tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17408709520409543162024-03-19T00:09:14.382-04:00My GREEN Life & Real EstateMy GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.comBlogger166125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-38230487686257893322024-01-22T13:40:00.004-05:002024-01-22T21:23:46.367-05:00A Re-Introduction and Is My Blog Really 16 This Year??<p>I'm so late wishing everyone a Happy New Year! I was sick in bed with Covid for 2 full weeks - it was my first time getting it and it hit me HARD!<br /><br />It's been a while, so I thought a re-introduction might be in order. </p><p>If you've been reading me, then you probably know that I'm a Realtor. I have been a full-time Realtor since 2000 (yep, this is year 24!) based in Central Connecticut. That decision to take a leap of faith all those years ago helped me to firmly root myself in our small community, where I was a new transplant and only knew my husband's family & friends. I had wonderful mentors in those early years, and I have been working as a mentor to support other new agents. <a href="http://www.carlguild.com" target="_blank">Carl Guild & Associates</a> is about to celebrate 6 years as the most amazing, <span style="color: black;">community-focused brokerage </span>and I couldn't be happier about it. (I wrote about it <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2021/01/this-is-21.html" target="_blank">here</a>.) Apparently it shows, because I was named our company's Agent of the Year for 2023!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuuwgcaAzR4y9X4mJWEbBxt86QGCZSSvJUmpGl7OXbuitOTIgHtgruVfYL-1raXhQ5ZevUYHeFB_mNVHeUUZrB60oi8sDRVr64YsOIK8Zo2sqQJIEy1_zS-xfQ9XgqiyAfFOci0dfQCbyKguDDDhZvHlfBXAREhzWAKOG8kEfVIGQFkP7e6T76kgKHgzu/s1560/416765272_7097700756964134_2367936442875813967_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1560" data-original-width="1170" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuuwgcaAzR4y9X4mJWEbBxt86QGCZSSvJUmpGl7OXbuitOTIgHtgruVfYL-1raXhQ5ZevUYHeFB_mNVHeUUZrB60oi8sDRVr64YsOIK8Zo2sqQJIEy1_zS-xfQ9XgqiyAfFOci0dfQCbyKguDDDhZvHlfBXAREhzWAKOG8kEfVIGQFkP7e6T76kgKHgzu/w300-h400/416765272_7097700756964134_2367936442875813967_n.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>My favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. We have had some of the most amazing adventures together, and I've chronicled many of our trips here on the blog. We've had epic 6-week trips, 5-week trips, month-long trips, and 3-week trips, but one of my favorites might have been our very spontaneous 2nd trip to <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2021/10/our-weekend-adventure-in-iceland.html" target="_blank">Iceland</a> for a long weekend, right when the pandemic restrictions started to ease. I'm such a planner because I want to make the most of our travels, but the kids loved that I threw together a trip in a couple of days. I think the fact that we'd been grounded for 2 years and it was SO spontaneous, helped to make it feel even more special and celebratory. There was so much joy in <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2021/10/our-weekend-adventure-in-iceland.html" target="_blank">that trip</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z4Bj6VbfU-kUVEu_3SAL4tjzY2zXAIvbHNPOVxx5Gy6OD4SljJWcDAxcITJyAdiHF1A5K5tqtE891oBKXrhnWngBhWRAPCr8Lo1beX7xpGkR4pbtiXP2nPJwALpjkB6VOwMYkTbNgL6OFVFmHHRd0REODj0UwPYWpO6wngPdPhEKXduXJtJDKqgttR1O/s3088/FamilyphotosSkyLagoon.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2316" data-original-width="3088" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Z4Bj6VbfU-kUVEu_3SAL4tjzY2zXAIvbHNPOVxx5Gy6OD4SljJWcDAxcITJyAdiHF1A5K5tqtE891oBKXrhnWngBhWRAPCr8Lo1beX7xpGkR4pbtiXP2nPJwALpjkB6VOwMYkTbNgL6OFVFmHHRd0REODj0UwPYWpO6wngPdPhEKXduXJtJDKqgttR1O/w400-h300/FamilyphotosSkyLagoon.HEIC" width="400" /></a></div><p>Travel is a passion of mine. Travel planning is one of my super-powers. I have at least 2 trips on the calendar for this year, and possibly an end-of-year trip to see my eldest overseas if we haven't seen him by then. (How we're going to afford all of these trips while making college payments in the Fall is still up in the air!) I've gone up to 7 months without seeing my kid, but I draw the line at going more than a year. Right now he lives on the other side of the planet in Melbourne, Australia, and I am so happy for him. I love that he's out there having those adventures and living his life. </p><p>I write in my <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2021/01/my-bullet-journal.html" target="_blank">bullet journal</a> and practice gratitude daily. The biggest surprise to me in looking back at the gratitude pages is that as much as I can be an introvert and not want to go out sometimes after being out all day, it's those times I'm with friends that end up in my book.</p><p>The bravest, scariest thing I've done is donate a kidney, back in 2016. I didn't hesitate, and I'd do it again in a heartbeat.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5vUdzLv6SfZRGJ0mYWpV-Vv4cYNZXbYHVOLbihCI5c67TPazpIFML7978rDvtdMSCnP3kqffY1rCdQ479JmiNcHrmaLwKhAfEuHwtKYmahUsMAA6UoOrqJKsQnjN2EBF5sc0xgNCVBnu0U_QEU-ouZHlgPiIyKvJMqwgUCsQ3vDQCkaEEfxAAo51ktvj/s1536/KidneyTransplant%20photoJPG.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx5vUdzLv6SfZRGJ0mYWpV-Vv4cYNZXbYHVOLbihCI5c67TPazpIFML7978rDvtdMSCnP3kqffY1rCdQ479JmiNcHrmaLwKhAfEuHwtKYmahUsMAA6UoOrqJKsQnjN2EBF5sc0xgNCVBnu0U_QEU-ouZHlgPiIyKvJMqwgUCsQ3vDQCkaEEfxAAo51ktvj/w400-h400/KidneyTransplant%20photoJPG.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>I lived 10 years in Quebec, Canada as a child, and grew up bilingual to Francophone parents. My brother and I experienced a magical Canadian childhood spent with cousins, family, and great friends...playing in forests, fields, and our family farms. We ice skated at recess, played hockey, stacked wood, ate the food we grew, and the fish and game our dad and his brothers caught. It's wildly different than what my own kids know. I still strongly identify with my Canadian roots, and I'm so grateful to my parents for giving us that gift. </p><p>My study-abroad in Urbino, Italy was life-changing, and I maintain that studying abroad or living abroad is an amazing experience that everyone should have. I keep going back to Italy again and again. I probably always will. There's something about it that felt like a homecoming the very first time I arrived. I'm not a drop Italian, but there it is. The food might have something to do with it, but for sure our friends there are a big draw, along with the lifestyle, culture, and art.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl1I_UYZ_ZEt4vh1iQU31NfNOq6d-gusitCrlj3M9jdvUd9WTL3XTaKArAfLqQc4GdmOlLBuB6u8G91VFI2jHUgoTdueSGNRFmWNgh9H42Zmiecr7_OVf7j_3-Gf1jktbaz3whFM25pAtz2suBUymEaJXIBAPIl4zbVL42KOtF870aQJBqIi4fkthA2Bs/s480/IMG_4263.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRl1I_UYZ_ZEt4vh1iQU31NfNOq6d-gusitCrlj3M9jdvUd9WTL3XTaKArAfLqQc4GdmOlLBuB6u8G91VFI2jHUgoTdueSGNRFmWNgh9H42Zmiecr7_OVf7j_3-Gf1jktbaz3whFM25pAtz2suBUymEaJXIBAPIl4zbVL42KOtF870aQJBqIi4fkthA2Bs/w300-h400/IMG_4263.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I'm an avid reader. I have a stack of books on my bedside table right now and at all times. I'm grateful for my 2 book clubs, which have pushed me to read books I never would have picked up otherwise. I love historical fiction, travel essays, mysteries, sci-fi, beach reads, fantasy, time travel, anything by Jenny Colgan, self-growth books...you name it!</p><p>I have a Bachelor of Arts degree in French, with a concentration in Italian.</p><p>Baking or cooking bring me peace, especially when I am stressed. I think it's the act of nourishing loved ones that makes me feel whole and grounded. </p><p>I'm creative. I paint or sketch. I used to write poetry and once I co-wrote a play. I'm not great at art, but enjoy it. I love good art supplies and usually travel with small set of aquarelles or colored pencils. I appreciate the dramatic arts, theatre, opera and music, but I don't practice any of those. I'm a great theatre mom though. </p><p>We got our first family cat during the pandemic, and I'm obsessed with her. I think the feeling is mutual as she's usually glued to my side if I'm home. She's a big, floofy, gorgeous Siberian, and kind of spicy & controlling, but I love her.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0DfHxRKSz_0IgGcH-9YTg7OXkg15E0L2kze-m3gNyjxkvsjfDdYYUuVLwXNq-gm6z3W6x2q49PtGr_bpKsqWFrw7WQHTAXR07dEwyTE3oieeWLapS8ehJV3hMSdomnvfpNUrXbt7l1Jsx6L3AzntwHggDwBov9Mq20pq7DhL2pvLsEqZ3KTfHYlchJOk/s640/IMG_6573.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT0DfHxRKSz_0IgGcH-9YTg7OXkg15E0L2kze-m3gNyjxkvsjfDdYYUuVLwXNq-gm6z3W6x2q49PtGr_bpKsqWFrw7WQHTAXR07dEwyTE3oieeWLapS8ehJV3hMSdomnvfpNUrXbt7l1Jsx6L3AzntwHggDwBov9Mq20pq7DhL2pvLsEqZ3KTfHYlchJOk/w300-h400/IMG_6573.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>I'm drawn to the ocean. The beach is a place I've always gone to read, or quiet my mind and feel grounded. Luckily it's less than a 40 min drive to the shore, and I'll often go after work, or when I'm showing houses on the shoreline.</p><p>I'm working on meditation. Wish me luck!</p><p>Escape rooms are my jam! We've done them on most of our trips overseas and domestically, and they're so fun! I've lost count of how many we've done.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzb1SvAU466p0IJcK6o3c9XxwbDHc3AHT4zUqzFSCkPiMs80N9pRmejGXEBjfGIKMkUOAQvDgidZA7NZzcQyfc6PiTGuT1T9PH1NEbgiQfVcsGqzaMrKlITW7DCmsSu8UJd-Ln85YlDwgrfRLariZWjjTRS3-IspXJILy6nI0ivAm7FoyJzZA0xkAqQxe/s640/IMG_3338.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzb1SvAU466p0IJcK6o3c9XxwbDHc3AHT4zUqzFSCkPiMs80N9pRmejGXEBjfGIKMkUOAQvDgidZA7NZzcQyfc6PiTGuT1T9PH1NEbgiQfVcsGqzaMrKlITW7DCmsSu8UJd-Ln85YlDwgrfRLariZWjjTRS3-IspXJILy6nI0ivAm7FoyJzZA0xkAqQxe/w300-h400/IMG_3338.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I've been doing volunteer work forever and I love it. Be it committee work, fundraising, event volunteering, organizing work...count me in! I try to help with 10-12 events per year, and any ongoing efforts if needed. I hope I'm a good role model to my kids.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKiHjhQKsSo-0E-ACps_7_BVAnLB7WLssDPgcYpoumOrMsltHXUr6dAV_SKP2NdkIbjAeDTSy6JOgywFZkod4YtWuzwg0ZausvGMIcxSzzKXEYZSmWwUGDzL0qDy3udlXi7tZjpK-TvULuYBIUd-uv-zY0bb3LD6VuT98Yka2pFfhf3aUOwVggAQwydoq/s3003/IMG_5993.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="3003" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtKiHjhQKsSo-0E-ACps_7_BVAnLB7WLssDPgcYpoumOrMsltHXUr6dAV_SKP2NdkIbjAeDTSy6JOgywFZkod4YtWuzwg0ZausvGMIcxSzzKXEYZSmWwUGDzL0qDy3udlXi7tZjpK-TvULuYBIUd-uv-zY0bb3LD6VuT98Yka2pFfhf3aUOwVggAQwydoq/w400-h278/IMG_5993.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(In 2023 I organized a team build day for my brokerage at our local <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2024/01/my-2nd-habitat-for-humanity-build.html" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity Build</a>.)</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We've been a <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2019/11/how-i-became-student-exchange-mom-host.html" target="_blank">host family</a> for International students for the past 10 years, and teachers for the past 20! We've hosted through Rotary International and AFS, and it's been an amazing experience how your family just keeps growing. I've been "American" mom to so many great kids, and seeing them again and again over the years is a blessing. We are looking forward to hosting a Chinese exchange student at the end of the month, and French teachers in the Fall. This Summer we're off to our 3rd wedding in France, this time the daughter of an exchange teacher, and we hope to meet up with at least 2 of our past exchange students. Charlotte and our German exchange student are seeing Taylor Swift in Germany together this Summer. They're so excited!</p><p>2024 is going to be a big adjustment year for me as my daughter will be heading off to college. We'll be empty nesters. I'm still wrapping my brain around that. Also, I kind of can't wait to find out where she decides to go! Acceptances have been coming in, and she'll have a big decision to make.</p><p>Am I still green? Very much so, though I've dropped the ball on composting recently. I've got to start that up again. We did replace our lovely little red Prius with a newer electric/hybrid one. We're on year 13 of being <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2023/02/12-years-of-solar-energy-i-love-saving.html" target="_blank">solar</a>. I've been growing my herbs & veggies in pots on the terrace instead of in the garden because the garden has gotten to be a lot of work/weeding that I just don't have the time for these days. I don't subscribe to fast fashion - I'm still a quality over quantity girl, and I still batch errands with appointments if I have to drive out of town for something. I'm trying to reduce my use of plastics. </p><p>I'm floored that this little blog is 16 this year. At one time my blog was mentioned in Photovoltaic Magazine, and I was a finalist for Connecticut's Most Valuable Blogger. I used to write for 2 bigger national blogs as well. One of them was Realtor Magazine, and it was a blast. I had a decent following and met some incredible people because of it. </p><p>So, this is me at age 50. If you're new here, welcome. Thanks to everyone for stopping by, and Happy 2024! I'm looking forward to an exciting year!</p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-23747887141462589512023-07-14T14:52:00.000-04:002024-01-22T14:53:01.908-05:00My 2nd Habitat for Humanity Build<p>Years ago, as part of the East Hampton Junior Women's Club, I was part of the crew who helped with the <a href="https://www.habitatmiddlesex.org/" target="_blank">Habitat for Humanity</a> build on a house near Lake Pocotopaug in my town. Members of our club came in to help with spreading topsoil and planting shrubs. As someone who appreciates manual labor, I loved it. I love working on projects and that feeling of satisfaction when the work is done. (Remember we gutted our house to the studs after we bought it?) As a Realtor, I'd wanted to volunteer again the next time Habitat planned a build in our community.</p><p>It took years, but finally Habitat announced another project in East Hampton, and I reached out to the volunteer coordinator to ask to put a team from my brokerage, <a href="http://www.carlguild.com" target="_blank">Carl Guild & Associates</a>, on the schedule. My broker Carl is awesome, and was completely on board. One of our core values is our commitment to our communities.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyXbSKLSuFF6OlMzhX7MQ_hMywIKtpqIL9n4kPusqYFxcW8hCT2ggwkXLOrNdnt8OVuOvwmdmEXOkE2hyphenhyphen1GTdEybNkOTV1glCCg3d8wag5zTckQ_NMiBBLJ7vMYaKSYTrWGevaaBh0tYJ8xlV8UflMhdpIPbQg0yW8skTpIOv5Cm5fjHamgs8xS-Vf_gf/s3003/IMG_5993.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2082" data-original-width="3003" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSyXbSKLSuFF6OlMzhX7MQ_hMywIKtpqIL9n4kPusqYFxcW8hCT2ggwkXLOrNdnt8OVuOvwmdmEXOkE2hyphenhyphen1GTdEybNkOTV1glCCg3d8wag5zTckQ_NMiBBLJ7vMYaKSYTrWGevaaBh0tYJ8xlV8UflMhdpIPbQg0yW8skTpIOv5Cm5fjHamgs8xS-Vf_gf/s320/IMG_5993.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>They accepted a team of 10 volunteers (plus we had backup agents waiting in case anyone couldn't make it the day of...that's how amazing our people are!) and on June 9th we showed up ready to work!</div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zn-aaxXmiekzwq-u0CmeVp-m3XZyyqafBOhzzeWOD0OXG_ek_llJdYAQzJ-YBXa9Kv326ehQyThFFhwM7rpvla6XpwzY_9VowwmIHQORR6LqYziYX2Xr-Z7I4f9Jbrc1lynDgHCPyzuEPxlOVKXLIoj2GjcbR2TqEAXJ8qsSmSugcApPhbkZPmtbUQZF/s640/IMG_4671.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="474" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5zn-aaxXmiekzwq-u0CmeVp-m3XZyyqafBOhzzeWOD0OXG_ek_llJdYAQzJ-YBXa9Kv326ehQyThFFhwM7rpvla6XpwzY_9VowwmIHQORR6LqYziYX2Xr-Z7I4f9Jbrc1lynDgHCPyzuEPxlOVKXLIoj2GjcbR2TqEAXJ8qsSmSugcApPhbkZPmtbUQZF/s320/IMG_4671.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>There were 3 contractors who were leading the build that day, plus a coordinator/project manager from Habitat. Throughout the day more Habitat representatives stopped by to check in, and one brought us a thank you of Habitat Pride t-shirts, in honor of Pride month: #housingforall<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypv7q-qa-UCh8VPso7DKe6lQY33cJpOBMSYZ_-UvYZVSwDtxEvcNpQeIzz97S0NTPX8gU-SgC0Ixfd3WGb2pYIt1V1VDLscmaQcCtCD4uVZM3VThPupuKcZqUheBCbT2Gu2Fzth6SRW5ZCudnrqWaLOevUQHATEy4iP8eAfird-g6butJhX9pcux_WsbM/s2736/20230609_141659%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2736" data-original-width="2736" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgypv7q-qa-UCh8VPso7DKe6lQY33cJpOBMSYZ_-UvYZVSwDtxEvcNpQeIzz97S0NTPX8gU-SgC0Ixfd3WGb2pYIt1V1VDLscmaQcCtCD4uVZM3VThPupuKcZqUheBCbT2Gu2Fzth6SRW5ZCudnrqWaLOevUQHATEy4iP8eAfird-g6butJhX9pcux_WsbM/s320/20230609_141659%20(1).jpg" width="320" /></a></div><p>Our projects that day started with scraping, vacuuming and cleaning every inch of the concrete floor in anticipation of laying down the vinyl plank flooring and the tiled bathrooms. We must have gone over every room multiple times. The floating floor was a bit of a challenge at first, even for the contractors who had to figure out the exact way to lay it without chipping or breaking any of the edges. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtUkfP26bOctRr5H55URWq6mip6UJUaqyREgY4CLXtahJrPDtNyAsf6JewbG2cOMdryZBg9aLe9K3dE5Y0J7La7rJO9q_eW0mPiq73vxWCpfbwA-y8nHMnhtsOPPXz2Y4aely3iUN_7htxXHOllIUIQt0Q5YQiLVHpBOguTylLvJHE5DfkPIACRvo5LYb/s4032/IMG_9253.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQtUkfP26bOctRr5H55URWq6mip6UJUaqyREgY4CLXtahJrPDtNyAsf6JewbG2cOMdryZBg9aLe9K3dE5Y0J7La7rJO9q_eW0mPiq73vxWCpfbwA-y8nHMnhtsOPPXz2Y4aely3iUN_7htxXHOllIUIQt0Q5YQiLVHpBOguTylLvJHE5DfkPIACRvo5LYb/s320/IMG_9253.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLM0NNrm3eCSDATp-HPYaO5mnZqRwLdDIgN4C3x_DZutdlE4NS7uOo_-tMzrnFbQ5ZG5IV5LvZckGS7_PRNpTZ-NBoOqXYBUnIFlY-PMi6Xtl1yPkUeAD9FW1JnkNoxB3_wc0DnWELS4Y0uRqzSBSxNFeOEyKkp_X6ZGXCy-qkGlXeHsdq3EXcGiaT6do4/s4032/IMG_9261%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLM0NNrm3eCSDATp-HPYaO5mnZqRwLdDIgN4C3x_DZutdlE4NS7uOo_-tMzrnFbQ5ZG5IV5LvZckGS7_PRNpTZ-NBoOqXYBUnIFlY-PMi6Xtl1yPkUeAD9FW1JnkNoxB3_wc0DnWELS4Y0uRqzSBSxNFeOEyKkp_X6ZGXCy-qkGlXeHsdq3EXcGiaT6do4/s320/IMG_9261%20(1).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Carl had a catered lunch brought in not just for our team, but for all of the Habitat crew as well, which I thought was a really nice touch. We have a great Italian deli (D'Eliana's Market) next door to our office and they made up delicious sandwiches!</p><p>I appreciated that our crew just seemed to know where to jump in! One agent picked out the pattern of the flooring, while another helped the contractors lay it. Two agents jumped into the bathroom tiling work. Two more helped with trimwork and caulking around the windows. Two of us (myself included!) were taught to use the saws - I was on a radial arm saw cutting flooring planks to size, while the other was on the table saw. Two or 3 agents worked together using scrap wood to build a planter that would go on to be sold at the Habitat for Humanity ReStore. We moved boxes, trash, doors, papered the finished parts of the floors to protect them...the day flew by!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBlRRwmb-er5o3aQ7NqLea09fcmOwuSXOGvgNaoLDtesRFva7-_2xTDdIkLqVQ3chG4QY3viJdaW64s5R-L_DeuXLT0Auea2dqYBBekI_Rzx_2x5ENCXACP8C1rFAl9FXi0I08gNZW39jx3l1L2KZIOKZEtuS0EzLCyINXIKefnyKCmbHAKSCGOasu4WM/s4032/IMG_4667.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYBlRRwmb-er5o3aQ7NqLea09fcmOwuSXOGvgNaoLDtesRFva7-_2xTDdIkLqVQ3chG4QY3viJdaW64s5R-L_DeuXLT0Auea2dqYBBekI_Rzx_2x5ENCXACP8C1rFAl9FXi0I08gNZW39jx3l1L2KZIOKZEtuS0EzLCyINXIKefnyKCmbHAKSCGOasu4WM/s320/IMG_4667.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYdDauVlKgEQO3dWiGs_RjyUZ7-YR43gVmT8xqbFY2SsKF9cNiaWsyPioxC7a8AJbkgPUepPDxcYl3YhGSyXkLgGvAcP5RQQb7vhq0QD6ucbphfOFv81sanJX25R9oZoXXVNYy3cDuqfNYazTY-xZdQDJhgdq7uxoJzciSQGrfTOZJQq1aKpwuDSmYRuX/s4032/IMG_4673.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEYdDauVlKgEQO3dWiGs_RjyUZ7-YR43gVmT8xqbFY2SsKF9cNiaWsyPioxC7a8AJbkgPUepPDxcYl3YhGSyXkLgGvAcP5RQQb7vhq0QD6ucbphfOFv81sanJX25R9oZoXXVNYy3cDuqfNYazTY-xZdQDJhgdq7uxoJzciSQGrfTOZJQq1aKpwuDSmYRuX/s320/IMG_4673.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gmt_XsJef5V1iviC5zdJPIORjtJVO9GcRTVqClqKU6Y0lE0Ouv721aG-W3bVXhkm1M3yrW5-mLhVO4AWlBRuaWYq539vNPab3f4xhQk-hfXWKsSUQMbke75-geuU95cH7qfTIGfJNwXYVi6PIyNnVfZjC5vMrl0y1qbaV18VQrqMDP1SVCBN1qIBjvlG/s4032/IMG_9852%20(2).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Gmt_XsJef5V1iviC5zdJPIORjtJVO9GcRTVqClqKU6Y0lE0Ouv721aG-W3bVXhkm1M3yrW5-mLhVO4AWlBRuaWYq539vNPab3f4xhQk-hfXWKsSUQMbke75-geuU95cH7qfTIGfJNwXYVi6PIyNnVfZjC5vMrl0y1qbaV18VQrqMDP1SVCBN1qIBjvlG/s320/IMG_9852%20(2).jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>Since the interior doors had not been hung yet, we were able to see where previous volunteers had written blessings and messages for the new homeowner and her family right on the studs & wood framing, and we're sure there were more throughout the house that were already behind walls. I think that's kind of a neat thing...the way people used to bless hearth stones or cornerstones of homes. I don't know if anyone does that anymore. When we took down the horsehair plaster in our house we found where Fred Skinner the plumber had signed his name in our wall near some pipes, which could not have been original to 1900. Since Grandma Rose who lived with us knew her, we invited his widow over for coffee to see it, but she didn't seem particularly excited about it. Maybe Fred got a laugh out of writing his name in houses all over town.</p><p>We captured our day with Habitat for Humanity in a video you can watch <a href="https://youtu.be/YLBIIhZeeDs?si=54mWbdrzRjOUGqId" target="_blank">here</a>! If you get a chance to volunteer with them, even if you don't feel you have a particular skill set, I recommend you do it. There's plenty of work they can teach you, and plenty of good you can do not only at Habitat, but every day out in your local communities! </p><p><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-90599437406175828582023-04-07T10:11:00.001-04:002023-04-07T10:11:30.551-04:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour Comes to An End<p>After 5 weeks of adventures together, it was time to start the journey home. The messy, ugly-crying goodbyes of Chimay were followed by 8-9 hours of driving (and more listening to <i>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</i>) until we reached Chambéry, in the French Alps. It would have been shorter to cut through Switzerland, but Scott has a beef with the Swiss after we were charged €40 to drive a mile on their highway back on my 40th birthday when we went to Basel. He never got over it. </p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsnTH58sGkUhrcTHqvh8bbfiPQ3lo3CI3KDIGI5X01xvm7DZSm0qrLhSrJVrbCblTI-rQIZl-D60HAXvpYgJviijrFikH1NHVqg42l5QC1OavsK_Ztq6qtJQ3qy3xy8qtld9c0UOwNi_pLJk9Tu3t_buOzOI0ozSI56WL4cEaZ7jYBHEdhTxgR-o-dA/s1280/IMG_4652.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOsnTH58sGkUhrcTHqvh8bbfiPQ3lo3CI3KDIGI5X01xvm7DZSm0qrLhSrJVrbCblTI-rQIZl-D60HAXvpYgJviijrFikH1NHVqg42l5QC1OavsK_Ztq6qtJQ3qy3xy8qtld9c0UOwNi_pLJk9Tu3t_buOzOI0ozSI56WL4cEaZ7jYBHEdhTxgR-o-dA/w400-h300/IMG_4652.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>We picked Chambéry because Scott studied abroad there, and we'd never been there as a family. This city is a vibe! It is situated in the Haute-Savoie, is tucked into a valley in the Alps, which makes it feel both cozy and majestic, and was once the capital of its own sovereign state. We stayed in the charming old town, and spent the late afternoon/evening exploring & shopping as it was our last night in France. With the fountains, and the streets festooned with colorful banners, it looked like something out of a Disney movie. Charlotte picked up some nice school supplies in a bookstore (we love bookstores!) and we picked up some last gifts and French non-perishable groceries to bring home. It felt like you could wander those pedestrian streets, squares, and tiny alleys for hours and still not see everything, even though Old Town is a small area. I admired the castle and the elephant fountain, though Charlotte seemed unimpressed. Scott showed us his old stomping grounds around campus, and got took his walk down the proverbial memory lane. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG8fS4j5heI2T6uhPhM2FGyvsjB7lZ4N5821omhaSxdnjTXGo1mnYm3AduyYCqCo758IuAA_BzBQx1RfA5lBhPZddm2JrBEOx9H54FBBOY3T_aRujhFfU7qbRmb-t_no4umPQ7WMGXBB_rPgP5OD0uQITtL20flTH94epKme8SGIKjltY-TGZiFMG2Q/s640/IMG_0807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsG8fS4j5heI2T6uhPhM2FGyvsjB7lZ4N5821omhaSxdnjTXGo1mnYm3AduyYCqCo758IuAA_BzBQx1RfA5lBhPZddm2JrBEOx9H54FBBOY3T_aRujhFfU7qbRmb-t_no4umPQ7WMGXBB_rPgP5OD0uQITtL20flTH94epKme8SGIKjltY-TGZiFMG2Q/w300-h400/IMG_0807.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PPfFlTs4WozBFCKmx_HebqCDxZbBe_ok6x7BdkXPaGaJtQgsn89BZwctu9h04JLs2Ky4dxNVDgrg3OPtA83SBrL9YsTNVU7LgcYFwDcZO7-yUsMxXhmsaAYRtVz3bFd8lO05dijgN8J3bjTAyAXvkvG1Ubcgb0kGyrOScZg1jJjVqttzT1aXmxWfOw/s640/IMG_0816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5PPfFlTs4WozBFCKmx_HebqCDxZbBe_ok6x7BdkXPaGaJtQgsn89BZwctu9h04JLs2Ky4dxNVDgrg3OPtA83SBrL9YsTNVU7LgcYFwDcZO7-yUsMxXhmsaAYRtVz3bFd8lO05dijgN8J3bjTAyAXvkvG1Ubcgb0kGyrOScZg1jJjVqttzT1aXmxWfOw/w300-h400/IMG_0816.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>For a late dinner we picked a place that seemed to be populated by locals (look for old guys sitting drinking with a dog at their feet.) Dinner started with escargot at Charlotte's request, as the sun finally started to dip behind the mountains. Scott had the local speciality sausage. It was going to be an early morning as we needed to drive back to Rome the next day, so we settled into our huge, comfortable family room (with a kitchen and dining area!) at the <a href="https://chambery-centre-curial.kyriad.com/en-us/" target="_blank">Kyriad Chambéry-Centre</a>. It may be a chain, but it was a really nice stay, start to finish, and the staff was lovely. I'd definitely stay there again. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-ge81lX7gbEIlWTtFCfnam5Y72ioAG9trMzKNh6H0L5l0tAEOdhVFjiKUW0vu-1DcoF5l0LsDeaRJRJr7dIrXCG3zgEpflozs7399Si3-yLvGvhozRAs--sHGT3D7P9JtnuZWnve5LHqTLCZ3qdxnI0gprBtYOYzgrXd2QEFvBt9GZe_Jrlf64v-Uw/s640/IMG_0809.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq-ge81lX7gbEIlWTtFCfnam5Y72ioAG9trMzKNh6H0L5l0tAEOdhVFjiKUW0vu-1DcoF5l0LsDeaRJRJr7dIrXCG3zgEpflozs7399Si3-yLvGvhozRAs--sHGT3D7P9JtnuZWnve5LHqTLCZ3qdxnI0gprBtYOYzgrXd2QEFvBt9GZe_Jrlf64v-Uw/w300-h400/IMG_0809.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>A very early start got us on the road through the mountains, which were lit up in shades of pink as we watched the sun rise. I kept thinking that Julien, who loves the Alps, would have really liked visiting this area, and wondered if his travels might bring him this way. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dKEMzjduJxQGCY9DEh0U5HPar8TKXzgefWtuntEcenIal44FneIn9uSMY3XEOzlCXQTSF03I4OHwvqSZilXKy6g9KEtr19SSy3RUTcrZhOI-HLFwdsdD2ZaVC_1GrL_OBD_E2ghl6jvT-2iPYiWhdY1tHDu24S_MyZ8zay-HRAG0XWfqYgFasf5g5g/s640/IMG_0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1dKEMzjduJxQGCY9DEh0U5HPar8TKXzgefWtuntEcenIal44FneIn9uSMY3XEOzlCXQTSF03I4OHwvqSZilXKy6g9KEtr19SSy3RUTcrZhOI-HLFwdsdD2ZaVC_1GrL_OBD_E2ghl6jvT-2iPYiWhdY1tHDu24S_MyZ8zay-HRAG0XWfqYgFasf5g5g/w400-h300/IMG_0828.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoqqJgMedy939WEeKZ_HvbQRAvldmM4hgAwmyVVBzjm_yiSuJWgjdT_zINbjNXrLa2dJ5-uHL0GbwX4ytYpWFYL-CqdfNuO3ISB2CzvkI5N4_HeaDyCUckbLUVFUD-c6qphX4RDgKdNLFQJuXPUr_VlZ7xCRiwSAMZQSpJvCAl7poC17SNh6s_ti5RQ/s640/IMG_0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNoqqJgMedy939WEeKZ_HvbQRAvldmM4hgAwmyVVBzjm_yiSuJWgjdT_zINbjNXrLa2dJ5-uHL0GbwX4ytYpWFYL-CqdfNuO3ISB2CzvkI5N4_HeaDyCUckbLUVFUD-c6qphX4RDgKdNLFQJuXPUr_VlZ7xCRiwSAMZQSpJvCAl7poC17SNh6s_ti5RQ/w400-h300/IMG_0823.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>(This was the first time on a European road trip where Scott wanted to return the rental car to the same country where we had rented it, because the cost of returning it in Brussels, where we had planned to leave from, was much too high. It also gave us an excuse to visit Chambéry!)</p><p>The rest of the drive was uneventful, other than seeing the charred remains of the recent forest fires, and then a fire burning right in the median next to us - likely from someone tossing a cigarette out the window. We had a flight the next morning, Rome to Dublin, then Dublin to Boston, so we stayed the night right near the airport in Fiumicino. It was a bed & breakfast on the pier called <a href="https://leboutiqueresort.it/en/" target="_blank">Le Boutique Luxury Resort</a>, which was was nice, but not a resort. I don't recommend it if you can't do stairs - there's no lift and it's up a few flights of stairs to get in. We had a bit of a hiccup/miscommunication with them over the reservation that I had confirmed for 4 people (Julien was supposed to be with us) in the quadruple suite, which had only been made up as a double room, despite my emails, which I had with me clearly telling them there would be 4 of us. They ended up charging us extra to set up another bed, which was annoying, but not exorbitant. The room was actually quite nice with an antique wood ceiling, a four-poster bed with romantic gauzy netting, triple-glazed windows for soundproofing, air conditioning, and my breakfast cappuccino the next morning was good. While we were not offered the arrival glass of prosecco, they did offer us iced tea and arranged a shuttle to the airport.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnAHn2iGZ0WtLz8rWcneMZONf8lGwHqWnr5Wk5Wdf64Y-acsmR0wj6MMaeVqB4kLrtMp0d-v8tZ35QNmGPrRHHMNK0yaUMuLqsE900sllGiQCiLoXVylEfQf5lJ5hVSx40KrY2s9R2m3Oa7nTmgcGArTAzhGJconWnkWz2LVOjhRjYFvEoQKGdiSFw/s640/IMG_0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFEnAHn2iGZ0WtLz8rWcneMZONf8lGwHqWnr5Wk5Wdf64Y-acsmR0wj6MMaeVqB4kLrtMp0d-v8tZ35QNmGPrRHHMNK0yaUMuLqsE900sllGiQCiLoXVylEfQf5lJ5hVSx40KrY2s9R2m3Oa7nTmgcGArTAzhGJconWnkWz2LVOjhRjYFvEoQKGdiSFw/w400-h300/IMG_0835.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A walk along the pier</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD99wz-WCE_0VuUjD0iCMbaixFeYHRLaBGhsINpQOViz1VqwGP3tt5Ey0INKzZdX2PAC-ipsN9sl9b0aDos_WM4cH3Ejt3GfR9UyowcwehrQtYlVamLRpyKkfzE69IlbXEhD9K1R5Hwh12aPqrwkFvx_Wy1GPC1a8by8cG_Ee88h1g87-Yzs-a1We9mg/s640/IMG_0841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD99wz-WCE_0VuUjD0iCMbaixFeYHRLaBGhsINpQOViz1VqwGP3tt5Ey0INKzZdX2PAC-ipsN9sl9b0aDos_WM4cH3Ejt3GfR9UyowcwehrQtYlVamLRpyKkfzE69IlbXEhD9K1R5Hwh12aPqrwkFvx_Wy1GPC1a8by8cG_Ee88h1g87-Yzs-a1We9mg/w300-h400/IMG_0841.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved the ceiling in our room</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The pier area was lined with restaurants, some shops and hotels, and in the evening was lively with restaurant & bar tables full of people. Our friend Gabriele from Rome arrived on his motorcycle and met us for dinner, which was pizza with mini octopus! Charlotte hung back and worked at the desk in the hotel room writing a paper for school, but we had brought her back dinner from our walk earlier. I couldn't end my last night in Italy without gelato, so we made a stop on the way back to the hotel. I was ready to repack my bag, but Scott was ready to go out and sample the nightlife on his last night, so out he went to have drinks and make new friends. It's what he does. I don't even know what time he came in.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOueG_mh8vdPngVo4JagVUxUnSovO9KIkcYwIi9_kICHd2Td6YK536aBpTDARaq_dkdks2Ii4ULau-rLdffg8C_x7FHEQ0BpotCRsq4fAUAHpnfkluhUOFzsfHSk-i9pmxm6ADemO7HJa_-dgsoTcsGOH7JHRRcQ8Drgy52cAmCt8Usrh4pPyX6auA/s640/IMG_0843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-VOueG_mh8vdPngVo4JagVUxUnSovO9KIkcYwIi9_kICHd2Td6YK536aBpTDARaq_dkdks2Ii4ULau-rLdffg8C_x7FHEQ0BpotCRsq4fAUAHpnfkluhUOFzsfHSk-i9pmxm6ADemO7HJa_-dgsoTcsGOH7JHRRcQ8Drgy52cAmCt8Usrh4pPyX6auA/w300-h400/IMG_0843.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grazie Gab for coming out to see us off!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIPrZyPRtpnAiWetrdxni_3F-dpGCjgn1M5YtNaXLWEsVlI_DKarf3_Tny34hm9xVirgDHqd2HyENPVfA0K6d4GhEdPD9rhkg3mTurMq7vkU1l4EEMPyPOR0kmgtLsNCy4BYrX8CNbvVsYTJp13tTR9kKlOkhOiwsvh7kMGCMJ7n5262tfOgmVw-RRw/s640/IMG_0842.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYIPrZyPRtpnAiWetrdxni_3F-dpGCjgn1M5YtNaXLWEsVlI_DKarf3_Tny34hm9xVirgDHqd2HyENPVfA0K6d4GhEdPD9rhkg3mTurMq7vkU1l4EEMPyPOR0kmgtLsNCy4BYrX8CNbvVsYTJp13tTR9kKlOkhOiwsvh7kMGCMJ7n5262tfOgmVw-RRw/w300-h400/IMG_0842.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalEHkTQkXnUkv0Ww8T4W143VVq5df-TaLXql35-nZMnyLgFF2WUb7njpYgiPyY5TihUyczLab7qRrmitgNSjzQu1tyyRtvgL-jpaVr-mFoTT9XGRU9gACE_gy9KEnSftt-6MbGe6jE-a_1b4Y7idjFt49P-9fmO4vzbN4Khhl8BGV46_uRa8pcu8sPw/s640/IMG_0848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhalEHkTQkXnUkv0Ww8T4W143VVq5df-TaLXql35-nZMnyLgFF2WUb7njpYgiPyY5TihUyczLab7qRrmitgNSjzQu1tyyRtvgL-jpaVr-mFoTT9XGRU9gACE_gy9KEnSftt-6MbGe6jE-a_1b4Y7idjFt49P-9fmO4vzbN4Khhl8BGV46_uRa8pcu8sPw/w300-h400/IMG_0848.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My last gelato in Italy</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNACUYW7_CrI2W7oBtq9O7uFdJo11HqAitbvHyRdu-BVAWxxHGx4rhBwG4krOWwAXA_DMEuWvPUTCXIK1rEBfwaBqod1kYyCMTrG3dpsNwc2B-4Z3q2_UpjlmCfHj0OyOxIlEM_tVaed5rO0lQrKhKdc69_gFWEgdcucF9hI8kHH1LBq8hgyOolFchgg/s640/IMG_3042.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNACUYW7_CrI2W7oBtq9O7uFdJo11HqAitbvHyRdu-BVAWxxHGx4rhBwG4krOWwAXA_DMEuWvPUTCXIK1rEBfwaBqod1kYyCMTrG3dpsNwc2B-4Z3q2_UpjlmCfHj0OyOxIlEM_tVaed5rO0lQrKhKdc69_gFWEgdcucF9hI8kHH1LBq8hgyOolFchgg/w300-h400/IMG_3042.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzByVi6i-nR1lSGumg2wC7K3_p7Qiy4kPE-WSR-HdpxRAkYm_AZLgKY2Z8c0dh17joA87DlcMSKIfBCK9EuwteFQ-5dvW7qZn36b5SfJEN1Miazs3SqUDWj_kxqI3EIuTscqT77N1eWHi1CBFCxiuQPHt1d35X6s-YjZ9YZLmCTCe4Dk_Q136xWsqq7Q/s640/IMG_3043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzByVi6i-nR1lSGumg2wC7K3_p7Qiy4kPE-WSR-HdpxRAkYm_AZLgKY2Z8c0dh17joA87DlcMSKIfBCK9EuwteFQ-5dvW7qZn36b5SfJEN1Miazs3SqUDWj_kxqI3EIuTscqT77N1eWHi1CBFCxiuQPHt1d35X6s-YjZ9YZLmCTCe4Dk_Q136xWsqq7Q/w300-h400/IMG_3043.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mk-d9TgG4c0U276ILITDE_Q_38ZKtzl1xgMWraypQxm0_JNJOuGgRkaMyzt_8wZuq6r1bTOS0CF_5JcTD8LyxJzTcWd61j1qHn4IEThr_SwakY9uC7ORZnl4TqveuoT2LThWzVO79S8_LiQAIcvExT0oI55BBewnWUXNUUoOCjjXxt2-dVRD1ijBEw/s640/IMG_3046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8mk-d9TgG4c0U276ILITDE_Q_38ZKtzl1xgMWraypQxm0_JNJOuGgRkaMyzt_8wZuq6r1bTOS0CF_5JcTD8LyxJzTcWd61j1qHn4IEThr_SwakY9uC7ORZnl4TqveuoT2LThWzVO79S8_LiQAIcvExT0oI55BBewnWUXNUUoOCjjXxt2-dVRD1ijBEw/w400-h300/IMG_3046.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: We always give ourselves extra time at airports to avoid the stress of possibly long lines or traffic</span>. Once settled at the airport, while Charlotte worked on her AP US History assignments on my iPad. I was really tempted to do some shopping. Like Charles de Gaulle/Roissy Airport in Paris, Leonardo da Vinci/Fiumicino has great high-end shopping. I spent about 30 minutes trying to justify a work bag purchase, but in the end I chickened out. (I already have a bag I really like.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP00UgjNq3Hhpl9pbisvt3en2btmetO-s6AF-1VZt6cRMyEK-pEyPyFBDsZ3NfcIikGxjHpacqBzM5CVKdT1nE1pP9jrFNmXYKV2d2blVYhCRvY4kt7ahxP6LKCJd6Zu5Z6m9PLluXrfviaQEIz0qaL4cJv_32JZtB_nWwmrnwla-xDuvNLs5kQOlFw/s640/IMG_0852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAP00UgjNq3Hhpl9pbisvt3en2btmetO-s6AF-1VZt6cRMyEK-pEyPyFBDsZ3NfcIikGxjHpacqBzM5CVKdT1nE1pP9jrFNmXYKV2d2blVYhCRvY4kt7ahxP6LKCJd6Zu5Z6m9PLluXrfviaQEIz0qaL4cJv_32JZtB_nWwmrnwla-xDuvNLs5kQOlFw/w300-h400/IMG_0852.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard at work at the airport</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Aer Lingus got us safely to Dublin, where after checking in for our next flights, we had lunch then went through US Customs before leaving. I love this about Dublin Airport. They make it so easy for us. You go through customs there, and then when you land in the US, you just walk right out of the airport - easy peasy! Even better that a couple of weeks ago Aer Lingus reinstated the non-stop flights to/from our local Bradley International Airport. It makes travel to/from Europe so much easier, and is the reason why we consider Dublin our gateway to Europe! Our flight back to Boston was fairly easy with just 1 little glitch due to the major airline delays going on back in the states, so Aer Lingus solved the problem by getting us another flight crew. (People warned us that all flights were going to be horribly delayed, and were shocked we'd chosen to fly to Europe this Summer - but of our 4 flights only 1 had a hiccup.) We landed just a little bit late and were met by Julien's friend who we had hired to pick us up and drive us home.</p><p>Now for some gratitude...I feel so grateful for the time & adventures we shared as a family, even when things weren't perfect. 5 weeks is a long time to spend together. Life is messy, we don't always agree, tensions can rise, things can go sideways...but even when we're not at our best, there is always unconditional love there. I'm such an optimist that I don't mind so much when things go wrong when we travel, because I want the kids to learn how to handle those situations when they travel without us. I did learn that at these ages, this might be too long of a family trip. I know Charlotte agrees. </p><p>I am so grateful for our friends who made this Summer so special. It was so good to spend time with them making new memories! I am grateful to my real estate broker & friend, Carl Guild, who covered my business so it ran smoothly while I took a much-needed break, and to my clients who worked with him in my absence! Spending over a month living an active, outdoor lifestyle, walking everywhere, eating fresh non-processed foods, connecting with friends, and feeling inspired by art, history, culture, architecture, nature and beauty is so very good for me. </p><p>I am grateful to my mom who took in our beloved cat while we were away, and to my brother who mowed our lawn. I am grateful that my kids have a great friendship and genuinely enjoy spending time together. The moments of them being goofy together, singing together, dancing, exploring, enjoying the wedding, making each other laugh, or just playing on the beach are some of my favorites from our trip. </p><p>When Charlotte made the comment that this was probably our last big family vacation together, it hit me pretty hard that she was thinking that way. It's definitely harder to get all of us together at the same time, (and Julien plans to head overseas again soon) but I hope that into the future, we can still make time for more family adventures!