nous avons cherchons Alain dans la piscine.
We found Alain hiding in the hot tub
Alain est dans la douche chaude (?)
Escaping from the Bouillabaise, I sat on a bench trying to regain my composure (note to self, can't do Fish Soup) and attempted to capture these pretty boats.
Pour diner, nous avons mangeons une speciale de Marseille – la bouillabaise. C’est la soupe des poissons et ce n’etait pas un bon choix pour mon sante. Au dehors, j’ai prends la nature et aussi un photo des bateaux jolies.
Bises!!!
You can fly, you can fly, you can fly!!!
Oh what a journey to reach our hotel near Stansted! We had another early morning flight the following day, so rather than brave public transportation in the wee hours of the morn, I opted to book a family room at a hotel near the airport. 4:00 am start is much better than no sleep at all.
The Desalis Hotel is a 5 minute shuttle ride from Stansted and our room for four cost us a measley 90£. It had sleeping space for six and although it was in the middle of nowhere, it was the most practical option available.
Whilst Mom and Chris slept, Drake and I decided to explore the surrounding countryside. It’s not often that we can access rural England, and I was delighted with what we found…
Finally found a thatched cottage!
Another thatched cottage, but this was more like a large thatched house!
You may or may not know, but since arriving in the UK I’ve been obsessed with seeing a thatched cottage. Despite several trips into the countryside (Oxford, Brighton, Granville and West Norfolk), I had yet to feast my eyes on the glory of a thatched roof cottage.
Until my family arrived, that is. Check it out!
Jen said that when she went home, one of things she missed most was our walks, when I would touch and usually eat everything we came across.
Wild plums a-plenty
(Don’t worry, I have very good flora identification skills). Draker got the chance, this time, to wait around for me while I sniffed and ingested various fruit species. There were blackberries, and also these plums! They were growing everywhere and had a nice tangy flavour. I decided to stop eating them to avoid ruining my dinner, though – the hotel has an Indian restaurant on-site. Drake was ex-cite-ed! The boy loves Indian, and our hometown in Canada does not provide the opportunity. In case you were wondering, Drake only ate one plum.
As it was starting to get dark and we were both raring to eat, we made our way back to the hotel, first taking a stroll through hotel ‘grounds.’ In the yard next door, we found a plethora of abandoned vehicles, including this former festival lorry which I thought had some character.
Discarded festival lorries
We also had to take a short (fifteen) minute break to capture a jump shot. Being that we are unique varieties of Merritt, we didn’t want any ole jump shot – no sir, we wanted a running jump shot. Several attempts failed to provide a good example as our timing was not on, but it was fun.
Jump, little Merritts, jump!
Told you it was a creepy wood - there was even a skull!
It was while we were wandering the perimetre of the hotel property that we found the wood. The sun was setting on an already overcast day, and the wood had an eerie feeling – the random skull didn’t add any light to the situation. What do you think it is, Badger?
It also provided a perfect opportunity for a quick and creepy photo shoot. I hate that the word ‘twilight’ is now so easily associated with Vampires, but do we not look like we might jump out to feast on the next innocent human walking past?
Two siblings at twilight