</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-78235521655086444332023-03-30T14:27:00.000-04:002023-03-30T14:27:04.149-04:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 10 - A Joyous Reunion & A Tearful Goodbye in Belgium<p>This story picks up from where we'd just said goodbye to our friends in Brittany. Our next stop was to visit our 2018-2019 Rotary exchange student, Jérôme, and his family in Chimay, Belgium.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQroWefYvmq9NtW8gWMFUCoxFTuXcGR5ngxM2DkibM9yuDjS8WcDQCrHVivy-JYnSQVbl12dzq1MDbHimOSLIb6bkc6__o2CvNEDznEX7Ezn8uQFqr_Mo9WS0PaphRziNp5QlhuDxqKXXATmpH1Czh02_MoRUXcsguXLXrMkOBb4w8e3q-k9UfX4dEzQ/s640/IMG_0731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQroWefYvmq9NtW8gWMFUCoxFTuXcGR5ngxM2DkibM9yuDjS8WcDQCrHVivy-JYnSQVbl12dzq1MDbHimOSLIb6bkc6__o2CvNEDznEX7Ezn8uQFqr_Mo9WS0PaphRziNp5QlhuDxqKXXATmpH1Czh02_MoRUXcsguXLXrMkOBb4w8e3q-k9UfX4dEzQ/w300-h400/IMG_0731.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunited!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We'd been to Belgium before, visiting the magical city of Bruges, but this part of Belgium was new for us. Chimay lies in an agricultural region in the south near the French border, and is known for Chimay Beer, made by Trappist monks. In fact, Chimay is one of only 14 breweries in the world to brew Trappist beer. They also make fantastic cheese. </p><p>Jérôme's family had arranged rooms for us at a local inn, the quaint <a href="https://hoteldefrancbois.be/en" target="_blank">Hotel de Franc Bois</a>, in nearby Lompret. During this 6 hour drive from western France, we continued listening to YouTube videos of a teenager reading <i>I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings,</i> which Charlotte had to read for Summer reading, but was not enjoying. We checked into the hotel and dropped off our bags before heading to see Jérôme and his family for the first time in 3 years. We were all really excited, and it was a beautiful reunion...a continuation of the friendship tour theme of our trip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfAojhygptVFgIG5C9bQcxK7iyeDkYrpJxONL1QYH_EI_WsimPBBi_uLg0aqYsXdBAw-FRaHr1qhbyyrGq_T1hawy3djxvpRRn2dzOsUqp_zQFVplcXee-j3H_CVG_OdvEaAzH2dU1k_0epQAiEszptNjDNX5SeFQD0MR_9FBy-dTx-v1ijTfbT3HDg/s640/IMG_3777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="486" data-original-width="640" height="304" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfAojhygptVFgIG5C9bQcxK7iyeDkYrpJxONL1QYH_EI_WsimPBBi_uLg0aqYsXdBAw-FRaHr1qhbyyrGq_T1hawy3djxvpRRn2dzOsUqp_zQFVplcXee-j3H_CVG_OdvEaAzH2dU1k_0epQAiEszptNjDNX5SeFQD0MR_9FBy-dTx-v1ijTfbT3HDg/w400-h304/IMG_3777.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>During his exchange year here in Connecticut, his family had come to visit, so we'd met them before, and they are absolutely lovely. It's funny how connected your families can become through hosting. It was extra-special that both sets of grandparents came over for dinner to meet us as well. One of the grandfathers is a beekeeper and had sent us a jar of his honey years back, and we got to thank him in person. (We also left for home with another jar of his honey!) </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OqnMuzl0jSQSlhmwbSA7CwnenjdAqcm96NGzanx6PaCzfCwe6RUN-zkIVK7lM-8jzQizim_YvUYgnLH5O8jVKQTeXUfgOnDRdb3XmD9NGJtEjDMXBg9qACSAHvmCK5E-dF7J1mU-OpKBfu-YbBlr484EM0h1M7leCKWw6RB_-YoW_zmsnvmL5JJvUA/s640/IMG_3007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9OqnMuzl0jSQSlhmwbSA7CwnenjdAqcm96NGzanx6PaCzfCwe6RUN-zkIVK7lM-8jzQizim_YvUYgnLH5O8jVKQTeXUfgOnDRdb3XmD9NGJtEjDMXBg9qACSAHvmCK5E-dF7J1mU-OpKBfu-YbBlr484EM0h1M7leCKWw6RB_-YoW_zmsnvmL5JJvUA/w300-h400/IMG_3007.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They have their own pétanque terrain, and we can't resist a game!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a tour of their beautiful home (I love the architectural styles there!) and of their sports car collection - really cool. There was a lot of catching up. As Americans tend to speak loudly, it's quite noticeable listening to the subdued, gentle voices of the Belgians. </p><p>There were the Chimay beers to try, sausages, cheeses, champagne, and a barbecued dinner outside. The big surprise was that in honor our wedding anniversary which was that day, Jérôme's family had a beautiful cake made. It was really moving. I'm tearing up a little bit thinking about it. The other thing that really moved me was Jérôme's compass tattoo with the coordinates of our small town on it. I didn't expect it, and I was incredibly humbled that his year with us was such an important time for him.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KTZytVTH3kxXfgNzd78qoEKWncs9ieqNg7FrdfcbCSqYIHcNt3di_UevbVLcrFxYH3_xmUvw6B_zyucLqDWfwKAshQlt83utL99u2EqmHjiJ12p1gNo_jrlwTJ5r8aiXK3JI5WjDhjovL82NCnTJR264tVdKqRj9tS4sQae1UZNR2QrzBP-xpTFFMQ/s640/IMG_3005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4KTZytVTH3kxXfgNzd78qoEKWncs9ieqNg7FrdfcbCSqYIHcNt3di_UevbVLcrFxYH3_xmUvw6B_zyucLqDWfwKAshQlt83utL99u2EqmHjiJ12p1gNo_jrlwTJ5r8aiXK3JI5WjDhjovL82NCnTJR264tVdKqRj9tS4sQae1UZNR2QrzBP-xpTFFMQ/w300-h400/IMG_3005.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>The next morning we went out to do some sightseeing and have some fun! Our hosts showed us around Chimay, where we peeked through the gates at the Château (did you know Chimay has a prince?) They brought us to the beautiful monastery where the beer is brewed, and to the Espace Chimay, to see the beer exhibition and for a little snack and glass of beer. Then it was time for a little adrenaline with go-kart racing/karting. It wasn't exactly the same as at home - these things went FAST and it was an absolutely huge outdoor course compared to back home. Charlotte admitted that it was pretty intimidating for her as she hadn't started driving yet. It was a really fun day. The kids all wrote out a postcard to our high school French teacher, who taught all 3 of them, and who adored Jérôme. (She later told me she loved it, but since it was a postcard about beer - it was the only postcard we could find in the area - she couldn't display it in her classroom!)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko0_n6V5_PfzXXotQK0zHnvFt5R4T3iQNxxMbYOhiCcALu_58q2OVvvLUQzUmybR5DAwDy9_jzSFo1FlK0_smSbCTtIH7S5T4JUK_oSL-b22RerIPv5TVCqINVKQd3y1hBY0PjgzTj4uw2GFI2z0bdmf3BCTd5ayW9fix-NcQ9GKqZwPb_zMXTAVBpQ/s640/IMG_0748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhko0_n6V5_PfzXXotQK0zHnvFt5R4T3iQNxxMbYOhiCcALu_58q2OVvvLUQzUmybR5DAwDy9_jzSFo1FlK0_smSbCTtIH7S5T4JUK_oSL-b22RerIPv5TVCqINVKQd3y1hBY0PjgzTj4uw2GFI2z0bdmf3BCTd5ayW9fix-NcQ9GKqZwPb_zMXTAVBpQ/w300-h400/IMG_0748.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenes from our walk around town</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie81hLMbY829507KfK0BcYPcqe17cwG5kSm_6zxVMS55biezJj12qASiddn6Yp7cnlyFyVFLJ7t5K8i8z9B7yR7Ze1sYoteQL0mbCXBJcOYsEDwsV2s32GzGxAYg04g4YHNcLlzrCJ_XgNFMPaKbdedtgRNcwbdQU_5ShfsFlyWlkP7mz_y6EVumKI1w/s640/IMG_0750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie81hLMbY829507KfK0BcYPcqe17cwG5kSm_6zxVMS55biezJj12qASiddn6Yp7cnlyFyVFLJ7t5K8i8z9B7yR7Ze1sYoteQL0mbCXBJcOYsEDwsV2s32GzGxAYg04g4YHNcLlzrCJ_XgNFMPaKbdedtgRNcwbdQU_5ShfsFlyWlkP7mz_y6EVumKI1w/w300-h400/IMG_0750.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfmqj-vzEQzyrMxhhJnkZz6PzjUQPDmI1JeyvMBm82HkxWQFiTdtiB3iZe4QDpIQFYWDWMnt4rpEuNU4o5z1uSePSeymav817vqLJVcXUe8Tc_WYHJbMDZlnnQQ7-g40Yj-a9jST9r3NkmsITye9n4B3bD_8UNGDTubbxWIsJmQFzAzkMqjgs_KhZbA/s640/IMG_0752.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOfmqj-vzEQzyrMxhhJnkZz6PzjUQPDmI1JeyvMBm82HkxWQFiTdtiB3iZe4QDpIQFYWDWMnt4rpEuNU4o5z1uSePSeymav817vqLJVcXUe8Tc_WYHJbMDZlnnQQ7-g40Yj-a9jST9r3NkmsITye9n4B3bD_8UNGDTubbxWIsJmQFzAzkMqjgs_KhZbA/w300-h400/IMG_0752.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2sYDJ-uPLrk2prwvrwvdc17dYURo4TFEE-aLQdHORAnlgeM8YL992C8s_8Od0cycW6e8h1MR1vr6sJfT6KQsS_yHZSKpU6irXNSuSkNkDYTwAdxMcDDFSxAjItbyVEBRtC0HXUP-z-NXmB3uSGxn5E_rrKvvmdxOOS5juakWQ-hknoZQ1dHUengojg/s640/IMG_0753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx2sYDJ-uPLrk2prwvrwvdc17dYURo4TFEE-aLQdHORAnlgeM8YL992C8s_8Od0cycW6e8h1MR1vr6sJfT6KQsS_yHZSKpU6irXNSuSkNkDYTwAdxMcDDFSxAjItbyVEBRtC0HXUP-z-NXmB3uSGxn5E_rrKvvmdxOOS5juakWQ-hknoZQ1dHUengojg/w300-h400/IMG_0753.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo3xSdeVMFm7Wyg9bDEIFYANuTBvN6YOhmTR9A7Os855nf8MduPR29mqI7ZthFeCL-EWwBN4Sh1q--2-Mb5_89EF81tvmtRnypFboUfQJSweyPwZc13pc6vGQYrjkZDZ1abTMnQPnCAg1ttpULw5Q2arsZn6s5qZ2Od-V3TuOszlJFxsoHC4erW3ZRw/s640/IMG_0762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXo3xSdeVMFm7Wyg9bDEIFYANuTBvN6YOhmTR9A7Os855nf8MduPR29mqI7ZthFeCL-EWwBN4Sh1q--2-Mb5_89EF81tvmtRnypFboUfQJSweyPwZc13pc6vGQYrjkZDZ1abTMnQPnCAg1ttpULw5Q2arsZn6s5qZ2Od-V3TuOszlJFxsoHC4erW3ZRw/w400-h300/IMG_0762.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp80rFAnWnm4T7iRU37vF5bGPgcGfkQ7Q319xWFllkaMMhnXqFDSCZZxy2Lp-DEHAk7EVRaDJnaiZhUoVLK9ucYaB65tUNlHjqcFKu45Ye8iKV_Xd1Is067Y2KnDoVsIeXGBznfMIpebfFoNr-Mkq_X9csS5t79B8vptbjArDwlatjTwWt724jskeNg/s640/IMG_3011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSp80rFAnWnm4T7iRU37vF5bGPgcGfkQ7Q319xWFllkaMMhnXqFDSCZZxy2Lp-DEHAk7EVRaDJnaiZhUoVLK9ucYaB65tUNlHjqcFKu45Ye8iKV_Xd1Is067Y2KnDoVsIeXGBznfMIpebfFoNr-Mkq_X9csS5t79B8vptbjArDwlatjTwWt724jskeNg/w400-h300/IMG_3011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTa-TffsbMIMFkyuAYN0h3myJMyvw10OGss7P8dqtLSfiIXbStkgRWZE-15esEmFZGcpZu1RViXggc7LE01Zw-bPI0XArm4irZdVvnvMtPN4iJTmDG4DKrZ1w1d-qqHsB8yJJ4CyjZm5bWrnJrw5gDKNgeWWPeeIlhmiF86iBA1QS07yzCxFErTXk8w/s640/IMG_3020.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmTa-TffsbMIMFkyuAYN0h3myJMyvw10OGss7P8dqtLSfiIXbStkgRWZE-15esEmFZGcpZu1RViXggc7LE01Zw-bPI0XArm4irZdVvnvMtPN4iJTmDG4DKrZ1w1d-qqHsB8yJJ4CyjZm5bWrnJrw5gDKNgeWWPeeIlhmiF86iBA1QS07yzCxFErTXk8w/w400-h300/IMG_3020.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>Something was looming heavily on me though. Long story short, it was decided that Julien would stay in Belgium to wait for his new credit card to arrive in the mail, instead of coming back with us to Italy to start his backpacking adventure. It was only a few days earlier than expected, but it was really hard. I'd been trying not to think about it, but now it was staring me in the face. </p><p>Sandrine thoughtfully suggested that our family of 4 have dinner that night on our own as a last evening together. It was a beautiful night as we had dinner in the charming square at Le Grand Café in Chimay. Charlotte legally ordered her own Chimay beer! The food was good, we laughed, talking about the adventures we'd just had on our trip. Back at the hotel, I didn't sleep a wink. People ask me all the time how I handle my adventurous kid traveling the world on his own, and as much as I know he's completely capable, I can't help but worry a bit. In the past year he'd only been home maybe 6 weeks in total, and I'd missed him. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwt_cRO_wVrSDc979kcBjXQWcvitkSaWFAr6epeKBctKUhGmcsvVAzFobQ8zIGfn7Jb4eeuaVK4YpSdfziwbeEFa2UfaAKNcH0N41QvjzgSxVJ50uI7pO4gZWLkr3BywEulRtKRjYEYwE3hZQ3zFtJ_GZURoGmePsS5sUqqdPm-PYY5O5UkKvGesvOQ/s640/IMG_0766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUwt_cRO_wVrSDc979kcBjXQWcvitkSaWFAr6epeKBctKUhGmcsvVAzFobQ8zIGfn7Jb4eeuaVK4YpSdfziwbeEFa2UfaAKNcH0N41QvjzgSxVJ50uI7pO4gZWLkr3BywEulRtKRjYEYwE3hZQ3zFtJ_GZURoGmePsS5sUqqdPm-PYY5O5UkKvGesvOQ/w300-h400/IMG_0766.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner under the tower</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt-ziKXu9ggEJEyvqL9LVVcLFwyJ0y2ivDqUgeHqGoNLSDIv2hPAgSIjIlyWjFcqvhbjsZwKl-1m3nVshZ4sIiwgDGFRzK8ZnhNOmmYkxBQXTuQF2iVcGiY-e-ySTHFuXuVQvVtbrAxRzgCfXNJQZZDDi7R_NwPDsev04YQYYI6DfIHJZWn79WA_VpA/s1280/IMG_0841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="960" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOt-ziKXu9ggEJEyvqL9LVVcLFwyJ0y2ivDqUgeHqGoNLSDIv2hPAgSIjIlyWjFcqvhbjsZwKl-1m3nVshZ4sIiwgDGFRzK8ZnhNOmmYkxBQXTuQF2iVcGiY-e-ySTHFuXuVQvVtbrAxRzgCfXNJQZZDDi7R_NwPDsev04YQYYI6DfIHJZWn79WA_VpA/w300-h400/IMG_0841.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Last dinner together in 2022</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We couldn't prolong our departure much after breakfast with Jérôme and his family, and as hard as it was, we said our tearful goodbyes. We would be driving all the way to Chambéry, France for the night, en route to Fiumicino Airport near Rome, to catch our flight leaving in 2 days. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbaQgGTYJgcKHlOaSINuYRDntWB-2DhBICH-NFZaFVksD_Q3h9qB1sJGyfSvXo48iWSpQlR8I4rzS9thDm6avl-PNmiiWSxtH6X73PRqPO94xQGuJ18vocBOEDln_9voNDuNXLYz-WX5F50pM0goJtlt2RWknMKBnhdOFrRgfr82Ibbw9bCGgYTjKHg/s640/IMG_0775.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkbaQgGTYJgcKHlOaSINuYRDntWB-2DhBICH-NFZaFVksD_Q3h9qB1sJGyfSvXo48iWSpQlR8I4rzS9thDm6avl-PNmiiWSxtH6X73PRqPO94xQGuJ18vocBOEDln_9voNDuNXLYz-WX5F50pM0goJtlt2RWknMKBnhdOFrRgfr82Ibbw9bCGgYTjKHg/w300-h400/IMG_0775.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aHsxM46wJtSMEyhEOutZS7zRY66SWcmJ9OSHyrCDE78Tudrq6IGbQ_dcM8sTMd4FRPGiH9dMdYOYjOvjF_EnHkttt4uio0t3BThEQZYox3mRU-QYEEN2-wj5kfOV6Yf2BLCh2XerUWnL-EEvAoAQViF1vHJWIHkiV04vZOQgOC-k6ShBzLXlhBrhJQ/s640/IMG_0777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7aHsxM46wJtSMEyhEOutZS7zRY66SWcmJ9OSHyrCDE78Tudrq6IGbQ_dcM8sTMd4FRPGiH9dMdYOYjOvjF_EnHkttt4uio0t3BThEQZYox3mRU-QYEEN2-wj5kfOV6Yf2BLCh2XerUWnL-EEvAoAQViF1vHJWIHkiV04vZOQgOC-k6ShBzLXlhBrhJQ/w300-h400/IMG_0777.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julien with his backpack ready to start his own adventure</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_EKQFOflm_MOYPWPMVaLNyyyCuqLGDiFOKwEgM2r63bBBSLXJWWRuiGKHacXhyP9Rs7Fyv54vn6dxDV7P1rjbCeyCpeQ9CnQZEjPBPBkVlP6TD_99jUkRRCzhG3UeJQkokPUq7TlspnvrLhsnbe2M26377qRxIZLoI_VfF2qAV-wxWhNw8TqXyF4ww/s640/IMG_0780.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhh_EKQFOflm_MOYPWPMVaLNyyyCuqLGDiFOKwEgM2r63bBBSLXJWWRuiGKHacXhyP9Rs7Fyv54vn6dxDV7P1rjbCeyCpeQ9CnQZEjPBPBkVlP6TD_99jUkRRCzhG3UeJQkokPUq7TlspnvrLhsnbe2M26377qRxIZLoI_VfF2qAV-wxWhNw8TqXyF4ww/w400-h300/IMG_0780.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving away from Julien and our Belgian family</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Footnote: Julien ended up staying a couple of days with the Meertens family until his mail arrived (mail is delivered there every other day.) In his extra time with his exchange brother, he got to experience the youth club culture that is unique to Belgium. He had a blast biking with René all the way into France! When his mail arrived, they dropped him off at the nearest train station, where he caught a train then a bus across Germany with Poland as his first destination. His adventures had an early start as the bus was stopped by the German police and searched for drugs! His next 5 months, all unplanned, would bring many more adventures & mis-adventures. Julien's experiences inspired today's <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: Placing a locator in your bag/backpack not only helps you locate the bag say in the airport, or if it is taken, but you can use it to find your way back to your bag if you have to leave it in a forest while you search for a source of fresh water.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;"></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRlcpon2CUWBMLRE4nr1WUKou8o-FGqrq6ICUj8olMzOzRue2-1-08Dwb8LJMaiWFufQNAuZJpXtAoOMUS9UBvRvii7J1ywCQfVzw7lNghmGibGxAzfvYP336escBLD18AAv0tRvb5mFsuDFHvxH1Xc-4ZscyT3bSl6o1Rs9wW3XDjNU6O0daNqHZPw/s640/IMG_0810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZRlcpon2CUWBMLRE4nr1WUKou8o-FGqrq6ICUj8olMzOzRue2-1-08Dwb8LJMaiWFufQNAuZJpXtAoOMUS9UBvRvii7J1ywCQfVzw7lNghmGibGxAzfvYP336escBLD18AAv0tRvb5mFsuDFHvxH1Xc-4ZscyT3bSl6o1Rs9wW3XDjNU6O0daNqHZPw/w300-h400/IMG_0810.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><p><br /></p><p> </p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-21544918343909989742023-03-17T16:45:00.000-04:002023-03-17T16:45:45.154-04:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 9 - A Wedding in Brittany<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fJ0yP3dnAmFEDLj5D8HsY5QsLQ1aPCAdS7991ze8YOZtxt-axMV_Q_nD7EF9jG3lTqilLY9tsFP0W4Djzywq7eetNEYyxwqKSK5s4imty6F1LlD7PfX6IF_vmSC62O0BBaUMcqkUMWFlSPrMEj84XWWsarYgal95WhpOqj5kGudF0lYNNS3OZRi9Fg/s640/IMG_0806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fJ0yP3dnAmFEDLj5D8HsY5QsLQ1aPCAdS7991ze8YOZtxt-axMV_Q_nD7EF9jG3lTqilLY9tsFP0W4Djzywq7eetNEYyxwqKSK5s4imty6F1LlD7PfX6IF_vmSC62O0BBaUMcqkUMWFlSPrMEj84XWWsarYgal95WhpOqj5kGudF0lYNNS3OZRi9Fg/w400-h400/IMG_0806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Our story picks up where we leave Bordeaux to drive north to Brittany for the wedding of Antonin & Capucine (don't you just love those names!) Antonin is the son of one of the French exchange teachers we first hosted about 20 years ago. One of the great gifts of my husband's job as a French teacher is that over the years we have hosted and formed great friendships with some of the exchange teachers and their families. This has extended to visits back & forth across the pond with our respective families, and this special friendship is the main reason why we went to Europe this Summer...to attend this wedding. We were honored to be invited!</p><p>We arrived to a warm welcome at another teacher friend's house in Saint-Briac-sur-Mer, and celebrated with a round of apérols & pastis, which felt perfect! Our friends Isabelle & Lucien and their son Elliott had offered to host us for our few days. They are such lovely, interesting people, and I'm so glad to count them as friends!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUURjgIThvZawZzQLwab2l6BHRRm6n1bvBt3ABdc_RM_qdDIGhleHjEVSTOMLBYVYGWVMi3Z-_aTCasy6dYIwwnhTtVNa7dZBQu6RJ8V3CYwgx-EWus5aHyOSfjiZeJTgGc7QOFsmdKUXJoOlbcQfalxv16Iy22sKOqa77f4HV8hIW8MTui6OaRllObA/s640/fdeccdc5-3c56-453f-85ce-7ffcb274febb.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUURjgIThvZawZzQLwab2l6BHRRm6n1bvBt3ABdc_RM_qdDIGhleHjEVSTOMLBYVYGWVMi3Z-_aTCasy6dYIwwnhTtVNa7dZBQu6RJ8V3CYwgx-EWus5aHyOSfjiZeJTgGc7QOFsmdKUXJoOlbcQfalxv16Iy22sKOqa77f4HV8hIW8MTui6OaRllObA/w400-h300/fdeccdc5-3c56-453f-85ce-7ffcb274febb.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to friends!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next day had us all out on a fun excursion to a tiny, sunny island, Île de Cézembre. This is a "natural conservation site" and is home to penguins (we did not see them) but even more interesting is the history of the island. It is pockmarked with craters as a result of WWII. The Germans took over the island (you can see the remnants of their guns, block houses, and trenches) and then the Allies bombed the heck out of it. As a result, most of the island is still considered unsafe as there are likely still mines and unexploded bombs. There is a single path that loops around some of the sites, and the gorgeous beach, that have been de-mined.</p><p>We loved it! Even the bumpy ride on the boat to get there was fun! We got to the island early and claimed a spot on the beach, then went to hike the path around the island. No one lives here, but there is a restaurant that you have to reserve ahead of time if you'd like a table. We brought a picnic lunch.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7XoIK0bbWnEWed11A-LgfwAQGLlO9_BrfKu4n5GR4b3Lc5FCsSRB5dINUPu2v4sNexQc1ItbVaMSce5mCTr8Y1DQqNLrFd8RcnsEd1h0Fr5H9sYz2yIClV6BG6uoRjO0yBZiWMtlWl_Yb4DNk5jZybjJK1CVTqO8OD-J7QV9FcpJZGVkAaf6FumIVw/s1600/0b4b8770-2e4c-40a7-8309-34097f7e3466.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-7XoIK0bbWnEWed11A-LgfwAQGLlO9_BrfKu4n5GR4b3Lc5FCsSRB5dINUPu2v4sNexQc1ItbVaMSce5mCTr8Y1DQqNLrFd8RcnsEd1h0Fr5H9sYz2yIClV6BG6uoRjO0yBZiWMtlWl_Yb4DNk5jZybjJK1CVTqO8OD-J7QV9FcpJZGVkAaf6FumIVw/w400-h300/0b4b8770-2e4c-40a7-8309-34097f7e3466.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chartered a boat to take us to the island</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpoclXaR5aJ1-Jv_-fiYPuueEyPpkeyfVr3fM3TSIXrNqalx6MiuS6AjP6Rj5vhpSuAGPw8q6EL4uHqnTeSZCS7fAAPmcdxYAhD0XOWqgtUQhwRb64-fE8GEBI4muG462Uprm1nILXWUc3RWAASjQhgcCn2Tu_qZQ__-RPiA7MLif3o-iZOGBPpQOBg/s640/IMG_0588.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQpoclXaR5aJ1-Jv_-fiYPuueEyPpkeyfVr3fM3TSIXrNqalx6MiuS6AjP6Rj5vhpSuAGPw8q6EL4uHqnTeSZCS7fAAPmcdxYAhD0XOWqgtUQhwRb64-fE8GEBI4muG462Uprm1nILXWUc3RWAASjQhgcCn2Tu_qZQ__-RPiA7MLif3o-iZOGBPpQOBg/w400-h300/IMG_0588.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott & the kids explored the cave</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZTGpeGs9oc2O_q-Pe5d0UCr74ciDsib7itK-w410jjfo9qlum9So0gNSQ_TZrvQ48mzjnwxvVonbqIeEmrZ3MIJyyal9okHeBZ1A14dFxXxmvBcrJNYwVsAhASSdURahjzT4JRRiq7bpt1VbPpfrLye8elUHfFGVQ2FEEnkI3N5p8MF0ci8AA0S_Rw/s640/IMG_0600.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpZTGpeGs9oc2O_q-Pe5d0UCr74ciDsib7itK-w410jjfo9qlum9So0gNSQ_TZrvQ48mzjnwxvVonbqIeEmrZ3MIJyyal9okHeBZ1A14dFxXxmvBcrJNYwVsAhASSdURahjzT4JRRiq7bpt1VbPpfrLye8elUHfFGVQ2FEEnkI3N5p8MF0ci8AA0S_Rw/w400-h300/IMG_0600.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You must stay on the paths</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL6iPAhuj99TMP9zK5qkbJyvZXtMbnP3uujY2YUmiFM0K8-QWkGbIJZprQi9Rev_PTGfFoLw94coS5whIOebx9q7EBZYeMrrRvH27Qo_oPJkXB6kZ0pAeWjyYhx8Om7-FhDOW0aaiNSDnfWEjtI9t-KkEIGUd5Vz1siq-TblTUUyVT_3DGLeIyezOig/s1600/3147b18d-29da-4c69-99b4-dcf642f0ee4e.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1082" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDL6iPAhuj99TMP9zK5qkbJyvZXtMbnP3uujY2YUmiFM0K8-QWkGbIJZprQi9Rev_PTGfFoLw94coS5whIOebx9q7EBZYeMrrRvH27Qo_oPJkXB6kZ0pAeWjyYhx8Om7-FhDOW0aaiNSDnfWEjtI9t-KkEIGUd5Vz1siq-TblTUUyVT_3DGLeIyezOig/w270-h400/3147b18d-29da-4c69-99b4-dcf642f0ee4e.JPG" width="270" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQ8zcb11X-tKql9pwVUP4A-RlIf3We_8-oqGh_oC3IxQ5hTOacAidqkFbCsldQj9DM-P8H2EnJ4Anid1xzcYaq1KQ2jNg6j2iPA-ZG8_ZYbhw21xR_Hgo_rwKyXaVTyZ50wG2053Fu28Aro6u1t7QPkj_8maK3iJNVUF_kpJPTLmlPAMq2tXUKZx0g/s640/cfd683f5-e7a3-499e-8628-6e4fcd86737b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijZQ8zcb11X-tKql9pwVUP4A-RlIf3We_8-oqGh_oC3IxQ5hTOacAidqkFbCsldQj9DM-P8H2EnJ4Anid1xzcYaq1KQ2jNg6j2iPA-ZG8_ZYbhw21xR_Hgo_rwKyXaVTyZ50wG2053Fu28Aro6u1t7QPkj_8maK3iJNVUF_kpJPTLmlPAMq2tXUKZx0g/w400-h300/cfd683f5-e7a3-499e-8628-6e4fcd86737b.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDv8znVHDGvzTldWMGzpXNtRWsnz8e_qTUQmEuhPAdQhQiMYxhzB8gjP0rt8rLP3jw8feitRLBptw8wSgRn9Q_wY5i67zn5KJXOc3qRBQConczzEZ9BIwzPTJxHep5UlIAYxNw3psjA4I1i4za53TKuvOBKVHPSbgtWCPShJaB272MMoAhtxHeBEg9Q/s640/IMG_0589.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNDv8znVHDGvzTldWMGzpXNtRWsnz8e_qTUQmEuhPAdQhQiMYxhzB8gjP0rt8rLP3jw8feitRLBptw8wSgRn9Q_wY5i67zn5KJXOc3qRBQConczzEZ9BIwzPTJxHep5UlIAYxNw3psjA4I1i4za53TKuvOBKVHPSbgtWCPShJaB272MMoAhtxHeBEg9Q/w400-h300/IMG_0589.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXEXv3fdwv8W9V8E-lxWDaCkG6Ao-P10XFLFr9AW6GXf_P3I9OXbMhXRgVOYDtkLWeEN0GLZ01zNH9W2mMyenEZRAwBCDCGQ3Oxtxg8HgvrL2SJflgaxTuG6hIDSNzjqZyYKhb70l5oQ2Oi8DZeyXc0j-EpmPIqT-FXz3hax3p0uZzrvWQSBKoRShiQ/s640/IMG_0599.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEXEXv3fdwv8W9V8E-lxWDaCkG6Ao-P10XFLFr9AW6GXf_P3I9OXbMhXRgVOYDtkLWeEN0GLZ01zNH9W2mMyenEZRAwBCDCGQ3Oxtxg8HgvrL2SJflgaxTuG6hIDSNzjqZyYKhb70l5oQ2Oi8DZeyXc0j-EpmPIqT-FXz3hax3p0uZzrvWQSBKoRShiQ/w400-h300/IMG_0599.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPo61MvkJPdE4yK_84jixG64uZLv2jdjhdumBYixZfOIBAHP64CRK3uDfs56FqM44LmxGCNybvX_iiLekRAPnXqQkLsfkDek9n-FYfZwAmFHBBCQ4hKrwW4TBdqCO1WVfB0CG1kV7bobZnESpeVICC36q5FK7eTKqQPw0_Xz9S9QWtLn6DUwQduELoRA/s640/IMG_0603.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPo61MvkJPdE4yK_84jixG64uZLv2jdjhdumBYixZfOIBAHP64CRK3uDfs56FqM44LmxGCNybvX_iiLekRAPnXqQkLsfkDek9n-FYfZwAmFHBBCQ4hKrwW4TBdqCO1WVfB0CG1kV7bobZnESpeVICC36q5FK7eTKqQPw0_Xz9S9QWtLn6DUwQduELoRA/w300-h400/IMG_0603.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>By early afternoon the beach started to fill in with people arriving via private boats. The water was cold, but that didn't stop most of our group from jumping in! The climate in Brittany is much cooler than in the south and what we'd been experiencing so far since we'd left Ireland. No more 106 F, and we needed a light sweater or jacket some days and in the evenings - so nice!</p><p>Visiting the island was reminiscent of our trip to Brittany in 2013, when Corinne & Hervé brought us to the magical island, Île-de-Bréhat. This charming island has no cars, a microclimate that suits an amazing variety of flowers, puffins apparently, and a population of just under 400. We spent 2 days hiking, exploring, and really loving this different experience. Also I remember the profiteroles were fabulous! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1FpW1007RyT9dfhDA-G0IkmMb7ZGtZIZutaruRXkrInxjiDJvp9ArGJUOFvj3ZOQYh-oZSaiKLk0pGhvzUi5HjrLntsJD-36lHFyRoYIMVykwl-cqOIeO0bFB2CP5UKpfbYNf2HP8ukqMQYmHVTdjy52pB3pF28pXi45D-AYblJe3Vu4jGWgsEuVgQ/s960/IMG_3641.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib1FpW1007RyT9dfhDA-G0IkmMb7ZGtZIZutaruRXkrInxjiDJvp9ArGJUOFvj3ZOQYh-oZSaiKLk0pGhvzUi5HjrLntsJD-36lHFyRoYIMVykwl-cqOIeO0bFB2CP5UKpfbYNf2HP8ukqMQYmHVTdjy52pB3pF28pXi45D-AYblJe3Vu4jGWgsEuVgQ/w400-h300/IMG_3641.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bréhat was just beautiful and full of agapanthus!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Kq2Gf6k3pECp4gPRqZ1jyVNHVaPoLVNoeLbB-hkz3EXJ_vn4dV1AyqFird6ZknedVn4tcnvU58_E7wcp7-asHUuhHgqZFXJRCQD-ySVe0PyFqveRwmnFJ7byEKkx_UcJlTz3z7iYY1O49HnMRFcwKoO5VEV7dzhLbYEn-EbK-8jT6-Yft5Jnh7icg/s960/IMG_3642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx-Kq2Gf6k3pECp4gPRqZ1jyVNHVaPoLVNoeLbB-hkz3EXJ_vn4dV1AyqFird6ZknedVn4tcnvU58_E7wcp7-asHUuhHgqZFXJRCQD-ySVe0PyFqveRwmnFJ7byEKkx_UcJlTz3z7iYY1O49HnMRFcwKoO5VEV7dzhLbYEn-EbK-8jT6-Yft5Jnh7icg/w300-h400/IMG_3642.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bicycles are a popular mode of transportation there</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNQTnlIx-wcQytB7_06JxhrsqhkFZJd09t6B3UL9QC49ajjtZ5lkwBNRazUDC9BUauWB5oFKY867tL4M5Jsq0bdTOAOqSfdvbeDoFhe8UpYqt7HJNs257aLJd2hxWGYVyDqefsyf3gYK2DMjXCz1iVDuzGJu38irT3ZFGDx4nZSrSjhsxSbOnol54FQ/s960/IMG_3640.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="411" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNQTnlIx-wcQytB7_06JxhrsqhkFZJd09t6B3UL9QC49ajjtZ5lkwBNRazUDC9BUauWB5oFKY867tL4M5Jsq0bdTOAOqSfdvbeDoFhe8UpYqt7HJNs257aLJd2hxWGYVyDqefsyf3gYK2DMjXCz1iVDuzGJu38irT3ZFGDx4nZSrSjhsxSbOnol54FQ/w171-h400/IMG_3640.JPG" width="171" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2013 exploring the island together</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our beach day ended with a champagne/cocktail reception at Corinne & Hervé's, as more guests arrived for the wedding, and we met some of their friends & family who came to town for the event. </p><p>Wedding day dawned and with it some last minute shopping for Scott who didn't actually bring wedding attire, and who decided he & Charlotte would need tennis shoes & clothes to play a match on the clay courts at the local tennis club. </p><p>The legal wedding had already happened during Covid, but today was about the church wedding. We were at the beautiful Église Saint-Lunaire, just 2 blocks from the yacht club and the stunning beach. Since we arrived early, we had time to take a stroll through the village to the beach before the 4pm ceremony. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX9lp26VUByJ2YWXIA2_WMyZgZe2H2wQFVg3KjrMhvMKIdIvt_7l7GWY8PUqHh5Q3qooxQ3YsOP6Dt2adjYs4j5O4qhEl1_QB0qtit8bNQL_iCS62vFNBZx3Xq5R-AZ_X5We0s97pu42OjxVyTEmxjA2Wb95fIrS_X529rvVi3_fmuT6UINIMsSDyCA/s640/IMG_0620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVX9lp26VUByJ2YWXIA2_WMyZgZe2H2wQFVg3KjrMhvMKIdIvt_7l7GWY8PUqHh5Q3qooxQ3YsOP6Dt2adjYs4j5O4qhEl1_QB0qtit8bNQL_iCS62vFNBZx3Xq5R-AZ_X5We0s97pu42OjxVyTEmxjA2Wb95fIrS_X529rvVi3_fmuT6UINIMsSDyCA/w300-h400/IMG_0620.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking through town to get to the church. I love that Charlotte chose to wear a dress I bought when I was in Rome as a 23 yr-old. </td></tr></tbody></table><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgtGzkrAxO7L26o7z4A_dDaoGgU36Sf-9nZcBG_VfLEd_SL1a7daKhEq5Nc5JXfidYUlB1ltMh7cdPtwD7AsvaI_hp8osr0LXmVmp5WkMg-hbLlHPXj4dpbfPGrx8stdBMP_mhwvJJ--fnzHvut-JmSl9eRDuwdUED5tIP2qku3hoOe-iUMibATLoCw/s640/IMG_0624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjgtGzkrAxO7L26o7z4A_dDaoGgU36Sf-9nZcBG_VfLEd_SL1a7daKhEq5Nc5JXfidYUlB1ltMh7cdPtwD7AsvaI_hp8osr0LXmVmp5WkMg-hbLlHPXj4dpbfPGrx8stdBMP_mhwvJJ--fnzHvut-JmSl9eRDuwdUED5tIP2qku3hoOe-iUMibATLoCw/w300-h400/IMG_0624.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Stroll to the beach before the ceremony</td></tr></tbody></table><br />The wedding was beautiful & personal, and in something I've only ever seen royals do, the wedding party was just children in the most adorable little outfits! This wedding was also the first time that we were part of the generation of the parents of the bride & groom. That sure made it feel like time is just flying by. </p><p>As the couple both love to sail (I think they met sailing) their friends from the yacht club met them as they exited, holding sails, and then whisked them off for photos on a "just married" sailboat being towed by a tractor the 2 blocks to the yacht club. We all followed, forming a parade behind them. Passers by stopped to watch.</p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45G3seyjZAgM1NuO9T7wq8_sGYHUCoZS7qez6mLhQd_GjlhKMcgNLKPT6KyZQAZATuwJ9qpsmRGjBnLaBLr4Z-bkSaUx9sSz0mxCToLBHOUSfWvuFOcyXoMIewwmDV6QekrnIqH2W6QYdlrsXklJi9NMN2sN_VMqGfTFNigc_2z50uyMcQ5XITBUX1g/s640/IMG_0629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh45G3seyjZAgM1NuO9T7wq8_sGYHUCoZS7qez6mLhQd_GjlhKMcgNLKPT6KyZQAZATuwJ9qpsmRGjBnLaBLr4Z-bkSaUx9sSz0mxCToLBHOUSfWvuFOcyXoMIewwmDV6QekrnIqH2W6QYdlrsXklJi9NMN2sN_VMqGfTFNigc_2z50uyMcQ5XITBUX1g/w300-h400/IMG_0629.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful bride & beautiful children walking down the aisle</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCdYRZuYoBwHWSzP-b1uGy7DrHjpeehrsV52FrdFo4q1GEdlTsrxA--jaTZsJtcfCXpdCpmLvPykFdU5Lt6Nm9VCSZdMdSruN4G9mbogK6KBNuJ0pKf4_t9S5ed_wEzVZRVkoWRu-d2dMEf_SmV3wMGaTfTgN-d4aeJ7eTgolT5E91ifYijWZCW7_8g/s640/IMG_0631.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCdYRZuYoBwHWSzP-b1uGy7DrHjpeehrsV52FrdFo4q1GEdlTsrxA--jaTZsJtcfCXpdCpmLvPykFdU5Lt6Nm9VCSZdMdSruN4G9mbogK6KBNuJ0pKf4_t9S5ed_wEzVZRVkoWRu-d2dMEf_SmV3wMGaTfTgN-d4aeJ7eTgolT5E91ifYijWZCW7_8g/w300-h400/IMG_0631.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exiting the church</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzNkSiELvb0mXXudkLndQCwrgCIURfuPbHXbRD4nqrpI32WGR8Z_vNPzRRo7aHidaq-U0KIrVhmDaKAa_4vj6kTZOnUOtvNOYoGKxtSQ7S2hdHv8A-FdcZD9S4bESB8F9L8SuCRJOdFe4l7kA3xK67HhUpAwuJtFuebqOY7_LfgXwjOBuQnE6ayuteA/s640/IMG_0633.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdzNkSiELvb0mXXudkLndQCwrgCIURfuPbHXbRD4nqrpI32WGR8Z_vNPzRRo7aHidaq-U0KIrVhmDaKAa_4vj6kTZOnUOtvNOYoGKxtSQ7S2hdHv8A-FdcZD9S4bESB8F9L8SuCRJOdFe4l7kA3xK67HhUpAwuJtFuebqOY7_LfgXwjOBuQnE6ayuteA/w300-h400/IMG_0633.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdJNsKa3aRxZNJlP15X5K4Nj_RJfDxfK-oYKUh7wAEItLvH7VID2l_Yh0mC9NgGtianw55otomSAKVFitzABAKBJUSA8CDfXtWeEw8jXVrmIhkE9xwCrGS9XOvnUNUxVzKngl951_KcElYqfyO3GrSqs4Z__YxgJehmmNrbOyr6BNPjletqwgQIBipg/s640/IMG_0640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtdJNsKa3aRxZNJlP15X5K4Nj_RJfDxfK-oYKUh7wAEItLvH7VID2l_Yh0mC9NgGtianw55otomSAKVFitzABAKBJUSA8CDfXtWeEw8jXVrmIhkE9xwCrGS9XOvnUNUxVzKngl951_KcElYqfyO3GrSqs4Z__YxgJehmmNrbOyr6BNPjletqwgQIBipg/w300-h400/IMG_0640.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CvsNW5XMFmnNkmA1l2HEE6ectUappF2cJ2GpfkYrBGu8HqpNsUFMlyCNxQN9ZLCJDrvvRtnBHaIEUuEZbeYyaSAr5tbG-nbY3JasjkGcsB56_TF7Bjg8nZEWozHQifuXzK28Lau531y4SbIInrje0lFWRqp7KVj7P5H0zEDBjVxHv0KDCJKstlB12g/s640/IMG_0650.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0CvsNW5XMFmnNkmA1l2HEE6ectUappF2cJ2GpfkYrBGu8HqpNsUFMlyCNxQN9ZLCJDrvvRtnBHaIEUuEZbeYyaSAr5tbG-nbY3JasjkGcsB56_TF7Bjg8nZEWozHQifuXzK28Lau531y4SbIInrje0lFWRqp7KVj7P5H0zEDBjVxHv0KDCJKstlB12g/w300-h400/IMG_0650.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Loved this personal touch!</td></tr></tbody></table><p><a href="https://www.1001salles.com/mariage/domaine-de-richebois.aspx" target="_blank">Domaine de Richebois</a> in Pleurtuit...what a beautiful spot for a reception! We arrived at a property with a courtyard, surrounded by stone buildings (one with a thatched roof - swoon!) and a renovated stone barn. It felt both spacious but intimate at the same time. The cocktail hour outside had some of the best food we've ever had at a wedding, and the couple's friends had a microphone and some instruments, and led a local song that everyone seemed to know. The photographer got some group photos, and we mingled, ate, and sipped wine. I appreciated being there, fully immersed in the celebration (and as such, I didn't think to get very many photos.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s7ZHJup6IVOACW4736xu1oejMpGw0SGGGmba0CCnN5Oq0vYKcZ1Wn9KrDinkW8bPZx_5IGVieDNpRlnZ53q1k0HDwimiQxV3JxpJBZ9uViYsns4dL5mc8zczBRBXB7ejx4y-J2X34AeUt_WyMFlqa81g-4pomViA23uNJJwkhTNxPIf6ztrRXgkG0g/s640/IMG_0657.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5s7ZHJup6IVOACW4736xu1oejMpGw0SGGGmba0CCnN5Oq0vYKcZ1Wn9KrDinkW8bPZx_5IGVieDNpRlnZ53q1k0HDwimiQxV3JxpJBZ9uViYsns4dL5mc8zczBRBXB7ejx4y-J2X34AeUt_WyMFlqa81g-4pomViA23uNJJwkhTNxPIf6ztrRXgkG0g/w400-h300/IMG_0657.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXLrEk3ds567oAaDCdyRrGAdoHqoypevs5FWd_Dyp28D0gipFLXNcI07Q9mlBbRS6bJKgmWHXap2uY9oGWPo7LFs7LuFJK-_l24h1b5lSoObGI_yfCkUrQUR0S6GkCmKB9nz80KpUvIeqqEFOOEdR8uPJEg1Kz7BAogjuynI6aZeB-ocgGPgB-XKVLA/s640/IMG_0654.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEXLrEk3ds567oAaDCdyRrGAdoHqoypevs5FWd_Dyp28D0gipFLXNcI07Q9mlBbRS6bJKgmWHXap2uY9oGWPo7LFs7LuFJK-_l24h1b5lSoObGI_yfCkUrQUR0S6GkCmKB9nz80KpUvIeqqEFOOEdR8uPJEg1Kz7BAogjuynI6aZeB-ocgGPgB-XKVLA/w400-h300/IMG_0654.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn5kWvo5-x9ReAiXvDGe2vfpD069ZSAd8ZfI6i-vZie0DL0i_-NpWXqq3VGm82NQvubETAYHhUbuBtDflQRcejJdiLFO57Gix9Y-qKGia-aF3fniDrkcUlj9OPR812VCFbYZJZ-UuF82n1SJlkZtHoSwoAdmQ_nwLVv8riLHWGuD9tJ20VsqsrXoLeQ/s640/IMG_0659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEn5kWvo5-x9ReAiXvDGe2vfpD069ZSAd8ZfI6i-vZie0DL0i_-NpWXqq3VGm82NQvubETAYHhUbuBtDflQRcejJdiLFO57Gix9Y-qKGia-aF3fniDrkcUlj9OPR812VCFbYZJZ-UuF82n1SJlkZtHoSwoAdmQ_nwLVv8riLHWGuD9tJ20VsqsrXoLeQ/w400-h300/IMG_0659.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyw4awzEnhcjZkDeJexxAwDYGafm2Y9x4PRyNckVebUA6UMEjdqdJyKjca-5OlUpf9cUT3CCqnD7ZMiIa7fDgaLqHlCRqUQVl_JiAAKoVuGKYyxoGkDE-Vt-eljToAvOoCLj71sfejm-raE1pKzwUuZ2-gCEbrHcyZ3kKmUQ-d8qnkXUDN9cODlwq1A/s640/IMG_0665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyw4awzEnhcjZkDeJexxAwDYGafm2Y9x4PRyNckVebUA6UMEjdqdJyKjca-5OlUpf9cUT3CCqnD7ZMiIa7fDgaLqHlCRqUQVl_JiAAKoVuGKYyxoGkDE-Vt-eljToAvOoCLj71sfejm-raE1pKzwUuZ2-gCEbrHcyZ3kKmUQ-d8qnkXUDN9cODlwq1A/w400-h300/IMG_0665.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKfNtIB2EuT01gMagBe_zFRbzPS5jEd3C7bpE3EPU8PIYD8hkAEIjE9ZI6mBvgG1D4TYbFv88mpYveFOiJhRuwCdgVcuQHMm8gmlfTGcsHivaQ86HSsGlUgpVCE7ggRUMRRP3EwvxK3F4HW_00RrwzoIgZNcbchdMmLr5-rTo90w-VFglCZ7Mzq-0Bw/s640/IMG_0660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQKfNtIB2EuT01gMagBe_zFRbzPS5jEd3C7bpE3EPU8PIYD8hkAEIjE9ZI6mBvgG1D4TYbFv88mpYveFOiJhRuwCdgVcuQHMm8gmlfTGcsHivaQ86HSsGlUgpVCE7ggRUMRRP3EwvxK3F4HW_00RrwzoIgZNcbchdMmLr5-rTo90w-VFglCZ7Mzq-0Bw/w400-h300/IMG_0660.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>Eventually, when the sun was just setting, we went inside for dinner and dancing. The food was delicious. The speeches were heart-felt. Our kids, who luckily are pretty outgoing, were seated at a table with others around their age, and they had the courage to jump up and join the surprise flash mob that some young people had organized! It was great! They tore it up on the dance floor all night into the wee hours, with Julien drawing a lot of attention for his unique dance moves ("Is this how Americans dance?" was a common question among the French kids!) </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXGdabPgDTZRtUbOFlMLB9OFtwtC6S0zyXIenkR3wMUS9nH1JTgGsm22N0VG_ZL_AmvX5JzsuMqCxSq1lGMj7mkB6h3vQjMAE6JFeUuMEPIz1d_fBZJXw7kijd658JEaWGMvZp6PnHww8NSpcBdeX8BXqPdg0xuEhnhgTilKFzTYrcLNtIxPZ4JkzEQ/s1284/1db74b92-ca57-42ee-bad9-354c115df070.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1284" data-original-width="828" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFXGdabPgDTZRtUbOFlMLB9OFtwtC6S0zyXIenkR3wMUS9nH1JTgGsm22N0VG_ZL_AmvX5JzsuMqCxSq1lGMj7mkB6h3vQjMAE6JFeUuMEPIz1d_fBZJXw7kijd658JEaWGMvZp6PnHww8NSpcBdeX8BXqPdg0xuEhnhgTilKFzTYrcLNtIxPZ4JkzEQ/w258-h400/1db74b92-ca57-42ee-bad9-354c115df070.jpg" width="258" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They had an absolute blast at this wedding!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtbX71TLIpe_z6HvxXjx7gP3LDmZSxdtm5XZtVLIo_UyvXYOnVbgQuGBB4xaheMv4TnsyEszipem61IjmRAJceWcZDsnAsy12SGdH4KpwREB2S0fXgiNxp16TN2hAsG1H3680J8RwaDhasXd2FbRmhzkvYAso2VgbMg6Zm9iCsORSnZW2ynHsZmIj5A/s2048/a55f8a5a-5082-44c6-ab61-a26b5716628f.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2048" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtbX71TLIpe_z6HvxXjx7gP3LDmZSxdtm5XZtVLIo_UyvXYOnVbgQuGBB4xaheMv4TnsyEszipem61IjmRAJceWcZDsnAsy12SGdH4KpwREB2S0fXgiNxp16TN2hAsG1H3680J8RwaDhasXd2FbRmhzkvYAso2VgbMg6Zm9iCsORSnZW2ynHsZmIj5A/w400-h293/a55f8a5a-5082-44c6-ab61-a26b5716628f.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wedding favors were tiny jars of jam made by Antonin's grandmother!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I caught a ride home with Isabelle & her family around 1:30am, quite proud of myself for staying up that late. While Scott & the kids did not make it to the 5am ending of the festivities, they did stay until about 3am or so, enjoying the later rounds of food & drink that came out to sustain the revelers!</p><p>We surfaced for croissants & coffee, before Scott & Charlotte played tennis, then Scott & I took an early afternoon walk with Isabelle & Lucien into town. The kids opted to chill/work on required reading for classes. I'd never visited the town other than to go to the beach or visit Isabelle & Lucien's home, and I loved it immediately.</p><p>They gave us a tour of the village and showed us the views over the water. We lingered over drinks at the Café de la Poste (next to the adorable Patisserie La Briacine where Lucien had been retrieving gorgeous croissants for us each morning) overlooking the art deco post office, and the beloved "Kiss of Liberation" poster. Isabelle explained that the photographer, American Tony Vaccaro had taken the photo in town at the end of WWII, and it had become famous. The town even dedicated the town hall to him! Another famous American tied to Saint-Briac is former Senator and Secretary of State, John Kerry (currently the first US special envoy to climate.) John's mother's family had an estate here, and from the age of 4 he spent his summer holidays here. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfMHCuz_53YeTW7B_J9ZygiT96ctHPkaOaVRcUhnZuELsrBzSGKMmK0nB6oytz3SE8yho75AendZPEcHVd9mfMyNsSXLNiRumzYTwntY5ejuJYHXVOlEZPnHFTPE9ATj89oS1gZjZ4H2XnWc-mzP5Peut9XchnTI8N6bnBdRoYQ0yB30nMUlZemZubw/s640/IMG_0690.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjfMHCuz_53YeTW7B_J9ZygiT96ctHPkaOaVRcUhnZuELsrBzSGKMmK0nB6oytz3SE8yho75AendZPEcHVd9mfMyNsSXLNiRumzYTwntY5ejuJYHXVOlEZPnHFTPE9ATj89oS1gZjZ4H2XnWc-mzP5Peut9XchnTI8N6bnBdRoYQ0yB30nMUlZemZubw/w400-h300/IMG_0690.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAckqe_hFIEFcYsnD9c569w0UKrQdm_bsmQiIRLPCvvi2Ac-Lb-m3xpSWk75JiIbOhoQHPvEYWm8FYaSJ7XT6NNkpFmPacJ9EmSx65rs02qxgU6UJe0DSt9lQ5313eXZjcVC_mnshWEA8ZG2PsPx4tzzGp2jpn-j8MV79BQ45ul3vxx0-_9VqPEB9Vg/s640/IMG_0692.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXAckqe_hFIEFcYsnD9c569w0UKrQdm_bsmQiIRLPCvvi2Ac-Lb-m3xpSWk75JiIbOhoQHPvEYWm8FYaSJ7XT6NNkpFmPacJ9EmSx65rs02qxgU6UJe0DSt9lQ5313eXZjcVC_mnshWEA8ZG2PsPx4tzzGp2jpn-j8MV79BQ45ul3vxx0-_9VqPEB9Vg/w400-h300/IMG_0692.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZn69dWSr9axiEkkxbk9FD5dgSd8f-p4SXcStFY5BAIyyzDm1xwSIsSPOcAWHlhfu0rMDo5etXwlOff-o0g-Awk7ixKXflSvORVcCSUX4J1ryOynXabZmSfwhVt-ipMO1Wrs2uxpwcJmeV-w3LvX-zoHzBwt1TnRHST-luFdgJQyyvtBknsZSiyCSg/s640/IMG_0693.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUhZn69dWSr9axiEkkxbk9FD5dgSd8f-p4SXcStFY5BAIyyzDm1xwSIsSPOcAWHlhfu0rMDo5etXwlOff-o0g-Awk7ixKXflSvORVcCSUX4J1ryOynXabZmSfwhVt-ipMO1Wrs2uxpwcJmeV-w3LvX-zoHzBwt1TnRHST-luFdgJQyyvtBknsZSiyCSg/w400-h300/IMG_0693.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-MyL6HfPuZP62uUOYc0uLzIG7ZldDoecF7T-VMowIvK3oM-OMXQltPdsF0OCukkilvRLrYQ3v928_ohHnjKu9uIiCYi961GdShqq09OdBd3l03uujAf47UI72B2U5I09V6eMw3cRPV2HH72SAGmG9BRyDY1IE4LdkZAybM6McAJ-g5cwZiC9lSe53w/s640/IMG_0691.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg-MyL6HfPuZP62uUOYc0uLzIG7ZldDoecF7T-VMowIvK3oM-OMXQltPdsF0OCukkilvRLrYQ3v928_ohHnjKu9uIiCYi961GdShqq09OdBd3l03uujAf47UI72B2U5I09V6eMw3cRPV2HH72SAGmG9BRyDY1IE4LdkZAybM6McAJ-g5cwZiC9lSe53w/w300-h400/IMG_0691.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>By later afternoon we had rallied the rest of the gang (including the kids) and went into town for a rousing pre-dinner game of pétanque by the beach in Saint-Lunaire. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS6HMTDjB8LRnUjiS-puRDj0Dt7KjAKW8eVy0kBuiJ7mdGRIfUOqCzwBM_7fgjRvD-fvEyMg544JHSfQYBcrjYzQtiFSleB2Y6xT8o5LonJOVkV4-xsT7qHxB1eYYf2tIleyRzk2sQtZNGEamZHuyaK2cY82pyWTB2qk1CbGzfri4abbhlQ33JOolrQ/s640/IMG_0694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHS6HMTDjB8LRnUjiS-puRDj0Dt7KjAKW8eVy0kBuiJ7mdGRIfUOqCzwBM_7fgjRvD-fvEyMg544JHSfQYBcrjYzQtiFSleB2Y6xT8o5LonJOVkV4-xsT7qHxB1eYYf2tIleyRzk2sQtZNGEamZHuyaK2cY82pyWTB2qk1CbGzfri4abbhlQ33JOolrQ/w400-h300/IMG_0694.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aoADY4HruvlH7qB0ac02D2nlCCuxTiLNLrIg2Set7XWXApMvvuQabKDZvNpp8IKDzzhLJmRA8E3znfZCRkXXeVZuNHEIjz7c62RGAJ0M08-cwj804qsMc6InstHjXR7qUEoSj1z2pvZ5cI5vHHMXE0KgmatwbAqZogE6WPCILs78JUMUEES680d1fg/s640/IMG_0699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aoADY4HruvlH7qB0ac02D2nlCCuxTiLNLrIg2Set7XWXApMvvuQabKDZvNpp8IKDzzhLJmRA8E3znfZCRkXXeVZuNHEIjz7c62RGAJ0M08-cwj804qsMc6InstHjXR7qUEoSj1z2pvZ5cI5vHHMXE0KgmatwbAqZogE6WPCILs78JUMUEES680d1fg/w400-h300/IMG_0699.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOCLN6oOcafUXo52YqnnW34z41pMAeoRoHxX8e4rYatXSBwxNeaHA6KjXpDGUcEd9WBO9h4je9LRSF0w62O-MsFxbvsehIX7IP5RFPc1pdd8hkCQeHhTDMpHIX5cj90-8mKqU1LM-m7v_sDkE7MmKQTt8r7JigoNqjoQqW-MEB5Sz4YN9nDSzwE_BjA/s640/IMG_0700.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMOCLN6oOcafUXo52YqnnW34z41pMAeoRoHxX8e4rYatXSBwxNeaHA6KjXpDGUcEd9WBO9h4je9LRSF0w62O-MsFxbvsehIX7IP5RFPc1pdd8hkCQeHhTDMpHIX5cj90-8mKqU1LM-m7v_sDkE7MmKQTt8r7JigoNqjoQqW-MEB5Sz4YN9nDSzwE_BjA/w400-h300/IMG_0700.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVk9uP0A_WcR20yOBm7U8Yfj8UmwHFiaaw4lzxpLPnOet1acH2FLMT7O12QYZKBK56CPqUvwD7z9pCpM7zTDFS9lK0QH0ij9Bcu89rhmhNiuSe_0-enPiwe2HLcZUn9CL3aUhmjHfeZxhl9kaJR2GDQ3lFo4vRhkraWy5siKTiut7yKIiH32STFYlRg/s640/IMG_0707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVk9uP0A_WcR20yOBm7U8Yfj8UmwHFiaaw4lzxpLPnOet1acH2FLMT7O12QYZKBK56CPqUvwD7z9pCpM7zTDFS9lK0QH0ij9Bcu89rhmhNiuSe_0-enPiwe2HLcZUn9CL3aUhmjHfeZxhl9kaJR2GDQ3lFo4vRhkraWy5siKTiut7yKIiH32STFYlRg/w400-h300/IMG_0707.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lucien was on the winning team!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We were a big crowd of friends and family who had come to town for the wedding and met up for a last dinner at the <a href="https://www.ille-et-vilaine-tourisme.bzh/offres/lamiraute-saint-lunaire-fr-2721444/" target="_blank">Crêperie de l'Amirauté</a> in Saint-Lunaire overlooking the bay. It was a bit cold & windy, but the crêpes were delicious, and the company was lovely. It was a great end to a few special days celebrating love & friendship!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEYK_17IDVSW5SmJhgixX_u45bd-iRwoukAm4dn8EHf7yysHVAdPgjSHYtVhle9Dmg3XZufxrerF_uYIq_lvOsyngw-64KXiTvfYchh4DMlmbQ2IAwSQ4-mQFF3j63rBFO-fg_P_nhDz2zhlkiIV6PXGkCA3k56zubQu_ANRZPIW2DLhVsN7QtUoiow/s1280/78C023FC-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNRWJfLylfA20aUCgbPbmjevXtGXb-9mZ418FTnYLWkDlkLSr3sddtlogTV42DiyqTshnv90y3HQK6dV-UtaiPlK0dw-JdGTGICdb-UaoSfmbPXKmFHRz0V3gY2U1bvLjm5FTTpnShrZfkbvrC7LEsybcNesolwmD4lW-HjzNGf00eGLwB41wt0_skg/s1280/C5AB5C06-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVNRWJfLylfA20aUCgbPbmjevXtGXb-9mZ418FTnYLWkDlkLSr3sddtlogTV42DiyqTshnv90y3HQK6dV-UtaiPlK0dw-JdGTGICdb-UaoSfmbPXKmFHRz0V3gY2U1bvLjm5FTTpnShrZfkbvrC7LEsybcNesolwmD4lW-HjzNGf00eGLwB41wt0_skg/w214-h400/C5AB5C06-.JPG" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arriving at the crêperie</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEYK_17IDVSW5SmJhgixX_u45bd-iRwoukAm4dn8EHf7yysHVAdPgjSHYtVhle9Dmg3XZufxrerF_uYIq_lvOsyngw-64KXiTvfYchh4DMlmbQ2IAwSQ4-mQFF3j63rBFO-fg_P_nhDz2zhlkiIV6PXGkCA3k56zubQu_ANRZPIW2DLhVsN7QtUoiow/s1280/78C023FC-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1280" data-original-width="685" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghEYK_17IDVSW5SmJhgixX_u45bd-iRwoukAm4dn8EHf7yysHVAdPgjSHYtVhle9Dmg3XZufxrerF_uYIq_lvOsyngw-64KXiTvfYchh4DMlmbQ2IAwSQ4-mQFF3j63rBFO-fg_P_nhDz2zhlkiIV6PXGkCA3k56zubQu_ANRZPIW2DLhVsN7QtUoiow/w214-h400/78C023FC-.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="214" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The views from our table </td></tr></tbody></table></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Huge thanks to our Breton friends, and apologies to our friends in Dinan who we did not get to see on this trip. As a fun coincidence, Corinne & Isabelle happen to be here in Connecticut right now as their French/American exchange with Glastonbury is in full swing. <br /><p><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-58463497411790526722023-03-10T15:15:00.003-05:002023-03-10T16:55:26.096-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - Chapter 8 - My Birthday in Bordeaux<p>When we were originally planning a stop between Barcelona & Brittany, we were thinking of Pamplona (we had a great time there last time), or maybe as far as Saint-Goustan, where I thought it would be cool for the kids to see the Benjamin Franklin Wharf. This is where he landed in 1776 to ask France for help with the War of Independence - the kids are descendants of the Franklin family. However, Hubby had been there before, and he suggested we look for a vineyard to stay at in Bordeaux. He and our son are both really into wines. It might have been one of the best ideas he's ever had - it was brilliant!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCQ4bqcCtTt-zeS9nUmHZCJIhblkqvHWI-S8XoO64-q9f9dUz0GGkluuk6Au2vFRrA5usrPr3tLju32KyvMdcBEYCQvLD5p2VYRedxFmD6pjLDLD4cuheTnTFfYsD-rzBfMsA4d-b-eGFMbLCK-wQsuFvi0f4W64SZwuy9I8XvBDG2bllBXseoWpTw/s1024/IMG_2954.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilJCQ4bqcCtTt-zeS9nUmHZCJIhblkqvHWI-S8XoO64-q9f9dUz0GGkluuk6Au2vFRrA5usrPr3tLju32KyvMdcBEYCQvLD5p2VYRedxFmD6pjLDLD4cuheTnTFfYsD-rzBfMsA4d-b-eGFMbLCK-wQsuFvi0f4W64SZwuy9I8XvBDG2bllBXseoWpTw/w400-h300/IMG_2954.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard at Chateau de la Rivière</td></tr></tbody></table><p>It was a scenic 8 hour drive back via the Pyrenees, and we arrived at the <a href="https://www.chateau-de-la-riviere.com/en/home-fronsac-grand-vin-bordeaux-gb/" target="_blank">Chateau de la Rivière</a> in Fronsac late afternoon. This is a working vineyard with just 4 bed & breakfast rooms, and it feels special from the moment you first discover the massive iron gates amongst the grape vines at the road. This is a classic, fairy-tale chateau dating to 1260, overlooking the vineyards, countryside, and the Dordogne River.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrK8Ws-FBLv8jI2Pgnh--LwzDjiUuFUFYj0vnKsCrI-tApgAEsekQz70IlFfFSuTJiELMkYapTxJJTmmyBmlgwQuMy9CTxIz95HbnIcGrHPEYtvUj5QHE58TE7uHYVmcmIRuA3MXDYNRbMDDDNjuvRR3jcucGZP5o9d44Ih58ixaUj-syJkyasBglKg/s640/IMG_0738.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKrK8Ws-FBLv8jI2Pgnh--LwzDjiUuFUFYj0vnKsCrI-tApgAEsekQz70IlFfFSuTJiELMkYapTxJJTmmyBmlgwQuMy9CTxIz95HbnIcGrHPEYtvUj5QHE58TE7uHYVmcmIRuA3MXDYNRbMDDDNjuvRR3jcucGZP5o9d44Ih58ixaUj-syJkyasBglKg/w400-h300/IMG_0738.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We had the keys to the chateau!!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a massive suite of gorgeous adjoining rooms (the Charlemagne Suite) for our first 2 nights, and on our 3rd night we moved to 2 other rooms (Violette-le-Duc & Alienor), so we got to experience almost every guest room in the chateau. Nathalie runs the the bed & breakfast, and was a great source of helpful information regarding recommending local restaurants, activities, booking us on the included cave tour/tasting, and served a beautiful breakfast on the balcony overlooking the courtyard every morning. We also had access to a small guest tea room with beverages and a refrigerator. Our rooms were perfectly clean, air-conditioned, and came with a complimentary half-bottle of the chateau's wine!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRBpKzNeov79zCg3dwp-QBY0Y-i3ghAoXm5HdRRv6LgrylgUK5Lo08sB783GW3QTWjMmRwk60yn2oKPtlGltLi8IgYfeYUMUgxWmMnKBMdt1YyASEMAvM7leAyrAbuJagXqD3S7Gxt1stN-M_rv4TJd_lHOyDagqmBOav8CE3E_Gdk5Yo-WU4W1oz7g/s640/IMG_0575.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlRBpKzNeov79zCg3dwp-QBY0Y-i3ghAoXm5HdRRv6LgrylgUK5Lo08sB783GW3QTWjMmRwk60yn2oKPtlGltLi8IgYfeYUMUgxWmMnKBMdt1YyASEMAvM7leAyrAbuJagXqD3S7Gxt1stN-M_rv4TJd_lHOyDagqmBOav8CE3E_Gdk5Yo-WU4W1oz7g/w300-h400/IMG_0575.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entering the courtyard of the chateau...those views are amazing!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of the best parts about this stay is that while there are wine tours during the day, the chateau is otherwise closed to the public, so in the mornings and evenings, we had the entire property to ourselves! It was so beautiful that I'm getting a bit emotional just remembering the feeling. Of course, there were actually another family or 2 staying at least 2 of the nights we stayed, but we only ran into them a couple of times...once at breakfast, and one of the afternoons by the pool for a little while. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qHtTOtsFy1io58MqoJWnfrtv-yV1rpFY9Tlse30spG6dcNmQk5hCIGBLBMYZB2PG_Lg3OtcROL8sPEc7kpjmAejDA2MC-UWC_YJxk0IxhJbr9Q3pt2IHMZJlGJCAMTLCKZG6_0RAVTYLUeqBFmb4KrunCdthEAii44GBuZWXlx5DQRBZ8z5_e3Zjw/s640/IMG_0445.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif6qHtTOtsFy1io58MqoJWnfrtv-yV1rpFY9Tlse30spG6dcNmQk5hCIGBLBMYZB2PG_Lg3OtcROL8sPEc7kpjmAejDA2MC-UWC_YJxk0IxhJbr9Q3pt2IHMZJlGJCAMTLCKZG6_0RAVTYLUeqBFmb4KrunCdthEAii44GBuZWXlx5DQRBZ8z5_e3Zjw/w300-h400/IMG_0445.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B1w5HR26Zt1f6UymECPBAkR4hMI2nA1kSMXOttXxa5woAlgdfPa3A2OlGDzDmi_890GRyiu-c4137aqCXl_OgAQq_E00z8kVsD9aLOdVgAJ-xCM4wtKl-02YkgyT8hz3bo_Czh_Chj59GDhTBpg4gD8i5MQCGRsSjcttdxX8D-MB8Be_RoiIpuowFg/s640/IMG_0451.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0B1w5HR26Zt1f6UymECPBAkR4hMI2nA1kSMXOttXxa5woAlgdfPa3A2OlGDzDmi_890GRyiu-c4137aqCXl_OgAQq_E00z8kVsD9aLOdVgAJ-xCM4wtKl-02YkgyT8hz3bo_Czh_Chj59GDhTBpg4gD8i5MQCGRsSjcttdxX8D-MB8Be_RoiIpuowFg/w300-h400/IMG_0451.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfy1J4TvBNYXAGrKwKYnxUoqyGOvIBxzJh0XySYPPDHy5VupFrWlit-9f7cy2sQwXQwJoX2pfO20wN3HZ6FSSyem3ryfeynU0Ky7iMLBGAoBmSbfpfEI_CkCcDe7JYL1ii-SEVD4ZiBwSRc5BYIo5Kkdy5AmOeQ-Wbuha1FlUveWLw2iVX9zx0zkFmg/s640/IMG_0518.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPfy1J4TvBNYXAGrKwKYnxUoqyGOvIBxzJh0XySYPPDHy5VupFrWlit-9f7cy2sQwXQwJoX2pfO20wN3HZ6FSSyem3ryfeynU0Ky7iMLBGAoBmSbfpfEI_CkCcDe7JYL1ii-SEVD4ZiBwSRc5BYIo5Kkdy5AmOeQ-Wbuha1FlUveWLw2iVX9zx0zkFmg/w300-h400/IMG_0518.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We had one of the best dinners of our trip down the road in Liborne, where Nathalie had recommended Le Bistrot Maritime, an excellent brasserie (in what looks likes it might have been a shipping container), right on the banks of the river! Scott & Julien shared the foie gras, I had a generous summer salad, and I remember Julien declaring the burger was the best he'd ever had. I'm sure there was dessert (I never skip dessert in France!) before we headed back to the chateau to wander the grounds as the sun set. </p><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCwCYG0eBSqt_xUf3bmqu1vUgnx1E4bfs5Ek9W46LUcSGp3Dc9WO3B270Bzkn8J76RBKnUVj4oi8mJkXUPXKZKeK6Vgys_xr6FkyDywSzSaq0o4ZTzzZwHKzDBKc6WcScuUG3X75AmOU8EQnGSmv9y7UNF-oldA9Na2cTEWPVd8JHtnXs6Zo_YHmSQQ/s640/IMG_0539.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWCwCYG0eBSqt_xUf3bmqu1vUgnx1E4bfs5Ek9W46LUcSGp3Dc9WO3B270Bzkn8J76RBKnUVj4oi8mJkXUPXKZKeK6Vgys_xr6FkyDywSzSaq0o4ZTzzZwHKzDBKc6WcScuUG3X75AmOU8EQnGSmv9y7UNF-oldA9Na2cTEWPVd8JHtnXs6Zo_YHmSQQ/w400-h300/IMG_0539.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset from the chateau overlooking the vineyard</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNtjlCbhb2fcSKuG8Cg6exkSwEqDbSPmV77fBR4Oaw_SMSx5j1TkCrDhCRMfw-nA8GPzJZOn_u87N_DawyXVji4H56ePeNgCOecaC3cBuZ9d325j3DRUMnU8qEqh3ParFyjGsJkZU-hoAB4RpoF6iJzriSrVMuopxd49IX4P89a0zcbExMbh6Q-1CGQ/s640/IMG_0552.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQNtjlCbhb2fcSKuG8Cg6exkSwEqDbSPmV77fBR4Oaw_SMSx5j1TkCrDhCRMfw-nA8GPzJZOn_u87N_DawyXVji4H56ePeNgCOecaC3cBuZ9d325j3DRUMnU8qEqh3ParFyjGsJkZU-hoAB4RpoF6iJzriSrVMuopxd49IX4P89a0zcbExMbh6Q-1CGQ/w300-h400/IMG_0552.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful sunsets every night!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIYAMdG1neuLU01Z1b0lZGpNRDtNFJlgHUs_bjEvY5qi6L67DswdbeIkyEyR6qApecIaUHdNbU4MqzOsHkURVD-MFjBMBJ3TWWvxWqgYRmOo5lw4Cb2CNuwHkLcICdMo3pE0BdZRl82IR2tZ8Qj5JKJ8mP4yDGuybc0liBdmXvP-wHrF32DAFswur-Q/s640/IMG_0555.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizIYAMdG1neuLU01Z1b0lZGpNRDtNFJlgHUs_bjEvY5qi6L67DswdbeIkyEyR6qApecIaUHdNbU4MqzOsHkURVD-MFjBMBJ3TWWvxWqgYRmOo5lw4Cb2CNuwHkLcICdMo3pE0BdZRl82IR2tZ8Qj5JKJ8mP4yDGuybc0liBdmXvP-wHrF32DAFswur-Q/w300-h400/IMG_0555.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The courtyard to ourselves to end the day</td></tr></tbody></table><p>My 49th birthday started with that ridiculously lovely breakfast on the terrace with a view that had us feeling like royalty. Seriously, how amazing is it to wake up in a medieval castle on your birthday? We booked a wine tasting at a small, family owned vineyard <a href="http://www.chateaubernateau.com/" target="_blank">Château Bernateau </a>that we heard was really good, and it didn't disappoint. This organic vineyard has been in the same family for 11 generations! We got a short tour of their process, the story of their family history and their vines, and then sat outside at a table under a tree and tried 3 of their wines. It was a really nice experience. No pressure to buy, just really relaxed. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrQ7OkkqV1KjN9WL-25d5DM7Qsh7sOLLn6Z5oK236hAUZtu9sSu0_b4Wzaw83CFoX-wy-E6lztMLo1eqY_sJa9PldW-lxI5cL3lBTIBGb6Bpnsm7eRJJ5ahC8kfFw0IdlWj4lm101Ckd7cBcXQh0D3YGNHcO8Liz_yN9CVdeGLllr9d9BFFOTHzWrzw/s640/IMG_0460.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrQ7OkkqV1KjN9WL-25d5DM7Qsh7sOLLn6Z5oK236hAUZtu9sSu0_b4Wzaw83CFoX-wy-E6lztMLo1eqY_sJa9PldW-lxI5cL3lBTIBGb6Bpnsm7eRJJ5ahC8kfFw0IdlWj4lm101Ckd7cBcXQh0D3YGNHcO8Liz_yN9CVdeGLllr9d9BFFOTHzWrzw/w400-h300/IMG_0460.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our breakfast table</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz28ZpVRzx1hsdi2cmeGNZJvDTsFnd2T8OdDOmRLMv8UXhk8C0mg9GyYWLHSoOhhl7u5LGW2AchBafOY7PE7x2zVqZ1OstAIByRHf_Z0vuk2wGKHwkFEZvB4ylH2-vF0QBKf7fFMzjf6UGVSxw9MZZoPijgqWT2yAGkYc2zmrgtLjeGVWMm0uwu_rtQ/s1024/IMG_2958.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtz28ZpVRzx1hsdi2cmeGNZJvDTsFnd2T8OdDOmRLMv8UXhk8C0mg9GyYWLHSoOhhl7u5LGW2AchBafOY7PE7x2zVqZ1OstAIByRHf_Z0vuk2wGKHwkFEZvB4ylH2-vF0QBKf7fFMzjf6UGVSxw9MZZoPijgqWT2yAGkYc2zmrgtLjeGVWMm0uwu_rtQ/w300-h400/IMG_2958.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sitting down to a lovely French breakfast<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMlYRw9Ys77lg1xz04nkggOOd3YhLxlsIp6X39PX9hzsPzqQHIT7dllH8hDRR0zp9hl6ykFUGfuib7pSq1FlQ8-Mamry2BAKtmea0El55BAFZ5Aq50QU2ZsAVh0zMmv81zsy2AY1RwKAlz1DM_gTq8x6bayI1j5uYdf7ekpQGUsEVqxT1hWKqhcHtfg/s640/IMG_0469.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIMlYRw9Ys77lg1xz04nkggOOd3YhLxlsIp6X39PX9hzsPzqQHIT7dllH8hDRR0zp9hl6ykFUGfuib7pSq1FlQ8-Mamry2BAKtmea0El55BAFZ5Aq50QU2ZsAVh0zMmv81zsy2AY1RwKAlz1DM_gTq8x6bayI1j5uYdf7ekpQGUsEVqxT1hWKqhcHtfg/w400-h300/IMG_0469.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wine tasting</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We drove through the vines towards the absolutely scenic Saint-Émilion, to explore the area and get lunch at Le Comptoir des Arts. This UNESCO world heritage site is a medieval city with a 12th century monolithic (carved from a single stone) church - the largest in Europe. It was a beautiful day and I loved the architecture. I would go back in a heartbeat and spend more time there. Let me rephrase that. I WILL go back and spend more time there. Lunch on a terrace shaded by wisteria vines was perfect, and the tarte au citron there was amazing.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvaSD-lCNYaPDMDZjyobt_LjQQzyvkA0INxjY8YfsefNBj2YGw8uac-ErnaU4cXuiHZ_VLrJXhs_nGG-gipRBcUXxgK5c6f87Wwzu5kbeuDYn4fg5zf2mQ6mjwQZYorWvuPUm3GfBwnrrIFNR-0MuMIECwdltoLXQ25Bh8d6uHoNA8Auc1eW8nJYF9w/s640/IMG_0474.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmvaSD-lCNYaPDMDZjyobt_LjQQzyvkA0INxjY8YfsefNBj2YGw8uac-ErnaU4cXuiHZ_VLrJXhs_nGG-gipRBcUXxgK5c6f87Wwzu5kbeuDYn4fg5zf2mQ6mjwQZYorWvuPUm3GfBwnrrIFNR-0MuMIECwdltoLXQ25Bh8d6uHoNA8Auc1eW8nJYF9w/w400-h300/IMG_0474.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saint-Émilion<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b0_P5RuAuNBv-xqOqbsPUWFmTfftNIMrI9QoZZOZpn_vfzS9Iy4yNBGrh2cv9rO08ejrlhp6l-Vpnk0wmNddgXc7MMfrXcBhQuAaa_RdjH8P7wTXU_xXRJmAMNykwaez_kyRV2MvA1y3nBK03yvzlyeFhwQdmyXa28RRhAwGBK9iTdcjrhlsvqRRtA/s640/IMG_0478.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5b0_P5RuAuNBv-xqOqbsPUWFmTfftNIMrI9QoZZOZpn_vfzS9Iy4yNBGrh2cv9rO08ejrlhp6l-Vpnk0wmNddgXc7MMfrXcBhQuAaa_RdjH8P7wTXU_xXRJmAMNykwaez_kyRV2MvA1y3nBK03yvzlyeFhwQdmyXa28RRhAwGBK9iTdcjrhlsvqRRtA/w300-h400/IMG_0478.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Architecture in Saint-Émilion</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl8CFdO89R8UBpLlkUME-1JoQk_itAcvp-o0zBowyB_1_NrrCycfdk2sdA0j7hYXSSbQqoZCxP1P_UDvmM-iMCQ83tZx32elbepbZ_gCz2gqpp-S7Ir6HdZimCDeqw2p5ljmvwwetvvGEU2xbl3ztSC4B_5F9M0uHP7klSWIpFql4MOPH7hrTB5w9zA/s640/IMG_0484.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPl8CFdO89R8UBpLlkUME-1JoQk_itAcvp-o0zBowyB_1_NrrCycfdk2sdA0j7hYXSSbQqoZCxP1P_UDvmM-iMCQ83tZx32elbepbZ_gCz2gqpp-S7Ir6HdZimCDeqw2p5ljmvwwetvvGEU2xbl3ztSC4B_5F9M0uHP7klSWIpFql4MOPH7hrTB5w9zA/w300-h400/IMG_0484.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tarte au citron? Oui svp!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1vnS6eWu1wXDDIIyrwXXkyJ6XlMKTr-Djg9PBIi3Irb34Wl_lIO432-ZOnyoruiPZw1JqZSRiGWrcp4LZ0KtPamLvIkKcylZZk5IrWbrE0WaINjw-NeMM2bCZb9dgzLta1L63ZvQd78I-djjLCEz5qtmS7w3TEBN7LnRUtHcufhFN5f8Wxmp5xqdZQ/s640/IMG_0485.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh1vnS6eWu1wXDDIIyrwXXkyJ6XlMKTr-Djg9PBIi3Irb34Wl_lIO432-ZOnyoruiPZw1JqZSRiGWrcp4LZ0KtPamLvIkKcylZZk5IrWbrE0WaINjw-NeMM2bCZb9dgzLta1L63ZvQd78I-djjLCEz5qtmS7w3TEBN7LnRUtHcufhFN5f8Wxmp5xqdZQ/w300-h400/IMG_0485.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our table at Le Comptoir des Arts. We were the last ones to clear out after a leisurely lunch.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYACNrSF3FnNVrLMi-r9S8z2rpoVnj6YQXMBeWbxu7JcF5Jb9dFZ5ergV2FQzAz7Fq6kLe1eIdxUttuK5K_phOOT_gXZj211AJ0DkpE4n0xwTrzCOMK5Ozm8-ewimbnDEHO5LtSxgOjvsB0atq7fxuj-cm-Hekod5g_0E-tlYpEBk-rYvaZ4xUzcOhw/s640/IMG_0505.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVYACNrSF3FnNVrLMi-r9S8z2rpoVnj6YQXMBeWbxu7JcF5Jb9dFZ5ergV2FQzAz7Fq6kLe1eIdxUttuK5K_phOOT_gXZj211AJ0DkpE4n0xwTrzCOMK5Ozm8-ewimbnDEHO5LtSxgOjvsB0atq7fxuj-cm-Hekod5g_0E-tlYpEBk-rYvaZ4xUzcOhw/w300-h400/IMG_0505.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After lunch walk to admire more medieval architecture</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The afternoon ended with a glorious family swim in the pool and some lounging, before getting dressed for dinner back to Liborne on the banks of the river. This time we went to the more casual La Ginguette, again eating outdoors, in a space that felt like it was a big party in someone's backyard. We ran into the other family staying at the chateau there too! Scott surprised me by having the server bring my dessert with a flaming sparkler for my birthday. We made it back to the chateau in time to watch the sun set (it sets pretty late there in the Summer) and to feel overwhelmingly grateful for all of it. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7gLwWSPbvz3joAT7qa01mW46EfHUQaqQQf_4lCWc5XGW6mkbaF9QTJl0KO8ZBDw5hCXqUcIjd_i8noW4djkMb7CJVg0dtUvQRGoBLigUa1EqNTw9g1lGjckNa0DRLuzgiWDalhepFXffw7Vkuc8AZ-msr6ZrNuzYEmLjYFIC5I7U7QjL0IccwPVQRA/s640/IMG_0517.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin7gLwWSPbvz3joAT7qa01mW46EfHUQaqQQf_4lCWc5XGW6mkbaF9QTJl0KO8ZBDw5hCXqUcIjd_i8noW4djkMb7CJVg0dtUvQRGoBLigUa1EqNTw9g1lGjckNa0DRLuzgiWDalhepFXffw7Vkuc8AZ-msr6ZrNuzYEmLjYFIC5I7U7QjL0IccwPVQRA/w300-h400/IMG_0517.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We bought a pool floatie mattress early on our trip to use<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhMjMCwyoEf6PD0aXy1liRLSx0dRCC9QoG5-finOtec8DGDW2XejFRd3gJgLQyA0vZxEVR8-pymeejdtFxViGDgcj4Qbnya9n3J3XSNz7-k2ShDJSQMB7TDns98EorKjgJ0c8r3JA8754wbr7bRZH5ZcarrMdgU83AXyBlYKLv7StZ-QHAs-Y2SFctA/s640/IMG_0532.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyhMjMCwyoEf6PD0aXy1liRLSx0dRCC9QoG5-finOtec8DGDW2XejFRd3gJgLQyA0vZxEVR8-pymeejdtFxViGDgcj4Qbnya9n3J3XSNz7-k2ShDJSQMB7TDns98EorKjgJ0c8r3JA8754wbr7bRZH5ZcarrMdgU83AXyBlYKLv7StZ-QHAs-Y2SFctA/w300-h400/IMG_0532.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our table looking across the river</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPWf8SJvJgQisYm2kcGbwiu3Xqv33tgOkmP9MNw9evtQFAc5XAVOpNw2QnphKTbaLFf5JyC6WM8F2A6ubyMqcWNCyRB_NdK4ocCIExFi7xww5-BVpp3by8w44TkiiBBvqZYEsTyl0QI5QQmdLcgvhM4prLbGkPCcsi3_TKtOgyxo06w_1F1gs9SYhRg/s1024/IMG_4472.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQPWf8SJvJgQisYm2kcGbwiu3Xqv33tgOkmP9MNw9evtQFAc5XAVOpNw2QnphKTbaLFf5JyC6WM8F2A6ubyMqcWNCyRB_NdK4ocCIExFi7xww5-BVpp3by8w44TkiiBBvqZYEsTyl0QI5QQmdLcgvhM4prLbGkPCcsi3_TKtOgyxo06w_1F1gs9SYhRg/w300-h400/IMG_4472.jpeg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheers to turning 49 in France!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96VEl3wCP7WeKfh_uhDV1e-rZSgyuUmF1jM98XEauWiPz2sW8yzIhz2GT69bBhR2GC2fiV8tRMqcNOkfNnoE0OVP6rtAW3Eioizh1xy2osr_wTR9uOYfEqrg8gQxpiG1jcZ_NfCKZNChojLAqJ-3qwE8Oil1X-utoE7ssqYpeSPqgSsEMttoWIn5EMg/s1024/IMG_4477.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi96VEl3wCP7WeKfh_uhDV1e-rZSgyuUmF1jM98XEauWiPz2sW8yzIhz2GT69bBhR2GC2fiV8tRMqcNOkfNnoE0OVP6rtAW3Eioizh1xy2osr_wTR9uOYfEqrg8gQxpiG1jcZ_NfCKZNChojLAqJ-3qwE8Oil1X-utoE7ssqYpeSPqgSsEMttoWIn5EMg/w400-h300/IMG_4477.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So lucky to spend family time with these two!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After breakfast the next morning we donned jackets and joined one of the underground cave tours (it's chilly underground) and tastings hosted by the Chateau. The Chateau has miles and miles of caves dug into the limestone under the vineyards and it was a really interesting tour. I've read books that tell stories of the French resistance during WWII using caves like these to hide people, munitions, and special vintages of wines, which I found fascinating. The tour ended with a jovial tasting - there were maybe 14 of us around the table. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cad7qrTkhxxqD7wfTpFjOH4JTzcbvhgiaocGdnGiISx1u1Zy7WVDA85aOf6NKsP6901DxM-KBAaITZmQF1JkUa83ycT1tG4PWhVqFipyl79ig1Ryl0u1qLyTHxC3VLLYLZrJyF1RcEkLh079WiMiTN0ClrO1D7SonvrzwYJYEo3sPd-v1JvBpBDguQ/s640/IMG_0567.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8cad7qrTkhxxqD7wfTpFjOH4JTzcbvhgiaocGdnGiISx1u1Zy7WVDA85aOf6NKsP6901DxM-KBAaITZmQF1JkUa83ycT1tG4PWhVqFipyl79ig1Ryl0u1qLyTHxC3VLLYLZrJyF1RcEkLh079WiMiTN0ClrO1D7SonvrzwYJYEo3sPd-v1JvBpBDguQ/w300-h400/IMG_0567.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Pauline to begin the cave tour<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-XHAhmrRDDVlyYGhlF0sPsN6AoV6EeYsZsJ4TkEkXuyBa5eRLdwRy5ia_MWtZn4nnO2qWWdZ6b8YNKFdRFx9SEwNd-cK6ov1WDi_0BQC4to1dA-i7b2mMh1elrShs86SDmrulOERXqx5aPqwhCRSwOKwn1-QthI7E6p-Qg49UjUCcDvAk0l_rpcq_w/s640/IMG_0568.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho-XHAhmrRDDVlyYGhlF0sPsN6AoV6EeYsZsJ4TkEkXuyBa5eRLdwRy5ia_MWtZn4nnO2qWWdZ6b8YNKFdRFx9SEwNd-cK6ov1WDi_0BQC4to1dA-i7b2mMh1elrShs86SDmrulOERXqx5aPqwhCRSwOKwn1-QthI7E6p-Qg49UjUCcDvAk0l_rpcq_w/w300-h400/IMG_0568.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miles of tunnels under the vineyard - so cool!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Charlotte and I opted to spend the afternoon relaxing at the pool while the boys went on a vineyard tour to <a href="https://www.couvent-jacobins-saint-emilion.com/" target="_blank">Couvent des Jacobins</a>. They said it was a great tour that included a tuktuk ride through the vines, and I think these were their favorites wines we'd tasted so far. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2q7wN292az_I4DI1YjoQGfNOao79fltKhPQ0jtwA5w2n6nqqXq_4f56JiLZ1iNrdZ4ywkWQ3fZfcLYU1NT2TU9K0eXG-GWWzTdncTHdHYWtaBJDE8P8L2qA2-ief0TW00geI_4cojA0O5iqe6d-paGJtP5758BruxD9NuyGWqXrR9tYOsXxyHoA0Nw/s640/IMG_0508.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir2q7wN292az_I4DI1YjoQGfNOao79fltKhPQ0jtwA5w2n6nqqXq_4f56JiLZ1iNrdZ4ywkWQ3fZfcLYU1NT2TU9K0eXG-GWWzTdncTHdHYWtaBJDE8P8L2qA2-ief0TW00geI_4cojA0O5iqe6d-paGJtP5758BruxD9NuyGWqXrR9tYOsXxyHoA0Nw/w400-h300/IMG_0508.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a beautiful afternoon at the pool!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTHNC1Y-2fptUrrYlZXIxxY9RdRFlIqUvJyWPKPT7zfiC6o_A00ihiwjxRCIwfDh_z_0jiRQGisn1Z8RMSRihqC2IrfUYCOI0KLP7ofUEaynI4pJLmAYnYBZ7ypNaQ3CeWMxoQ5aAypuECSncVq2CGWGbjB4a1xeTjTv6wV_YwMQBZtF4ksD25vkPvg/s640/IMG_2967.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSTHNC1Y-2fptUrrYlZXIxxY9RdRFlIqUvJyWPKPT7zfiC6o_A00ihiwjxRCIwfDh_z_0jiRQGisn1Z8RMSRihqC2IrfUYCOI0KLP7ofUEaynI4pJLmAYnYBZ7ypNaQ3CeWMxoQ5aAypuECSncVq2CGWGbjB4a1xeTjTv6wV_YwMQBZtF4ksD25vkPvg/w400-h300/IMG_2967.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Who doesn't love a vineyard tour in a tuktuk?!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Dinner was a cold picnic of foods we had in the refrigerator on the grounds of the chateau and we watched the sunset again, which was magical. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-yrLc-bMjNWr8EBh-yitMSW8dwhNeK69wXxK3RFL3iqFFCuZpKYdRtiHBnh7_q6IMaaFU1KLITymwS94VKOjY5JXKZJTPXZK6SuxsLlIj81DlSGUOBTrDqei_nCZNLIafxiWj0NNn_-LllYte_ZU9ITTCkOAgXVKt1jUYKuoJhDDylWeA0I59Id4cA/s640/IMG_0538.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR-yrLc-bMjNWr8EBh-yitMSW8dwhNeK69wXxK3RFL3iqFFCuZpKYdRtiHBnh7_q6IMaaFU1KLITymwS94VKOjY5JXKZJTPXZK6SuxsLlIj81DlSGUOBTrDqei_nCZNLIafxiWj0NNn_-LllYte_ZU9ITTCkOAgXVKt1jUYKuoJhDDylWeA0I59Id4cA/w300-h400/IMG_0538.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spot for our picnic dinner and enjoying a glass of wine</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyQzFCewiUQxATVKyCe545WPzFwJQUCXB2Z5fae0Q2fLUxxH4V5rCzVIf2hC4q2d7Wx9w_SaOMVvV9ZIRHILOsmUthjTRKhso2BopjlOA6ORQS_Sh8amPAHveLAPn-3UB0pGPmksyw7l4gxuCea_jHSGB9KK5877ZXuZ0OTV7MidT9Ue8JdTKKUiqWQ/s640/IMG_0550.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwyQzFCewiUQxATVKyCe545WPzFwJQUCXB2Z5fae0Q2fLUxxH4V5rCzVIf2hC4q2d7Wx9w_SaOMVvV9ZIRHILOsmUthjTRKhso2BopjlOA6ORQS_Sh8amPAHveLAPn-3UB0pGPmksyw7l4gxuCea_jHSGB9KK5877ZXuZ0OTV7MidT9Ue8JdTKKUiqWQ/w300-h400/IMG_0550.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2ZXqrgr-2_HCIPGX2_tB1fxTjRbMILVl-PwCJrYWxFKuOjxkQwxBSo0UrwNcUt3CNRwDUdg0qkgbmqCNl8jfE8hlf4sQ-_PpScmzXIU_gXcov3bCc2YIqKxtujG3I2zGtx4hNGCbrWagtIANe733Bo3KAGa8GikqGAlVP8juM8S07EZD3x4Se4ZYAw/s1700/D883B849-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1700" data-original-width="910" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW2ZXqrgr-2_HCIPGX2_tB1fxTjRbMILVl-PwCJrYWxFKuOjxkQwxBSo0UrwNcUt3CNRwDUdg0qkgbmqCNl8jfE8hlf4sQ-_PpScmzXIU_gXcov3bCc2YIqKxtujG3I2zGtx4hNGCbrWagtIANe733Bo3KAGa8GikqGAlVP8juM8S07EZD3x4Se4ZYAw/w214-h400/D883B849-.jpg" width="214" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunset over the vines</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AfUrl79i0ov7IVRM73Tlb6Z2jVxDXlT-ZY5DF9LqzcQJW_uGthMjlbdisnUgKHTPmFY1YCkS2AJqIsPKBtfk_96v7s8qSVs8uPUBM9Pp41G5dMr6JbCe4KAHWMMXQR5w4niadTKRoJZTDKwBUxDfgKK0HzxOvMRzDLwg2L4KE7w0RO6FKqjFeUa-7g/s640/IMG_0549.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1AfUrl79i0ov7IVRM73Tlb6Z2jVxDXlT-ZY5DF9LqzcQJW_uGthMjlbdisnUgKHTPmFY1YCkS2AJqIsPKBtfk_96v7s8qSVs8uPUBM9Pp41G5dMr6JbCe4KAHWMMXQR5w4niadTKRoJZTDKwBUxDfgKK0HzxOvMRzDLwg2L4KE7w0RO6FKqjFeUa-7g/w300-h400/IMG_0549.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There's an art installation on the grounds</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHSi7Icwz1CMsQlvhnTwUEFaJwgsDSXU2EC93iNuGpfAR21qFiQHhg2UnCJPnzZ1h6t8Giy0m1ipWeoTnx4C482oD0h8NT9bnioztGAWizkwzx3mm7ipmFaZ4tpJgckuAUKve6jJIvOkhuOg54aI0KWAuiM0qnsSmxtflnONanWMJsopHU4MWmbJ0xA/s640/IMG_0546.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEHSi7Icwz1CMsQlvhnTwUEFaJwgsDSXU2EC93iNuGpfAR21qFiQHhg2UnCJPnzZ1h6t8Giy0m1ipWeoTnx4C482oD0h8NT9bnioztGAWizkwzx3mm7ipmFaZ4tpJgckuAUKve6jJIvOkhuOg54aI0KWAuiM0qnsSmxtflnONanWMJsopHU4MWmbJ0xA/w400-h300/IMG_0546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These life experiences are what it's all about. This is my why.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This was another fantastic stop on our Friendship tour, and after our last beautiful breakfast we bid farewell to Nathalie. I know we all loved it here, and surprisingly I wasn't at all disappointed that we didn't show the kids the city of Bordeaux. I remember I whispered to Scott that I would love to stay again and wouldn't it be magical to see one of our kids get married here one day? I guess I had weddings on my mind as it was finally time to head to Brittany, to attend Antonin & Capucine's wedding!</p><p> </p><br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-78170104718110476462023-03-02T13:31:00.000-05:002023-03-02T13:31:58.527-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 7 - Viva España!<p>Besalú & Barcelona were just slightly off course from our trip, but we had promised our daughter we'd go to at least 1 new country for her on our European Summer Road Trip. </p><p>It had been 21 years since Scott & I had last been to Besalú and Barcelona, criss-crossing the Pyrenees with our Italian friends all stuffed into a Fiat on our way to Sebastian's wedding, and it had been such an adventure. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-pgCSAdLSW1kB3YFU924Ir0QqlGdYqFci5-knNcnevT62CZqoZzhxQ1B5zEANzUFrIF1fmGEpii9YQoEUko2Q8wqK7BcEMe7GWOxW9OmemSFWDa-NSftySsBwJ2QnJMjXqC_wXMfVl2JLzjcg5Dva5RpncNPZ6E5TYdt5V3i0FWPq9HnGokDCAsrHg/s640/IMG_0352.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEik-pgCSAdLSW1kB3YFU924Ir0QqlGdYqFci5-knNcnevT62CZqoZzhxQ1B5zEANzUFrIF1fmGEpii9YQoEUko2Q8wqK7BcEMe7GWOxW9OmemSFWDa-NSftySsBwJ2QnJMjXqC_wXMfVl2JLzjcg5Dva5RpncNPZ6E5TYdt5V3i0FWPq9HnGokDCAsrHg/w400-h300/IMG_0352.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>If you don't know it, Besalú is a quaint medieval village that you access from a fortified 11th century bridge right out of a Disney movie. I booked us a family room at the <a href="https://lamartana.com/" target="_blank">Els Jardins de la Martana</a>, which is located at the start of the bridge overlooking the Fluvià River and the bridge itself. It's a great location, has a cool library, and the breakfast the next morning on the terrace overlooking the bridge was really lovely. The room itself was pretty basic, but it was big enough for the 4 of us, and the staff was very nice. We would have booked the bed & breakfast we had stayed at so many years ago, but it has since become a whole house let (rental.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMuvNIdyvIeFiH9GISDCJNSMjfgn84PI_39gsgnd30zsrWBGTagdUq2utD4lMUakKWNOsc_URx7XsEYHm2a0vkEOd0HhYrNcP4GBMjpVPDMXY4Em-QasyNaRmrPmYHtq1YXsPlG7UCbi4K8nZrEDO0nNcvpYXdbMUvmeiM2tHvLQODB12FZv_6lhmkQ/s960/IMG_0355.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijMuvNIdyvIeFiH9GISDCJNSMjfgn84PI_39gsgnd30zsrWBGTagdUq2utD4lMUakKWNOsc_URx7XsEYHm2a0vkEOd0HhYrNcP4GBMjpVPDMXY4Em-QasyNaRmrPmYHtq1YXsPlG7UCbi4K8nZrEDO0nNcvpYXdbMUvmeiM2tHvLQODB12FZv_6lhmkQ/w400-h300/IMG_0355.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is us 21 years ago sipping wine in Besalú, writing a postcard to my Canadian bestie. Photo taken by Monica.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>While I have studied 5 languages formally, Spanish is not one of them, and I have only a basic command. Especially in Besalú, where we did not find much English, I relied on the kids and Scott translating and interpreting for me. I think of the 3 of them, that Julien might have been the most useful, or should I say the most willing to be useful. I really need to send his Spanish teachers a thank you note! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQDhd-OiWaTqqwJnwqySZPd4LevxhF-K1CX9tjQqjOHSFjrlfUenAkdoUKoW5awhZ-ghoFvyCrPaT9fvxXyfq3lKzPlagRNQKGOcRKZPohtopaPGOxBdMkIryd_Oiagn0LrlPUKOQuw9og-lz3t7PzICu5m-4SQEVE7AriCqP6gL9w8e0z3M4FHYDQA/s640/IMG_0340.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJQDhd-OiWaTqqwJnwqySZPd4LevxhF-K1CX9tjQqjOHSFjrlfUenAkdoUKoW5awhZ-ghoFvyCrPaT9fvxXyfq3lKzPlagRNQKGOcRKZPohtopaPGOxBdMkIryd_Oiagn0LrlPUKOQuw9og-lz3t7PzICu5m-4SQEVE7AriCqP6gL9w8e0z3M4FHYDQA/w300-h400/IMG_0340.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking out the front door of the hotel right onto the bridge</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig15TWxks4E0ZgRFaTVaW8vOYb_I_Duvp9tESjTulqDT7qcMEqw2Z0Mjxsdcv0Bi79pbL_pQq_IY9_92wfDRoXKfDHSy8K9Ws_mscrg89BrsEYOcyspcdxCmfxU-e7MF5n2T7ePpiEYWdS0GoGCRr6muUJEDh0ior-KGxxBxeD_qZirL9Rqvni5DXB9Q/s640/IMG_0357.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig15TWxks4E0ZgRFaTVaW8vOYb_I_Duvp9tESjTulqDT7qcMEqw2Z0Mjxsdcv0Bi79pbL_pQq_IY9_92wfDRoXKfDHSy8K9Ws_mscrg89BrsEYOcyspcdxCmfxU-e7MF5n2T7ePpiEYWdS0GoGCRr6muUJEDh0ior-KGxxBxeD_qZirL9Rqvni5DXB9Q/w400-h300/IMG_0357.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>There's not a whole lot to do in Besalú, but we only had 1 night planned, which started with a late lunch, and continued with a long stroll exploring the medieval town. We stumbled upon the remains of the Jewish bathhouse dating from 1200 by the river, in what was once upon a time the Jewish Quarter, which was interesting. We wandered the narrow cobblestone streets but found most of the shops closed, and hung out by the river. Come dinnertime, the restaurants were packed, but we found a spot outside at a bar in a plaza with a stage where a local band started to play. (I say local because their audience seemed to know them.) I get the feeling that during the day the town has a lot of tourists, but at night it's mostly locals. We were enjoying the night and our spot and weren't very hungry for dinner, but the bar managed to rustle up some tapas as we listed to the music and sipped our drinks. One of my favorite moments was when I realized the crowd was singing along to a song they all seemed to know. It was a chill, relaxed evening and a beautiful walk (that turned into us breaking into 2 teams to see who could find their way back to the hotel first.)</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12nShjBp__prFiDpzT9At5dPUgwaorxLlNQTtA46iw-u2FgjGyLlFwRcqg_1dqU37BZ5Gq5tupRuKbrKKBvYPffsQZ49aBsE6eT_zmZys4nDcyAx2GcTv6Pcc_o-3UBt1sSnoiY5SBT1IYFfhzV-ka_ZlgD83MrGmZ19Eag01AlhCUogs5ekF1jNExA/s640/IMG_0359.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh12nShjBp__prFiDpzT9At5dPUgwaorxLlNQTtA46iw-u2FgjGyLlFwRcqg_1dqU37BZ5Gq5tupRuKbrKKBvYPffsQZ49aBsE6eT_zmZys4nDcyAx2GcTv6Pcc_o-3UBt1sSnoiY5SBT1IYFfhzV-ka_ZlgD83MrGmZ19Eag01AlhCUogs5ekF1jNExA/w300-h400/IMG_0359.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes dancing ensues when we hear live music</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxFsAAFZ9s5GM3asdYODjGf7HQh73stU80nRFowV2_rBhOa6iAZhPyC3E8oi3KNRBfl1Id2ld6X9hVxIGwo_g' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><p>The next morning was a dreamy breakfast on the terrace before heading to Barcelona. I was so in the moment that I didn't get a photo...there was a gorgeous café latte, fresh fruit, views and sunshine. </p><p>We decided en route to Barcelona to stop at Figures and visit the <a href="https://www.salvador-dali.org/en/" target="_blank">Dalí Museum</a>, which had been Salvatore Dalí's home. It is such a cool, interesting-looking building - exactly what you'd expect for Dalí. Here's where I learned a lesson, and it's today's <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: Check to see if a museum requires a reservation or timed ticketing before visiting</span>. We did not have a reservation, and the next available tickets were not for another 4 hours. Bummed, we left and continued our drive to Barcelona. Still in the mood to take in some art (and some air conditioning) we went directly to the <a href="https://www.museunacional.cat/ca" target="_blank">Museu Nacional d'Art de Catalunya</a>.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLjCk8HWVy_ZuDIAjcgwhAlUIGcEh2dHsQ57PoUqq2DY3kWSEMw-bgU2vBp5cPicd_Uf5zXx9uAjsLQgZMXpiwmJz1i4wswM5aE3nvBTn4HtqntgOq6I957DfxDvERZPfWrK6mIlPxbMojLiGYPFHAzBvAduZJMbcYLMhQoBwtr4t0lJX5fzKQU25_A/s640/IMG_7297.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="344" data-original-width="640" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipLjCk8HWVy_ZuDIAjcgwhAlUIGcEh2dHsQ57PoUqq2DY3kWSEMw-bgU2vBp5cPicd_Uf5zXx9uAjsLQgZMXpiwmJz1i4wswM5aE3nvBTn4HtqntgOq6I957DfxDvERZPfWrK6mIlPxbMojLiGYPFHAzBvAduZJMbcYLMhQoBwtr4t0lJX5fzKQU25_A/w400-h215/IMG_7297.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view of the city from the museum</div><p>This museum was a WOW! The scene outside overlooking the city was amazing too. We started with some cool drinks and snacks at the kiosk outside the museum to fortify ourselves while we did some people watching (there was a wedding party arriving, all decked out in formal wear) and headed in (there were tickets!) to explore the many rooms and exhibits. </p><p>Barcelona has such a different feel from other cities, and the kids really took to it. I had expected we'd do more of the first-time Barcelona touristy things that Scott & I had done years ago, but they didn't want to visit any more churches or museums at this point. They had no interest in seeing Parc Güell or touring the Sagrada Familia, which our apartment terrace overlooked! I had suggested a food tour, which is one of our traditions in a new place, but even that got vetoed. So, what did we do in our 2 days in the city? We explored by foot, saw stunning architecture, drank sangrias, ate local foods, shopped at the grocery store around the corner from our amazing apartment for snacks, and soaked in the city. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PbZ7jtfel0_8dddVGGGSQej6KYxcnuXBP9ZY1uBITDZfA64YyYLB-sRsQeMtS2Yl_iq9zltEgJQVbKOHqET0J8k_3yzSzaXrVN3AmgRlqJIW0S610JdSLROAf_z_WzSUzrfQjyidxb62_zL_kO5YtUr-CWQLcEgvFTQMM5DNHH-ev3AqBtvmt3YADQ/s640/IMG_0400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1PbZ7jtfel0_8dddVGGGSQej6KYxcnuXBP9ZY1uBITDZfA64YyYLB-sRsQeMtS2Yl_iq9zltEgJQVbKOHqET0J8k_3yzSzaXrVN3AmgRlqJIW0S610JdSLROAf_z_WzSUzrfQjyidxb62_zL_kO5YtUr-CWQLcEgvFTQMM5DNHH-ev3AqBtvmt3YADQ/w300-h400/IMG_0400.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDqPBiSgeEa8L5sFRM2kAUjiqlHPCOE9_MyqOUKugCtm4zoB8baTorb7tC2gJ18lCZIcPI6Ks8Dp-HPP95ibr-B6uFw3Z9-0kis68cQzAyRiIbSILkQTXU7RnSHAUX4Cb-3GzgEV3h07uSVwS65CIQuk2WnQPSP5haiQ-WzoUsxnE5BkkYs8znNDlfw/s640/IMG_0403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCDqPBiSgeEa8L5sFRM2kAUjiqlHPCOE9_MyqOUKugCtm4zoB8baTorb7tC2gJ18lCZIcPI6Ks8Dp-HPP95ibr-B6uFw3Z9-0kis68cQzAyRiIbSILkQTXU7RnSHAUX4Cb-3GzgEV3h07uSVwS65CIQuk2WnQPSP5haiQ-WzoUsxnE5BkkYs8znNDlfw/w400-h300/IMG_0403.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brunch stop at the sweetest little café we found tucked off the beaten path. The frappés & freshly squeezed orange juice are a must when visiting this area!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVw-2BMaYTfQ0KNbjLhzHO5VoxKSOPZIKjlNntLBuaaYGYIFs_8OOyvDJnu5nN27G0XB48cg2r3Do8OjhQtFfmTzPQihZ2GJFSXSrkVBg1C7t_pAnkd39FON0_kllwP6_FvtFMFzNZtqEVKYihAaak1QKqOCCNGAZSwEQvjWmloQGHZwliYyq_1KJVQ/s640/IMG_0405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVw-2BMaYTfQ0KNbjLhzHO5VoxKSOPZIKjlNntLBuaaYGYIFs_8OOyvDJnu5nN27G0XB48cg2r3Do8OjhQtFfmTzPQihZ2GJFSXSrkVBg1C7t_pAnkd39FON0_kllwP6_FvtFMFzNZtqEVKYihAaak1QKqOCCNGAZSwEQvjWmloQGHZwliYyq_1KJVQ/w300-h400/IMG_0405.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>By the way, our AirBnB <a href="https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/25329519?check_in=2023-11-03&check_out=2023-11-08&guests=1&adults=2&s=67&unique_share_id=f0db894e-69bc-47c2-9971-e1e270d63a24" target="_blank">rental apartment in Barcelona</a> deserves some recognition. It was a nice 2 bedroom apartment in a secure building and the star feature was the terrace overlooking the Sagrada Familia. Pretty much any time we spent at the apartment was on the terrace... evening wine, morning coffee, tapas...listening to the bells, watching the sunset, and people watching below. Highly recommend this apartment!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uEfll_DK8kqT9WwOwdXypTQDVcDUaMktldv8A98bf1-RNoLeG3gKte5xrLaJ4OlyuEvyKKka5rhzOARd1DWw_tpClILTZzG0pDYg-Yx9sLBc2B77EN1PwSo5_WljoqO0ntEdzSVXodPx5_Dmm0RZ8cC2WZ6_DjhQ5mQFxZpBM67YiI9TznWy8aSIsg/s640/IMG_0396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8uEfll_DK8kqT9WwOwdXypTQDVcDUaMktldv8A98bf1-RNoLeG3gKte5xrLaJ4OlyuEvyKKka5rhzOARd1DWw_tpClILTZzG0pDYg-Yx9sLBc2B77EN1PwSo5_WljoqO0ntEdzSVXodPx5_Dmm0RZ8cC2WZ6_DjhQ5mQFxZpBM67YiI9TznWy8aSIsg/w300-h400/IMG_0396.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our terrace was stellar!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We spontaneously decided we needed another beach day on the Mediterranean as we'd be heading north next, so we cruised to the nearby Costa Brava where we stumbled upon the beaches at Blanes. Blanes is more than just a beach town with a population of over 38,000 and is considered the gateway to the Costa Brava. We had an absolutely gorgeous afternoon there of just relaxing and playing in the water. There were all these restaurants along the beach and at dinner we settled on a Greek restaurant that did not disappoint. It was nice because it seemed to be a thing that everyone there took an evening stroll along the esplanade, so there were lots of people around, and it was very lively. The Costa Brava is a really beautiful area, and I'd definitely spend more time enjoying that part of Catalonia. If I had done any research on Blanes ahead of time, I might have convinced my family to stop at one of the botanical gardens there, or visited some of the historic sites.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufQ_cHtHekJfTyMZOSyKdVy_fdxIEh4zgAnhH9s58FiAU3Muuj1Kca3-e_U1e0NtiuT5yBJn3cCWmZYX0UxaP8izuWEE3-vjECO9pXRgtWXoaLSe5z-itahDvV9xUcLhRqtBFwOeo1uZ_yZMnUKaryrZmn3yIXfMZTj7F4wudXyRAB2mxbh3giEPaRw/s1024/IMG_4446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjufQ_cHtHekJfTyMZOSyKdVy_fdxIEh4zgAnhH9s58FiAU3Muuj1Kca3-e_U1e0NtiuT5yBJn3cCWmZYX0UxaP8izuWEE3-vjECO9pXRgtWXoaLSe5z-itahDvV9xUcLhRqtBFwOeo1uZ_yZMnUKaryrZmn3yIXfMZTj7F4wudXyRAB2mxbh3giEPaRw/w300-h400/IMG_4446.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NoKl8HFidD8EY6fmvdq9mVijirp7LyYyGSn3zcHXO5TC5-52JpB2W8RNRVYPrz8ckBPdQpKXhUHjIiOc3FKBIhGWn0P4yUMNmPN_I7o_i5xx798yMu7xHN_r_sGWheeQ5pMHnAsQsuNEl4hUupiQsICPDqMsb04lMfR6qKIqOepgeUJWlMrpQBZuaQ/s640/IMG_4448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2NoKl8HFidD8EY6fmvdq9mVijirp7LyYyGSn3zcHXO5TC5-52JpB2W8RNRVYPrz8ckBPdQpKXhUHjIiOc3FKBIhGWn0P4yUMNmPN_I7o_i5xx798yMu7xHN_r_sGWheeQ5pMHnAsQsuNEl4hUupiQsICPDqMsb04lMfR6qKIqOepgeUJWlMrpQBZuaQ/w400-h300/IMG_4448.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After dinner stroll along the esplanade on our last night in Spain</td></tr></tbody></table><p>This part of the trip flew by and next it was time to drive back through the Pyrenees to head to Bordeaux, France, on our way north to attend the wedding in Bretagne.</p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-23840669435781283422023-02-14T20:38:00.002-05:002023-02-14T20:39:18.515-05:00A Winter Wonderland in Quebec City & Staying at the Ice Hotel! <p>It's super rare that I go away for a weekend, and even more rare that I go on a trip without hubby & the kids but did I ever have a GREAT weekend in Quebec City with my dear friend!!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBqi9cnsvOUjMHg5MTQXrPprW9rWXZI6DPElLAKXP99dF2hLJGeZEv2Zq_hKTM7fC7AmW3TMTDM-yj0dL2vAUeamlzmP4M5IX2gxrn1G-mHKR00-6sT40JJrx4HzmP6u7iG-87ozt8eEf-N9IYcAiveUDsP7aQjSTHGGtRQO8wUal2ecMcr1kNYODsQ/s640/IMG_3077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDBqi9cnsvOUjMHg5MTQXrPprW9rWXZI6DPElLAKXP99dF2hLJGeZEv2Zq_hKTM7fC7AmW3TMTDM-yj0dL2vAUeamlzmP4M5IX2gxrn1G-mHKR00-6sT40JJrx4HzmP6u7iG-87ozt8eEf-N9IYcAiveUDsP7aQjSTHGGtRQO8wUal2ecMcr1kNYODsQ/w300-h400/IMG_3077.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>For those of you who don't know, I lived in Quebec as a kid, and loved it! Most of my family is still there, and you could say we have deep roots - both sides of my family were part of the early French immigration to settle New France in the 1600s. </p><p>When my friend invited me to come up for Winter Carnival AND to stay a night in the only ice hotel in North America, I was excited (and to be honest, a little bit anxious about sleeping in the cold.) </p><p>I've been more times than I can remember, going back to when I was little, but Quebec City never disappoints! We arrived Friday around dinnertime to a winter wonderland as it had been snowing all day. We stayed our first night at the historic and perfectly-located <a href="https://hvq.com/" target="_blank">Hotel du Vieux Quebec</a>. Loved our room with the old stone wall, loved the friendly customer service, loved that they were able to set us up with guaranteed parking in the underground parking just across the street, and that when we checked out, they held our luggage in storage for us. The Nespresso & fruit in the lounge were a nice touch too. I will absolutely stay there again and I highly recommend it to all of you! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyBRnhUg31yznjBZ3Kys6k-kJd5OycXRyjMSj2xEPCQmuQXxl2RFrTC1lnszZsIv8Va4jp-iExcqNC8l03Ucx77MAqAFy1eayh-ekEAbGArB-wuyq0wsT9lawUg-E-xchFZsqjxEXmTTGNZuyX6fNMntUuKKSfYDTqVhSIQq0qep0IcVEvrKAHrbGbA/s640/IMG_3100.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyyBRnhUg31yznjBZ3Kys6k-kJd5OycXRyjMSj2xEPCQmuQXxl2RFrTC1lnszZsIv8Va4jp-iExcqNC8l03Ucx77MAqAFy1eayh-ekEAbGArB-wuyq0wsT9lawUg-E-xchFZsqjxEXmTTGNZuyX6fNMntUuKKSfYDTqVhSIQq0qep0IcVEvrKAHrbGbA/w400-h300/IMG_3100.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7M7zQMSrdTR3MV94W_5jiU0PRZD3G-NP2_MJGQOHukEr5--FoPVmUA1XSXaUg4fsozWxe7S3rgve9Yppk6fJEHqjVnfn-Y2KJXX5zKpvg0hI9RD3UwGg0zWc6LW8QNXaTN_QvljWSGXY7dzPwsaEehafIjx3qnzB6_dzxJI-JYTvXJ99Vz2uKqgzDA/s640/IMG_3684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjs7M7zQMSrdTR3MV94W_5jiU0PRZD3G-NP2_MJGQOHukEr5--FoPVmUA1XSXaUg4fsozWxe7S3rgve9Yppk6fJEHqjVnfn-Y2KJXX5zKpvg0hI9RD3UwGg0zWc6LW8QNXaTN_QvljWSGXY7dzPwsaEehafIjx3qnzB6_dzxJI-JYTvXJ99Vz2uKqgzDA/w400-h300/IMG_3684.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I chose one of the rooms with the old exposed stone walls, which might date to the original building of 1778. I love this kind of character!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLiKZw0dXSAhQwoIZkt-dF6bIFFPd3ljcJbyIrjdE8AASDxKwtUGl92ZqWTXbzJeihZG7ebe_vzQ48mzMVkCkOGfTUpqKhqofbM3YiGxvzxMM8gVuqWNH--PpileopmPq7pTPUrBytGgnsLf0PU_qdD3Up62xtFrx1v123FMqIAXxmK8e2zpsQhlmGw/s640/IMG_3121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLiKZw0dXSAhQwoIZkt-dF6bIFFPd3ljcJbyIrjdE8AASDxKwtUGl92ZqWTXbzJeihZG7ebe_vzQ48mzMVkCkOGfTUpqKhqofbM3YiGxvzxMM8gVuqWNH--PpileopmPq7pTPUrBytGgnsLf0PU_qdD3Up62xtFrx1v123FMqIAXxmK8e2zpsQhlmGw/w400-h300/IMG_3121.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our room included a sitting area, desk, refrigerator, kettle, coffeemaker, and really sweet reusable glass bottles of water with the design of the hotel on them. In an effort to be eco-friendly, the hotel also lends metal reusable water bottles for the day, or you can buy either the glass or metal bottles to take home from reception.</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><p>It was a delightful surprise to find my next door neighbors/good friends were eating dinner in the Irish pub 2 doors down from our hotel when we checked in. We stopped over to see them before heading out for a long walk before coming back for our own dinner to take in the live music there! They had gone up on Wednesday to visit the carnival before the crowds, which was brilliant because they got to do all of the carnival events with no lines, AND they also bought their carnival passes online ahead of time for a great discount! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIAIjmq5-n3CwKzhXmJSdJtyKkiwqqp361SftR1no2ToE0Rcp4ZWKq9LNyYJYCua426EPoHnOpZnFRsVGe0POg4tZ8tjGmTmW3DW4jxAR8VgGva2_dISLCahFq-Lsm3s-VKjXYP32cVwU_EAop5JqziaCAYxg3yyUP6QmmB26eR0OUzrmR-pxLm1q_w/s640/IMG_3072.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTIAIjmq5-n3CwKzhXmJSdJtyKkiwqqp361SftR1no2ToE0Rcp4ZWKq9LNyYJYCua426EPoHnOpZnFRsVGe0POg4tZ8tjGmTmW3DW4jxAR8VgGva2_dISLCahFq-Lsm3s-VKjXYP32cVwU_EAop5JqziaCAYxg3yyUP6QmmB26eR0OUzrmR-pxLm1q_w/w300-h400/IMG_3072.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It might look tiny, but it has like 3 floors (incl. underground!)</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnrjjSFWQAaiOgybvMBulzh1EiU-S_svxokcie8pse-t8tzbND6XIBR-uqubw4g45D7GD0yAvnyJUYbQoXGmYoD02zLqcZpjqLwbx_js5NOvmvxwIlsLK5on3ZEUxd6njwe9Ot7fKpL-J49gYtMPHqAAncRGoyIRnqDtCy3-QvVB-C6Ni9oTunVaLHg/s640/IMG_3080.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwnrjjSFWQAaiOgybvMBulzh1EiU-S_svxokcie8pse-t8tzbND6XIBR-uqubw4g45D7GD0yAvnyJUYbQoXGmYoD02zLqcZpjqLwbx_js5NOvmvxwIlsLK5on3ZEUxd6njwe9Ot7fKpL-J49gYtMPHqAAncRGoyIRnqDtCy3-QvVB-C6Ni9oTunVaLHg/w300-h400/IMG_3080.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>One of my favorite parts of Old Quebec City has always been the lower town, or basse-ville. Within that area, the historic <a href="https://www.quebec-cite.com/en/old-quebec-city/petit-champlain" target="_blank">Quartier le Petit Champlain</a> is perfectly dreamy. First you walk down the escalier casse-cou (breakneck stairs) to one of the most picture-perfect little streets, which is one of the oldest commercial streets in North America. (With all the snow, the stairs really did feel dangerous to me.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwAU7zVyvtpsk8P0SJ-fB30nghMQjAdPL9PC5hrfjcbgrxZqSv8eK0FN3MZSdaIo4j2SpfsTDixiW2PKLsYhmPMAzZ_xPHiwnUBaKurJmwcmBNOjInG6DnqGIMNlBrfD9YbFG3UNnEf7nPqV03tTrNcEYjTymmglBUOl5W9TmZw_3HDfDxOuiThGXxA/s640/IMG_3081.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwAU7zVyvtpsk8P0SJ-fB30nghMQjAdPL9PC5hrfjcbgrxZqSv8eK0FN3MZSdaIo4j2SpfsTDixiW2PKLsYhmPMAzZ_xPHiwnUBaKurJmwcmBNOjInG6DnqGIMNlBrfD9YbFG3UNnEf7nPqV03tTrNcEYjTymmglBUOl5W9TmZw_3HDfDxOuiThGXxA/w300-h400/IMG_3081.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB60FgJfrAQbHauM-_Z_37mlsTj5TbwozuTK71dHkamqTXmGRl4rYcRS2abMT9DOlhYQgW9ZaPG8wegmgtV1CG8njWsZdoT8BLt49BVCU107LZPMalmBOx-IP31j1e5QHoHjdYf7e71etjxx0nioPatqwA90-Q_B8bRx82o2Ai1oPqu-rLj5i5Mbu_aQ/s640/IMG_3082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB60FgJfrAQbHauM-_Z_37mlsTj5TbwozuTK71dHkamqTXmGRl4rYcRS2abMT9DOlhYQgW9ZaPG8wegmgtV1CG8njWsZdoT8BLt49BVCU107LZPMalmBOx-IP31j1e5QHoHjdYf7e71etjxx0nioPatqwA90-Q_B8bRx82o2Ai1oPqu-rLj5i5Mbu_aQ/w300-h400/IMG_3082.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWtxM6ga44CXM1IKt0-zjSsXOx78t_WQllX6-yYZzFUYJ4SEjxoOETCD0JVItI_CMVZOR3_KPhemLv3o_eicp_wmXXrNAd8Ixpft0nIxw2nrP4N1ki5MMuwPuDcXyF2IprQxiHcS-ZLNc5Hrri6nF4RksHbrkWfG-oAVBrOJOi5NSy4hF4NWfpe6t0g/s640/IMG_3698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrWtxM6ga44CXM1IKt0-zjSsXOx78t_WQllX6-yYZzFUYJ4SEjxoOETCD0JVItI_CMVZOR3_KPhemLv3o_eicp_wmXXrNAd8Ixpft0nIxw2nrP4N1ki5MMuwPuDcXyF2IprQxiHcS-ZLNc5Hrri6nF4RksHbrkWfG-oAVBrOJOi5NSy4hF4NWfpe6t0g/w300-h400/IMG_3698.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RqqhyZN78xXCXOY3OpkW3M-Told2J-tkUByK3bK4-AkTsijomrLAnbmBMXdk_XCRiC5DJnS_nCB14AOyuuxhlIuExnnXORL7GZ1l46iBPR_g8JF4zj8_WKQrKbkEfHBXD2Lp20GjVZXXcayPWRQiexVafu7k94WvfBtw4gmTwfelSKuQePuufKTlxw/s640/IMG_3086.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0RqqhyZN78xXCXOY3OpkW3M-Told2J-tkUByK3bK4-AkTsijomrLAnbmBMXdk_XCRiC5DJnS_nCB14AOyuuxhlIuExnnXORL7GZ1l46iBPR_g8JF4zj8_WKQrKbkEfHBXD2Lp20GjVZXXcayPWRQiexVafu7k94WvfBtw4gmTwfelSKuQePuufKTlxw/w300-h400/IMG_3086.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All these great little spots around the city decorated. It's really special!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>Also in this quartier is the Place Royale, which is the site of the first French settlement in North America. I just love this architecture - it's just like being in France. There's a church there that is the oldest stone church in North America, and I'm hoping to see inside sometime. There are some great murals too. If going to France is out of reach for you, but you'd love to experience some French culture, Quebec City is a great option. It's a really special place.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxrWZ3KyP7LLkLHpE0FLJ1AGVCuD6-FAJ72PjiSkfmkTrhPrcMhrsibxzlebjvqtxEdwRCSNeF1ZSp8-dAtQzfLB60XOYmvZCNRHuYFlqCXHOYzA_D37UBJKO19A1WFTnlJ6Vuh1OdflQCpCvpywR7ZwoPstO9lB_GXa--lRi8N6yjzFIvYcI7Jao5w/s640/IMG_3095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPxrWZ3KyP7LLkLHpE0FLJ1AGVCuD6-FAJ72PjiSkfmkTrhPrcMhrsibxzlebjvqtxEdwRCSNeF1ZSp8-dAtQzfLB60XOYmvZCNRHuYFlqCXHOYzA_D37UBJKO19A1WFTnlJ6Vuh1OdflQCpCvpywR7ZwoPstO9lB_GXa--lRi8N6yjzFIvYcI7Jao5w/w400-h300/IMG_3095.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQPVptQm4-1zhVbVZIg2O9w4JfrLnA_w24l09T51RRfMnbX-bmKr0pNJznClEkxPrVW3Au0B1if4v3DszQQHLrNdwfL1-3dZstnPlQ1E0wJuWdfo9ZzoAI9c7wNRAc2Zsvbbw-zTRsC_EqK76aVnu6imD3cXm0q9wz-oIyC6wijo5HuBacvcAA-D5YQ/s640/IMG_3096.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirQPVptQm4-1zhVbVZIg2O9w4JfrLnA_w24l09T51RRfMnbX-bmKr0pNJznClEkxPrVW3Au0B1if4v3DszQQHLrNdwfL1-3dZstnPlQ1E0wJuWdfo9ZzoAI9c7wNRAc2Zsvbbw-zTRsC_EqK76aVnu6imD3cXm0q9wz-oIyC6wijo5HuBacvcAA-D5YQ/w400-h300/IMG_3096.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There are great murals in the old city too.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHScwzwBZHxwpr5VBkPNgXVj3HvROZ3tErNZU4fNbcmR0CQMZm-zTiCzefQydeEsfkMNMoKnGAGmJCj12LCqeYNeXlHwJ1OIhY8AEpTba52EoQhO-5YLjc_3YEJcz4-9RWJjq4iYH1OJ_rXu9M2KT41nYNpPgctpLfl0D4GxjBihjv3cHp7BzSsS1MDQ/s640/IMG_3703.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHScwzwBZHxwpr5VBkPNgXVj3HvROZ3tErNZU4fNbcmR0CQMZm-zTiCzefQydeEsfkMNMoKnGAGmJCj12LCqeYNeXlHwJ1OIhY8AEpTba52EoQhO-5YLjc_3YEJcz4-9RWJjq4iYH1OJ_rXu9M2KT41nYNpPgctpLfl0D4GxjBihjv3cHp7BzSsS1MDQ/w300-h400/IMG_3703.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That's the oldest stone church in North America!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Saturday morning, after leisurely coffees from the hotel lounge, we headed out for crêpes but the line was too long, so we opted to get some croissants from <a href="https://smithcafe.com/en-us/pages/saint-jean-la-troisieme-succursale-de-la-maison-smith" target="_blank">Café la Maison Smith</a> on Rue St. Jean just down the street from our hotel. I could not resist the pain au chocolat (in Quebec they are called chocolatines) which was perfection, and Nancy's croissant was the biggest one I've ever seen!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k3HVLKBz5lpYxRWVbCSf9E_YmupRN_TvKi7ZmeT949F73eTG7YxGVM1hGvfYP_6qZRZqAn47MSrfmjSj5bEYbxzlygcNL2v9RpVt2XxJBUrV-d_8iqUyBj4c32yOHmEELWqrUczvYEpZRs2nHD6umHqfeczgq8lJqJCIHWtlV3jaL_lHsVO-mOMYlA/s640/IMG_3137.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6k3HVLKBz5lpYxRWVbCSf9E_YmupRN_TvKi7ZmeT949F73eTG7YxGVM1hGvfYP_6qZRZqAn47MSrfmjSj5bEYbxzlygcNL2v9RpVt2XxJBUrV-d_8iqUyBj4c32yOHmEELWqrUczvYEpZRs2nHD6umHqfeczgq8lJqJCIHWtlV3jaL_lHsVO-mOMYlA/w300-h400/IMG_3137.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f3mb70VTVbXB2ZHOJMNLcdzsFsSnoaH7eZfyUSdQfW_-P0bqOUyMOa46e3B6bkg_YJ3yRPIq04iEfANMldQjrUqDYFBBZzad1rrbFZQLhhKI0B691zAZwUaKWJh-JBa0R9r20AUjwIjvVoFphApZgTxxM5vHNmDbzSQIcqLduQRjI8hWl-B2LgCnEg/s640/IMG_3151.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7f3mb70VTVbXB2ZHOJMNLcdzsFsSnoaH7eZfyUSdQfW_-P0bqOUyMOa46e3B6bkg_YJ3yRPIq04iEfANMldQjrUqDYFBBZzad1rrbFZQLhhKI0B691zAZwUaKWJh-JBa0R9r20AUjwIjvVoFphApZgTxxM5vHNmDbzSQIcqLduQRjI8hWl-B2LgCnEg/w300-h400/IMG_3151.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHptbrBhhylyVrTRtH8YXNA74L3wTihyeLkqpFGGffteY4fl7_p6cCnANF3C_dUGR8r6H6rWX-2phaebAjTMLWewaMxR0uOyLWeBTHgSxg61zeFJvV6sjzsTu2Kwve61UBhPEFA86ziMKPBDkBHfwC_lo7NDI2UlLvO9yEZM4j6E7mWnuEHmvfewJmg/s640/IMG_3154.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuHptbrBhhylyVrTRtH8YXNA74L3wTihyeLkqpFGGffteY4fl7_p6cCnANF3C_dUGR8r6H6rWX-2phaebAjTMLWewaMxR0uOyLWeBTHgSxg61zeFJvV6sjzsTu2Kwve61UBhPEFA86ziMKPBDkBHfwC_lo7NDI2UlLvO9yEZM4j6E7mWnuEHmvfewJmg/w400-h300/IMG_3154.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was a gorgeous sunny day, and we walked to the Chateau Frontenac, strolled the promenade and watched the toboggan slides, and the ice floating along the St. Lawrence River. (In the warmer months you can visit the <a href="https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/saintlouisforts" target="_blank">Saint-Louis Forts & Chateaux Historic Site</a><a href="https://parks.canada.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/saintlouisforts" target="_blank"> </a>which is located under Dufferin Terrace to see the site that stood back in 1620.) </p><p>We visited the Chateau Frontenac's shops & exhibits in the lower level, which I never knew were open to the public! </p><p>We walked up to the Winter Carnival's ice palace, and the center of the carnival festivities. There was ice skating, ice slide tubing, ice climbing, booths, food, music, and lots & lots of happy people getting into the carnival spirit! Throughout the city are ice sculptures to enjoy, and fire pits and adirondack chairs to relax in. Quebec City really embraces Winter and I love how they celebrate it!</p><p>Still wanting crêpes, for a late lunch we found <a href="https://lepetitchateau.ca/?lang=en" target="_blank">Le Petit Chateau</a>, which is known for their fondues and crêpes, and as there is a lot of seating, we didn't have to wait. It was a really nice lunch and I enjoyed my savory mushroom & cheese crêpe. My neighbors ended up at <a href="https://www.cassecrepebreton.ca/" target="_blank">Casse-Crêpe Breton</a> on Rue St. Jean just down the street from our hotel and they loved it. They said it was like being served amazing crêpes by your grandmother! This was the place with a long line, and after looking at their website, I'm really craving crêpes again.</p><p>After some shopping for gifts for the family (my fave souvenir shop was <a href="https://www.coolasamoose.ca/collections/quebec" target="_blank">Cool As A Moose</a> in the old Bank of Montreal building), it was time to head to the <a href="https://www.valcartier.com/en/" target="_blank">Village Vacances Valcartier</a> to start our experience at the Ice Hotel! It's about a 20-25 minute drive out of the city, and this place is the place to go tubing, has indoor and outdoor waterparks, ice skating, a spa, camping, the hotel, an arcade, and the ice hotel. My husband has been taking his students there as part of their Winter Carnival field trips for over 20 years now and everyone loves this place! They've done a great job of making it fun year round!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl43743MmKXTlhw8V3plvHvrqFa9bYuPcgdeGCLvpky3v2vKBQMQYT8ODwFb5ibM2JaLs5QhFmbtrjbyehN6yPNP4rj8H_3FrMNtKh17UT8wuJm9iIGJ-wklkJ0N9X9y8KwCkXspEXqKWX_lPITmTcelRRfcqCDyR0vvFA1sEOaf345A-81Rl7EqfAg/s640/IMG_3202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcl43743MmKXTlhw8V3plvHvrqFa9bYuPcgdeGCLvpky3v2vKBQMQYT8ODwFb5ibM2JaLs5QhFmbtrjbyehN6yPNP4rj8H_3FrMNtKh17UT8wuJm9iIGJ-wklkJ0N9X9y8KwCkXspEXqKWX_lPITmTcelRRfcqCDyR0vvFA1sEOaf345A-81Rl7EqfAg/w300-h400/IMG_3202.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The walk from the main hotel to the ice hotel area.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxqxw81a9UU05h0DmQOrTahqamOv7o1HO25j5ndgYStvnJRHb-X31r0OaqIX8ok-NIufVrsq9FVXCkBnEGmdcwVBDFGyzZRuQL7GepCqHzB3l9eIND7xXnYv5i7bdPvD0NzcZ8FydgUOvT-lBUUBmQMpZpErVgkIrHT_46wSr6kJAjyRQqN3pnoHPlQ/s640/IMG_3204.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxqxw81a9UU05h0DmQOrTahqamOv7o1HO25j5ndgYStvnJRHb-X31r0OaqIX8ok-NIufVrsq9FVXCkBnEGmdcwVBDFGyzZRuQL7GepCqHzB3l9eIND7xXnYv5i7bdPvD0NzcZ8FydgUOvT-lBUUBmQMpZpErVgkIrHT_46wSr6kJAjyRQqN3pnoHPlQ/w400-h300/IMG_3204.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the main ice hotel that guests can visit, has the bar & DJ.</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbXVQiDPAr6F2BLzWBK92BDMf-JTxLPTofQU0rIlfFCSJZoTRfCrL0Fv9SUKNobAzJBzX72QdWrzm_kQedu593YBfd4sI8mYlEetag9G0GlUntLvATYJKVyREibJTMHY-cPGFh9cCHqnB1z06ndTP-uxNBvmZwSQeVY8IALO3e4C4pXXxQuXYsLdUEA/s640/IMG_3214.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFbXVQiDPAr6F2BLzWBK92BDMf-JTxLPTofQU0rIlfFCSJZoTRfCrL0Fv9SUKNobAzJBzX72QdWrzm_kQedu593YBfd4sI8mYlEetag9G0GlUntLvATYJKVyREibJTMHY-cPGFh9cCHqnB1z06ndTP-uxNBvmZwSQeVY8IALO3e4C4pXXxQuXYsLdUEA/w400-h300/IMG_3214.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqidnOWHUmN3Rn0AywQx0JPKdP_ilDFoFomaD8qssOv5RHTz-FAjhNbb6gAy17LPwpO6UAbBFBPNn0nqpRPTN24t9ILJQLB5X_6H8zgc2c7ZFVg5moiP09zds4rhqt36BiQPoSrK9AKj6ZZRQxENcIfcg9NXl6vBtrfXE93VDXiqiUqtQ9EVj-i1JBg/s640/IMG_3215.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVqidnOWHUmN3Rn0AywQx0JPKdP_ilDFoFomaD8qssOv5RHTz-FAjhNbb6gAy17LPwpO6UAbBFBPNn0nqpRPTN24t9ILJQLB5X_6H8zgc2c7ZFVg5moiP09zds4rhqt36BiQPoSrK9AKj6ZZRQxENcIfcg9NXl6vBtrfXE93VDXiqiUqtQ9EVj-i1JBg/w300-h400/IMG_3215.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjgOK4282GVMrqMWkyL-adIY_CZZYg4Vu8KVCfmk7eiWhX9va9rc8yLJLNSMsPpDPR5QUuPLjxTspj5T-_7UB6V1XDfwHnCu2W9ZIJ99NQuV17hxw1206s4g5s6sXAhUyXo25DWulbv3bRMqQGJLOEUxrKQ3gxEDIFOIAnBgfy8X8EGx2xfZT2Shy8Q/s640/IMG_3218.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijjgOK4282GVMrqMWkyL-adIY_CZZYg4Vu8KVCfmk7eiWhX9va9rc8yLJLNSMsPpDPR5QUuPLjxTspj5T-_7UB6V1XDfwHnCu2W9ZIJ99NQuV17hxw1206s4g5s6sXAhUyXo25DWulbv3bRMqQGJLOEUxrKQ3gxEDIFOIAnBgfy8X8EGx2xfZT2Shy8Q/w300-h400/IMG_3218.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikSKPbuT6BECe63JC0SyAc6jmulNw3cWOsZeHZJcDXnBqtK2K-QLoxVq4xTU0S0PVz9ST8LjLdZy2pFK62tTNg_Pzk3LK5w6qscbKolbgupG0mRZ2Fuixy3wG4RJH1lUZHWim7bCiwOLU4AaLZOELb6vdfftHwqEMVf14jNkYoqFHol6-8YaNLzfyCA/s640/IMG_3219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikSKPbuT6BECe63JC0SyAc6jmulNw3cWOsZeHZJcDXnBqtK2K-QLoxVq4xTU0S0PVz9ST8LjLdZy2pFK62tTNg_Pzk3LK5w6qscbKolbgupG0mRZ2Fuixy3wG4RJH1lUZHWim7bCiwOLU4AaLZOELb6vdfftHwqEMVf14jNkYoqFHol6-8YaNLzfyCA/w300-h400/IMG_3219.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ice hotel has both indoor & outdoor areas.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1BBB86KTIiBuUym_h-oJ3WdoB3Zsfn0B0tRDIqyIRwS-yb13Bl_hnFFl7hKvzcA7AsjmTORgrF-opzJVyo41-q83e-nsJDHXN4Lj7zWwrtpG8188g5LW9XytdKflpr22gTlKWu1LJG-SDsUZZPbZXGM84pxmUEu5iCj2CcCtt3Ld0nkHi4xuYglGJQ/s640/IMG_3226.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjW1BBB86KTIiBuUym_h-oJ3WdoB3Zsfn0B0tRDIqyIRwS-yb13Bl_hnFFl7hKvzcA7AsjmTORgrF-opzJVyo41-q83e-nsJDHXN4Lj7zWwrtpG8188g5LW9XytdKflpr22gTlKWu1LJG-SDsUZZPbZXGM84pxmUEu5iCj2CcCtt3Ld0nkHi4xuYglGJQ/w300-h400/IMG_3226.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cocktails in cups made of ice!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLn2lB4lQHIiooeVPiNL_V1v3XlsdVaUhR4KVSLJCSo65_llQVjxpETbsRGvHW9soXJMFiBjmWNzDr3fuNZp_uE3zvEUgywJyP9QLsvhNSCTv86LLbzP4pIUzcJN-nimk3efyOym_Q2uRBdNLjnjXrW0RHSIvx6TnaCWHpC4_cHG3iiiTCNHvcQszkQ/s640/IMG_3772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijLn2lB4lQHIiooeVPiNL_V1v3XlsdVaUhR4KVSLJCSo65_llQVjxpETbsRGvHW9soXJMFiBjmWNzDr3fuNZp_uE3zvEUgywJyP9QLsvhNSCTv86LLbzP4pIUzcJN-nimk3efyOym_Q2uRBdNLjnjXrW0RHSIvx6TnaCWHpC4_cHG3iiiTCNHvcQszkQ/w300-h400/IMG_3772.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Everything about the ice hotel is cool! After dinner we had to go to a meeting to learn how to use the sleeping bags, and the best practices to prepare for and then keep warm for the night. The trainer went over everything in both French & English. That's another nice thing about Quebec City. Everyone speaks both languages. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J6krEXo3_TMrjBfc2-ggNcreyKkqUgQ2YqVFGEkX7kBRTWMm1tHS7gsVXmtxpkUWuqHMVKaa_PsmR1HhAekeulvbf-DlU8lwCt9YqtfDr6hgvI9t5Ts88QHgSz0tpxQgRFv7CXXck4KniOrPE57GEqy8Ma9fsAdBxY29FuXIz-_Kog-iFTDfRwzmPQ/s640/IMG_3232.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7J6krEXo3_TMrjBfc2-ggNcreyKkqUgQ2YqVFGEkX7kBRTWMm1tHS7gsVXmtxpkUWuqHMVKaa_PsmR1HhAekeulvbf-DlU8lwCt9YqtfDr6hgvI9t5Ts88QHgSz0tpxQgRFv7CXXck4KniOrPE57GEqy8Ma9fsAdBxY29FuXIz-_Kog-iFTDfRwzmPQ/w300-h400/IMG_3232.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you're staying in the ice hotel you get your choice of cocktail in their ice glasses.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>First we visited the ice hotel area with all of the carved rooms and the bar with the DJ. We had fun exploring the building and the areas around it, plus there's an ice chapel - probably where the wedding was happening the next day as guests had started to arrive. After 9pm we were allowed to start the preparation for our night by hitting the hot tubs and saunas. It was after 10 by the time we left our regular hotel room in the main building to head to the outdoor spa area, and unfortunately for us we picked a hot tub that was not hot enough! We found an open sauna though and that was much better. Thoroughly warmed up we went inside to dry off completely, and get dressed for the night. That meant a non-cotton base layer (I used silk thermals) with my pajamas on top, plus a hat and we bundled up to get back out to the ice hotel rooms. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AhhSvNgo7jgzNGSpL_1iP2jus5DWAdpIRT2zIiAgXu9S13G846zClviZ07ABrl023j2BJ_WW0_V6ATze2AjyKqX-m8yf08LK7KBUCxUDL0xSGcmgnZ7mtb_1-hV71x_gxcAgHPc9J7kLj6f_-MDzq-1BbQskI6c_dz7pB7S5HrdnWlImGpaTNYlYdQ/s640/IMG_3795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7AhhSvNgo7jgzNGSpL_1iP2jus5DWAdpIRT2zIiAgXu9S13G846zClviZ07ABrl023j2BJ_WW0_V6ATze2AjyKqX-m8yf08LK7KBUCxUDL0xSGcmgnZ7mtb_1-hV71x_gxcAgHPc9J7kLj6f_-MDzq-1BbQskI6c_dz7pB7S5HrdnWlImGpaTNYlYdQ/w300-h400/IMG_3795.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a private spa area for ice hotel guests to warm up in the hot tubs & cute little saunas!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLZdW3T-dHU5nH-I508iR-RCN3vwonkz8lrD5QCB6fp2hFyVGVPwLBAyI-m28Cj52FaDl3mqQR17YmNLHPexPUz9Y-BEFY7FS2luVoFmmChLynOxwbi_rWpqy9POfFxcP_Ca0pnYgx-9p6sbOZf1XmmN3SxiyHf5YaTWTsNrQ4V4tTZtGQgJdYnBH6w/s640/IMG_3781.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglLZdW3T-dHU5nH-I508iR-RCN3vwonkz8lrD5QCB6fp2hFyVGVPwLBAyI-m28Cj52FaDl3mqQR17YmNLHPexPUz9Y-BEFY7FS2luVoFmmChLynOxwbi_rWpqy9POfFxcP_Ca0pnYgx-9p6sbOZf1XmmN3SxiyHf5YaTWTsNrQ4V4tTZtGQgJdYnBH6w/w300-h400/IMG_3781.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nervous giggles as I did the steps to set up my sleeping bag.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjABYyPmaQupyvvdJS3sIy7KyMA8zxs8y4d8He9bnwQnVhOenmfPcd-CUZO4Cii1aDmyhWfdaOhWY1G752xW8N6SSGwLyG8mcg2rXEzhjp5TyXmkOGmuWavRzqDPQt8kwE5WtsB3jjwzUviALC6JbLWekrTrfCZLBJ8be-_Z0h51dhh8Z4O7TeuXkYQ/s640/IMG_3792.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIjABYyPmaQupyvvdJS3sIy7KyMA8zxs8y4d8He9bnwQnVhOenmfPcd-CUZO4Cii1aDmyhWfdaOhWY1G752xW8N6SSGwLyG8mcg2rXEzhjp5TyXmkOGmuWavRzqDPQt8kwE5WtsB3jjwzUviALC6JbLWekrTrfCZLBJ8be-_Z0h51dhh8Z4O7TeuXkYQ/w300-h400/IMG_3792.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Even though our doors were just curtains, it was eerily quiet inside.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_Am32743JSB8YMN5SJtxZ-2ISh64b_naoqqCnyX76eZKMcm4_0muDRdLygk2b3ui0XzwYes-mvdsU-fUPhYsos5_-iYKuHHphRKmQBdctZHcylwUC22vxN__ipJB_iTzL8rKmChIrmtH30NH5M95DK9la3EjPdSS_JxFX-b9jV7_oYXjyR2ZwHP8sw/s640/IMG_3236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig_Am32743JSB8YMN5SJtxZ-2ISh64b_naoqqCnyX76eZKMcm4_0muDRdLygk2b3ui0XzwYes-mvdsU-fUPhYsos5_-iYKuHHphRKmQBdctZHcylwUC22vxN__ipJB_iTzL8rKmChIrmtH30NH5M95DK9la3EjPdSS_JxFX-b9jV7_oYXjyR2ZwHP8sw/w400-h300/IMG_3236.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We didn't feel claustrophobic thanks to the huge ceilings.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>By this time it was close to midnight and we had to quietly set up our mummy winter sleeping bags (rated to -22F) and follow the instructions we'd been given earlier on stowing our jackets in our sleeping bags at the foot, and changing our socks, what to do with our boots & mittens, and using or not using the sleeping bag liner (I used it.) I added 2 of the extra large hot hands warmers and thew them into my sleeping bag for extra coziness. It was surprisingly warm and not uncomfortable, and very quiet! The only things that were cold were my eyes and nose. I noticed the outside of my sleeping bag felt wet near my face maybe from breathing, but I never noticed it inside. I did wake up at 4am to use the bathroom in the hotel (there was a port-a-potty somewhere in the ice hotel but I'm not a fan), and instead of coming back to the sleeping bag, I went back to our indoor hotel room to sleep the last few hours in our king-sized bed. Somehow I remembered to stop at the front desk to inform them I'd left the room - they need to know in case of emergency. Peeking at the security guard's list, it was just me and maybe 1 or 2 others who had come back in. My friend lasted until 7:15am - she is so awesome!!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k7ffHPRArlcbCG70ycrKpx_kXim9T1lsY_yYDnKssDIZ1HszEpfoYZjicNFCqNqgrujoP-NRiow88xLgCxH8NaaQA9OMg7KCWJN9IJaWROay5vRsT004x9HzgEXJhnkvwI-rFCNrto0Ab1PJUB3yi-3XbfMcdEf7HFDAgZVDkYXh_TUljF7a-lNvdg/s640/IMG_3798.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1k7ffHPRArlcbCG70ycrKpx_kXim9T1lsY_yYDnKssDIZ1HszEpfoYZjicNFCqNqgrujoP-NRiow88xLgCxH8NaaQA9OMg7KCWJN9IJaWROay5vRsT004x9HzgEXJhnkvwI-rFCNrto0Ab1PJUB3yi-3XbfMcdEf7HFDAgZVDkYXh_TUljF7a-lNvdg/w400-h300/IMG_3798.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Early morning snow falling on our ice hotel...beautiful!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>If you're planning a trip to Quebec City in the Winter, or for carnival, I have a few quick tips for you. Wear your snowpants all the time, with waterproof boots. My boots are insulated, and with just a normal pair of socks I was perfectly warm & dry. There is so much snow and slush on the streets and sidewalks that your feet & pant legs will get wet and that's not fun. Wear a hat. You'll need it. Driving in might be tricky if the roads are slushy and you don't have snow tires or a vehicle with high enough clearance. I was stepping out of my friend's SUV into slush and snow half-way up my calves pulling up to the hotel before they cleared it. My car would not have made it, despite my new snow tires just because the car sits so low. Once you're there you can walk everywhere if your accommodation is nearby. You can park the car in one of the underground garages and not worry about having to dig it out of the snow. </p><p>I can't believe it was just yesterday. Today I got home to 51F temps in Connecticut and didn't even need to wear a coat. That feels really wrong for February.</p><p>HUGE thank you to my dear friend Nancy for inviting me to come up, for driving through the snowstorm, for getting me to do something outside of my comfort zone (the ice hotel) and most of all, for 45 years of friendship and adventures.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsEsldJZaGtChpvEjdjpSUEHwBclb06dC8-nlJiWbACVkwjhckxgs8ZOWRDuylFZ1SyRhTSxJuRQ8YiGkci_9OsIe0vlwvAfFO1vW0TmoswU2rgDhuZC1Lu_X4sq0ksfawez71pSy5vCnFlMaNQLAPRcRKsNB9yCw45WyHqfPxbDtdQxB5BUlLWZAhg/s1024/IMG_3730.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNsEsldJZaGtChpvEjdjpSUEHwBclb06dC8-nlJiWbACVkwjhckxgs8ZOWRDuylFZ1SyRhTSxJuRQ8YiGkci_9OsIe0vlwvAfFO1vW0TmoswU2rgDhuZC1Lu_X4sq0ksfawez71pSy5vCnFlMaNQLAPRcRKsNB9yCw45WyHqfPxbDtdQxB5BUlLWZAhg/w300-h400/IMG_3730.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-87410882042504087982023-02-02T13:14:00.001-05:002024-01-22T14:57:43.213-05:0012 Years of Solar Energy - I Love Saving Money!<p>The rising cost of electricity has been a HOT TOPIC lately! Costs where we live apparently doubled in January (technically by 48%) so a lot of locals are switching to a 3rd party supplier as a way to save some of that money. (If you want to know who they're switching to, it's <a href="https://www.constellation.com/campaigns/SearchNew2020.html?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2-2eBhClARIsAGLQ2RkqfKimIsp6FzGIvARp_FFkVD1PFKDhx8L5TWPETRfvG6ULCFY7YuQaAjpIEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds" target="_blank">Constellation</a>.)</p><p>It's been a while since I wrote about our solar panel installation, or about our GREEN life, for that matter! I've know I've spent a lot of time talking about our travel life lately - has this turned into a travel blog?! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRUJYs4CFYfCdcp6pYtHBhHwqVAfKzv8Dg-lu67Mu-vDc4nMN7GbEGsbCkKJMwOYOC_C_ilWXJrSt6GehM1Q9P1R82AyH-pXAb_WDBHTX2bTos2q3Z2vUA7ILGPCVdBdRFVFaFV07uKz8WRuhK0amMnXCCFyB0axk5pWbfR5RNhQx1rPszElO4vZn_g/s1080/Green%20and%20White%20Photocentric%20Sustainability%20at%20Home%20Climate%20Change%20Instagram%20Post.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRUJYs4CFYfCdcp6pYtHBhHwqVAfKzv8Dg-lu67Mu-vDc4nMN7GbEGsbCkKJMwOYOC_C_ilWXJrSt6GehM1Q9P1R82AyH-pXAb_WDBHTX2bTos2q3Z2vUA7ILGPCVdBdRFVFaFV07uKz8WRuhK0amMnXCCFyB0axk5pWbfR5RNhQx1rPszElO4vZn_g/s320/Green%20and%20White%20Photocentric%20Sustainability%20at%20Home%20Climate%20Change%20Instagram%20Post.png" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Took this photo on my evening walk yesterday to show my associate (who doesn't like solar panels because they're ugly) that you can't even see my panels unless you're looking for them.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>For those of you who are new to the blog, we were among one of the first homes in our town to go solar, back in 2010. The town inspector had told us at the time there were only 6-8 of us with applications. Call us early adopters. Our home was later featured on the Solar Homes Tour of town, and I hope that it helped some other environmentally-minded homeowners with their decisions to go solar!</p><p>If you want to read about our experience, here are some links, or you can use the search bar and type in solar to get all of my posts:</p><p><a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2010/11/while-i-wait-for-green-light.html" target="_blank">While I Wait for the GREEN Light on My Solar Panels </a><br /></p><p><a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2013/03/solar-estimatorcalculator.html" target="_blank">Solar Estimator/Calculator</a><br /></p><p><a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2011/01/photovoltaic-avalanche.html" target="_blank">Photovoltaic Avalanche!</a></p><p>In short, we have a 7kW system of 40 panels on our Southern-facing roof that generate 95% or more of the electricity we need to run our house. That translates to our electric bill running about $9 for delivery, plus our solar lease monthly payment is $131 - much less than what our electric bill would be for a 3,000sqft home with 5 Bedrooms, 6 people (at the moment) 2 kitchens (we have an in-law apartment) and a 3-car carriage house garage plus a hot tub! There are some Winter months were we do get an electric bill because we're not generating as much energy, but overall it has made perfect sense for us.</p><p>When the system was installed we were told to expect the inverter to last about 7 years. I'm happy to report we are at 12 years with no problems yet. </p><p>With the CT Solar Lease Program, which is no longer offered, we received a grant for half of the cost of the system, and paid the difference via monthly lease payments of $131. Part of the program is that we were not allowed to store any excess electricity via battery, but instead it is fed back to the grid to power our neighborhood, and we are paid annually for an excess power generated that we did not use. </p><p>Now with the detached 3-car carriage house garage which will eventually have the upstairs finished into a small living space/apartment, plus our new plug-in hybrid car and the new hot tub behind the carriage house, I'm wondering it it might make sense to install a small separate array on that roof to help with electric costs for that building, or if our current system will be enough to carry the use of that additional space. We'll see how it goes!</p><p>In the 12 years since we went solar, the costs of solar arrays have come down significantly, and the programs have changed. With our program, the monthly cost of the lease was fixed for 15 years at the $131 and then for the next 5 years if we choose to continue, our lease is $39/month. We go into that with the understanding that it's possible that the panels may not be working at full capacity at that point. </p><p>When we first met with <a href="https://sunlightsolar.com/" target="_blank">Sunlight Solar</a>, they told us how rates would eventually go up and what a difference it would make to us when they did. Now I see my community Facebook page full of comments about the crazy high bills they're seeing and I'm so grateful that we made the change to solar back then. I think about how much we have saved over the years, and how much we're saving going forward. Thanks to these beautiful sunny days like today, we haven't had an electric bill other than our $9 delivery fee in maybe a year, and we went 5 months with no bill at all because we generated so much electricity we were banking credits. </p><p>I love saving money AND helping the environment! It's like my parents taught me...all of these little things add up.</p><p><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-66534459152573460582023-01-30T10:18:00.001-05:002023-01-30T10:18:49.178-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 6 - Montpellier<p>[This is the 6th stop on our Summer Friendship Tour and picks up from our last stop in Alès to visit the town and area where Julien spent his Rotary Youth Exchange.]</p><p>Our next stop was Montpellier, only about an hour away from Alès, and one of my favorite cities in France! This is a place that has so much AND is close to the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTHYnMkSH1l-1JvjHzdWor5lUMt2nE4hivNFpbFB6W5yBWbdLJSdHwGga-qPiqfQFZATravV56FzcNCs1bcs2aq0_Iz9eF_gbQb9wkRD6iLjJIghsiIroB8FciMeVECc96UIrrZBigD0Y8Gbai4qenhqsvuEwGfQgrtu9KgLto3mJGlstb6cjuCLB4w/s640/IMG_0328.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTHYnMkSH1l-1JvjHzdWor5lUMt2nE4hivNFpbFB6W5yBWbdLJSdHwGga-qPiqfQFZATravV56FzcNCs1bcs2aq0_Iz9eF_gbQb9wkRD6iLjJIghsiIroB8FciMeVECc96UIrrZBigD0Y8Gbai4qenhqsvuEwGfQgrtu9KgLto3mJGlstb6cjuCLB4w/w400-h300/IMG_0328.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-TGmWHzDOxYJoVXC2bb9YjwcX-l6SPutrXjtb2JfLfC_RaypUHMZNNhVXWrWii6uNuYbFiu685bEs7mEwi2cIUv62XxfY-oDh2coSt0drplC0fefk-VOhn5LnQ2yZbj-t0CR6A4xxQd6A0YdnLZFGLMDrFr95hmS-U7azW8rwVLgmciSMVWE-lXyQQ/s640/IMG_0295.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-TGmWHzDOxYJoVXC2bb9YjwcX-l6SPutrXjtb2JfLfC_RaypUHMZNNhVXWrWii6uNuYbFiu685bEs7mEwi2cIUv62XxfY-oDh2coSt0drplC0fefk-VOhn5LnQ2yZbj-t0CR6A4xxQd6A0YdnLZFGLMDrFr95hmS-U7azW8rwVLgmciSMVWE-lXyQQ/w300-h400/IMG_0295.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We have been back many times because this is where Scott lived and taught English and where he befriended a brilliant local English teacher, Albert. If you have ever heard me tell the story of a dashing Frenchman who hand-fed 23-year old me squid in its own ink, this is him. I have beautiful memories of meals and stories shared together over the years. He and the ever-elegant & gracious Elisabeth were the reason for our too-quick 1 night-stop on our way to Spain. (Fun fact: Elisabeth went to the same high school in France that Julien attended!)</p><p>We visited their fabulous new apartment right in downtown Montpellier, where they can get everywhere by foot or by taking the tram. They got us settled across the street in the swanky <a href="https://www.oceaniahotels.com/en/hotel/hotel-oceania-le-metropole-montpellier" target="_blank">Hotel de la Métropole</a>, where Hélène de Savoie, the Queen of Italy and the Princess of Montenegro resided from1949-1950. Our connecting rooms were palatial and air-conditioned, with cloud-like beds, and after a swim in the courtyard pool, the kids decided they just wanted to chill in their room instead of joining us for an evening stroll before dinner. (This looks like such a splurge hotel, but in fact it costs less than half of what I paid for a sketchy motel room in Sarasota, FL when the kids were traveling last year. Seriously, check out the link to see reservations, and then remember it for when you go to Montpellier! It's shocking to a lot of Americans that travel in Europe is so much more affordable.) This hotel is part of Oceania Hotels Group and based on our experience, I highly recommend it. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ry43muc-bxla-iU5nNjn2r9k17hmtc9uRIJdIFT0gq2PJY7qpiFS8mvZn6TMQCfgsOsOI3UW9zvWwGCfLTITkcdaISd4x-vSUt7cz0pCxl7rU96fwcaJZTElzt9ijTnz4sImEKs-uFzehVX6oGBlrfsk3aPUEXnai2omupWRV58IyALvyiQB3nz-Ng/s640/IMG_0293.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_ry43muc-bxla-iU5nNjn2r9k17hmtc9uRIJdIFT0gq2PJY7qpiFS8mvZn6TMQCfgsOsOI3UW9zvWwGCfLTITkcdaISd4x-vSUt7cz0pCxl7rU96fwcaJZTElzt9ijTnz4sImEKs-uFzehVX6oGBlrfsk3aPUEXnai2omupWRV58IyALvyiQB3nz-Ng/w400-h300/IMG_0293.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsYZozgTCHEbyAK4kb0zD9bo0GJY5n1EBidqEGulWgJL0Dibb4n_zIwUjBhdMG-Bk5bmzsCpV43vQWZD9DBJkwcr7d-KQWRzxA_CPZoqmrHnGQNSc-EDBLSgDzgagsGqtxIz4RGo82UDwKIKGAx21ELxz6JLxNKaP8qWVVfVD1gGubEx93cP-neC-GQ/s640/IMG_0294.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVsYZozgTCHEbyAK4kb0zD9bo0GJY5n1EBidqEGulWgJL0Dibb4n_zIwUjBhdMG-Bk5bmzsCpV43vQWZD9DBJkwcr7d-KQWRzxA_CPZoqmrHnGQNSc-EDBLSgDzgagsGqtxIz4RGo82UDwKIKGAx21ELxz6JLxNKaP8qWVVfVD1gGubEx93cP-neC-GQ/w400-h300/IMG_0294.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>I really enjoyed our long walk with Albert & Elisabeth, and they showed us some of the smaller streets and parts of the city I don't remember seeing before. This is such a beautiful city, full of both grand architecture and hidden squares lined with cafés and tables. It's a vibrant city of arts, of history and of students. I might have declared that I prefer Montpellier to Paris during that walk.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASwCwB0b1SwKVpMt9JylZjLVZQJtvX7fxdL9TmLVOhyEWItqdL3BQXJGebdESlkZjc_aW2WjVabKqytvnQ3uBQdyHTt9O4dFlbPbRYbKMhmwZgzVyeM5vGRfyn4Gj7pJFZcO-hZNfXIdIG4Cys7b3PQ-t_HNwQNHa_oC35IJ4E3uJzGxxzgUk2-GxKg/s640/IMG_0299.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgASwCwB0b1SwKVpMt9JylZjLVZQJtvX7fxdL9TmLVOhyEWItqdL3BQXJGebdESlkZjc_aW2WjVabKqytvnQ3uBQdyHTt9O4dFlbPbRYbKMhmwZgzVyeM5vGRfyn4Gj7pJFZcO-hZNfXIdIG4Cys7b3PQ-t_HNwQNHa_oC35IJ4E3uJzGxxzgUk2-GxKg/w300-h400/IMG_0299.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAWtLjJJD7ivfk4hEtViyw_P-NQnIIxFzD5c_LnC8yLo-a1ZwU3NH4WYr7JYlvI9lbgSJyBYtsQ2_tekbiRAuN1Uu4B193mcmEZvTnHMYQZ0tvpuJkYddEfn__UaQzZSoN4ZUdc-GYUqSAML3GalPP2HqP5lNdgrkZ_JcRetAh-8rv6bMI8yB9qGrWg/s640/IMG_0303.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWAWtLjJJD7ivfk4hEtViyw_P-NQnIIxFzD5c_LnC8yLo-a1ZwU3NH4WYr7JYlvI9lbgSJyBYtsQ2_tekbiRAuN1Uu4B193mcmEZvTnHMYQZ0tvpuJkYddEfn__UaQzZSoN4ZUdc-GYUqSAML3GalPP2HqP5lNdgrkZ_JcRetAh-8rv6bMI8yB9qGrWg/w300-h400/IMG_0303.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAW2lWF0JAzEVwTF6jfRzNfTN0Ywd99yv5ZGILdiFkS7hn9o6lTMyA-aSHy4l8mQx11F0dyGAeJ45RPRmEADOUgDv3pZwCBe_bQpiE0X8uHCBXEOVLuHLUjaHoSnMViTSvKX-iqFduTN3P1RhYPPs1IMo6Q5jUSPjtah4Io4Nf6XUHKAcHd8JLQN3MA/s640/IMG_0307.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisAW2lWF0JAzEVwTF6jfRzNfTN0Ywd99yv5ZGILdiFkS7hn9o6lTMyA-aSHy4l8mQx11F0dyGAeJ45RPRmEADOUgDv3pZwCBe_bQpiE0X8uHCBXEOVLuHLUjaHoSnMViTSvKX-iqFduTN3P1RhYPPs1IMo6Q5jUSPjtah4Io4Nf6XUHKAcHd8JLQN3MA/w300-h400/IMG_0307.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf111wbuRKW9vMXzL7jGWjg65w8SI2cq4VnqB4-7ieGSYO-aFRf4xpj8k69N1LsLdTnLPQYmuhH3CrogcOC2JtKDOSag8xbVLyAhW69lJfjLiO_NuQNGP5_VzIqr4kYbbf3cgF_t2RHPqY0dLWiEkzYe06h2FYG-IZfo12F3CS5U0ZpINNJLf5BA5S5g/s640/IMG_0309.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf111wbuRKW9vMXzL7jGWjg65w8SI2cq4VnqB4-7ieGSYO-aFRf4xpj8k69N1LsLdTnLPQYmuhH3CrogcOC2JtKDOSag8xbVLyAhW69lJfjLiO_NuQNGP5_VzIqr4kYbbf3cgF_t2RHPqY0dLWiEkzYe06h2FYG-IZfo12F3CS5U0ZpINNJLf5BA5S5g/w400-h300/IMG_0309.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M4mTqfvUhsOnvB5iA3ADdknWqHiiYKWCVXHBmf-6WXLQFT236oGDydrjgvCRkCLCymOHTobgMclAMDzkuQx4IC5QTTTfDY-1i7tdwBJNlrr6zcN5j7k9neXNZ0-Wp4S5IVs5-8ZUNFPEnxSlOIXjoAS--LyRlF6g3QjelRAFu-oXnzlf52CecoHkwQ/s640/IMG_0314.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1M4mTqfvUhsOnvB5iA3ADdknWqHiiYKWCVXHBmf-6WXLQFT236oGDydrjgvCRkCLCymOHTobgMclAMDzkuQx4IC5QTTTfDY-1i7tdwBJNlrr6zcN5j7k9neXNZ0-Wp4S5IVs5-8ZUNFPEnxSlOIXjoAS--LyRlF6g3QjelRAFu-oXnzlf52CecoHkwQ/w300-h400/IMG_0314.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM-gLDAojRfXqrf-Dd2rSY1An5g0j3HXenhy18kpe9dsFK81n4b_L75MJ74wEKAI6-cqMKcphO-H5SqCWJat9fzMrqtoAB4HwY0r97IOhJIH34ustb7I2BzOipSMzLub9dA3rclcbaeFFCkPx72WKnEhvE6FBZv44aNE1gOW30eWHKbMZ_HJ5HOvT1Q/s640/IMG_0317.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfM-gLDAojRfXqrf-Dd2rSY1An5g0j3HXenhy18kpe9dsFK81n4b_L75MJ74wEKAI6-cqMKcphO-H5SqCWJat9fzMrqtoAB4HwY0r97IOhJIH34ustb7I2BzOipSMzLub9dA3rclcbaeFFCkPx72WKnEhvE6FBZv44aNE1gOW30eWHKbMZ_HJ5HOvT1Q/w300-h400/IMG_0317.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaN4c9zANCL46FZhaLVnaoIR843AxcmVYhLIYsnUaFx2jRl49pW35zdcvuLGUVdqiU_DqPddK7oE2nSLpEToNo3CUKSWMnUiiw7JNkitUGLkQuTzYp9dD9vsH47OHvWZlLbBAYNAMwHjfBgbRNPLVuwhq6r0qv16WG-QF6WRJ3z8gvhREYm86K-7MdA/s640/IMG_0333.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaN4c9zANCL46FZhaLVnaoIR843AxcmVYhLIYsnUaFx2jRl49pW35zdcvuLGUVdqiU_DqPddK7oE2nSLpEToNo3CUKSWMnUiiw7JNkitUGLkQuTzYp9dD9vsH47OHvWZlLbBAYNAMwHjfBgbRNPLVuwhq6r0qv16WG-QF6WRJ3z8gvhREYm86K-7MdA/w300-h400/IMG_0333.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>It was in a really sweet square, passing by a café where I thought I recognized a Rotary Exchange student, Pauline, who had visited our house a few times while she was on exchange here in Connecticut, going back 8 years. Scott stopped at her table to ask if it was her, and understandably, she wasn't sure who we were at first - I mean, what are the odds? What a great surprise, especially since she lives in Brussels now, and was just home visiting friends & family.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM4tm0UUiZaQ0xClWloO-X1t8p9QxfJGbYmViIN3gFbAUzwwo8p5WBURIMaLoZsngh1OMVZKmAWwOHFmDOziwiVObUTb2GXzpv-0GuAmrsj2k8VVLkfGhHpvobhDRN8LN5VGuYc3x5Ugy80f3gpA1xDbBIGJMI8I4v0atlVReqrJaCjZXkgiJFrB3nw/s640/IMG_2934.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKM4tm0UUiZaQ0xClWloO-X1t8p9QxfJGbYmViIN3gFbAUzwwo8p5WBURIMaLoZsngh1OMVZKmAWwOHFmDOziwiVObUTb2GXzpv-0GuAmrsj2k8VVLkfGhHpvobhDRN8LN5VGuYc3x5Ugy80f3gpA1xDbBIGJMI8I4v0atlVReqrJaCjZXkgiJFrB3nw/w400-h300/IMG_2934.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>After our pre-dinner stroll, Albert & Elisabeth pulled out all the stops with an amazing, enormous paella. I imagine they were eating it for days after we left! </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZLiKplzKBn-7RbsALMv-59WMJxzTDFpGVrJy6TusVEPDy_hzAcF1nvkbsUHfI4rqsgVzI0bBIvru7ySQRnr20lm51x_Ll7rQIIKG-98JrZTSRG3c6t0QPdgwU5qwoD2Y9M-aY-dn3-JKWbTLB5qjimucX65LQQ23vxcNfSKL-7osACjvM4Bdf7fDmA/s640/IMG_2937.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZLiKplzKBn-7RbsALMv-59WMJxzTDFpGVrJy6TusVEPDy_hzAcF1nvkbsUHfI4rqsgVzI0bBIvru7ySQRnr20lm51x_Ll7rQIIKG-98JrZTSRG3c6t0QPdgwU5qwoD2Y9M-aY-dn3-JKWbTLB5qjimucX65LQQ23vxcNfSKL-7osACjvM4Bdf7fDmA/w300-h400/IMG_2937.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br /> Scott & I got up before the kids and after a lovely breakfast at the hotel, we went out for one more walk across the city before meeting up with Albert & Elisabeth to say our goodbyes. We have another friend who lives in the city, and hadn't been able to connect with him, so we tried the address we had for him. We hadn't seen Sebastian since his wedding in Perpignan, France over 20 years ago. It was a unique wedding for the area because it was a Korean wedding, and as weddings in France happen first at the city hall, the mayor asked to have a photo to hang there because the bride & groom looked so fabulous in their Korean wedding robes. (We had a blast on that trip - our friends from Rome had come to collect us in Barcelona and we spent 2 weeks exploring the Pyrenees, the Basque region of Spain, & southern France with 5 of us in a tiny Fiat before we all attended the wedding in Perpignan.)<div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtNQ1wJRTD9yOi-G2jV328dOuxsaaSYspnNbIBwT8cR1kNmsML4OklOXxSaNb5pVEPEQAb1-5zWjski4YFSghFXPTc2KGakMB-FosPWycOHCQlqutBIOay4OUh-T4uhcTh5Z_ROaZjNzKLHBxsaBugBpYVueyKThV8WwXVL46_DhIm6fyuG8VkMdBfg/s640/IMG_2953.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggtNQ1wJRTD9yOi-G2jV328dOuxsaaSYspnNbIBwT8cR1kNmsML4OklOXxSaNb5pVEPEQAb1-5zWjski4YFSghFXPTc2KGakMB-FosPWycOHCQlqutBIOay4OUh-T4uhcTh5Z_ROaZjNzKLHBxsaBugBpYVueyKThV8WwXVL46_DhIm6fyuG8VkMdBfg/w400-h300/IMG_2953.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our group of friends at Sebastian's wedding 2001</td></tr></tbody></table><div><p>We did not find Sebastian home, but Scott left a photo of the 2 of them from maybe 30 years back, in the door. Later Seb reached out to say they'd been away on vacation, and a neighbor had grabbed the photo for him. We'll catch him next time!</p><p>Saying goodbye to Albert & Elisabeth always makes me sad, because you never know when we'll get to see each other again. They have built such a beautiful life, and they're the most adventurous travelers, and they have a place in my heart.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4jel1q8Tqe18KCUgANFsGWlYATnKE_Tx5qssVSNKNleIWJzlYdbB2mXRWRSW-otVoKIzQXnOuf_Rfuw5YQALg9cu2Mdd7xYFL0nCNEgLzPvYoqAjrjY_tCH4iwzTA9i46bByonQyz3wI004TjglYlxjr2NzWzXzsUc6LiFQQe36dWk8xszbH1Sk_0A/s640/IMG_0335.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA4jel1q8Tqe18KCUgANFsGWlYATnKE_Tx5qssVSNKNleIWJzlYdbB2mXRWRSW-otVoKIzQXnOuf_Rfuw5YQALg9cu2Mdd7xYFL0nCNEgLzPvYoqAjrjY_tCH4iwzTA9i46bByonQyz3wI004TjglYlxjr2NzWzXzsUc6LiFQQe36dWk8xszbH1Sk_0A/w300-h400/IMG_0335.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>We retrieved our car from the parking garage and started the 2 + hour drive to Besalu, Spain! Come back for Chapter 7 of our Summer Travels! </p></div></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-57617487510937598352023-01-26T13:24:00.004-05:002023-01-26T13:57:03.732-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 5 - Alès/Vézénobres<p>Chapter 5 brings us to a much-anticipated part of the trip because this was a visit to the area where our son lived as a Rotary Exchange student in 2019-2020. Welcome to the Cévennes, the UNESCO heritage site in the south of France!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9fMcbqAGw06D2U77-GcSt_Va3nSpZC6nQiK8FuAQ6-6D2ZhN-Xrim1dN4ekJNhup3pgxR8exTMYaDqGXgRztaS-Sz1tRcHNNL8DIWQGyYl3VEfzBNDAHZJZopMADJpj2ZyScxygCGzzRX93a2NodUZZbtkzRq1zYtq-0Y4oBXDZK_Tf4XWxYDKnICw/s640/IMG_0239.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ9fMcbqAGw06D2U77-GcSt_Va3nSpZC6nQiK8FuAQ6-6D2ZhN-Xrim1dN4ekJNhup3pgxR8exTMYaDqGXgRztaS-Sz1tRcHNNL8DIWQGyYl3VEfzBNDAHZJZopMADJpj2ZyScxygCGzzRX93a2NodUZZbtkzRq1zYtq-0Y4oBXDZK_Tf4XWxYDKnICw/w400-h300/IMG_0239.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Château de Portes</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a hard time finding a place to stay in this area that wasn't too far from Alès, the small city where Julien went to school. At first I found a great apartment in a villa with a pool and amazing views, but the owner decided the market was too good not to cash out and sell, so that didn't work out. Then I booked a really nice Bed & Breakfast right in Alès, but the owner had to cancel our reservations on short notice for medical reasons, and so we had to scramble to find someplace nearby at a time when everything was already booked. What I found was a newly-listed AirBnB apartment in the nearby, tiny medieval village of Vézénobres. The village was picturesque, the apartment not so much, but it was a bargain at half the price of the other accommodations. The owners, however, were lovely, and provided a bottle of wine they produce, plus ran out to buy us 2 fans so that we could try to stay cool in the sweltering heat. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJqnAfU3VPNl8uz5aJe_W7TAvVSWcivPNJ_fqZMDAxvk_d1AVnVB56DQvRBnUGlpsp5gd_s9Zk5sIN7i593fvycxDaeDFrCD_OMISn7MlZrXXoKv_W5QVoZl7NbnGxuKNLbb-MW7hE3VBz6eEhFoZ9ETEA4X9c8pF8btokwpOoA7DXZwnpPe-AH9joA/s640/IMG_0258.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOJqnAfU3VPNl8uz5aJe_W7TAvVSWcivPNJ_fqZMDAxvk_d1AVnVB56DQvRBnUGlpsp5gd_s9Zk5sIN7i593fvycxDaeDFrCD_OMISn7MlZrXXoKv_W5QVoZl7NbnGxuKNLbb-MW7hE3VBz6eEhFoZ9ETEA4X9c8pF8btokwpOoA7DXZwnpPe-AH9joA/w300-h400/IMG_0258.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids greeting us from our living room window in Vézénobres</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPEsmaKpIRauuxRQoOzeNaE8VOAzXFWQ-a14rWodO1BlkygoMS2zB_Ew3qfsFvZXJ74gb7JlMD5fQ3i4ptXwBKL1QIDvYikmY2RcoERhrSZCDTVEaKltRWMXK88d5yois5PberyJw0XHW_XPifTHaptOaeRBjOnhLumb8OwDRnX_rPwWqYiO5ojMjFg/s640/IMG_0269.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBPEsmaKpIRauuxRQoOzeNaE8VOAzXFWQ-a14rWodO1BlkygoMS2zB_Ew3qfsFvZXJ74gb7JlMD5fQ3i4ptXwBKL1QIDvYikmY2RcoERhrSZCDTVEaKltRWMXK88d5yois5PberyJw0XHW_XPifTHaptOaeRBjOnhLumb8OwDRnX_rPwWqYiO5ojMjFg/w400-h300/IMG_0269.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from our walk in Vézénobres</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWR82UGoa4Rgj6G2NfY9rb9twq8YIpTpYtYgr_rMtepxZWug6teuCdjZFZUot7RWuGqeZBvhS11YCd5YTbgn0p394cxNiE1urSIgrOV4h7xl9c1uJ-if5HyOYqXACQ9px14iNlp3bQ7fmHpu4s6fU-zSY132151TAX6jBDQ80XO8A6BRc4GpTXuPURg/s640/IMG_0271.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSWR82UGoa4Rgj6G2NfY9rb9twq8YIpTpYtYgr_rMtepxZWug6teuCdjZFZUot7RWuGqeZBvhS11YCd5YTbgn0p394cxNiE1urSIgrOV4h7xl9c1uJ-if5HyOYqXACQ9px14iNlp3bQ7fmHpu4s6fU-zSY132151TAX6jBDQ80XO8A6BRc4GpTXuPURg/w300-h400/IMG_0271.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>Because it was such a short distance from Saint-Victor-La-Coste, we decided to stop in the dreamy, historic town of Uzès on the way to experience their exceptional market day (as recommended by Costas in Saint-Victor-La-Coste,) and have a leisurely lunch before getting to Alès. Arriving on a market day meant finding parking was a challenge, so arriving a bit earlier might have been prudent. Julien had spent time in Uzès during his stay, and I wish we'd had a bit more time that day to visit the château or the cathedral. Uzès has an interesting history and was home to some very progressive women. The market did not disappoint and around every corner we found more and more stalls and vendors.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JQkEjjAwz33s0eKe6QlHDeJp2CAO74s1lkCIvwVFyJGWEOu6Sl0bu-KJtJm1guVo5Va2rmYdsglB-fYTQ2XZi_yTCYHTiRZNIaQahvRXdIIUjy6okbGFVbZUmurdyCEihhKyMb_XgpxyPQXR7b_8y7XadR6bsmKh9bhIy6R6gaIi0iT29U-zRLkw1Q/s640/IMG_0212.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4JQkEjjAwz33s0eKe6QlHDeJp2CAO74s1lkCIvwVFyJGWEOu6Sl0bu-KJtJm1guVo5Va2rmYdsglB-fYTQ2XZi_yTCYHTiRZNIaQahvRXdIIUjy6okbGFVbZUmurdyCEihhKyMb_XgpxyPQXR7b_8y7XadR6bsmKh9bhIy6R6gaIi0iT29U-zRLkw1Q/w400-h300/IMG_0212.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAXxMkNlOIvt-53YR3mh9UxFlana2glVpE6i1XMJNNua-44bSAEGeqG053IJb9FmVJUG9VWl9ADYhdEMBjqggxFXW9mGi3CtkBGNrjepWw5SLITZNyxgBk9-JH7mSZ6EF-9gaVFypVZBUnKyTlFVl1jELWu_3AuaDtL0_tPLEcVIu8Aa-ffbXP_Gaw/s640/IMG_0217.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtQAXxMkNlOIvt-53YR3mh9UxFlana2glVpE6i1XMJNNua-44bSAEGeqG053IJb9FmVJUG9VWl9ADYhdEMBjqggxFXW9mGi3CtkBGNrjepWw5SLITZNyxgBk9-JH7mSZ6EF-9gaVFypVZBUnKyTlFVl1jELWu_3AuaDtL0_tPLEcVIu8Aa-ffbXP_Gaw/w300-h400/IMG_0217.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wbj4MoDRrVNWU34XdHkai7cnRbi6PbxUKd_ODwdexM_rVV-V6l_F-NGoqs7pe5hMxlr2vLs_g6SJQS1n_7CzESy80bVPxZIucqi58B1O7dvj9BmJIm_7K_ryJarZayzTGb6O7rNVLjPmXZ6EsDErZFbrtO-o2og4n1ekoGqH3Qw28kBmvYXpen_JiA/s640/IMG_0218.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Wbj4MoDRrVNWU34XdHkai7cnRbi6PbxUKd_ODwdexM_rVV-V6l_F-NGoqs7pe5hMxlr2vLs_g6SJQS1n_7CzESy80bVPxZIucqi58B1O7dvj9BmJIm_7K_ryJarZayzTGb6O7rNVLjPmXZ6EsDErZFbrtO-o2og4n1ekoGqH3Qw28kBmvYXpen_JiA/w400-h300/IMG_0218.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><p>We had 4 days in the area to visit Julien's old stomping grounds and hopefully see some of his friends (a lot of friends were away on vacation.) He gave us a tour of the small city, took us to one of his favorite lunch spots, his school, hiked the hill overlooking the city, and we visited some of our favorite French stores, plus picked up groceries for the apartment. I don't know if other people love foreign grocery stores as much as we do, but food shopping counts as a cultural experience in my book, bonus if it's at the outdoor markets!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wPK0880n2B25pY2For4DNAJWOe_CNIB1Gb9gG7Z48a1pUasOrzJrkWwehYF8Inb47liZZ9g7_-RB0RDB1Duhnq0HXmo7bc1HmG9yOU4wRkHEo74wXpplaO74U9SvN2Sry1vWKOrCC74lEN4OOlv6qnI2CO-YNjPk2M_AITDBcQq24-PoZcozxVFYEQ/s640/IMG_0225.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wPK0880n2B25pY2For4DNAJWOe_CNIB1Gb9gG7Z48a1pUasOrzJrkWwehYF8Inb47liZZ9g7_-RB0RDB1Duhnq0HXmo7bc1HmG9yOU4wRkHEo74wXpplaO74U9SvN2Sry1vWKOrCC74lEN4OOlv6qnI2CO-YNjPk2M_AITDBcQq24-PoZcozxVFYEQ/w400-h300/IMG_0225.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We hiked up the hill overlooking Alès</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We visited nearby Nîmes for a walk around town and a really nice lunch. We drove out to areas of the Cévennes Natural Reserve, through the mountains and explored an old castle (Château de Portes) we'd never heard of. We took evening walks on cobblestone streets in our little village to watch the sun set over the hills. Fun fact: Mick Jagger had a house in our little village! Apparently he liked it for the quiet. It's not an area with a lot of tourists, and I could totally see him just riding his bike down to the bakery or walking into the café for his coffee. We also made it down to the Mediterranean less than an hour away to end the day at the beach and it was SO nice. I'm such a beach girl that I'm going to say it was a highlight! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iypUA6hKO7po4eXzKMp_DYV1kldgRq_0cuEFz169WiYznwTxSC9rt_FxJaneD-vE-81jX56kmEIOLmPA3a8orUEp3nh-YX_enQMzK5snFYK_fgC9IUN5xkKWtfhg1buUhln7j8kpVG8TlmguPus3QfooYHtOO3wqp9OSRUO-5I_gtdvIH6F1GHdXoA/s640/IMG_0251.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-iypUA6hKO7po4eXzKMp_DYV1kldgRq_0cuEFz169WiYznwTxSC9rt_FxJaneD-vE-81jX56kmEIOLmPA3a8orUEp3nh-YX_enQMzK5snFYK_fgC9IUN5xkKWtfhg1buUhln7j8kpVG8TlmguPus3QfooYHtOO3wqp9OSRUO-5I_gtdvIH6F1GHdXoA/w300-h400/IMG_0251.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nîmes</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I know it all sounds pretty perfect, and I'm writing this several months later with a bit of nostalgia already, but I don't mean to sugar coat everything. Not every day was perfect, and there were definitely a few bumps, some bad moods, a case of food poisoning, and days when we just did not agree on activities. That's life as a family, and 5 weeks of togetherness is a lot.</p><p>At this point Charlotte also had some Summer classwork to catch up on, so we made time to go to the gorgeous new air-conditioned public library in Alès where she could hunker down for an afternoon. It was modern and had all of these great seating areas to work. This really was a highlight because that's when one of Julien's host brothers came to come meet us! Pierre arrived on his motorcycle and it was so great to finally meet him. Julien had lived at his house for a few months and they had traveled to the island of Réunion off the coast of Madagascar together. That was an absolutely amazing trip for Julien, and his first time seeing the Indian Ocean. The boys went out for a drink and some food while we read books in the library.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBHwxcC0s6YaO-dve9l1jaAPF7sWdzjbhpLE7EIoIPr9Jei6X4w_aRRLSNk_yNTu-foRDdLWiSeiRsCT3A3AIxKPgPJs7RWLARshlJry4-3KkRe49HeLmbhC2FmXTj9rVvVEqKSZzk0-OpdFB158aOgXYyM-3BweCsGeBhLAPF3lC7QE_L4iy7WnF4g/s640/IMG_0284.PNG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="359" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyBHwxcC0s6YaO-dve9l1jaAPF7sWdzjbhpLE7EIoIPr9Jei6X4w_aRRLSNk_yNTu-foRDdLWiSeiRsCT3A3AIxKPgPJs7RWLARshlJry4-3KkRe49HeLmbhC2FmXTj9rVvVEqKSZzk0-OpdFB158aOgXYyM-3BweCsGeBhLAPF3lC7QE_L4iy7WnF4g/w225-h400/IMG_0284.PNG" width="225" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, that's from his Instagram! Meeting up with his awesome host brother!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFciG3zrPrCBYBI6OHfvX7Kur_kNkXTqEGbV4m2Y7SnYX1P3ls2v98wJ4Yd_nCSeomGOrLTyBYEE4Cu9lJU2caRyeTTrl4iD_044F83-C7ZfV648i9dXm3vj48j4vQ-M5QYI4LVB0U7Ljt4OOCHfWWjw-v3HADh1QVBGQKEtuQtZ39s8rA_QTFzvTrw/s640/IMG_0282.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxFciG3zrPrCBYBI6OHfvX7Kur_kNkXTqEGbV4m2Y7SnYX1P3ls2v98wJ4Yd_nCSeomGOrLTyBYEE4Cu9lJU2caRyeTTrl4iD_044F83-C7ZfV648i9dXm3vj48j4vQ-M5QYI4LVB0U7Ljt4OOCHfWWjw-v3HADh1QVBGQKEtuQtZ39s8rA_QTFzvTrw/w400-h300/IMG_0282.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Downtown Alès</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Later that night Julien met up with another friend for drinks while Charlotte was back at the apartment doing more reading, and Scott and I went out for a dinner date in the city. This was when we first discovered the absolute brilliance that is "le café gourmand." It is literally the best idea ever, and I don't know why we don't see it here. On the dessert menu at dinner, was this option. It comes with a shot of espresso and miniature-sized versions of the gourmet desserts on the menu...we're talking 3-5 desserts where you just get a few bites of each and it's perfection. I'm not a girl to skip dessert when we travel, and this will be my order from every meal onwards. <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: When in France, order l</span><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">e café gourmand!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">One of our unplanned top experiences was something our AirBnB hosts invited us to, the annual Cévennes wine festival in Anduze. For $6 each we got an event wineglass and a passport to taste the 84 locally-produced wines being offered. It went all day into the evening. It was ahhhh-mazing! There were local food vendors in the center of the park with the wine booths set up in a circle around them, and at the end, you could purchase the wines to take home. We found our hosts and thanked them for inviting us, and they offered a tour of their vineyard & farm as well. While Charlotte was incredibly patient and hung out in the park under a tree, or playing games, the 3 of us walked around with goofy smiles, talking to the local wine producers, learning about Cénevole wines and the grapes they've reintroduced, and feeling like we'd won the lottery. Seriously, tickets to an event like that here run about $150 and you're in a crowded, noisy space, nothing like being outside under the plane trees in a park in a charming village at the foot of a mountain range, talking to the actual vignerons just a few miles from their vineyards!</span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgUX80Q8l-lcuLU8NkCz_e6ApzE34YMpMMa2s7WsPXuKIR9h6VnmxIEqow5TJ9XbbAK1V_AzToD0L7GbHSejhQEGjUfZumKfqou1rtAh-FqTJxuMtsSVYHql6pMYpslQ-tyBX86Sq1XEVS4uvdNCpdrspbmqHDNDoGKGIuP7wIqn9wSxhoap6xYdDtQ/s640/IMG_0228.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCgUX80Q8l-lcuLU8NkCz_e6ApzE34YMpMMa2s7WsPXuKIR9h6VnmxIEqow5TJ9XbbAK1V_AzToD0L7GbHSejhQEGjUfZumKfqou1rtAh-FqTJxuMtsSVYHql6pMYpslQ-tyBX86Sq1XEVS4uvdNCpdrspbmqHDNDoGKGIuP7wIqn9wSxhoap6xYdDtQ/w400-h300/IMG_0228.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting to meet the winemakers </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EYmlE1Uvg_03Ty_t9YjksQqCLSAT_yqnf9U9ZTmuARkJe1sPT7ohFjY8O3DGKqCQfqtF8oMmQ7eCmPxG4jMsVE8-uxLrVfjB1oU8cg-215JngV1g-yuo_oi-BkuYVsxf7Pu2Y6Cp9GXGq4pXfaZeGHlClTSaZ99HQHWR8waQEARCpEpX8cEYpvk5Gg/s640/IMG_0230.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EYmlE1Uvg_03Ty_t9YjksQqCLSAT_yqnf9U9ZTmuARkJe1sPT7ohFjY8O3DGKqCQfqtF8oMmQ7eCmPxG4jMsVE8-uxLrVfjB1oU8cg-215JngV1g-yuo_oi-BkuYVsxf7Pu2Y6Cp9GXGq4pXfaZeGHlClTSaZ99HQHWR8waQEARCpEpX8cEYpvk5Gg/w400-h300/IMG_0230.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So many booths to visit and deciding where to go next...</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBOJa0TchgL2HirLu0ML_8DghCGn0tVPZEb5sjE6lf9ivwwSh6X5qZK2WQDeK9RYEtC_VfExaxOJEV0qXv8wdCJqdW_5v12Ed_KY8Mhs0vRz3puPi0I1oRlBbuCHfPSPwBjY92vw2SFdBak-0xASATlhaLEUa_6sKXls9s97k9eP6u7N8dBvNgOMcWA/s640/IMG_0235.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqBOJa0TchgL2HirLu0ML_8DghCGn0tVPZEb5sjE6lf9ivwwSh6X5qZK2WQDeK9RYEtC_VfExaxOJEV0qXv8wdCJqdW_5v12Ed_KY8Mhs0vRz3puPi0I1oRlBbuCHfPSPwBjY92vw2SFdBak-0xASATlhaLEUa_6sKXls9s97k9eP6u7N8dBvNgOMcWA/w300-h400/IMG_0235.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you see that happy face, and those beautiful hills in the background?</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaC1jMWv80rNChfj5veznCEIv3VXzOS9l3CsazuwD_0Aj3vaOfkevBN7w0y7NQT5iqXLACUcgY86HX7dlyjBEkUJK-PTqkA9qVAGYDy-0eX96ryfPI0JCheyvy8w29JRPqYAQCOpe9rBcqAgztIBtcNHqJvcfpNSKG3RiK3tTCfHB-FPWADUAn4xefg/s640/IMG_0237.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcaC1jMWv80rNChfj5veznCEIv3VXzOS9l3CsazuwD_0Aj3vaOfkevBN7w0y7NQT5iqXLACUcgY86HX7dlyjBEkUJK-PTqkA9qVAGYDy-0eX96ryfPI0JCheyvy8w29JRPqYAQCOpe9rBcqAgztIBtcNHqJvcfpNSKG3RiK3tTCfHB-FPWADUAn4xefg/w300-h400/IMG_0237.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There were also games in the park for the kids</td></tr></tbody></table><p>I'm wrapping up this post with another travel tip. We used the smart TV in our apartment to log into our Netflix account and watched a few episodes of some shows together one night. We realized maybe a month or more later that we hadn't logged out, because our account was still being watched on that TV and their viewing came up on our account - some cute French cartoons. (This actually happened to us again later when Julien was traveling in Slovenia and I only noticed recently that he was still logged in and someone was still using the account there until I logged off the device.) <span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel tip: If you log into a streaming service on someone's smart TV, be sure to log off when you're done!</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">Our next stop on the tour was a reunion with old friends in Montpellier we hadn't seen in a very long time, and included a surprise reunion with someone else we recognized when out for a stroll! </span></p><p><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-42342941876615502622023-01-17T18:32:00.001-05:002023-01-17T18:32:21.872-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 4 - Saint-Victor-la-Coste<p>Chapter 4 of our Summer Travels series is our first "non-visiting-friends-stop," and brings us to quiet Saint-Victor-la-Coste in Provence, surrounded by vineyards, gorgeous views, and old stone houses. High above sit the ruins of the 12th century Chateau de Castellas, overlooking this quaint village, and our own little hidden paradise, where we spent 2 nights, the <a href="http://www.chateau-st-victor-la-coste.com/" target="_blank">Chateau St. Victor la Coste</a>. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxODQoOZVL1jBzV9pDf5IrgPVVgShMUhalGT_Z0M-Znkf1UA29OrYDGAH7v_JGYLeNRVNQ_r8R41Vzq_-LF04gnLotpBkl75YOZTCWMV05RbKVXt6kcybaq9TozOwECmFTn-aUjRljfyvnudPVWvMBYgyyylMlDXWxHknRWcLaMpsBwxF6tp1TBW6TA/s640/IMG_0165.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdxODQoOZVL1jBzV9pDf5IrgPVVgShMUhalGT_Z0M-Znkf1UA29OrYDGAH7v_JGYLeNRVNQ_r8R41Vzq_-LF04gnLotpBkl75YOZTCWMV05RbKVXt6kcybaq9TozOwECmFTn-aUjRljfyvnudPVWvMBYgyyylMlDXWxHknRWcLaMpsBwxF6tp1TBW6TA/w300-h400/IMG_0165.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><p>I'd been wanting to stay here for years, but they were fully booked well in advance when I'd last tried. When things started to reopen post-Covid, this is the first place I booked, and built this part of the trip around it. I felt like I'd won the lottery, shrieking with delight when our reservation for Cottage 2 was confirmed!</p><p>Owned by the most lovely couple, Costas and Alison, it was everything I had hoped for and more. There are 3 stone "cottages" overlooking the Instagram-famous pool, plus the chateau has guest rooms, charming common living room and kitchen, and then the main part of the absolutely beautiful chateau used by the owners. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTpRl_meQUMpVB00FxDllVRTTlsCKHyZdwq6IMhj0-csRA_hjDKmdOkxGWm_lN4h89Jj81v3sk8OiVkmTUbwstysuFQK38_J877L6qPbPuEXUzLa0THWNFNBVC6B37k_G-g8auAyHFf87qddMGZmZuKZxyS07ikEtOjtWhm_GVNaDv0AoHio0M_y8Dg/s640/IMG_0168.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWTpRl_meQUMpVB00FxDllVRTTlsCKHyZdwq6IMhj0-csRA_hjDKmdOkxGWm_lN4h89Jj81v3sk8OiVkmTUbwstysuFQK38_J877L6qPbPuEXUzLa0THWNFNBVC6B37k_G-g8auAyHFf87qddMGZmZuKZxyS07ikEtOjtWhm_GVNaDv0AoHio0M_y8Dg/w400-h300/IMG_0168.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The stone steps lead to our stone cottage </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9oiZ3MCGV9TqOhzzemF5hmcIuKoVYcf7PMv9nj3PPxVy1-ZCV5yzoK0YaxmbK-INbvAS07aEsfjqENmzTT5TIGApo-_ihlwlDq73nlKrJ6GJrmQrUIg7gpiy6rY1ZUbDozdaXm_QnfUXLyc838PE7coqR6EOHnsCuP4H4PWFuYQ1xaY15InhSFByA/s640/IMG_0167.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0_9oiZ3MCGV9TqOhzzemF5hmcIuKoVYcf7PMv9nj3PPxVy1-ZCV5yzoK0YaxmbK-INbvAS07aEsfjqENmzTT5TIGApo-_ihlwlDq73nlKrJ6GJrmQrUIg7gpiy6rY1ZUbDozdaXm_QnfUXLyc838PE7coqR6EOHnsCuP4H4PWFuYQ1xaY15InhSFByA/w400-h300/IMG_0167.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cottage 2 is the upper windows you see</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We had a little trouble finding the entrance (it felt like finding the door to a secret garden!) but stepping through the door we came into the courtyard/pool area, and it was pure magic. We said hello to the group of friends relaxing at the pool, who were openly relieved to learn that the American family arriving had older teenagers in tow, and not toddlers. (Children are welcome there, just so you know.) We settled into our cottage and then decided on a walk down the steps to the village in hopes of getting an outdoor table at L'Industrie, the village restaurant that Costas had recommended. We were in luck and got the last table! The food was beautifully plated, we ate under the plane trees, sipped provençal wine, and had gorgeous desserts as golden hour came upon us. Back at the pool, our new friends had left for dinner and we had the pool to ourselves for the evening. In the communal kitchen there were bottles of the local wines for sale with an honor box, and we each had our own full-sized refrigerator to store our groceries and drinks during our stay! I bought a viognier and a rosé that one of the other guests had recommended upon our arrival and set them to chill. Julien climbed to the castella ruins above the chateau in the dark, and I remember everyone swam in the pool, while bats darted above us under a starry sky.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU72qQ0dfUex18DTzisFx4g8qTdkI1k2cgCuMmomBJdP5D7EReA53kA-SeeC4Id9Z-eUsKDQwYEFriLd44jtp9xNb4A6owaAJ4NOMQ31ok7lVY55ITQMEvQtkJIZS-goPenbdo0wfFkEbF0oZJW6XIDQxNFzybS1K8MsFSU9reasKohaxExvRvyyBcbg/s640/IMG_0180.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU72qQ0dfUex18DTzisFx4g8qTdkI1k2cgCuMmomBJdP5D7EReA53kA-SeeC4Id9Z-eUsKDQwYEFriLd44jtp9xNb4A6owaAJ4NOMQ31ok7lVY55ITQMEvQtkJIZS-goPenbdo0wfFkEbF0oZJW6XIDQxNFzybS1K8MsFSU9reasKohaxExvRvyyBcbg/w300-h400/IMG_0180.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The chateau ruins watching over us<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbE6-e6q5xGgdp-UX967Ouc_OfM1iXVZeaFC0RhdYdwJzYKX_2am4aon8OXTFtyxDOBjzk2jse2qwYHXP4UqIsZ5SUlMVTmYiBZqlW43dMrouANJmNOoibK2AhK6aejOXR8fwWQIFHi7G-gPGSMIeLctxLUrlXejeEDFEDtmTKqF8bh6V6r2KZCpEyg/s640/IMG_0199.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUbE6-e6q5xGgdp-UX967Ouc_OfM1iXVZeaFC0RhdYdwJzYKX_2am4aon8OXTFtyxDOBjzk2jse2qwYHXP4UqIsZ5SUlMVTmYiBZqlW43dMrouANJmNOoibK2AhK6aejOXR8fwWQIFHi7G-gPGSMIeLctxLUrlXejeEDFEDtmTKqF8bh6V6r2KZCpEyg/w300-h400/IMG_0199.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnzlJR3-ME-dhn-pRYahuDHqdJG5QkPtpVQFjP75yehahTWkmuuKAJ4ourgSYCA89XwLkz4Nk64HCMAZAe8RL4OhuLJ4P_h6fIGtDQCV-0AFUs6YQpGk-t-ydnCrWWJuBkqbrveUQ7TJbvfvNjKG1hy64s91pR6gp5B57ZbbH_vVSAAjhzd-Dexd-cQ/s640/IMG_0142.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnzlJR3-ME-dhn-pRYahuDHqdJG5QkPtpVQFjP75yehahTWkmuuKAJ4ourgSYCA89XwLkz4Nk64HCMAZAe8RL4OhuLJ4P_h6fIGtDQCV-0AFUs6YQpGk-t-ydnCrWWJuBkqbrveUQ7TJbvfvNjKG1hy64s91pR6gp5B57ZbbH_vVSAAjhzd-Dexd-cQ/w300-h400/IMG_0142.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming around dusk</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZUmT95wcrVLdqINLVPtzkQLWxlNuLhx3iEzSVA5WYy6H_iD9hgLHAeZFzfFLq2ouL6odMxLAkhaAtFtiX2n7jd6xZ1iRalyeWsUL2Dxh-blocyivfskqeZfWk-rskeyWwzXMiU7CDPtvB3eZZyepYcZQ1vsHtyzrcD3uV1ys_Wf231w-I-KfBL8RTA/s640/IMG_0144.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYZUmT95wcrVLdqINLVPtzkQLWxlNuLhx3iEzSVA5WYy6H_iD9hgLHAeZFzfFLq2ouL6odMxLAkhaAtFtiX2n7jd6xZ1iRalyeWsUL2Dxh-blocyivfskqeZfWk-rskeyWwzXMiU7CDPtvB3eZZyepYcZQ1vsHtyzrcD3uV1ys_Wf231w-I-KfBL8RTA/w300-h400/IMG_0144.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pool area is beautifully lit </td></tr></tbody></table><p>The next morning Costas had laid out for us a beautiful spread of possibly the best croissants I've ever had (and I've had A LOT) along with fresh ripe fruit, coffee, tea, bread, jams, cheeses, juices. I sat in appreciation, just in awe of how beautiful and perfect the moment was, with one of the chateau's cats, Mathieu. Slowly some of the other guests emerged, along with Charlotte, and we chatted some more about their group of travel friends. They were all English or Australian, and they'd met traveling, and now meet up to travel together. They were lovely. They had plans to visit more vineyards. We had plans to just chill and enjoy the chateau, and head to the fête du village (village festival) for dinner and the pétanque tournament, but didn't know if we'd stick around for the disco. We were really just looking for a relaxing day after so many busy days in our travels. After breakfast, Costas had promised all of us a tour of the chateau, and later Scott & the kids hiked up to the ruins on the hill.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzRhjUHV7NgzMOV3rCuYoIsS_3nUu7yDyH02zDUwlgruW6aVCcNbwaDYJmFup4avMEFoW-CoVIJSlXmlvedYdhhYUEVRE4npuClcsjxaGeb98Dx3V9GSPHNTliYTfV8mGat5fOlqvIZ-J_3tdcjF0OHsVlEmPB9chfy4mz0PM9lC62cJNACbWaGF1Q/s640/IMG_0129.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhENzRhjUHV7NgzMOV3rCuYoIsS_3nUu7yDyH02zDUwlgruW6aVCcNbwaDYJmFup4avMEFoW-CoVIJSlXmlvedYdhhYUEVRE4npuClcsjxaGeb98Dx3V9GSPHNTliYTfV8mGat5fOlqvIZ-J_3tdcjF0OHsVlEmPB9chfy4mz0PM9lC62cJNACbWaGF1Q/w400-h300/IMG_0129.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Charlotte and Mathieu in the kitchen</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWwLGWafFNr-kVXX9bIFkmo3afxel8QolStauOzQfxdoRw2cns1LDF1ZkEy7-99yJl1TpEcW0Dx30OaJcoI0K7D5QHFaaLINiuzXMBixaWxzJZbPc9j64dmQMSL_bWCsUeoii8osdblBxQ1e06QIK3c3Ct17CJfT7-w1HjD1cDxVHlDyp4ROaO1P3eg/s640/IMG_0149.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWwLGWafFNr-kVXX9bIFkmo3afxel8QolStauOzQfxdoRw2cns1LDF1ZkEy7-99yJl1TpEcW0Dx30OaJcoI0K7D5QHFaaLINiuzXMBixaWxzJZbPc9j64dmQMSL_bWCsUeoii8osdblBxQ1e06QIK3c3Ct17CJfT7-w1HjD1cDxVHlDyp4ROaO1P3eg/w400-h300/IMG_0149.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our window was just stunning</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVYwyX-TItZwNfjnivvPdaUGg92-R8WQWHObSeep9H259zMI_KcUuu2QeZd5D5oFC44sPDSmOWw1vmSDobyPgOreFOwBaccvDlFXzS9Kw4Y2NT0w6k9RNf8WtnS1K5qw3XHuuesaLumZvhAEferAv-2CnVOUIWV2j-CMTQrPTDKse3n7dknUyPO3LQ/s640/IMG_0157.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEtVYwyX-TItZwNfjnivvPdaUGg92-R8WQWHObSeep9H259zMI_KcUuu2QeZd5D5oFC44sPDSmOWw1vmSDobyPgOreFOwBaccvDlFXzS9Kw4Y2NT0w6k9RNf8WtnS1K5qw3XHuuesaLumZvhAEferAv-2CnVOUIWV2j-CMTQrPTDKse3n7dknUyPO3LQ/w300-h400/IMG_0157.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our bed - channeling my inner French princess</td></tr></tbody></table><p>As I was sitting by the pool that morning, I was overcome with gratitude. I felt such a surge of happiness. (Maybe it happens to everyone who visits, after eating those magic croissants and peaches made of sunshine?) There are specific moments in time that hit me like that, where I'm so completely aware of how amazing that moment is, and it makes such an impression. I know it's so cheesy, but I felt so inspired, like I needed to create, or write, or draw or paint. This was the first time I hadn't traveled with art supplies, which looking back, feels like a mistake. I observed and did a little stream of consciousness writing. This is what came out:</p><p></p><div style="text-align: center;">Morning doves cooing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sweet, fresh scent of lavender, geraniums, roses, and other flowers</div><div style="text-align: center;">Buzzing of bees</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scurrying of ants</div><div style="text-align: center;">Butterflies alighting on pink blossoms</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sneaky little lizard climbing up the wall</div><div style="text-align: center;">Cool shade by the pool</div><div style="text-align: center;">Croissants made of dreams</div><div style="text-align: center;">Peaches made of sunshine</div><div style="text-align: center;">Delightful guests congregating in the kitchen over breakfast</div><div style="text-align: center;">Birds twittering in the cypress trees</div><div style="text-align: center;">Church bells ringing</div><div style="text-align: center;">Charlotte by the pool reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings</div><div style="text-align: center;">Julien back from his walk reading by the pool</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scott & Charlotte playing cribbage and eating cookies</div><div style="text-align: center;">Tour of the chateau with Costas</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The chateau tour was brilliant and felt so personal. What a beautiful space they have, and what a beautiful life they have built here. They bought the property as a family vacation home, and they own other properties, but this has become home and a thriving business. They were talking about expanding the property, which is very exciting! They also offer "A Taste of Provence" food tour packages, where guests visit markets and eat with them on the large private terrace overlooking a magnificent view, and they offer cycling trips as well! Additionally, the chateau is available to be rented out as a whole self-catering space. I didn't take a lot of photos, but you can see gorgeous ones on their <a href="https://www.instagram.com/chateaustvictorlacoste/" target="_blank">Instagram Page</a>, over on pages like Condé Nast, or hundreds of other pages - just search it. Then book it! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wZicYULW4NqwES02ULRhPwUbbTO02TwfzWiw2PEwxvFK0jOFAt5SbHfVYAIkLGezX0iThiwzBPXFDOkEdYGhJcgAVTN08A9a0Ban9ruVP3i1BIqkz--GYEieGfTN7_uVpMTJfaKQtcO37xZHT_b4t3dknER3-oe-UFSAF9u0tuVKBhcffOYGc8Wuew/s640/IMG_0130.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wZicYULW4NqwES02ULRhPwUbbTO02TwfzWiw2PEwxvFK0jOFAt5SbHfVYAIkLGezX0iThiwzBPXFDOkEdYGhJcgAVTN08A9a0Ban9ruVP3i1BIqkz--GYEieGfTN7_uVpMTJfaKQtcO37xZHT_b4t3dknER3-oe-UFSAF9u0tuVKBhcffOYGc8Wuew/w300-h400/IMG_0130.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These lounges are so comfortable</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO8zuONXGMU54wPstvvQavzD8WjfcrmunWvDdsHnT0-ppMPAn9kXM2liYZ5_zyEGlUnIdi8RWzSrzMBoYwh4xA4AIrflJvbYfv2rK8lJQvHLUIfmNCO1JFFa9_EBkoUWmtRl86oZF522c9STvVEa3jgxFl4Eb4-zR7O93FL7H4f5EzPWv4GnCXJsj1w/s640/IMG_0175.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieO8zuONXGMU54wPstvvQavzD8WjfcrmunWvDdsHnT0-ppMPAn9kXM2liYZ5_zyEGlUnIdi8RWzSrzMBoYwh4xA4AIrflJvbYfv2rK8lJQvHLUIfmNCO1JFFa9_EBkoUWmtRl86oZF522c9STvVEa3jgxFl4Eb4-zR7O93FL7H4f5EzPWv4GnCXJsj1w/w400-h300/IMG_0175.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakF38cCR4RM335NHAb3BoJlS5tUlOQ_gv0uohumKd7TK8Jk3YAcqbwP5dXMmqn8ItZACwmIMKTZiwGFa0OP07_KZ13UV54pXqAcncZY-eHa5vM7YgVzVRuCijKDmBkZDqD4i1jbjLxM-zHwDFaVNEDFQluWTj4A7HdTNuYDa8yEKIz1jRscAQuD2ElA/s640/IMG_0194.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiakF38cCR4RM335NHAb3BoJlS5tUlOQ_gv0uohumKd7TK8Jk3YAcqbwP5dXMmqn8ItZACwmIMKTZiwGFa0OP07_KZ13UV54pXqAcncZY-eHa5vM7YgVzVRuCijKDmBkZDqD4i1jbjLxM-zHwDFaVNEDFQluWTj4A7HdTNuYDa8yEKIz1jRscAQuD2ElA/w300-h400/IMG_0194.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from our walkway to the main chateau</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAK1dC0G6PTMiesEaJY64S8QTWHol4KFB_jHbd56I35NV10SPpinZ3zgYhjpuMrx_7rSheqYqyrnOgXW5KrOoFCQjNqK9HE5s-8_9MmjrvP72WMeCVyG9EZrvfBbk4DJ2rCnZVSGDcmFixxDES1Vo1-RtdRLvmrdnbXQpq8d5S2X7t2jbhBAvKv5Yfg/s640/IMG_0160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAK1dC0G6PTMiesEaJY64S8QTWHol4KFB_jHbd56I35NV10SPpinZ3zgYhjpuMrx_7rSheqYqyrnOgXW5KrOoFCQjNqK9HE5s-8_9MmjrvP72WMeCVyG9EZrvfBbk4DJ2rCnZVSGDcmFixxDES1Vo1-RtdRLvmrdnbXQpq8d5S2X7t2jbhBAvKv5Yfg/w300-h400/IMG_0160.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our private dining table in the gardens by the door to our cottage</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8ul3Hrzb3y4rb3de_zuWW0kQb5AphL7tRZGexUUJ9hGIGChCdgu7HHMhPlCNDsGCkjvisA1sf_-DXxpPCGXohxW7ZkpLvhCGDxhX_7_vvkxtOLeRDXiNoMaFEZByyNJ4mdEf6ShKyQLCVB3qJlOYqjvYDKPCDWY5XPltcOPhnBeWBguDlrkngbxA5Q/s640/IMG_0203.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8ul3Hrzb3y4rb3de_zuWW0kQb5AphL7tRZGexUUJ9hGIGChCdgu7HHMhPlCNDsGCkjvisA1sf_-DXxpPCGXohxW7ZkpLvhCGDxhX_7_vvkxtOLeRDXiNoMaFEZByyNJ4mdEf6ShKyQLCVB3qJlOYqjvYDKPCDWY5XPltcOPhnBeWBguDlrkngbxA5Q/w400-h300/IMG_0203.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chateau "Relax" Day and we had the pool & courtyard to ourselves</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div style="text-align: left;">We borrowed a pétanque set and played a few rounds outside the chateau before walking down the steps into the village. Scott had hoped to sign up to be in the tournament, but he was too late registering, so we watched the games being played in several areas of the village. I loved how it was so informal. Some games were played in the gravel of the school yard, some in driveways or parking areas. Also interesting that it was almost all male players of all ages, with less than a handful of women - perhaps that is normal? I'm not sure. We watched and tried to learn technique/strategy from some of the better players. Dinner was festival food and not as good as the night before, but Scott liked that you could buy a reusable "fête" cup for beer for the weekend with inexpensive refills. We somehow ended up bringing 3 home with us. (They traveled better than the 3 wine glasses we brought back from a wine festival later in the trip - there's only 1 of those left now.) We walked back up to the chateau for some after dinner swimming. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15juI0FztO4eOxlXn0KfEL_eo8utpo926onZddrJs8r8on3oXF3LH53YGndBqkYBs67QVWM9VUaFR4O4DdOMQKNwjo2jAHEE1-GLTFoiZ-I-WZXwrR74h8Hi6-1TxN9R4SbU8tdC6ypO6DzDhsSzOpANE09zzJK1843fBrCiZat6RWJJCTl3-GLVNjw/s640/IMG_0207.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg15juI0FztO4eOxlXn0KfEL_eo8utpo926onZddrJs8r8on3oXF3LH53YGndBqkYBs67QVWM9VUaFR4O4DdOMQKNwjo2jAHEE1-GLTFoiZ-I-WZXwrR74h8Hi6-1TxN9R4SbU8tdC6ypO6DzDhsSzOpANE09zzJK1843fBrCiZat6RWJJCTl3-GLVNjw/w300-h400/IMG_0207.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We love this game. Of course Julien climbed that tree.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjy74xXC9yIdG5hw4x7brtSb2K4owu2bct_ogAOEtxfVEkfGDiJ7-Pen4CBqzuFW7gtpU0ShoVvqsKpkxHxwHqRY2PXNS8IIi8r86iPw2zZP_OcNOJKKwQYBkTDahPwbevT0G7pYrOjdObXcokz2qGmCxPmBHqinCQYGJ3Hnp7hOGyMYCwb98e6377Q/s640/IMG_0209.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMjy74xXC9yIdG5hw4x7brtSb2K4owu2bct_ogAOEtxfVEkfGDiJ7-Pen4CBqzuFW7gtpU0ShoVvqsKpkxHxwHqRY2PXNS8IIi8r86iPw2zZP_OcNOJKKwQYBkTDahPwbevT0G7pYrOjdObXcokz2qGmCxPmBHqinCQYGJ3Hnp7hOGyMYCwb98e6377Q/w300-h400/IMG_0209.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking to the fête du village to watch the tournament and get dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>I first fell in love with Peter Mayle's Provence back in the early 1990s, before I had made my first trip to France. We have been lucky to have spent some time exploring this area before, and staying with friends in Carpentras. In the past we visited Aix, le Mont Ventoux, Avignon and Arles, and we were in Carpentras for Fête Nationale (in the US we tend to call it Bastille Day) which was a really cool experience. While Saint-Victor-la-Coste does not have the sites of those larger towns, it does have this absolutely charming little chateau, and I'm still so happy to have found it!<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">One of the things that I loved about this chateau is that it was comfortable, and not fussy. It could be pretentious, but it's not. The vibe was very chill. The gardens weren't your typical formal French style, but more English cottage, climbing roses, tumbling, fragrant, mixed, relaxed, with comfortable wooden chaise lounges with floral cushions, bistro tables with tablecloths, and chairs with pillows scattered, tall cypress trees, terraces, and stone staircases. The entrance to our sweet stone cottage had a private table for the 4 of us outside our door, among the flowers on a stone path. The communal living room was cool and cozy. We took turns filling the cat's outdoor water dish. We walked down the steps into the village to the bakery, the tiny grocery store, the restaurants, everything. It's such a special place, and we felt so lucky to share in it for those precious days. Bonus that the other guests were so cool.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlUeAwC0PQwGF2Sz22JoN0rAB3Zc3i8kTtvrji8ed5qZm0eLcYLZMrSvbnAsspDIHN0WsRCGFGLX7YtYHq5tmMMzzvOiuIW365KAlVTWt_--iBoOo_mZ8VLoDhM5YuibuDNeGEXsXJAVGdX3jmU-yNLQX_aSiGEfG1_ciSwOhjCFFXjUqtzulcWxNOg/s640/5F6780E0-.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOlUeAwC0PQwGF2Sz22JoN0rAB3Zc3i8kTtvrji8ed5qZm0eLcYLZMrSvbnAsspDIHN0WsRCGFGLX7YtYHq5tmMMzzvOiuIW365KAlVTWt_--iBoOo_mZ8VLoDhM5YuibuDNeGEXsXJAVGdX3jmU-yNLQX_aSiGEfG1_ciSwOhjCFFXjUqtzulcWxNOg/w225-h400/5F6780E0-.JPG" width="225" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">We left refreshed, relaxed, and serene. As Costas walked us out he said, "You did not choose the chateau. The chateau chooses her guests." The chateau is magic like that. This was easily one of my top 10 favorite places I've stayed and a place to which I'd love to return. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Next stop: Alès, France, to visit where Julien lived as a Rotary exchange student!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-14680240822628279302023-01-12T11:14:00.003-05:002023-01-12T18:04:45.247-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 3 - Lucignano <p> [This post is part of the Friendship Tour series and picks up after leaving Rome.]</p><p>I've been going to Lucignano for as long as I've been going to Rome...so it's been more than 25 years now since I first fell in love with this medieval town. Hubby worked there and made friends with some of the locals, we visited again maybe in 2000, and once upon a time (it was 2010) we met up with a group of friends and shared an absolutely enchanted week with them in a perfectly Tuscan villa there.</p><p>From Rome we drove our rented Skoda towards Tuscany, stopping in beautiful Orvieto for lunch and a walk around to explore this charming Etruscan city. Looking back, I wish we'd had more time or planned this visit (Orvieto could be a full day) or at least looked up some of the things we could have seen out of the heat (like doing an underground tour, or visiting St. Patrick's Well.)</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvkpfJfMGxzzXbHcFDi41TvATEjC3OpCHnSNJJvZKUwO7-9ojhlBKl_27dHzWpAKTWnJkCUJpodjtKFO8PdcPqksa09uToUEEEMkGKSIVlXA4APcMfAfn3liY6_yIXXl1DgBxYTfspE0FHzMRUt7VyDVi-vnYEZTs3tOffSKpVa9-VP_W50l4vysDtw/s640/IMG_0042.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHvkpfJfMGxzzXbHcFDi41TvATEjC3OpCHnSNJJvZKUwO7-9ojhlBKl_27dHzWpAKTWnJkCUJpodjtKFO8PdcPqksa09uToUEEEMkGKSIVlXA4APcMfAfn3liY6_yIXXl1DgBxYTfspE0FHzMRUt7VyDVi-vnYEZTs3tOffSKpVa9-VP_W50l4vysDtw/w300-h400/IMG_0042.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Il Duomo di Orvieto</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Around the corner from a piazza we found what turned out to be a great little restaurant down a shaded alley and grabbed an outdoor table. We were the first ones there and I'm glad we arrived when we did, because shortly afterwards, every table both inside & out was taken. The <a href="https://www.orvietoviva.com/en/trattoria-dellorso/" target="_blank">Trattoria dell' Orso</a> did not disappoint! Charlotte loved her prosciutto melone, as always, My truffle pasta was fantastic, and the Orvieto white wine was crisp & cold and it made for a wonderful lunch. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_dpUklCT74_CRr20Qh6BQFnvM--jDg-pYukEEIVaDazrpvSdLas9GbE1De73Dd-saqXli-RkjO8Eb1rxOXzdIoCKjaVyhEB0UPNQQD4KCIstGFWT3pbysuxnU7GdxAlBg8fQeYkguNO4xbFCfxQAeyV2luEV4MDzfePoNFhkkF_7GgbTT5dHcUc7Qw/s480/IMG_4263.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9_dpUklCT74_CRr20Qh6BQFnvM--jDg-pYukEEIVaDazrpvSdLas9GbE1De73Dd-saqXli-RkjO8Eb1rxOXzdIoCKjaVyhEB0UPNQQD4KCIstGFWT3pbysuxnU7GdxAlBg8fQeYkguNO4xbFCfxQAeyV2luEV4MDzfePoNFhkkF_7GgbTT5dHcUc7Qw/w300-h400/IMG_4263.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful lunch at Trattoria dell'Orso toasting heading back in Tuscany!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>After another walk to see more of Orvieto, I got a gelato (I can't believe no one else wanted one!), and we headed to Lucignano to visit friends we hadn't seen in 11 years. All of our kids were so little the last time we were there. The dinner that followed was one of those never-ending, outdoor grilling, homemade wine-drinking absolutely lovely reunions with old friends under the stars overlooking the Tuscan hills. Their local sausage, grilled, is the best I've ever had, and I've never tasted anything quite like it anywhere else. I had forgotten how good it is. I briefly considered fighting my husband for the last one that night.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWDA63KaAlu72D4fMSb7IhRQqsDzfshbahwg06hT4JiK9sdGymAw6zM77bL_3cHw3hkcmo003-W-k0lm-g2oY-MXAjrtZJF8EF-xXE7m84wVuSapLnk1ZtZVMqvwnNVc6V_I3UZzt97A7NwBGVYAGkaSmq55qDn0QlAIMhVCOrYayhaGHlJmNTBB-qg/s640/IMG_0077.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZWDA63KaAlu72D4fMSb7IhRQqsDzfshbahwg06hT4JiK9sdGymAw6zM77bL_3cHw3hkcmo003-W-k0lm-g2oY-MXAjrtZJF8EF-xXE7m84wVuSapLnk1ZtZVMqvwnNVc6V_I3UZzt97A7NwBGVYAGkaSmq55qDn0QlAIMhVCOrYayhaGHlJmNTBB-qg/w400-h300/IMG_0077.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scott & Simona catching up before dinner</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCROZKdZOCCCtFS10u-qKXbCVib9SYw9fx7bMHlEhpXuFlW4v_8mwv2rH5GthdKG1KhUylqHTiKaBQBwhWK3DueChE98TMdXzWbuyLRGgjZZpJsztS-ktPll-qQOzpwfYr_BiCqvNxagsEYg9Ptt4ePu-mFWArRNaq3wZUMr4oNMFgVCFpoZrZpxfcg/s640/IMG_0079.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCCROZKdZOCCCtFS10u-qKXbCVib9SYw9fx7bMHlEhpXuFlW4v_8mwv2rH5GthdKG1KhUylqHTiKaBQBwhWK3DueChE98TMdXzWbuyLRGgjZZpJsztS-ktPll-qQOzpwfYr_BiCqvNxagsEYg9Ptt4ePu-mFWArRNaq3wZUMr4oNMFgVCFpoZrZpxfcg/w300-h400/IMG_0079.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooking over a wood fire overlooking the hills...delicious!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Fun fact: Ed Sheeran has a villa nearby, and our friend Massi is the local guy you call to install shower doors, so naturally he's the one who installed them for Ed's place! He told us the villa was nice but not extravagant, and that he felt bad for Ed because he knew that other contractors had taken advantage of him and charged him more than they should have.</p><p>That first night Scott and I stayed just up the road at <a href="https://www.lecaselle.net/?lang=en" target="_blank">Le Caselle</a>, a beautifully-situated bed & breakfast with a gorgeous pool, where we all cooled off before heading to dinner. (The kids slept at the house, and we did too our 2nd night when there was an extra room available at Simona & Massimo's.) The grounds were gorgeous with olive trees and gardens, shaded tables where you could get drinks from the bar, and a koi pond. The bed & breakfast advertised the room had A/C, but I'm not convinced it ever cooled the room - it was too hot to sleep, and I don't like to keep the windows open with no screens due to mosquitoes and other things. I think hubby got up during the night to take a cold shower to try to cool off. The lovely breakfast and amazing cappuccino the next morning made me forget all about my sleepless night. I would likely stay there again in a cooler month - the pool was really nice and there were those covered beds that feel so luxe! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJW4oH9UoVI3KER3UE4rIh4c4P5KWr7jY8yvl2oiTsJSu17m3TmeI0iOuhKoXfLhI8Kkq-Feo-FoMCx_oHPFB0wrB3sPKUBnbz8zuTc3MvDwzCVCadeifbYGbuBbTG_nMYLBPrHxl0MJdBZIFLLKEwhSzs7pNyMkTDuR41JvkhFUHdykGjfMoyKZ0jg/s640/IMG_0061.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicJW4oH9UoVI3KER3UE4rIh4c4P5KWr7jY8yvl2oiTsJSu17m3TmeI0iOuhKoXfLhI8Kkq-Feo-FoMCx_oHPFB0wrB3sPKUBnbz8zuTc3MvDwzCVCadeifbYGbuBbTG_nMYLBPrHxl0MJdBZIFLLKEwhSzs7pNyMkTDuR41JvkhFUHdykGjfMoyKZ0jg/w300-h400/IMG_0061.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8NSbsvnhnJRbTUYKtYITFOKB9AftXyP_Kut_6NT8Blydsu3_N5qewUNAqHXYnsFBhjL0JsI_HQwu3QHfDZMhv6CgaTDDhQp_Q0MNvCY-z0QotEeqNzyzEwdcPT1_RhwjiLzzUe69q_TWTWboPxRsbbs1RMcsImMT5kuAzKV-ImFIYrkFbtSR1bmUdQ/s640/IMG_0060.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8NSbsvnhnJRbTUYKtYITFOKB9AftXyP_Kut_6NT8Blydsu3_N5qewUNAqHXYnsFBhjL0JsI_HQwu3QHfDZMhv6CgaTDDhQp_Q0MNvCY-z0QotEeqNzyzEwdcPT1_RhwjiLzzUe69q_TWTWboPxRsbbs1RMcsImMT5kuAzKV-ImFIYrkFbtSR1bmUdQ/w400-h300/IMG_0060.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT3EPe4osjS3KofN0Q6HfVBJ55q4hS4cp65m7DB4xxmibH6c7yN4UKkf6OsfbIO25j26QfC46_b4vFFpFFO40Z8t5hftujjZ9aqUeRe0en0gxonxJ2Qyqi16Q-bI6icXXSxGniKGab-rtv2NjRMIB5kjIz0tST7ZmdkgMpuweZ8W-krgfjl2YKZj2Sw/s640/IMG_0066.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPT3EPe4osjS3KofN0Q6HfVBJ55q4hS4cp65m7DB4xxmibH6c7yN4UKkf6OsfbIO25j26QfC46_b4vFFpFFO40Z8t5hftujjZ9aqUeRe0en0gxonxJ2Qyqi16Q-bI6icXXSxGniKGab-rtv2NjRMIB5kjIz0tST7ZmdkgMpuweZ8W-krgfjl2YKZj2Sw/w400-h300/IMG_0066.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylRwB0ryv9VbmRu1cT5mIxSOSdJIqJwNY-6T246kTiKFiGYtOgb_XNoZwWzdsDlp8kM06LD9125DRXT-yB4bzgCeDiDDCw_NSU3fFVuylf8GnlksC6XyXZuYv7jufwkmZ9gGqOPBAkIS4Jx-BQpXruB8axfY2Qyf9m99bmUroE0t3AWJOX6UHFx2EhQ/s640/IMG_0069.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjylRwB0ryv9VbmRu1cT5mIxSOSdJIqJwNY-6T246kTiKFiGYtOgb_XNoZwWzdsDlp8kM06LD9125DRXT-yB4bzgCeDiDDCw_NSU3fFVuylf8GnlksC6XyXZuYv7jufwkmZ9gGqOPBAkIS4Jx-BQpXruB8axfY2Qyf9m99bmUroE0t3AWJOX6UHFx2EhQ/w400-h300/IMG_0069.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Simona came out with us for the day to re-visit Cortona, which was as lovely as ever, and we explored a few streets and areas I don't remember visiting before, as well as stopped for my beloved peach iced tea and picked up a few things we needed at the pharmacy. I stopped for a nostalgic moment at a table where I remember having a delicious lunch with the kids when they were little. The Google Street View car drove past us and of course my goofy family struck poses - I wonder when we'll see the new view posted?</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3823ciLJeD_FrWdkbEsqImzKhq-bs-c0WX8n65WeVWZC7DBDPOILQAWZv3Ist44KU8CbCJWQMabIn3BkvGVDvxou3TK4l5sWNSlBEvEStQkftiZw8Ov7cauTuPqqRkjbF9NQf2gY-9EnPG0Qx28VVMXLNKIyi2iZ1zxw8fiIBh9I1__GMKCiWrg9_ZQ/s640/IMG_0091.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3823ciLJeD_FrWdkbEsqImzKhq-bs-c0WX8n65WeVWZC7DBDPOILQAWZv3Ist44KU8CbCJWQMabIn3BkvGVDvxou3TK4l5sWNSlBEvEStQkftiZw8Ov7cauTuPqqRkjbF9NQf2gY-9EnPG0Qx28VVMXLNKIyi2iZ1zxw8fiIBh9I1__GMKCiWrg9_ZQ/w400-h300/IMG_0091.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4c5WVQy0iuFi9Ik_dKoT0_u-8gO69bu7fOCqIFnJmFBSx6KUaskBNzLd-pxARzWkcx2d5ulX0jrZuw-U6sr1QS072tUpKLB19UBp71k5MGFQfv17U3ox1mJcLjpXi4y9MPFuLC3GWfSG01kpdqOWnKyLZQc6ssfNUncxY6W6Km9d5ta7A2fT4sx9lQ/s640/IMG_0094.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC4c5WVQy0iuFi9Ik_dKoT0_u-8gO69bu7fOCqIFnJmFBSx6KUaskBNzLd-pxARzWkcx2d5ulX0jrZuw-U6sr1QS072tUpKLB19UBp71k5MGFQfv17U3ox1mJcLjpXi4y9MPFuLC3GWfSG01kpdqOWnKyLZQc6ssfNUncxY6W6Km9d5ta7A2fT4sx9lQ/w300-h400/IMG_0094.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does everyone strike a silly pose when the Google Street View car goes by? </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>One of the things Simona showed us which was new since our last visit in 2010 was the <a href="http://www.thecircleoflifeartgallery.com/index-10-eng.html" target="_blank">Circle of Life Gallery</a>, and this bronze sculpture by <a href="http://www.andrearoggi.it/menu_eng.html" target="_blank">Roggi</a>, representing his theme of the Tree of Life, where humans integrate with plants. There are others in the series in the area and I was mesmerized by this, with that backdrop. <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqxYcsfGhiXBKLAadAJxF5oM2M7WQvwP5iDES-hr74C55xZbOEwvJV3X5w5QHrhozoppV_Vvr4-xDI9w5w6J8eMmBxsN4WEZ0ZgAmCHnRqBLZaL0fs5j_VBC0jn7nuQK5jcm9d-O5s0q6BvZsi9c0LDxvFVw0ggPDkChhIsFuFNIo5hEtHipwqxDdMA/s640/IMG_0102.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSqxYcsfGhiXBKLAadAJxF5oM2M7WQvwP5iDES-hr74C55xZbOEwvJV3X5w5QHrhozoppV_Vvr4-xDI9w5w6J8eMmBxsN4WEZ0ZgAmCHnRqBLZaL0fs5j_VBC0jn7nuQK5jcm9d-O5s0q6BvZsi9c0LDxvFVw0ggPDkChhIsFuFNIo5hEtHipwqxDdMA/w400-h300/IMG_0102.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcbvdDhbjRV42lnw8DWcELLYdLVbtHKJHXiPS_fITU_Ek2E_a0bbg-NytkYQf2Sd8ZXmCVX1J78c1vOx7OwiysFv1OwO8xhZnexKRv-7yZfMG5VUdqTAJrjbJRbrD7q-02Ru36iQH1JekVlLzeHdbKCF1-4ofNwlsCsylxgHclPviJbqS7e8e3FTdrg/s640/IMG_0105.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGcbvdDhbjRV42lnw8DWcELLYdLVbtHKJHXiPS_fITU_Ek2E_a0bbg-NytkYQf2Sd8ZXmCVX1J78c1vOx7OwiysFv1OwO8xhZnexKRv-7yZfMG5VUdqTAJrjbJRbrD7q-02Ru36iQH1JekVlLzeHdbKCF1-4ofNwlsCsylxgHclPviJbqS7e8e3FTdrg/w300-h400/IMG_0105.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a closeup of the sculpture you see in the previous photo. Just stunning.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We ended the day somewhere near Lucignano with dinner at an outdoor restaurant I'm not sure I could find again, but that was packed with locals and served ginormous pizzas that were so light and fresh and delicious that I'm still thinking about them now. I was too enraptured with my food to even get a photo. Simona's sister joined us, which was so fun! It's amazing to think they've all known each other since they were pretty much Julien's age. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCULodtE5NTFfWkL2dk4n3mC01lgaQE-MbRUT08ApUyKzqVg7gl__sIV1-BVTEsr4Xu9k_0U8LI2Fa28awCDTWo9j4moEXFP3wect9-EyR_ygb1fMDS7k91VKdiXhc39C_uxK6nWyKLV2Jky5xI7dlNAEGbSL9RhKjrcTatxKiaTS18uQcyHgaLd3u0A/s1024/IMG_0614.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCULodtE5NTFfWkL2dk4n3mC01lgaQE-MbRUT08ApUyKzqVg7gl__sIV1-BVTEsr4Xu9k_0U8LI2Fa28awCDTWo9j4moEXFP3wect9-EyR_ygb1fMDS7k91VKdiXhc39C_uxK6nWyKLV2Jky5xI7dlNAEGbSL9RhKjrcTatxKiaTS18uQcyHgaLd3u0A/w400-h300/IMG_0614.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSG47AWef59HC2BBAjlk6u9I68F0zSEW2_QudBFuCefSAFutLKLqdeooJ7DI7lOI2Y9fgSZCjnjY6ItBK-g4BFeQwVC1xiAD2pwi1hgDZRU7ScJi9g4xvsW8GFfHk0FqdrGNh34UKjcQoIPsqEcONFcVTpw4q8xxjHEncRBBCr-xRIqgxSwIWtHolQA/s1280/IMG_0618.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYSG47AWef59HC2BBAjlk6u9I68F0zSEW2_QudBFuCefSAFutLKLqdeooJ7DI7lOI2Y9fgSZCjnjY6ItBK-g4BFeQwVC1xiAD2pwi1hgDZRU7ScJi9g4xvsW8GFfHk0FqdrGNh34UKjcQoIPsqEcONFcVTpw4q8xxjHEncRBBCr-xRIqgxSwIWtHolQA/w400-h300/IMG_0618.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p>It was too bad that we only had that first night of visiting with Massi and the girls, as they had a concert in Milan to get to. We learned later that they got sick with Covid they thought they picked up at the concert and for a few weeks everyone in the household was sick. </p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: For travel during Covid, be sure to bring along any vaccination documents, thermometers, meds, covid test kits, extra masks for the places that might require them, sanitizer or wipes, and check with your airline and arrival countries to see if they require you use an app like Verifly, or need to provide negative test results or affidavits. Last year we watched Americans absolutely meltdown at the airport in Reykjavik because they didn't check ahead of time and hadn't gone through the process to be allowed back in the US. </span></p><p>You might know that I studied abroad in Italy in college, and for a while my Italian was pretty good. I was one of 2 in our group who interpreted for the other students, made reservations, ordered food, etc. Since it had now been 12 years since we'd been back in Italy, my Italian was pretty rusty, but I was picking it up again pretty quickly. On our last day in Italy though, I felt like my spoken Italian was actually getting worse instead of better, which made no sense! I wonder if it's possible that I was mentally preparing to switch over to French the next day, and that affected it?</p><p>Side note: One of the things we noticed driving through Tuscany this July was that the fields of sunflowers were all dried up. Between the extreme heat and the drought (we were told there had been no rain for months) the fields were dead. Olive trees were dead. It was sad to see, and to think of the economic hardship on the farmers. On top of that there were forest fires everywhere, entire hillsides burning or a blackened crust, and fires right along the side of the road, which we would see as we drove through Italy and into the France. Once we crossed over into France, electronic signs along the roads warned people not to toss their cigarette butts out of their cars. I've never been driving and seen so many fires. </p><p>It was a fast 2 days in Lucignano, but it was time to say arrivederci to Italia, and drive to our next stop in Provence, France!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbbkGINum8V8DrWCeZ5_94Hba04vh-ZeHbw1KTz-zFICoMcL3v9gFlP9uR5xM-uHCyqpzfR1bI_AfeWCd3Wx5EIzRldRNn1k0nGH4EUaOVdf1XMNgfM-PHQBmj7jxvLTG7wdxij0Vh3MNOELV-GWRu5BjrdR1BKjHNH-Wk_J072NW5I3JoHlKHWEXTg/s640/IMG_0126.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjbbkGINum8V8DrWCeZ5_94Hba04vh-ZeHbw1KTz-zFICoMcL3v9gFlP9uR5xM-uHCyqpzfR1bI_AfeWCd3Wx5EIzRldRNn1k0nGH4EUaOVdf1XMNgfM-PHQBmj7jxvLTG7wdxij0Vh3MNOELV-GWRu5BjrdR1BKjHNH-Wk_J072NW5I3JoHlKHWEXTg/w400-h300/IMG_0126.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Next stop, Provence via the Italian Riviera!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gdwyRhJufxajSCqmMAvT2e4CHXorzET9uc_iSqh4FYfZ04vrlQ71BG0fn5RTPKfT2zRY4ad4UfXbHQLwpImHUD0ntKJtj_D2j60_KI6JtmcVN7L-NfzBW1Wb6Vu83eC1YEcDfdRpAzkt-mMaocKp3i6uioyb9-3fXowCEsktJikHlXR_WAAyxzzXFA/s640/IMG_0127.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1gdwyRhJufxajSCqmMAvT2e4CHXorzET9uc_iSqh4FYfZ04vrlQ71BG0fn5RTPKfT2zRY4ad4UfXbHQLwpImHUD0ntKJtj_D2j60_KI6JtmcVN7L-NfzBW1Wb6Vu83eC1YEcDfdRpAzkt-mMaocKp3i6uioyb9-3fXowCEsktJikHlXR_WAAyxzzXFA/w300-h400/IMG_0127.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was a full day's drive.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></div><div>Come back to read Chapter 4 of our trip, a quick stop at a dreamy little chateau!<br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-8691042577147970222023-01-04T16:12:00.002-05:002023-01-05T07:47:35.594-05:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 2 - The Return to Roma!<p>[This post follows the previous post in the series of our Summer "Friendship Tour" and picks up as we'd just left our European landing pad, Ireland.]</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyUo46P66d1nDxlSixQcsX4J2TDRU67XzJXuA5A3iP-IhJfwVeG5qR357Xcwx5DlPbn5gXBnHHtYM8ipJ5bux8ly--xti3lwO6TI5Zx_naJ7umGmlqeUxHHsEv3qnzX3yuGIxKEyHk7OuhgE4_V6bbVUcRmpD8nqqxvWblo7KiQ1NhiPaH7bYzyf4qQ/s640/IMG_9833.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkyUo46P66d1nDxlSixQcsX4J2TDRU67XzJXuA5A3iP-IhJfwVeG5qR357Xcwx5DlPbn5gXBnHHtYM8ipJ5bux8ly--xti3lwO6TI5Zx_naJ7umGmlqeUxHHsEv3qnzX3yuGIxKEyHk7OuhgE4_V6bbVUcRmpD8nqqxvWblo7KiQ1NhiPaH7bYzyf4qQ/w300-h400/IMG_9833.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p>A quick flight from Dublin to Rome on AerLingus, and courtesy of our brilliant Roman friend Monica, we arrived to find a driver waiting for us at the airport with our name on a sign. We were super dorky/excited about it, and it was nice to have a van to ourselves to get into the city.</p><p>Despite the fact that Rome was no where near where we were headed to in France for the wedding (the main reason for our trip to Europe), we had the time and really wanted to visit our dear friends (see where I'm going with the Friendship Tour theme?) The kids were genuinely excited to see Rome, as we hadn't been since 2012 maybe, and truly they didn't remember it much. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_nLn0Z6uXILwwyQ08C1XJBmhOFT4uZ_-qPNQOHAeqgbq7NjKsDqhXXi4GdsWiiUPTJPg_IOlwtMU6UdyFKuEQOcBxKFLdttGTQJjg7iGF07BbyC_JNYV3Gw-xPoA2GsKWXN_p6Hi9hz-S3rubKJ7mmXGOLxnxxdvC0qTAg_w9sa8flwIt5CIQWvuHg/s640/IMG_4103.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju_nLn0Z6uXILwwyQ08C1XJBmhOFT4uZ_-qPNQOHAeqgbq7NjKsDqhXXi4GdsWiiUPTJPg_IOlwtMU6UdyFKuEQOcBxKFLdttGTQJjg7iGF07BbyC_JNYV3Gw-xPoA2GsKWXN_p6Hi9hz-S3rubKJ7mmXGOLxnxxdvC0qTAg_w9sa8flwIt5CIQWvuHg/w400-h300/IMG_4103.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A welcome walk in the Villa Borghese with longtime friends.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>We had so many amazing meals on our trip this Summer, and of course Rome did not disappoint! We're all in agreement that our favorite meals in Rome were the ones around Monica & Gaetano's table...beautiful fresh burrata and tomatoes, pastas, fresh ripe fruit. (The grilled feast at Simona & Massimo's in Lucignano is at the top of the list too, along with a meal we had in Bordeaux.) Btw, when we did eat out, I ate ALL the caccio e pepe, all the burrata & tomatoes, the prosciutto, pizza and the gelato...and somehow I lost weight! (It turns out it's fairly common - must be a combination of better food and more walking?) My fave thing to drink in Rome other than prosecco, coffee drinks (Italy is where I fell in love with my breakfast cappuccino & afternoon espresso) and liters of mineral water, is the peach iced tea. It just hits differently there. You thought I was going to say wine, right? Or maybe an Aperol spritz? Nope, it's the peach iced tea!</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEZ6KpPOh_zdF9a_CLkXGz1nckyUkhpiLgtXYRGi7Vr9vy1XstDKsz3f_910DQPseWt684KuCo1JbL6P1O80MUSSyptfgcTPXwvsLmfOXZ9WRqvD7FxPzL7uGd0yvLzxwIOmB905JPUG7RdgOrD6MCUaNq-Pzjkfnbd0EaCj093LTs-8zcd7WEPdlA/s640/IMG_9914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4VEZ6KpPOh_zdF9a_CLkXGz1nckyUkhpiLgtXYRGi7Vr9vy1XstDKsz3f_910DQPseWt684KuCo1JbL6P1O80MUSSyptfgcTPXwvsLmfOXZ9WRqvD7FxPzL7uGd0yvLzxwIOmB905JPUG7RdgOrD6MCUaNq-Pzjkfnbd0EaCj093LTs-8zcd7WEPdlA/w400-h300/IMG_9914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmvjO_ZnrD6sFWGAusRM3CawjQIzcitr_jzoPJqflA0pw7McCSPVHeLSzd_cKS9DaOW4hcfGboDf9ifOmGvwfNcOPn7eRZIBkxx7WsoSRTC4TiHYgoyhve4n3AJm270v5V_vqTRdjBJDg4HU7ArU4_55OrnrlwREMqb0uY6TdjQycn3kHsAZ013vp1Q/s640/IMG_9926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPmvjO_ZnrD6sFWGAusRM3CawjQIzcitr_jzoPJqflA0pw7McCSPVHeLSzd_cKS9DaOW4hcfGboDf9ifOmGvwfNcOPn7eRZIBkxx7WsoSRTC4TiHYgoyhve4n3AJm270v5V_vqTRdjBJDg4HU7ArU4_55OrnrlwREMqb0uY6TdjQycn3kHsAZ013vp1Q/w300-h400/IMG_9926.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cooling down in the extreme heat - always find the shade!</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Of course Rome is rich in so many things besides food, such as culture, history, art, fashion, and for us, great friends. Quick backstory as to why we have friends in Rome: when Scott was 19 he was backpacking through Italy and ended up working at a Summer camp in Tuscany owned by Monica's family. He ended up going back every Summer for 10 years (including the Summer I came along and spent 2 weeks there, before doing my study abroad program in Urbino) and now 35 years later, these friends are still like family, and we sometimes meet up in other cities/countries to get together (last time was in Prague a few years back!) Monica & Gaetano are amazing hosts, and we were thrilled to also spend time with Gabriele, and that Guglielmo came to share a prosecco with us.</p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86K_aiB9UVkh6zbLnjf2QcCOjvk5zQNFHl8q8bhjPYMjOGiJXEdc4zTMs-4R8L_aLHtjHGmLol4hRrF-TWKikS7DRoounKck0IgA4BNbo5qp8i0EzJkNvWF1Sz2Za7tWITJCS-SbW0CyMkIrYh3cYbLQxbJ5PXk0aEeP4yMRjALR4K5gpeu5YThKsVQ/s640/IMG_9983.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg86K_aiB9UVkh6zbLnjf2QcCOjvk5zQNFHl8q8bhjPYMjOGiJXEdc4zTMs-4R8L_aLHtjHGmLol4hRrF-TWKikS7DRoounKck0IgA4BNbo5qp8i0EzJkNvWF1Sz2Za7tWITJCS-SbW0CyMkIrYh3cYbLQxbJ5PXk0aEeP4yMRjALR4K5gpeu5YThKsVQ/w400-h300/IMG_9983.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>While we spent some time out with the kids on our own, it was so lovely to have our favorite Romans as tour guides, showing us things we never would have found on our own, and sneaking us into spaces to see a few things that were absolutely fabulous. It was great to revisit some of the classic places for the kids, and it was fun to see so many sights we hadn't seen before - there is just so much to see and do. The kids went off on their own a few times. Some of my friends think that's pretty wild to let them go off in a city they don't know, but they're older now (16 & 18) and they're resourceful and experienced. One of their outings was renting bikes in Villa Borghese and then going shopping at the local market to stock their room with snacks. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4SNJ-T5h9aPIeFY24C0xtJI86mrUxs-cGCw22N1KJCmwV1Wawb84ZiYwQrxKCrH49t2jbdXcC2SRHtH5qJeJuWmjwpPKQRjSL8bZIlDrvSGX_kOwLy3LcaYVZb5-xh0EDSei4xKBBpgDCS_KMAhGkxBnovnbBsT_KK9Dm4XosweCZ_RsAldCo8PK4A/s1024/15181757-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="768" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip4SNJ-T5h9aPIeFY24C0xtJI86mrUxs-cGCw22N1KJCmwV1Wawb84ZiYwQrxKCrH49t2jbdXcC2SRHtH5qJeJuWmjwpPKQRjSL8bZIlDrvSGX_kOwLy3LcaYVZb5-xh0EDSei4xKBBpgDCS_KMAhGkxBnovnbBsT_KK9Dm4XosweCZ_RsAldCo8PK4A/w300-h400/15181757-.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><p>I wasn't prepared for how hot it was in Rome this visit. I've been 4 (?) times before, always in the Summer, but it's never been this hot. Unlike Barcelona, with it's tree-lined streets, there's not much shade in Rome. Still, we ventured out early, and visited dark churches, air-conditioned museums, catacombs, walked and rode e-bikes & e-scooters in the shade of Villa Borghese, and stopped to drink peach iced teas in historic cafés when we got too hot, before heading back for a siesta. We strolled our favorite piazze, and fountains, cooled off with gelatos we searched for in narrow streets away from the tourists, and found the alchemist's magic portal. We walked to a local restaurant for fabulous dinners and met new friends. One night we visited an exhibition that had the most incredible historic mosaics and sculptures. If you've never had the experience of an emotional reaction to art, I hope that one day you do. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLgrQ7GtG9WS7scFAYnDEUUFqmKu83IJ8dFf7qbayPHHi99OvZViFebbfVq2XP536E55zx51WcBph3GpN6sRiaz_a7-M-atBmMphC3P2fmvrPLKqVbE-GFNOMNndSyUSW4eG5-hw0Rf9fkydZ_m19vCGVpRhxcZXDbsNqLni3WSJ7EwqExWkY03N0ag/s640/IMG_9867.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLgrQ7GtG9WS7scFAYnDEUUFqmKu83IJ8dFf7qbayPHHi99OvZViFebbfVq2XP536E55zx51WcBph3GpN6sRiaz_a7-M-atBmMphC3P2fmvrPLKqVbE-GFNOMNndSyUSW4eG5-hw0Rf9fkydZ_m19vCGVpRhxcZXDbsNqLni3WSJ7EwqExWkY03N0ag/w400-h300/IMG_9867.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Many walks with Monica to show us beauty we would not have found on our own.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Z9xm6cS1FGtUBwB_dYho8OB_rqbVnl5IeR8fq03rFbPeY21CPueVFS_-jHWeohGQmBSM26POMIEGILNO1yG9gN6Be7xzxKtnRqPixcvkHivpqL_a5K2rcVtLyd_hvojOy9x5r5RoQEqLjUiZf1iWtPJ0ze8vqaB6TzhaRGuXFeZjqAXVCjl6_dsjg/s640/IMG_9883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiA_Z9xm6cS1FGtUBwB_dYho8OB_rqbVnl5IeR8fq03rFbPeY21CPueVFS_-jHWeohGQmBSM26POMIEGILNO1yG9gN6Be7xzxKtnRqPixcvkHivpqL_a5K2rcVtLyd_hvojOy9x5r5RoQEqLjUiZf1iWtPJ0ze8vqaB6TzhaRGuXFeZjqAXVCjl6_dsjg/w400-h300/IMG_9883.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloXLJFxKSZQMA3PscfIDLXZIXM8jWu6uvk25T-HEMpGs6t3FJ1btb_ugzCGX-6V_jQ4SN9_8_E9twVhFFmXlo2DTNCA37_f30cytpBqN9vUwcnoOY-U2oINgL8jj42HW7G5Uu_8W9x1iva_fqX2qrnhVmOMKL9TkCuTM6qMp3E9BEZZ2E34_V0ocIBw/s640/IMG_9886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgloXLJFxKSZQMA3PscfIDLXZIXM8jWu6uvk25T-HEMpGs6t3FJ1btb_ugzCGX-6V_jQ4SN9_8_E9twVhFFmXlo2DTNCA37_f30cytpBqN9vUwcnoOY-U2oINgL8jj42HW7G5Uu_8W9x1iva_fqX2qrnhVmOMKL9TkCuTM6qMp3E9BEZZ2E34_V0ocIBw/w300-h400/IMG_9886.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: Buy European sunscreen, and use it! It's better than what we get here in the states. Also, ask the locals what they use for insect repellent. I had over 20 mosquito bites by the time we left Rome.</span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfeDWcT_BxmwKmuEuYPszvzutGYz6ryFKl-Xzcxdy6YEUhnYhtcMC4m6CMRqIUTWYQxZxYDCLMwp1gxGMvfrI9YmAdcuMSLTxeeyTRljuiqQdE5paTF1pzx61nT-Ik8eE0RViGS05znbwZxom0vKKS0s4iMJjJ8BFQDJDSRBpdDFysbTRx_yaVsiVbw/s640/IMG_9843.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="481" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAfeDWcT_BxmwKmuEuYPszvzutGYz6ryFKl-Xzcxdy6YEUhnYhtcMC4m6CMRqIUTWYQxZxYDCLMwp1gxGMvfrI9YmAdcuMSLTxeeyTRljuiqQdE5paTF1pzx61nT-Ik8eE0RViGS05znbwZxom0vKKS0s4iMJjJ8BFQDJDSRBpdDFysbTRx_yaVsiVbw/w301-h400/IMG_9843.jpg" width="301" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is my "we're about to have another amazing meal at Monica & Gaetano's table" happy glow!</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">"Un sogno di un viaggio" ~ A dream of a trip. Even after 25 years of visiting Italy, I still have that feeling. Our time in Rome went by too quickly, and it was time to head to Tuscany on the next leg of our journey. </span></p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFk-hnGNsmuUst8Bs-0gTOwVL9ts_8esWxAOYy1HgT6Xn3M5lEm8H1xno5OHgViDRRQm5GnpGwEZK7UN5pH_Ry1zWnCTI-O8B3aGrHiE8l7yNeSXeIdM2uVPErYEariOwPOpY-tNtjBn-sucwt8rUWC7vJrb6kupGgSkPw2bIzenxnLZc9WVGJv2flA/s1024/8e86e43a-.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="576" data-original-width="1024" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrFk-hnGNsmuUst8Bs-0gTOwVL9ts_8esWxAOYy1HgT6Xn3M5lEm8H1xno5OHgViDRRQm5GnpGwEZK7UN5pH_Ry1zWnCTI-O8B3aGrHiE8l7yNeSXeIdM2uVPErYEariOwPOpY-tNtjBn-sucwt8rUWC7vJrb6kupGgSkPw2bIzenxnLZc9WVGJv2flA/w400-h225/8e86e43a-.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Packing up our car for the next several weeks of cruising around Europe. I missed them instantly!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="background-color: white;"><br /></span></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-86899790764128039312022-10-11T18:13:00.002-04:002022-10-11T18:13:43.609-04:00Summer Travels 2022 - The Friendship Tour - Chapter 1 - Galway<p>I've been home for almost 8 weeks now and it's funny how our 4+ weeks of travel already feels like it was ages ago. As the kids have gotten older, I'm so profoundly grateful for the time we spent together as a family, and for the time we got to spend with the most wonderful friends scattered across our trip. That was really the theme of this trip...a friendship tour...sparked by a wedding invitation to our friends' son's wedding on the coast in Bretagne, France. It was another epic trip (with both ups & downs) with many interesting chapters or stops along the way.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmya2HMFkRttkVOdthblx-BeZscTxO69jgM8nZ6DMkExZ2MXDMuHVOMeT7K4MOJaJeWQN25gH5KmI-zA-eCh1PXUoNBR8qaXvQlaQGKF7glH0yh3fbIxfZAw4lRtGu9yINYbaaVloLv36BIW6MatYNCKrwa9_AoOhNQytvpTjmdKirVrPrs8vBOtJFQQ/s1024/IMG_3945.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmya2HMFkRttkVOdthblx-BeZscTxO69jgM8nZ6DMkExZ2MXDMuHVOMeT7K4MOJaJeWQN25gH5KmI-zA-eCh1PXUoNBR8qaXvQlaQGKF7glH0yh3fbIxfZAw4lRtGu9yINYbaaVloLv36BIW6MatYNCKrwa9_AoOhNQytvpTjmdKirVrPrs8vBOtJFQQ/w400-h300/IMG_3945.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting dropped off in Boston</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p>Chapter 1 - Galway, Ireland</p><p>We love Ireland, and have been lucky enough to visit twice before. (Thank you <a href="http://www.aerlingus.com" target="_blank">Aer Lingus</a> for being a really friendly airline! SO happy to hear they are resuming service to/from Hartford in 2023!) On one of those past visits, one magical night at dinner in a pub in Killarney, which we had walked to from our beautiful Bed & Breakfast, <a href="https://friarsglen.ie/" target="_blank">Friar's Glen</a>, we met a lovely girl and her lovely mum. We got on so well that we decided to meet up for dinner again the next night, where the kids learned some traditional Irish dances with our new friends and the live band! She & our son stayed in touch and 5 years later (Covid had cancelled our 2020 visit) we met up with Ellen on her home turf in Galway, on the West Coast.</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcYWJ673TMHwvPAatOKnx4KeA7MLUSz-TJayKkipgwc1n0jHs2Go1EXHGnEC_Zj_zzhP0WrtXFDkiGGajom72mNaSlcYnkok3u8OjlgxNFi0B1AdPsCHZyFXbIBnpvMHiyvA1cemS5WpsLd-O95hZpgp3jvQSYMRmD-rkgyD_otQLniLccvFu2MkitQ/s640/IMG_9772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOcYWJ673TMHwvPAatOKnx4KeA7MLUSz-TJayKkipgwc1n0jHs2Go1EXHGnEC_Zj_zzhP0WrtXFDkiGGajom72mNaSlcYnkok3u8OjlgxNFi0B1AdPsCHZyFXbIBnpvMHiyvA1cemS5WpsLd-O95hZpgp3jvQSYMRmD-rkgyD_otQLniLccvFu2MkitQ/w300-h400/IMG_9772.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2022 - Reunited in Galway</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCPuIZKVtTffYlsBqPdiH2u8zQbqgGpY2THvYSSeHuk81eydz0fLNlsKciyqmcCkzXY9sBcjRDCyZMO5a1emQGQ5A1pJ2vdX1GmQTxAWzZBx9XsS-y219dQlshFkw5Z6QEHM6sRkxOylnYwOBn-N3BrcYTXjZq5FD81qGCbNx-Iz9daUFPTyv9nRIOA/s640/IMG_3765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNCPuIZKVtTffYlsBqPdiH2u8zQbqgGpY2THvYSSeHuk81eydz0fLNlsKciyqmcCkzXY9sBcjRDCyZMO5a1emQGQ5A1pJ2vdX1GmQTxAWzZBx9XsS-y219dQlshFkw5Z6QEHM6sRkxOylnYwOBn-N3BrcYTXjZq5FD81qGCbNx-Iz9daUFPTyv9nRIOA/w300-h400/IMG_3765.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">2017 -Look at how young they were!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc886Qyq5UtMt2i2xH7G998BXDf9tjztjQaPDleY4ucldQeazj2DZY7e2ByGuRuUZJBOs3TwVJiuFZDtQebs9FJIxGrzzJ03nxiDFQQirUBt5K54pL4HeTQLP7kLLnoV9hPqhoyBvtb1XCPg-finOL_beUjPcd5RRBuGzJ_39uLAEIe_N-WjnonNUNOQ/s640/IMG_9630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc886Qyq5UtMt2i2xH7G998BXDf9tjztjQaPDleY4ucldQeazj2DZY7e2ByGuRuUZJBOs3TwVJiuFZDtQebs9FJIxGrzzJ03nxiDFQQirUBt5K54pL4HeTQLP7kLLnoV9hPqhoyBvtb1XCPg-finOL_beUjPcd5RRBuGzJ_39uLAEIe_N-WjnonNUNOQ/w400-h300/IMG_9630.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">International Travel Tip: I always give our first couple of days a very loose schedule as we adjust to the time difference and get over the jet lag, especially as we always travel overnight from the East Coast of the US and land early with almost no sleep. I also try to book a comfortable space/inn/house/apartment for us to be able to rest, and that is within walking distance to amenities, or at least to cafés or groceries.</span></p><p>There is something so welcoming and familiar about Ireland, and I will go back again & again. It's so easy to get to from the East Coast. If you were to say to me that we have tickets to fly there tonight, I will have my bag ready to go in about 30min. (The key is to travel light, have your toiletry bag always at the ready, as well as adapters & charging cords already in a travel pouch. Don't worry about not having currency on hand - everywhere we went there accepted credit cards, and you can buy whatever you need once you get there. Oh, and since it's Ireland, bring a jacket, even in Summertime!) We have perfected travel with just a carry-on each (even on the 6 week trip we took!) and I fell in love with the <a href="http://www.awaytravel.com" target="_blank">Away</a> carry-on when my son got his years ago, and now we own 3. They're well-designed and roll so smoothly. Dublin Airport, btw, makes travel a breeze. We've never had a problem flying through there. </p><p><span style="background-color: #d9ead3;">Travel Tip: If you do have to check a bag, like we did for our son's backpack which he is using to backpack solo across Europe right now, consider putting in a tracker, like an AirTag or Tile, so you track it if the bag doesn't make it to baggage claim. </span></p><p>In the past, we've stayed in guest houses and the friendliest Bed & Breakfasts. Especially in Ireland, I'd recommend considering these since no one does hospitality like the Irish, and we've been known to make friends from sharing a breakfast table. On this trip, since it was our 1st stop and our "decompression" location, I booked a great 3 bedroom apartment on AirBnB right in the center of downtown Galway (just 1 block from a parking garage and also one block away from the shops & pubs, so it was quiet save for the seagulls.) We were given a warm Irish welcome by Clarence, who had pre-stocked the kitchen with some goodies for the kids and even a few beers for Scott, who was delighted!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsP5LFcxgGCHHGtnNwQ5qdf-mg-RPIk07rSz6ywPIy6Wc0qkUrQtmkGUqdr5Evcx4vge2KeEfJd9VxWCiKeq7_wOo8wHWT0nnA5HOws9e7X8AIqB01Z8ICOHOwoQzI8tZLZSxA-WPG3fr5UGmO-E8LA0k7v8dlEYax0xZsWVTvblAkhmt0SQ6_L69Jg/s640/67923951341__11A7D79B-CFA3-4D83-A92E-53266F853528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipsP5LFcxgGCHHGtnNwQ5qdf-mg-RPIk07rSz6ywPIy6Wc0qkUrQtmkGUqdr5Evcx4vge2KeEfJd9VxWCiKeq7_wOo8wHWT0nnA5HOws9e7X8AIqB01Z8ICOHOwoQzI8tZLZSxA-WPG3fr5UGmO-E8LA0k7v8dlEYax0xZsWVTvblAkhmt0SQ6_L69Jg/w400-h300/67923951341__11A7D79B-CFA3-4D83-A92E-53266F853528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy Living Room</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81tm1EaFl5zoGlqci-xTJcpb4hEpFaVntYdFnAD5aXrmkTpS30mTPsPmFgVoSn9jGsmXTmzBEfc8_dAs3Rijcv7_GG_JsMPdpQpI5SNnihX83GjN75Id-Jgaf8QvPV-F7pS8t8cYQByDfOl4Y7hGLcxuUyxM9-bZbP4X5Eh2So4e_y_Va_lh5dIQnHg/s640/IMG_9619.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81tm1EaFl5zoGlqci-xTJcpb4hEpFaVntYdFnAD5aXrmkTpS30mTPsPmFgVoSn9jGsmXTmzBEfc8_dAs3Rijcv7_GG_JsMPdpQpI5SNnihX83GjN75Id-Jgaf8QvPV-F7pS8t8cYQByDfOl4Y7hGLcxuUyxM9-bZbP4X5Eh2So4e_y_Va_lh5dIQnHg/w400-h300/IMG_9619.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our apartment had a rooftop terrace</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Our son was so happy to reunite with his friend after all these years! I wish I'd been there to witness their hellos. He also met up with other friends he'd made through her, and they took him out to experience the local pub scene. Ellen took us to <a href="http://www.pascal.ie/" target="_blank">Pascal</a>, a cozy coffee & pancake house that I had wanted to try and can highly recommend (get coffees and share a pancake order - they're huge!) She joined us for the day as we stopped in Clifden for a pub lunch at <a href="https://guysbarclifden.com/" target="_blank">Guy's Bar</a> (my dad's name was Guy, so it felt like a sign we should go there, and the food was excellent) and walked around town for a while, popping into shops. Later we explored beautiful <a href="https://www.kylemoreabbey.com/?utm_source=mybusiness&utm_medium=organic" target="_blank">Kylemore Abbey</a> and the grounds, lit candles for my dad and Ellen's grandfather in the chapel, then found beautiful sandy beaches, and hiked in <a href="https://national-parks.org/ireland/connemara" target="_blank">Connemara National Park</a> with views that just stopped you in your tracks. The scenic drive back through hills reminded me a bit of driving in Iceland, complete with sheep, and singing in the car. It was my favorite day in Galway. Do you ever have those moments when it hits you how beautiful life can be? I've been lucky enough to recognize several of these, and I hope the memory of that day in Galway will stay with me. I tried to get some photos to help. That day was pretty perfect.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDihXucSC63zyJ2JrvybcX4hJDi6JouUG9wDd2HdoHh8HYRZthdbcP0Yd6FZEm1U56hw4Ibx_82WHF-MymQGmc7B2LXuIjpL5HReBYa9qTjVfyXaTBMTTQxK9JjRbsq_CVDJUF9ujn8cCG-kQa5P-IpC_PMFA4uNI5pVhs1bg3Aq74nV_KqnWXMHQ4A/s640/IMG_9698.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDihXucSC63zyJ2JrvybcX4hJDi6JouUG9wDd2HdoHh8HYRZthdbcP0Yd6FZEm1U56hw4Ibx_82WHF-MymQGmc7B2LXuIjpL5HReBYa9qTjVfyXaTBMTTQxK9JjRbsq_CVDJUF9ujn8cCG-kQa5P-IpC_PMFA4uNI5pVhs1bg3Aq74nV_KqnWXMHQ4A/w300-h400/IMG_9698.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRU0GOtipe0lRzm9cMQqqqp2gbLB4W9uK-wYBXD3DFDUdCqkPBDaKl7d34bQHgfnGRracjg16LOdd50WtHw7xeLmbE1tFsXkoLeENmofXCykbVEG8qBUNgpgViP7KtDF22voW22xVh5VSh19apNo2LiM1nOqp_xpXxLA1ZyCAdSdBf9gcRHOH1xsN4A/s640/IMG_9705.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvRU0GOtipe0lRzm9cMQqqqp2gbLB4W9uK-wYBXD3DFDUdCqkPBDaKl7d34bQHgfnGRracjg16LOdd50WtHw7xeLmbE1tFsXkoLeENmofXCykbVEG8qBUNgpgViP7KtDF22voW22xVh5VSh19apNo2LiM1nOqp_xpXxLA1ZyCAdSdBf9gcRHOH1xsN4A/w400-h300/IMG_9705.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylemore Abbey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rp0CwIsu-SBOulb_7d1KJ_fnqecuRDNaIyI2mXXKw94J_tIfLuWhnRQ2OKYLwRAGARZH3pZk5NrlyJxr6UxlJLUeWLksKxct62TEcDkWu0NBv7xWSmsNaxhS8MCkgkBLLHLT-X42Sj8IF7pN9dmLpH_RcCdc2AA0a9cAdaqYqzoXGhehCzeiS_JKig/s640/IMG_9722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Rp0CwIsu-SBOulb_7d1KJ_fnqecuRDNaIyI2mXXKw94J_tIfLuWhnRQ2OKYLwRAGARZH3pZk5NrlyJxr6UxlJLUeWLksKxct62TEcDkWu0NBv7xWSmsNaxhS8MCkgkBLLHLT-X42Sj8IF7pN9dmLpH_RcCdc2AA0a9cAdaqYqzoXGhehCzeiS_JKig/w300-h400/IMG_9722.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chapel at Kylemore Abbey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zGi3H5ltzWUw1maEaGDsLpaL6zXzhnyw5-pU67V3GaBB7Tikv5JL8Nmi7cZ5sdGlNgp8Lr4zK8R1oE6bGyfbSpHrjOduPubCYSxCuoPCrmtRKmpSVcb2dt_NL1IqcI_UV8nFwHehGmZLDqX-2mvxss6JrduJP3R1kVR2zXupS9GWJ0iKVNeCmKURmw/s640/IMG_9730%20(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0zGi3H5ltzWUw1maEaGDsLpaL6zXzhnyw5-pU67V3GaBB7Tikv5JL8Nmi7cZ5sdGlNgp8Lr4zK8R1oE6bGyfbSpHrjOduPubCYSxCuoPCrmtRKmpSVcb2dt_NL1IqcI_UV8nFwHehGmZLDqX-2mvxss6JrduJP3R1kVR2zXupS9GWJ0iKVNeCmKURmw/w300-h400/IMG_9730%20(1).jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kylemore Abbey</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinQUBfiDc-q1NLQ-LcCWbbHgDxMt4BqxcCgXwc6Vu3zrWfO_3VyWAN1ThQzvIPSMC-nbgRR6flKnDS-QmiCYit3SxkW03XkgxdbO232KHZMJzIazY4f-wZWaFCYh8Lt2wofctYxg-Vi--Ed1d9TWIFUWyQu7FO3GvIAc5ILVXBqy-Deo-YzoLOsjzYA/s640/IMG_9738.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiinQUBfiDc-q1NLQ-LcCWbbHgDxMt4BqxcCgXwc6Vu3zrWfO_3VyWAN1ThQzvIPSMC-nbgRR6flKnDS-QmiCYit3SxkW03XkgxdbO232KHZMJzIazY4f-wZWaFCYh8Lt2wofctYxg-Vi--Ed1d9TWIFUWyQu7FO3GvIAc5ILVXBqy-Deo-YzoLOsjzYA/w400-h300/IMG_9738.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beginning of the hike at Connemara </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwmzR_nEjqM3niBg0DYNXvpkLftnowaAzptD8bGyE_qwreZSkMXvUxgO96ph9TL4ap3sgbY3HpKvJalgnQOhTi9LjJP0p988ibAxrxZ_pfWUz2y6Oy1L6WoP1DHEyH4V9m-8rICjxli7K9NB3KNnjGMPcdRzqxwnLH_WO9jS-OKgbd95fGZ6Uiaep2Q/s640/IMG_9739.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizwmzR_nEjqM3niBg0DYNXvpkLftnowaAzptD8bGyE_qwreZSkMXvUxgO96ph9TL4ap3sgbY3HpKvJalgnQOhTi9LjJP0p988ibAxrxZ_pfWUz2y6Oy1L6WoP1DHEyH4V9m-8rICjxli7K9NB3KNnjGMPcdRzqxwnLH_WO9jS-OKgbd95fGZ6Uiaep2Q/w400-h300/IMG_9739.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views from Connemara</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKGQmgRtNjvalDR1AxtiVc_T-0s0jqPYrFqSqSe8Eon16XMkRsqjkF79mGlG_5lU0IRddJnVLy6j9uio02BIlurEpkMk4dlBvRE5DwCyN4XOxbmOivUiMb01OG3C4kTY0LqgGOKWZs6w5-lMRMlb-Mumi5xpKSnAxFXVXu3Oyuc6MB4QpPPe_a8l8Xg/s640/IMG_9741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAKGQmgRtNjvalDR1AxtiVc_T-0s0jqPYrFqSqSe8Eon16XMkRsqjkF79mGlG_5lU0IRddJnVLy6j9uio02BIlurEpkMk4dlBvRE5DwCyN4XOxbmOivUiMb01OG3C4kTY0LqgGOKWZs6w5-lMRMlb-Mumi5xpKSnAxFXVXu3Oyuc6MB4QpPPe_a8l8Xg/w400-h300/IMG_9741.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Views at Connemara - just stunning!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sTWpIWqlTxREFO3C134kz3aocpDA4jWtqRCNSwwpJCDpdfnnVueLbkdQAQr-MnNNRZ4Ty0ujh83bGWifQItLa2BsOPj6gchrl5D4CUjER9rhM8DHhdjTLwakq05FcfTwxL2Ts401nuxCkGWZKxvzJ-_TCg3JIPtlSeB6btz-4dfqnWi45R7Eu0bXXA/s640/IMG_9749.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3sTWpIWqlTxREFO3C134kz3aocpDA4jWtqRCNSwwpJCDpdfnnVueLbkdQAQr-MnNNRZ4Ty0ujh83bGWifQItLa2BsOPj6gchrl5D4CUjER9rhM8DHhdjTLwakq05FcfTwxL2Ts401nuxCkGWZKxvzJ-_TCg3JIPtlSeB6btz-4dfqnWi45R7Eu0bXXA/w300-h400/IMG_9749.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking past horse pastures</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnuS8pG7pZqR8ARc6HuLZyUi3lbVu8rVbc2fcdGnONT5-IdVm75syVp3a2aPscuDepO5kWfFkEM-I3apxDi3MA9h1BJI76v9mPcWoJzkJeAsVHUYvTv5uWL0gAco0k6Vt47QdfK8RtG98Np3B-V2ny2Xcf_BxiFV35z3_H2c5LOQp18DhVCceVjG-YQ/s640/IMG_9755.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggnuS8pG7pZqR8ARc6HuLZyUi3lbVu8rVbc2fcdGnONT5-IdVm75syVp3a2aPscuDepO5kWfFkEM-I3apxDi3MA9h1BJI76v9mPcWoJzkJeAsVHUYvTv5uWL0gAco0k6Vt47QdfK8RtG98Np3B-V2ny2Xcf_BxiFV35z3_H2c5LOQp18DhVCceVjG-YQ/w400-h300/IMG_9755.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Driving back to the city</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB3fNFFQBO4opaIf2irsvYYSHSqtiwqXyROf4j9oD8KfCD7NX5f-AUE9eB9_HFMSoCL8DpnEvzww9DojXraXei6LiXEivTuhnaYKQ0QjAd-EdnSOj2Yjlh9wAEL7NBRHfvQPFzyD3W5phaAXIgMrWyu-gyBEGiuZueI9FN66rmt1zbzFcDB-_cITUUw/s640/IMG_2765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiB3fNFFQBO4opaIf2irsvYYSHSqtiwqXyROf4j9oD8KfCD7NX5f-AUE9eB9_HFMSoCL8DpnEvzww9DojXraXei6LiXEivTuhnaYKQ0QjAd-EdnSOj2Yjlh9wAEL7NBRHfvQPFzyD3W5phaAXIgMrWyu-gyBEGiuZueI9FN66rmt1zbzFcDB-_cITUUw/w300-h400/IMG_2765.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of my fave photos. 2 friends.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>One of the things we learned in Galway was that the Irish eat dinner early, and so restaurants & pubs generally don't serve food past 9pm. Between the jet lag and the sun not setting until after 10pm, we did have trouble finding a place to eat, but a friendly local pointed out the one restaurant still serving, a middle eastern restaurant, which was filled with tourists like us who had missed dinner. Another thing we learned in Galway was the Guinness pint glass drinking challenge - to get to the mid-point of the G in the first gulp. Scott tried, but it's harder than it looks!</p><p>Galway was a great stop for a few days! If we had an extra day or 2, I would have added more hiking to our itinerary, and gone to <a href="https://www.burrennationalpark.ie/" target="_blank">Burren National Park</a>. It was on my list but we didn't get to it. In town we walked everywhere, and visited the museum, the waterfront, the Spanish Arch, Curry's Fun Park at Salt Hill (that ferris wheel is oddly scary!), took in the street performers and laughed as the wandering silent disco group got their groove on in the middle of the streets. We hit up 2 escape rooms, and between the 2, we found <a href="https://greatescaperooms.ie/" target="_blank">Great Escape Rooms</a> was more fun and well-organized...we even made their leaderboard for The Vault Room! We visited shops, went back to the Galway Arts Festival a few times, and in between all of this fun, we had naps, drank tea, watched Netflix, took walks through lovely neighborhoods, and started to let go of the stresses of our every day lives. (I was still worried about our cat though, who was staying at my mom's and in protest went on a hunger strike and didn't eat until the 5th day we'd been gone.) </p><p>Ireland is always such a great visit. If you've been considering it, I say go! It's lush, green, has sandy coasts and rugged hills, doesn't get crazy-hot in the Summer, and is full of music, history & culture. The Irish are just lovely people, with that great self-deprecating sense of humor. There's not as much culture shock and no language barrier. The hardest thing is probably driving on the other side of the road, unless you're my husband, who is an ace driver! As Americans, we find this to be an affordable place to visit, costing less than what we would spend for a similar vacation in the US, especially with the USD so strong. We actually felt that way about a lot of our trip - Europe is more affordable (with gas and tolls being the exception as we did a lot of driving on this trip instead of trains just because we were headed to several smaller towns & vineyards.)</p><p>It was a great start to our most recent adventure together as a family. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ0LBxw0m_U3BYCQ-TpyNYHaT1EraVU1cCfZwbD-gxC2Ui5yEWI9vn-rKxz2Lh80ZJ2G-TCAVqAulT9KTxnSn9A-CHXJLiddVZU6eu8mldb2z5GyIIUoprz3emVy_pLcKu0ey7VrrJTeOFogK2HwtQlxE21BRszcvphHzZveMyMrNvy221q_m1TDVXg/s640/IMG_4011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAQ0LBxw0m_U3BYCQ-TpyNYHaT1EraVU1cCfZwbD-gxC2Ui5yEWI9vn-rKxz2Lh80ZJ2G-TCAVqAulT9KTxnSn9A-CHXJLiddVZU6eu8mldb2z5GyIIUoprz3emVy_pLcKu0ey7VrrJTeOFogK2HwtQlxE21BRszcvphHzZveMyMrNvy221q_m1TDVXg/w400-h300/IMG_4011.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p>Come back to read about our next stop - The Return to Roma!</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-32244061730134380392022-02-03T20:14:00.001-05:002022-02-03T20:14:46.658-05:0070 Years on South Main Street!<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimaMvEpT6cABDaV1h-FnpMSOkvZZcaxPedcLgShUaYwRMwqOh4qGD7EEHE3HhWqzlQhIFyQWyk4JRbUFSmK66ur4SzAGseISwzjhvM6pSx5XnNfWnVScB9APRuiCC6843gY0eM5tEqu0qjChxilJZvQxraZESVLs60GoXaYvxabW1f6bOZIN1fac3d2A=s640" imageanchor="1"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEimaMvEpT6cABDaV1h-FnpMSOkvZZcaxPedcLgShUaYwRMwqOh4qGD7EEHE3HhWqzlQhIFyQWyk4JRbUFSmK66ur4SzAGseISwzjhvM6pSx5XnNfWnVScB9APRuiCC6843gY0eM5tEqu0qjChxilJZvQxraZESVLs60GoXaYvxabW1f6bOZIN1fac3d2A=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;">It hit me on New Year's Day that 2022 is the 70th anniversary of our home being in our (well, my husband's) family. Our kids are the 5th generation to live in this house, which feels kind of special, and definitely rare these days. </span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Our home was built in 1900 as a very modest duplex with an outhouse, over the site of a previous dwelling that we have read did not have a foundation. Ours has a stone foundation, and still had a dirt floor when we bought it. The property is mentioned in one of the history books about our town, specifically listing our old well as the site where in the Summer of 1781, Rochambeau's troops stopped on their march to the Battle of Yorktown, to use the water to get cleaned up, before marching into town. As it was documented, we were told we could erect a monument or a plaque if we wanted to. Roughly 20 years ago we spoke with our state archeologist about the site and we discussed exploring the old well and excavating for evidence of the troops having been here. We never got around to it, but maybe one day. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In June of 1952, Rose & Warren bought the house after renting one side of the duplex when Warren had been offered a teaching position at the local high school. They took over the whole house, and would enclose that lovely front porch. I wonder if Rose imagined back then that she'd spend the next 61or so years on South Main St.? (At the time there was a field next door and woods across the street.) They lived with their 2 young daughters, and Rose's mother, a Swedish immigrant. I'm grateful for the photos we have of the house in her younger days. I love the scalloped shingles at the top of the house and the open front porch!<br /> </span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCMyj7Bw5D8HoS5vYjpeQl0yuqAMqOFwUnzvia200hl_CaV6uSM7oSb7quoFMI9y52COWayr8_uaHh-7Ws30oTeBYX0AUaiuurvtPY7J807JwzBolFM5kfbgfQ58vUIWVM8vKqSCJ1STw6k9d3qt5U_p4gy9s1vkSspOlBt5j9pN9OSBPCt9ICOjlYUw=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="436" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgCMyj7Bw5D8HoS5vYjpeQl0yuqAMqOFwUnzvia200hl_CaV6uSM7oSb7quoFMI9y52COWayr8_uaHh-7Ws30oTeBYX0AUaiuurvtPY7J807JwzBolFM5kfbgfQ58vUIWVM8vKqSCJ1STw6k9d3qt5U_p4gy9s1vkSspOlBt5j9pN9OSBPCt9ICOjlYUw=w273-h400" width="273" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Before there were other homes, and the side yard was a field.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRMSU1PqsFBANGjJLxZyQ52PQZ4AofAiTrcC56ykECnhvP6eK7r_BspIj4Dk8xXKxconzna08C-ILiE6synE7xHkSqKjbIvtTR9wuRNVdQyOSvP2GBajuZPZcmHrBVYu4pgDo6jIx5KUnHLSOCxU8fEIpHTBfH55rai1epifTn4yvz6Cq7GqyLBk0W5Q=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRMSU1PqsFBANGjJLxZyQ52PQZ4AofAiTrcC56ykECnhvP6eK7r_BspIj4Dk8xXKxconzna08C-ILiE6synE7xHkSqKjbIvtTR9wuRNVdQyOSvP2GBajuZPZcmHrBVYu4pgDo6jIx5KUnHLSOCxU8fEIpHTBfH55rai1epifTn4yvz6Cq7GqyLBk0W5Q=w400-h266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Birthday party in the front yard.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRplm3waQBXXgkFxCxm1yue4PNQs2oHDwKZ5FvlBz53yOHE_I07vKytgU3Cknv6Ff6wADGviQHEDEtCa5uPUUmLhFIzcE5Lmb_Z3-A7bbBRSqP-i4qKspdcsOzLvtj-zj9yPAr-T5JQ_OOCIiayjLqZsONjPjECcwjdujHCzHmD9_Hsgj2hsIoOUMJVQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhRplm3waQBXXgkFxCxm1yue4PNQs2oHDwKZ5FvlBz53yOHE_I07vKytgU3Cknv6Ff6wADGviQHEDEtCa5uPUUmLhFIzcE5Lmb_Z3-A7bbBRSqP-i4qKspdcsOzLvtj-zj9yPAr-T5JQ_OOCIiayjLqZsONjPjECcwjdujHCzHmD9_Hsgj2hsIoOUMJVQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I love how beautiful Rose is, the laundry on the line, and Warren and the dog.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz3Qcf8pVlNVKu8NmUnnSVzLka6PM4N9UPOP_K8VDYXCxIxnSrT0R2nZohs6Gkh1Zbu-H8Gb47eUHVkdfiGEv4DAaFVCGEjyUquEufIfbzgc1B7W2dc_yjDI9SA6T_MOhVsGk4yuHWGrfk--LG3evLgTvb-X7K96B-e14ItqStWJfe__XZB1iOMpjSrQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz3Qcf8pVlNVKu8NmUnnSVzLka6PM4N9UPOP_K8VDYXCxIxnSrT0R2nZohs6Gkh1Zbu-H8Gb47eUHVkdfiGEv4DAaFVCGEjyUquEufIfbzgc1B7W2dc_yjDI9SA6T_MOhVsGk4yuHWGrfk--LG3evLgTvb-X7K96B-e14ItqStWJfe__XZB1iOMpjSrQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I spy a very cool car in the driveway.</span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></i></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><i>[My apologies for the font change on this paragraph. There's a glitch and I cannot figure out the workaround to fix it.] </i></span><i><span style="font-family: arial;">Rose & Warren's grandson, my husband, lived in the house as a child, moving in again as an adult after his grandfather passed. It was shortly after this that I first visited the house, still a duplex, full of spiders, cobwebs, shag carpeting, gold-speckled counters, exposed plumbing, lead paint, and 70's wood paneling. I remember the first time I walked through the door and met Rose sitting in her chair watching Martha Stewart with her cat in her lap. I had no idea that 3 years later Scott and I would be buying the house from Rose, with the deal that she would live out the rest of her days here in the house.</span><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i style="font-family: trebuchet; font-size: large;"><br /></i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIBYExTSGX4AZT4kgj_ukuw98uQKUzKIRkdq9HYIm63ppW_goorkqp7wiSJ-uM0HRriIcNwBv-AMMq-_NIXVdE6vCjCAAMSg_Rb4venK6yRSEchbBYY_7eLxBbzck2ldgdg8n3WfgtORdroF8O2B409-tg_P66Wo9PFhyJaUGYN081TepeLKDgcQew-w=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiIBYExTSGX4AZT4kgj_ukuw98uQKUzKIRkdq9HYIm63ppW_goorkqp7wiSJ-uM0HRriIcNwBv-AMMq-_NIXVdE6vCjCAAMSg_Rb4venK6yRSEchbBYY_7eLxBbzck2ldgdg8n3WfgtORdroF8O2B409-tg_P66Wo9PFhyJaUGYN081TepeLKDgcQew-w=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div></td><td style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhutIXvi6smFn9MPVv7hFU4brh0ctLLGFlHbl07GN8YngOwvp0PC4Vt1LDQFM-6myqbFeBxXdCocnGZbF4yy9QilhFOkjcn9Qfi2HavWfmHddeSK6pJbWqj8EWeHAg6PADLYLIIJfSzPAnnuqROkkCeuAidl3wsaslWlTTtbk4ZQ75LcaKl8iPDsfoQ5A=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhutIXvi6smFn9MPVv7hFU4brh0ctLLGFlHbl07GN8YngOwvp0PC4Vt1LDQFM-6myqbFeBxXdCocnGZbF4yy9QilhFOkjcn9Qfi2HavWfmHddeSK6pJbWqj8EWeHAg6PADLYLIIJfSzPAnnuqROkkCeuAidl3wsaslWlTTtbk4ZQ75LcaKl8iPDsfoQ5A=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Gold shag wall to wall and wood paneling.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span> </span><span> </span><div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We bought the house the year before I got into real estate, and a few months before our wedding. Mortgage rates had dropped to 6%, and at the time that was a great thing. Honestly though, it felt like a huge leap of faith. We were young, still 4 months away from being married, and didn't have a lot of money. My parents were supportive and reminded me that the house had great orientation and natural light because "in the old days" that was an important factor. (As a Realtor I'm often discussing orientation of a house...do you need the lights on during the day, is there enough exposure for solar power, does the driveway get sunlight?) </span></div><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">While the house was livable, we knew the house needed a LOT of work, and so after the wedding we spent time planning and budgeting for it, and we did all of the demo work ourselves. One of my uncles who was a contractor drew up building plans for us. We moved Rose across the street to her daughter's house at some point while the major work happened. It took us well over a year to gut the entire house, pour a concrete floor over in the basement to help with the dampness, rewire, replumb, remove ALL the cracking horse hair plaster and lathe, remove or encapsulate lead paint, take down excessive staircases, put up new walls, ceilings, insulation, and sheetrock, plus a new roof. In the midst of this, we celebrated that I was pregnant with our first child! We replaced every light fixture, every bathroom fixture, and put on a 3-story addition in order to create a first floor inlaw apartment for Rose and a master bedroom upstairs for us. Our goal was to finish the house by the time the baby came.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We spent every weekend working on the house (me in between real estate appointments!) and shopping for supplies on Friday nights (our Friday night date nights we called them.) To this day we are grateful for the help of my generous family, who are/were talented carpenters, craftsmen, electricians, and more. We bought a tile saw and learned to tile and recreated the tub surround from our honeymoon, along with other tile projects. My uncle laid the wood floors where the old ones could not be salvaged. My awesome brother who is an electrician, helped replace the dangerous knob & tube wiring throughout the house. Another uncle had installed new windows for us, and another uncle had installed gutters (and years later came back and helped us excavate for a patio and retaining walls.) Scott's cousin helped us paint the cathedral ceilings in our oversized bedroom. The day that the kitchen was finished enough that my aunt & mom were over helping me finally put the dishes in the new cabinets was the day my water broke. We hadn't quite finished, or bought new furniture, but we were close enough to have a functional house to welcome baby. </span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULVY-5cU2TCz7wxiUFmo31TF0Joagru17QGf-EWNpXXRUPXcsIeju05bOxnKAWZP-iL4MxvmPhUblejJCcU_YBWvZB-2THv-LOMvMKPKWXJU2A6IlkLZxPkADFNwyp39GMFIJGihDlYK3moWiF2LPjEwQk2fkDbeFiChVYbM9E7yKcuLX97Sv7FmNfQ=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhULVY-5cU2TCz7wxiUFmo31TF0Joagru17QGf-EWNpXXRUPXcsIeju05bOxnKAWZP-iL4MxvmPhUblejJCcU_YBWvZB-2THv-LOMvMKPKWXJU2A6IlkLZxPkADFNwyp39GMFIJGihDlYK3moWiF2LPjEwQk2fkDbeFiChVYbM9E7yKcuLX97Sv7FmNfQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We faced an unexpected boundary dispute, presented by a developer who wanted to develop land behind our property, and claimed he owned almost half an acre of our yard, and threatened to put a road through our garden. Our deed along with our neighbor's deed showed that we owned the land and even though we'd been paying taxes on it, had fencing on it and uninterrupted use of it for 50 years, in the end it didn't matter. The town clerk admitted this new deed had appeared out of thin air. So neither title insurance or adverse possession were able to help us against a greedy developer who could afford to keep fighting us indefinitely (and intimidating us by parking a bulldozer on our property.) It ended with a conservation easement going through our yard instead of a road, 3 houses being built behind us instead of the 18 he proposed, and a hefty attorney bill. It took me a long time to shake it off, and the day one of the neighbors who had bought behind us from the developer came over guns blazing thinking he owned our garden area brought it all back. His deed from the developer showed he owned it, and had no mention of the conservation easement. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2009 we had an <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-home-energy-audit.html" target="_blank">energy audit</a> which resulted in among other things, adding insulation to the floors of our walk-up attic, and had an immediate impact in keeping our house warmer. Bonus that we got tax incentives for adding insulation!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">In 2010 we went solar, and have been loving it ever since! (I wrote several <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2010/12/30-days-of-solar-energy.html" target="_blank">blog posts</a> about it!) </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">By 2011, we had an 8 year old and a 5 year old, and it was time for the next big project. We tore down the old garage that had been a chicken coop, a workshop, and had enough wild animals living in it and under it that I would not go near it (nor was it structurally safe enough to house our cars.) We saved our money and with the help of a home equity line of credit, a contractor recommendation from a friend and one of my carpenter cousins, we replaced it with a 3-car <a href="https://mygreenlifeandrealestate.blogspot.com/2011/06/this-week-at-green-ct-realtor.html" target="_blank">carriage house garage</a> with a big workshop, with the intention of finishing the room over the garage to become guest space...as of this writing, it is still very much a storage space with aspirations of becoming a guest space. We had the old driveway removed and installed a new one with some additional parking. </span></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQnbHq6rZol_-4luSGLHFKbC-ndyrkIYbe-HPVTPquUsw7iOxhQlM7wi04oJEwE-cbfCOfKixmv-iZItdQ5px7gAnSht_REQYpzvzQzhMnN89HPCbCkZSGYKs9vT7VxU3Ep-pQ9jP_y_4NnSPzGOn-7oitSRlb0ROSO5Vczp3a4m0ShBgs39XOHhjb8A=s640" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQnbHq6rZol_-4luSGLHFKbC-ndyrkIYbe-HPVTPquUsw7iOxhQlM7wi04oJEwE-cbfCOfKixmv-iZItdQ5px7gAnSht_REQYpzvzQzhMnN89HPCbCkZSGYKs9vT7VxU3Ep-pQ9jP_y_4NnSPzGOn-7oitSRlb0ROSO5Vczp3a4m0ShBgs39XOHhjb8A=s320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The old garage. The workshop had a nice sawdust smell to it.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFNmGTf17wFE5q89q9XefImiyMjBk4JMwv4zEhECd0ietwq0_J5ZAQu1CJZaIjAjVvwz3QXnliAlr_lGuFmn6HoXze9mWxscUW31ElMkhHIwRoGVycVHwq3Q072M-BAuR9La5kZyVgBMy3h24GVA_FVFRI3iv0YJFtA91C6LxYD-CrT2HlRpGqMcFL5w=s720" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjFNmGTf17wFE5q89q9XefImiyMjBk4JMwv4zEhECd0ietwq0_J5ZAQu1CJZaIjAjVvwz3QXnliAlr_lGuFmn6HoXze9mWxscUW31ElMkhHIwRoGVycVHwq3Q072M-BAuR9La5kZyVgBMy3h24GVA_FVFRI3iv0YJFtA91C6LxYD-CrT2HlRpGqMcFL5w=s320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Unfortunately we had to take down a tree for this project.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwNCmc-2UYCRdxD2gu8Wi3Iw6TyfXcILWzYWRYX7jaCNydAi8VDT5hIeTyH-T6VoV0nEn7dY41bKR51alA1WgVj5mnFCrJpLj8JgEAvQvMHKYGhtnkzjNWmZZuTG29PRVa92rzbAco18pcuG4lJ8plhdG1CdkhwzvEN6Y7HNlCIIzE22ybJ_fExQVADg=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgwNCmc-2UYCRdxD2gu8Wi3Iw6TyfXcILWzYWRYX7jaCNydAi8VDT5hIeTyH-T6VoV0nEn7dY41bKR51alA1WgVj5mnFCrJpLj8JgEAvQvMHKYGhtnkzjNWmZZuTG29PRVa92rzbAco18pcuG4lJ8plhdG1CdkhwzvEN6Y7HNlCIIzE22ybJ_fExQVADg=s320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The kids had a blast playing in our construction site after a huge storm.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicecrNL1HRUI-MMYL9UMuBS3dlyRGGWsy1lE-guUA1ub-YDGGGTBnKdA1xENKufOqLPex6BNcEoZOsHj9NMRVq1qn7QN4XTEWDxXzShaXkE-jw9_MEs3H6cIj8qQE1gJpXU7Ndm_IRvAnzY2VkgnBuknmEibBXnxoxAbpnIOsM7jwzotC69xZdQns7DQ=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicecrNL1HRUI-MMYL9UMuBS3dlyRGGWsy1lE-guUA1ub-YDGGGTBnKdA1xENKufOqLPex6BNcEoZOsHj9NMRVq1qn7QN4XTEWDxXzShaXkE-jw9_MEs3H6cIj8qQE1gJpXU7Ndm_IRvAnzY2VkgnBuknmEibBXnxoxAbpnIOsM7jwzotC69xZdQns7DQ=s320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">My family helping & coming to check progress on the new garage.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4XTrO92uHDnQkMUBDHIiwhmI6cvjqsV0LdVNjhBogsOgY9904sux4Olygi4zicrox66yJ9Ecsd9BIpC7DOiF9qY0N4Cl62pAnhzDBJ8IMoOOz4b7zvxTnggx-2dXggb5Q1au7_berJKKaadBZHYY2lmKLYA9jYvoeRJRCuxz02kABiV0UnYaUJhomIQ=s960" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh4XTrO92uHDnQkMUBDHIiwhmI6cvjqsV0LdVNjhBogsOgY9904sux4Olygi4zicrox66yJ9Ecsd9BIpC7DOiF9qY0N4Cl62pAnhzDBJ8IMoOOz4b7zvxTnggx-2dXggb5Q1au7_berJKKaadBZHYY2lmKLYA9jYvoeRJRCuxz02kABiV0UnYaUJhomIQ=s320" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The finished product...fairly close to the inspiration design but wider.</td></tr></tbody></table></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">We tackled the house gutting project 20 years ago, around the time of our 50th family anniversary in the house...and now...it feels like it's time for more projects in honor of this next milestone. Also, the house could really use some love at this point since it's been 20 years since we really worked on it. There are some design flaws I'd love to fix, as well as things that I never loved, like still having the plumbing on the outside of the wall in our living room. It always bothered me that the finials and rails on each end of our staircase to the 2nd floor are two completely different styles and colors (was it a matter of that's what they had on hand at the time...one arts & crafts set and one colonial?) Our original heart pine wood floors upstairs have some problem areas but they're ok for now. One thing we never replaced was the enclosed front porch door and windows. They're close to 70 years old and in really rough shape. As a Realtor, I'm always talking about first impressions. Our front entry impression is not great, unless you're into peeling and flaking paint and cracked windows, plus the phone number to the lumber yard written by Warren on the door casing that won't wash off. My daughter thinks it gives the house character. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">Some of the windows we replaced over 20 years ago could stand to be replaced again. Our inlaw apartment kitchen desperately needs an update. Since Rose had moved in there, she was more than happy that we moved her old kitchen cabinets into her new kitchen, but a new kitchen with new counters and new flooring and lighting would be amazing, and our wonderful great-aunt who currently lives in our inlaw absolutely deserves something nice! New paint and carpeting would do wonders in the other inlaw rooms too. Now to convince hubby, who often says, "what, we fixed up the house 20 years ago, we don't need to do anything else - it's already done!" </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">This house is filled with A LOT of family memories, and we could not have made it our home without the help of our family members who spent so many hours working beside us. My dad and 2 of my 4 dear uncles who helped us with the house have since passed. We lost Rose, who lived into her 90's and who was our live-in grandmother and great-grandmother for 15 years. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not house I would have chosen, but it was important to my husband that we live here. By adding the full inlaw apartment on the main floor, we've made it possible not only to keep multi-generational living as a part of our family (how great is it that my kids grew up knowing their great-grandmother, who would sit and watch Curious George with them and feed them ice cream and bake cookies?!) but one day, if we need to, and we're still here, we can transition to living just on the 1st floor. It also feels like a gift that we have some awesome neighbors!</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;">So 2022 is the 70th anniversary of our family's ownership of this 122-year old home, and I think we should celebrate by putting some more love into the old girl! </span></p></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-22092950273905350252021-12-27T12:46:00.005-05:002021-12-27T12:46:41.875-05:00Looking Back on the Year of the OX<p>On February 9th, 2021 I started writing a blog post about the lunar new year and the Year of Ox. It was a short post and I didn't publish it. Here's what I had written:</p><p>Who else is excited about 2021 being the Year of Ox?</p><p>If you know me, then you know that I am someone who is interested in other cultures, in their traditions and celebrations, languages and history. (It's one of the reasons why we travel so much!) Our own home has been a welcoming melting pot of cultures, which I absolutely love.</p><p>I've always found Chinese culture to be fascinating, and Lunar New Year/Chinese New Year/Spring Festival is something lovely to celebrate. This year in particular, I need things to celebrate. </p><p>I read a books about astrology & the zodiac when I was 12 and some of the other kids were into it...it was kind of fun. Leo...sun/fire child. I have many of the Leo traits, but I wonder if some of that might also be attributed to being the 1st born child...things like leadership, loyalty, reliability, and selflessness might fall under birth order characteristics. </p><p>I hadn't really learned about the Chinese Zodiac until later, where I learned I am a Water Ox. Again, many of those traits are spot on! </p><p>2021 is the Lunar New Year of the Ox, which is an especially good year to be an ox! My big takeaway is that this is going to be a year of hard work for a lot of people, myself included, but that for the hard-working ox, this is also a year to reap the benefits of that hard work.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi30bPJKQPaZcCiWIypw-ke-HtYJxbl97ZtklPrwoTBwUvVChuXXYsHTh4f5qUa-HQw4OZS1HN2LLRdKpUZRusiuCvFSCS1a7l_jhNxrOtb84k7yDEMn3geX5lj-Cnsx5l0XrXPuiLw-tDsoH11XzhJs_MpElEF7-YhMX6LSfIQ2jGfEaUQmnTUcaaytg=s526" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="345" data-original-width="526" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi30bPJKQPaZcCiWIypw-ke-HtYJxbl97ZtklPrwoTBwUvVChuXXYsHTh4f5qUa-HQw4OZS1HN2LLRdKpUZRusiuCvFSCS1a7l_jhNxrOtb84k7yDEMn3geX5lj-Cnsx5l0XrXPuiLw-tDsoH11XzhJs_MpElEF7-YhMX6LSfIQ2jGfEaUQmnTUcaaytg=s320" width="320" /></a></div><p>Flash forward to the end of 2021, where I am reflecting on the crazy, successful year I've had so far! It was a LOT of work, and the real estate market was bonkers, but I finally hit a professional milestone that I've been working towards for many years. (I haven't been public about it - not really my style - but I'm still super excited!) It was most-likely the return of the real estate boom after our 2 rough Covid-market years, but if being a Water Ox in the Year of the Ox had anything to do with it, I'll take that too! </p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-72225974455847448492021-10-23T10:48:00.156-04:002021-10-25T12:21:36.374-04:00Our Weekend Adventure in Iceland!<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-pBxn97zlLat_HCtLoFVV57Sp4XzD3KJpIyU2hW6rP9jLo7wBxAwwS6qMNRE2WFyoG0_HJ5n86ux17DoU1jE2028iGZ8D7c_KhgIES1-geN05tCBfMIixCHIeVnFIv4kwN8_lDQMjkcy/s2048/FamilyphotosSkyLagoon.HEIC" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7-pBxn97zlLat_HCtLoFVV57Sp4XzD3KJpIyU2hW6rP9jLo7wBxAwwS6qMNRE2WFyoG0_HJ5n86ux17DoU1jE2028iGZ8D7c_KhgIES1-geN05tCBfMIixCHIeVnFIv4kwN8_lDQMjkcy/s320/FamilyphotosSkyLagoon.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><br />This Summer our big European trips were still on hiatus due to the pandemic, but I was itching for a getaway since it we hadn't traveled since before Covid. Between the craziness of having 3 of the 4 of us working all Summer (the kids are old enough to work now, I had a big Summer of selling real estate, and only hubby has the Summers off) we were able to fit in one weekend getaway and it was on short notice. My husband suggested a weekend in Vermont at a tennis resort...but I had bigger ideas...<p></p><p>Friday afternoon we drove to Logan Airport in Boston, and after a quick 5 hour flight on <a href="https://www.icelandair.com/" target="_blank">Icelandair</a>, we landed in Reykjavik on Saturday morning. At that time, Americans were welcome to Iceland with proof of full vaccination. (That's one more bonus to getting jabbed - you get to travel!) </p><p>So we'd been lucky enough to have traveled to Iceland previously, on our way home from Europe in 2013 through the <a href="https://www.icelandair.com/flights/stopover/" target="_blank">Icelandair Stopover Program</a>, when we visited our dear Icelandic family based in Hvolvsvöllur in the South. On that trip our cousin Christina drove us all around for 3 days to show us all the sights: the waterfalls, the geysirs, the Westman Islands to see the puffins, churches, the president's house, the historic sites, Thingvellir National Park to walk between the 2 continents. She taught us about Icelandic culture, food, and made us chocolate soup. It was magical. Here are some photos from that first visit...look at how little the kids were!</p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAXZVAOy9XszQgRj8NDM9qTzOSjbXNWI0r9pQ662eUhFys0xOW9adkt5_NIq9HxqMZTpejSCD9lgsTOQ35wfzMBnEHnL-KEUDutINvPX0l7uf1m8rymG57jtkaUDcHkyn_YqegCkVG1QT/s960/IMG_6484.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDAXZVAOy9XszQgRj8NDM9qTzOSjbXNWI0r9pQ662eUhFys0xOW9adkt5_NIq9HxqMZTpejSCD9lgsTOQ35wfzMBnEHnL-KEUDutINvPX0l7uf1m8rymG57jtkaUDcHkyn_YqegCkVG1QT/s320/IMG_6484.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The basalt columns on the black beach at Vík</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqR0LmiCB9iTSg1ekHd6Puu3pHtFJ9aHsVBP4nUGRGNC7D5SX2Bdy4p7qrK2IJtaa_s8xwZ8HYw8dJUPf253xkTU60ejRV2lkvlep2jVONYIopyyIhE8AVVLVv4EfJhgaZnxxJq9cw3Er/s960/IMG_6485.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigqR0LmiCB9iTSg1ekHd6Puu3pHtFJ9aHsVBP4nUGRGNC7D5SX2Bdy4p7qrK2IJtaa_s8xwZ8HYw8dJUPf253xkTU60ejRV2lkvlep2jVONYIopyyIhE8AVVLVv4EfJhgaZnxxJq9cw3Er/s320/IMG_6485.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cozy in a parka and all smiles at Gulfoss</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU-0v7TXHQ7Kx5F0wkIyr0-xLrO7vj2egQVyprBslJtTRq2BJEKkJlvZ1etAgHN9mn_9rK5IwpGikgVTzFBvQWnL51DF6BxH8g3koEcjL5Zuh9MNtDbWCu3Kf3gGi14fRWVn0IEBOdRuQ/s960/IMG_6486.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZU-0v7TXHQ7Kx5F0wkIyr0-xLrO7vj2egQVyprBslJtTRq2BJEKkJlvZ1etAgHN9mn_9rK5IwpGikgVTzFBvQWnL51DF6BxH8g3koEcjL5Zuh9MNtDbWCu3Kf3gGi14fRWVn0IEBOdRuQ/s320/IMG_6486.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christina invited us to help stitch the Njálurefull Tapestry, which tells their local saga </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Bc-G2V0xl5P1OFwdYOQ2MsSdB_mO9CR8lN0ASQ_70gux08IDcUICqnLjw7cT0KxVowkIO5C0PrOXrGHaB8ckwjbgxWPPMjM9D0JPiP34_L2jhPnN-Xe839oL66GUyEi0tMAABbEM9WsF/s960/IMG_6487.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-Bc-G2V0xl5P1OFwdYOQ2MsSdB_mO9CR8lN0ASQ_70gux08IDcUICqnLjw7cT0KxVowkIO5C0PrOXrGHaB8ckwjbgxWPPMjM9D0JPiP34_L2jhPnN-Xe839oL66GUyEi0tMAABbEM9WsF/s320/IMG_6487.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the ferry arriving in the Westman Islands for an incredible day</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggULvmlRtqAw5EEdoVn3wtpyoCER50BYufhPV5JJBV8hFbx5hr1OWkXKgNFMj-3pyfzk6NgNKmkC0jhGGaFsNjgaFm14T_elVUO8zvo_0O9JXIW350A2lNrQaj8oTjZrQcMy0yMboVUjj8/s960/IMG_6488.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggULvmlRtqAw5EEdoVn3wtpyoCER50BYufhPV5JJBV8hFbx5hr1OWkXKgNFMj-3pyfzk6NgNKmkC0jhGGaFsNjgaFm14T_elVUO8zvo_0O9JXIW350A2lNrQaj8oTjZrQcMy0yMboVUjj8/s320/IMG_6488.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On our way to see puffins in their habitat</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8iHHN0dHuZM0SsYtEf770e1C1qIzfuXR9r855Ep_A1zea9975Sow5mnq-DLVldPg8pjQ6t-8AqDPS9T7Zor7fiD67GxHKT7EEN-sRWkrmC84gM80fsc_U13fEkO0uwl9l8Xb0u2IV_Q_/s960/IMG_6489.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjp8iHHN0dHuZM0SsYtEf770e1C1qIzfuXR9r855Ep_A1zea9975Sow5mnq-DLVldPg8pjQ6t-8AqDPS9T7Zor7fiD67GxHKT7EEN-sRWkrmC84gM80fsc_U13fEkO0uwl9l8Xb0u2IV_Q_/s320/IMG_6489.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My little vikings in 2013</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Back to July, 2021. It was early Saturday morning and I had planned for us to explore a new area for us, up to Snaellsfellsnes Peninsula on the West coast for the day before heading to Reykjavik to settle into our hotel apartment. This area is often called "Iceland in miniature" as it has so many great features in a small geographical area...perfect for a quick visit that also packs a punch of adventure!</p><p>An hour's drive brought us over the bridge to the bakery café <a href="https://www.west.is/en/service/geirabakari-cafe-konditori" target="_blank">Geirabakari Kaffihús</a> in Borgarnes at the base of the peninsula. (Click on the link just to see the view of the mountain from inside the café!) It was packed with Icelanders and the first thing we noticed was that NO one was wearing masks. It was so liberating. Our cousin had told us that everyone was vaccinated and there were no cases, so no masks! We sat outside overlooking the water and the mountains around us, and savored incredible fresh sandwiches filled with ham, camembert & greens on hearty rolls studded with seeds & grains. While I quietly sipped my cappuccino in awe of the views, Scott power-napped in the car and the kids went shopping for Icelandic woolen hats in the nearby equestrian center. (Keep in mind we had come from a heat wave to pretty chilly weather for us, but some locals were out in t-shirts, which was impressive!) </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl0PBli9P_JbVBaICAow1iYZy-PCXzhW3slBDP8L1DsJLIy4h9EibrJWr4XIzYr0Tnz9ohn7eA-GQfkZj8bspcEmHTVoHSMzMoHYSQ87LB5Zp_TYAyaeTBXE0WCP75FSoqvGS6WDV7Hfo/s2048/IMG_5045.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfl0PBli9P_JbVBaICAow1iYZy-PCXzhW3slBDP8L1DsJLIy4h9EibrJWr4XIzYr0Tnz9ohn7eA-GQfkZj8bspcEmHTVoHSMzMoHYSQ87LB5Zp_TYAyaeTBXE0WCP75FSoqvGS6WDV7Hfo/s320/IMG_5045.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Modeling their new hats outside the café</td></tr></tbody></table><p>The drive was spectacular, sunny and warming up, and several times we felt compelled to stop at turn offs to get out and breathe it in. It was our 2nd or 3rd stop that really drew us in for a hike towards a gorgeous lake and another moonscape field, when Scott discovered the sound of running water and called us over. Hidden in a green canyon was a lush green waterfall we hadn't expected to find! Have you ever had one of those moments, where you recognize how amazing and special that moment is, and you just want to pause and let it sink in? This was one of those moments. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1FO5d6yLDxr8ElSta11_P7UnZsShVY_CtoYU6wIEjapyWP5aSBYvcUfOjesRX9AkR7P-FAHV49cIetdbvNZcVseSpJgmeyzyq7NfDbhQP0x-Mi6pYXojD5uvQjb5bbji-hSJmzNMvppk/s2048/IMG_5068.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiW1FO5d6yLDxr8ElSta11_P7UnZsShVY_CtoYU6wIEjapyWP5aSBYvcUfOjesRX9AkR7P-FAHV49cIetdbvNZcVseSpJgmeyzyq7NfDbhQP0x-Mi6pYXojD5uvQjb5bbji-hSJmzNMvppk/s320/IMG_5068.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a quick break </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukZzjuuFqio8s19H7oGQX5EwrKnUH-gGsa-oe6QLyW4Vcu2Tqmzy5lf8fE8aJAu-ptihyphenhyphen-abbJ2nvvAW2ccXcFJP1-9O_ct3wzPoCIDtWrb4Y-L_ocI_uompSlcOiQWge907-XlFydX6V/s2048/IMG_5104.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhukZzjuuFqio8s19H7oGQX5EwrKnUH-gGsa-oe6QLyW4Vcu2Tqmzy5lf8fE8aJAu-ptihyphenhyphen-abbJ2nvvAW2ccXcFJP1-9O_ct3wzPoCIDtWrb4Y-L_ocI_uompSlcOiQWge907-XlFydX6V/s320/IMG_5104.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There was a small parking area to stop and hike</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEPmp3tpwN3NfHH9zbooKnQf07SylWrVDyMjUPUllXLp8blUFf9Bu4Id4InMlQ0XL_KnukBpZLjdd0VgWYceGfQiFf0JqTL4AQyLSbsuJLwR23DJLtpa9xZyJhEbnX4s4IHvxNG4HbZWG/s2048/IMG_5095.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpEPmp3tpwN3NfHH9zbooKnQf07SylWrVDyMjUPUllXLp8blUFf9Bu4Id4InMlQ0XL_KnukBpZLjdd0VgWYceGfQiFf0JqTL4AQyLSbsuJLwR23DJLtpa9xZyJhEbnX4s4IHvxNG4HbZWG/s320/IMG_5095.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These two</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN56qLidNOsFQeghN_Od1xGztvUi3IR0OJGeWMVf4lcOEjei1n6Cs_5lhHxTqzOckeGHLzy0FG3ZCWdQBJE2FNWatS2vtnuUdZwWlv1CSivi4EwaDeyRhC4BnvQAzFmuhdGsPfIHVUeobU/s2048/IMG_5147.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN56qLidNOsFQeghN_Od1xGztvUi3IR0OJGeWMVf4lcOEjei1n6Cs_5lhHxTqzOckeGHLzy0FG3ZCWdQBJE2FNWatS2vtnuUdZwWlv1CSivi4EwaDeyRhC4BnvQAzFmuhdGsPfIHVUeobU/s320/IMG_5147.HEIC" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring...</td></tr></tbody></table><p></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipt9apdKQPGGnB-sV5FwPPrJvlR7NglqtZIU_NAgNStoz8i1l9TuZFLmEtr-NfmPZfkD3J44YJMEnbNVDYowpOi8ERJCLlOtQc1z7G2b25VV8aP9Sb0ynybLJQR0SDze9K8BJr8fBo9i52/w278-h371/IMG_5138.HEIC" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="278" /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">...and finding this unmarked waterfall </td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">We then headed into the Snaellsfellnes National Park to get a look at the infamous Snaefellsjökull glacier-topped stratovolcano that inspired Jules Verne's Journey to the Center of the Earth, only by that time the clouds had started to roll in, and despite driving near it, we couldn't see it! Same with Kirkjufell, one of the most famously photographed sites on Snaellsfellness, which I had been really excited to see in person. Oh well! We had a late lunch or possibly an early dinner with a great view overlooking the water, where we talked about coming back to see more and hike the park the next trip.</span></div><p></p><p>Charlotte wanted to see a particular black church, which we managed to find and once we arrived we discovered it was near paths that lead to a beach, which we explored. It was magnificent view after magnificent view...studded with sheep and ponies, mountains and water. We even saw seals at our next stop!</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim1dhdsfnLQ2r80vjPCJ0cDLDJW1B_Hd9CjDNlyc9r_4PUlI61L6GeBv7FpuN9XBknT1mnQa7ssuk08FwVX4gT-35p9V7oAgaqCSMLdqjMrerNqKoKxD5KDG8OSK61lgW-tpriweeaw39/s2048/2021-07-17+13.43.25.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgim1dhdsfnLQ2r80vjPCJ0cDLDJW1B_Hd9CjDNlyc9r_4PUlI61L6GeBv7FpuN9XBknT1mnQa7ssuk08FwVX4gT-35p9V7oAgaqCSMLdqjMrerNqKoKxD5KDG8OSK61lgW-tpriweeaw39/s320/2021-07-17+13.43.25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6n3Bq7hYBYj0Ab2f2SBab3SqGn3l_9qknrNZUwF7PFr18K49LWup7IDDcBInyK0uIP4jaAQiNUMfIhifqSaJwlq8c3cRkn3uOrHfZMQQz3P92lTSHm7iBNyKXjmSeIXQk4vrpb2X8KUE/s2048/2021-07-17+13.54.00.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL6n3Bq7hYBYj0Ab2f2SBab3SqGn3l_9qknrNZUwF7PFr18K49LWup7IDDcBInyK0uIP4jaAQiNUMfIhifqSaJwlq8c3cRkn3uOrHfZMQQz3P92lTSHm7iBNyKXjmSeIXQk4vrpb2X8KUE/s320/2021-07-17+13.54.00.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p>Eventually we made our way to Reykjavik, to our hotel located right in the center of the central district, the <a href="https://odinsve.is/" target="_blank">Hotel Ódinsvé</a>. I had booked a sweet apartment through the hotel just a few steps away in the square. When we can, we always stay right in the center so that we're within walking distance to everything, and apartments mean we all have a little space. We set out to see Reykjavik for the first time, and walked up the street to the shops, cafés and cute Scandi houses. My love of all things real estate fully extends to these sweet timber framed Icelandic-style colorful houses in the old city! We also saw the Hallgrimskirkja cathedral, and the waterfront, and more cool restaurants. We got some light groceries to bring back to the apartment, and the kids rented Zolo motorized scooters to zoom around on...although Scott spent more time on them than Charlotte did. (It's a super fun way to get around the city by downloading the app and using it to unlock motorized scooters.) </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqSHaaI_L9uPW_fUK9qKZx4LM7P7e-h8pTfTZsMF-MFi-DM7IWpZxylUDgCgy52kBxlJ4T8C6h_f4H0vylUwwW8MtUNmOzj47y8SY_3wu1KAqJ9Tezy1edZBo3g9qHIQ61VDchAVyPZaF/s2048/2021-07-17+18.08.24.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheqSHaaI_L9uPW_fUK9qKZx4LM7P7e-h8pTfTZsMF-MFi-DM7IWpZxylUDgCgy52kBxlJ4T8C6h_f4H0vylUwwW8MtUNmOzj47y8SY_3wu1KAqJ9Tezy1edZBo3g9qHIQ61VDchAVyPZaF/s320/2021-07-17+18.08.24.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QsVZmkMLvpz7O1zmNgOimP40LOJYoTSR1TexwpH2TVc40e-LIx_LDrOO_X0u7brW7wFN7KkVGd3oHm4HWDt1xDuZrRxgIHoLptjrXFiN2yEfI5Aq516heTNvkLzy1L7uoOw_RImgaGac/s2048/2021-07-17+18.17.33.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4QsVZmkMLvpz7O1zmNgOimP40LOJYoTSR1TexwpH2TVc40e-LIx_LDrOO_X0u7brW7wFN7KkVGd3oHm4HWDt1xDuZrRxgIHoLptjrXFiN2yEfI5Aq516heTNvkLzy1L7uoOw_RImgaGac/s320/2021-07-17+18.17.33.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><p>It's funny how when it's light out, it's hard to tell what time it is, but Charlotte and I headed back to the apartment sometime around 10pm to rest, while the boys stayed out exploring. It was a Saturday night and the locals were starting to come out and our son met a group of boys his age playing basketball and they ended up at a bookstore that turns into a nightclub, and had a blast. It was still light out when he got in, which made it feel a bit safer being out so late.</p><p>Sunday our plans were to meet up with some of our family and then in the evening I'd made reservations at the new Sky Lagoon, as recommended by my friend Stephanie who had just been there and raved about it.</p><p>We started the morning with pastries & coffee, exploring the waterfront area of Reykjavik and when we stopped to see the famous Sun Voyager sculpture, we ran into a group of young photographers we'd met at the car rental office! We found a nature preserve right on the water and watched birds and walked on the beach. We had also pre-booked our Covid rapid tests in order to be able to fly back to the US (required of everyone flying into the US) and that was so quickly and efficiently done. We had our results on our phones just hours later. </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-IYm1KZew9cZ1vpDbNw7YBUW7fkPWPwJNyfg0LVBMl544NIvwim_CSy1sLuVmJyetUZSy9ZjnFJX8rXRw89n-S9at9mADYSVFhEHsKx2YJWdFyt4Qp_zwtrjWnNJ5Ax3DZzEZGhZYl3G/s2048/2021-07-18+06.28.11.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy-IYm1KZew9cZ1vpDbNw7YBUW7fkPWPwJNyfg0LVBMl544NIvwim_CSy1sLuVmJyetUZSy9ZjnFJX8rXRw89n-S9at9mADYSVFhEHsKx2YJWdFyt4Qp_zwtrjWnNJ5Ax3DZzEZGhZYl3G/s320/2021-07-18+06.28.11.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Selfie at the Sun Voyager </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCb2F2Ly_ouHacMpU7GsWzqUV7WByQSdc6TbjXEwKdjJajjQt909N12_fBGP_TXtjuWWyH9Qau5Tgr6D68jdYgCbWS_eaP1TW59lIg2pDKTMABGS2RDW_ud-5sMBTykjLNX6P14AoY0Lj/s2048/2021-07-18+07.33.08.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaCb2F2Ly_ouHacMpU7GsWzqUV7WByQSdc6TbjXEwKdjJajjQt909N12_fBGP_TXtjuWWyH9Qau5Tgr6D68jdYgCbWS_eaP1TW59lIg2pDKTMABGS2RDW_ud-5sMBTykjLNX6P14AoY0Lj/s320/2021-07-18+07.33.08.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pastries and cappuccinos were excellent.</td></tr></tbody></table><p>We met up with Christina and Gylfi, and Klara, David & Maron for a delicious brunch of special breads & cheeses, juices & coffee at Klara & David's adorable house. They live in one of the wooden houses that was brought from Sweden to house the people affected by one of the volcanic eruptions. It looked like it should be in a magazine. Klara had finished her maternity leave and David was on his paternity leave to take care of Baby Maron. So progressive! </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUnbEHRX2GD3L3JANfJUPY4dS3BrWoKAzO6i8VImzLGlVaLxWyZhcmXJOuvjecDL7o_gFqDc9l1vizI9ohlVRhww7MqQ8WQpEOsyqyVKtyqdjhChAtNbPvmSXfv2X5jr9wR6roJtU82w7/s2048/2021-07-18+18.15.15.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyUnbEHRX2GD3L3JANfJUPY4dS3BrWoKAzO6i8VImzLGlVaLxWyZhcmXJOuvjecDL7o_gFqDc9l1vizI9ohlVRhww7MqQ8WQpEOsyqyVKtyqdjhChAtNbPvmSXfv2X5jr9wR6roJtU82w7/s320/2021-07-18+18.15.15.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ice cream at the Perlan Center with Christina</td></tr></tbody></table><p>Christine & Gylfi took us to experience Fly Over Iceland, which is a ride like Soaring at Disney, and it was awesome. After that we went to a very cool modern building called the Perlan Center for 360 views of Reykjavik. They have activities and exhibitions, but we went to the top floor and had Icelandic ice cream! That's where we got Christina to share her recipe for chocolate soup with us, which we plan to make for the rest of that side of our family here in Connecticut. </p><p>It was time for us to head to <a href="https://www.skylagoon.com/" target="_blank">Sky Lagoon</a>, which we had only seen a few photos from but sounded amazing. It was so much more than we had imagined. Seriously, we all can't wait to go back. We paid a bit more for "the ritual" and it was worth every penny. It was a 7 step treatment ritual and you could take as long as you liked with each step. We started out with just being awe exploring the lagoon, which is heated by geo-thermal heat and is an infinity-edged lagoon over the ocean, with mist rolling, and turf and mountains and rock and a bar, plus the turf house with the treatment rooms and back inside the restaurant and fireplace...it all feels so surreal and so luxe! It was so cold when you first walked out of the building to step into the water and then it was pure bliss. It wasn't even crowded, which was wonderful, plus it seemed to be a lot of locals. Our reservation had been for 5:30pm and before we knew it, it was approaching 9pm and we realized we might be missing out on a chance to catch dinner! </p><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlPVSwu-LKnUt5bU5RoP0ZBLi0IwH0hALR3cQ86tvn6ZAh14Tn-gSoeGAYMVhL5fDiLGGI6Nu5uRvNvyG4XYMxT_csmSBwPI_oSbYmqvCcJR3uaUtvj3pGwVOxD_qvolZaorZC6R1lhnQ/s2048/2021-07-18+14.50.03.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUlPVSwu-LKnUt5bU5RoP0ZBLi0IwH0hALR3cQ86tvn6ZAh14Tn-gSoeGAYMVhL5fDiLGGI6Nu5uRvNvyG4XYMxT_csmSBwPI_oSbYmqvCcJR3uaUtvj3pGwVOxD_qvolZaorZC6R1lhnQ/s320/2021-07-18+14.50.03.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance...just look at that turf!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table></td></tr></tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIroKryILRRJwUx1OKRaiMe7SBwDC87RzXPhNzSf2vzHkhtqY8Gt_19k1oOXv0986o4RpdOYJ32NVVjvY816LcSn_nijCcTzCFAgYRSQKrgGRwcjRA3OLReRszKQhAYg-A3S-BGaYkAyZ/s2048/2021-07-18+17.00.51.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOIroKryILRRJwUx1OKRaiMe7SBwDC87RzXPhNzSf2vzHkhtqY8Gt_19k1oOXv0986o4RpdOYJ32NVVjvY816LcSn_nijCcTzCFAgYRSQKrgGRwcjRA3OLReRszKQhAYg-A3S-BGaYkAyZ/s320/2021-07-18+17.00.51.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My moment of zen...but also planning our return trip</td></tr></tbody></table><p>By the time we got back dressed and downtown near our apartment, most of the kitchens were closing, but a kind maître-d' recommended a tapas restaurant by the waterfront, Tapas Barinn which was still open. The tapas was a fusion of Spanish & Icelandic, and it was phenomenal! We ordered a bit too much (if that's possible with tapas?) and the boys were adventurous, trying minke whale with sweet mashed potatoes and malt sauce, smoked puffin with blueberry sauce, and duck breast in malt-beer and orange sauce, while we had plates of serrano ham, and small bowls of boeuf bourgignon rich with mushrooms. </p><p>Charlotte and I were tired and full and found our way across town back to our apartment to call it a night. Julien was the last one home, making friends with a group of Dutch tourists to hang out with a go dancing again in a different part of the city. He certainly has his father's gift of making friends everywhere he goes!<br /><br />Monday morning...with a half-day still left ahead of us, we decided we did not have enough time to hike to the actively erupting Fagradalsfjall volcano, so we headed to Thingvellir National Park. Turns out we were not in the same part of the park we had visited years earlier, and so we drank in the sunshine, saw new areas, new waterfalls, new lakes, river, and new rock formations. There is so much still to see! A quick sandwich picnic and we made our way back to Keflavik. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwoqeOLWG6xn3ttNZujNSjhGjwqCvte_gelg4FdaP4l1n8DT_kgVGPrTIV0FChll24YyYWEo783_GZpJfKnF-a5SIcwoMkTaLyklxAwgdjhWkcQmQ4Lvp9n6rAsxqNNBgOxIFfFMxDEBX/s2048/2021-07-19+07.39.51.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhwoqeOLWG6xn3ttNZujNSjhGjwqCvte_gelg4FdaP4l1n8DT_kgVGPrTIV0FChll24YyYWEo783_GZpJfKnF-a5SIcwoMkTaLyklxAwgdjhWkcQmQ4Lvp9n6rAsxqNNBgOxIFfFMxDEBX/s320/2021-07-19+07.39.51.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGifNClkZMLG5R6Lxu3lXnZWE5JIfxXZhCx50LWvnLPvqTNevEJdsxJjC06O8Ad6rL2R14X5eqfpZnv76yFRb8uQWvpqu0KSGmOxHkUuHW5o8emwY2XecyUdj2Pm79WqUUnq3n_Ca54eB/s2048/RiveratThingellir.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQGifNClkZMLG5R6Lxu3lXnZWE5JIfxXZhCx50LWvnLPvqTNevEJdsxJjC06O8Ad6rL2R14X5eqfpZnv76yFRb8uQWvpqu0KSGmOxHkUuHW5o8emwY2XecyUdj2Pm79WqUUnq3n_Ca54eB/s320/RiveratThingellir.HEIC" width="320" /></a></div><p>So...we had 2 and a half glorious days back in Iceland. Would I go again for another long weekend? In a heartbeat! There is so much to see that it deserves a much longer visit, but repeat visits are nice... especially now that Sky Lagoon is open and I can't wait to do it again! I'd still love to go whale watching out of Akureyri and to Húsavik (thank you Will Ferrell for making Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga!) Yes, it's expensive, but the people are amazing, the sights are incredible, and it's such a beautiful & unique experience. What an incredible way to spend a weekend together making new memories. </p><p>My quick Iceland travel advice:</p><p>- Especially now that rules are constantly changing, find out what is needed for you to travel BEFORE you go. I had done my homework and found out what paperwork we needed to get into Iceland, and what documents we'd need to get back into the US. We witnessed other Americans having meltdowns at the airport because they "didn't know" they needed forms and testing. </p><p>- Bring an empty reusable water bottle. All the tap water in Iceland is amazing...high mineral content and a pH of 8.4. There's no reason to buy bottled water in Iceland.</p><p>- Pre-book your rental car or transportation ahead of time, but still be prepared to be patient and wait.</p><p>- Buy any alcohol you might want to drink at the duty-free shop at the airport. It is crazy-expensive to buy it elsewhere.</p><p>- Don't be intimidated to travel because of the language barrier. Everyone in Iceland speaks English! The Icelanders we met (besides our family) were kind and funny. </p><p>- Pack warm jackets and waterproof shoes even in the Summer! We travel with L.L. Bean Primaloft packable jackets that fold up into a pouch, and we spray our hiking shoes with water proofing if they're not already water proof. Our first trip to Iceland it rained for most of the days we were there!</p><p>- If you don't have a lot of time to visit, make a loose itinerary to make the most of your time. Make a list of what you really want to see or do - a little planning will pay off, but keep it loose because there will be amazing & unexpected things you'll want to stop to see!</p><p>- Take advantage of all of those hours of daylight! You can sleep on the plane home.</p><p>Special thanks go out to our Icelandic family for welcoming us and spending time with us again. It's always so special to see them!</p><p> </p><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-46748870815751956192021-01-23T19:36:00.003-05:002021-01-23T19:36:33.491-05:00This Is 21It's kind of hard to believe, but this is my 21st year in real estate. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi7aayPEECS1UFZ8Py8-PJ_hhdI3Iv_bttGNdYSLUBuT6yA1lTkDSRcACRjeEnrA9sOvkvuUBLpKyJGxNtOLVtT9CcHgn9RFgMgV_z-AhTsMjLepjvluUxOHlY_VR0sNyp0xMWjf7CIzx/s2048/IMG-3740.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1638" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJi7aayPEECS1UFZ8Py8-PJ_hhdI3Iv_bttGNdYSLUBuT6yA1lTkDSRcACRjeEnrA9sOvkvuUBLpKyJGxNtOLVtT9CcHgn9RFgMgV_z-AhTsMjLepjvluUxOHlY_VR0sNyp0xMWjf7CIzx/s320/IMG-3740.JPG" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><div>I actually referred to myself as an "old-timer" yesterday to an attorney I met outside of his office, and it felt weird the second it came out of my mouth. I don't feel like it's been that long...it's just that I don't know that many Realtors in my market who are still practicing who started before I did.</div><div><div><br /></div><div>We've had 2 "exodus" events in Connecticut real estate since I started in 2000 that took quite a few agents out of circulation. One was the market crash in 2008, where we saw our sales and commissions tank, while the price of oil and everything else went up. The other was Covid. For some agents it was too hard to stay afloat, they did not want to risk getting Covid, they needed to be home with their families, and/or they heeded the siren call to retire from real estate. I judge NO ONE. We all have to do what's best for us.</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aAk9wNC6eDC8U5Sw91Z_ATu6ykfcYWjgAMJe4XwRYH3-k1XbhLxPisPLTb_Is6_4w_kuCckbLU5uSpUOAhk9LINVXX8U_B50XjU72laCHp8J2WuXyLoQcDiaKPMRaa7N0x5bCiGk6e3l/s640/IMG_2966.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_aAk9wNC6eDC8U5Sw91Z_ATu6ykfcYWjgAMJe4XwRYH3-k1XbhLxPisPLTb_Is6_4w_kuCckbLU5uSpUOAhk9LINVXX8U_B50XjU72laCHp8J2WuXyLoQcDiaKPMRaa7N0x5bCiGk6e3l/s320/IMG_2966.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Open house selfies between visitors.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />I am so grateful for the years and luck I've had, but it comes down to more than that. I worked REALLY hard to establish my business. Those first 3 years were absolutely insane...and I loved it! I worked 70+ hours a week and would go 4 months without a day off. (I know, it was nuts, but the market was bonkers.) I showed houses every day, did open houses every weekend, previewed new listings every week, answered my phone even at 11pm, volunteered on committees for my board of Realtors, shadowed my mentor on all of her appointments and did her grunt work (you learn by doing!) showed rentals left & right, took every lead and referral no one wanted, drove all over the state, and attended my mandatory office cold-calling hours at night where we would all have to show up and sit at our desks and work the phones.</div></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKwpviN97wHwt5buWEf0z0KYYmqLBC35ukVyhQNPG79c_2FBruK9WAAOWV7PaZpogsVen6bwebzalE0ufrnZICGiuPIyqnjOp0LT4vOQFOXx8FDiM3b3w1LUq5Fth18sPt1BO3TfW3Thyphenhyphen/s640/Standing+outside+Pru+office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKwpviN97wHwt5buWEf0z0KYYmqLBC35ukVyhQNPG79c_2FBruK9WAAOWV7PaZpogsVen6bwebzalE0ufrnZICGiuPIyqnjOp0LT4vOQFOXx8FDiM3b3w1LUq5Fth18sPt1BO3TfW3Thyphenhyphen/s320/Standing+outside+Pru+office.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This photo was taken as I headed out to show one of the most filthy, disgusting house I've ever shown...I had no idea what I was walking into!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>The years ticked by. I had a family. I kept on working but adjusted my work hours to something more conducive to having 2 active children. I continued my education and earned the National Association of Realtors' designations of Accredited Buyer's Representative, GREEN Realtor, Certified International Property Specialist (that was the longest & hardest series of courses - I think it took me almost 2 years) plus the At Home With Diversity and Pricing Strategy Advisor certifications. I authored this blog, which was surprisingly successful and was mentioned in Photon magazine. I added consulting & real estate copy writing to my work experience, which I really enjoyed. I organized fun broker preview tours. I went solar. I was a brand ambassador for the brokerage who bought us in 2013. I was a blogger for Realtor Magazine and connected with some amazing, creative people in the industry that I still admire today. I attended a national real estate conference in Phoenix and had a blast. I co-listed my first waterfront home for over $1M (kind of rare in my market) and got a celebrity involved in advertising it, and my partner set up a livestream so buyers could watch the boats glide by it on the Connecticut River. I had to tell a videographer making a video for us that a friend of the homeowner might stop by to help with the video...that friend was director Ron Howard. (He did not stop by, for the record.) I met Nobu Hata and later his amazing wife, Shay Hata (they're this American real estate super hero/power couple who are just the coolest!) I donated a kidney. I joined a team and loved it. [I feel like all of this would make for a very cool montage if this were in film format.]<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OAAzrTZN6B4K8ETHAxWeVtqRlo83CdqjKJWAThKJYe7z1KrZWRQcG8geLsTQC0TBTPmGWzV73g87qit0jAW69FT1Gfw5k1OTj3AnrIVqlpvBOvJ24KR3AC5YclYbSZwi83NdDAQ1FtBr/s720/IMG_2950.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="720" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OAAzrTZN6B4K8ETHAxWeVtqRlo83CdqjKJWAThKJYe7z1KrZWRQcG8geLsTQC0TBTPmGWzV73g87qit0jAW69FT1Gfw5k1OTj3AnrIVqlpvBOvJ24KR3AC5YclYbSZwi83NdDAQ1FtBr/s320/IMG_2950.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creating a story board for a property video.</td></tr></tbody></table></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T-OJYo9TM0yaCPvwvzOHCEJW54PdPqW7T3rLz77R1zlcdSFLz8V6eDMN3rFEXEY9Ax-n0LeaaenrWdQr3dqqWTf-VSvbYUtJM8roZXKGgqdY0_aZ-Lup9sONxJe7aQWT9LZuN8JmqI6m/s640/IMG_2969.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3T-OJYo9TM0yaCPvwvzOHCEJW54PdPqW7T3rLz77R1zlcdSFLz8V6eDMN3rFEXEY9Ax-n0LeaaenrWdQr3dqqWTf-VSvbYUtJM8roZXKGgqdY0_aZ-Lup9sONxJe7aQWT9LZuN8JmqI6m/s320/IMG_2969.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enroute to the launch of the last brokerage that had bought us, with my fellow French & metric-speaking Canadian Realtor.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x4aSQMJR_nZ0S98W_fnkwOQzAZ-I-xYk56tlSOmT6wmPtIk_eRj-ZXFfQfnREBJXMtAAN334_oD4Br6Hciha5lajZzU16HR1IFwntKH6SW99MMt3OosVx82y9WoLwGwfQn37jD281cMm/s960/IMG_2967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8x4aSQMJR_nZ0S98W_fnkwOQzAZ-I-xYk56tlSOmT6wmPtIk_eRj-ZXFfQfnREBJXMtAAN334_oD4Br6Hciha5lajZzU16HR1IFwntKH6SW99MMt3OosVx82y9WoLwGwfQn37jD281cMm/s320/IMG_2967.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The most fun you can have while on a Broker Preview Tour starts with us!</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div>Three years ago I made a big change, by finally leaving the office I had been with from the start, having weathered 3 different brokerages as our company was sold & bought, sold & bought. I hadn't loved the last 2 brokerages, partly because they seemed to have little to no interest in our local communities. It felt like it was always about the money, and funneling it back to Greenwich. I wanted to be a part of a company that was part of my community, invested like I was. I was a little anxious about leaving a big name brokerage, but it was time to do it. I remember saying it was my 18th year in real estate... adulthood... and it was time to leave the nest and grow. It was very exciting to be a part of building a new brokerage from the ground up, and I had absolute faith in Carl Guild & his vision. I do miss some of the people I used to work with (many of them joined us!) but that change was the best thing I've done! </div><div><br /></div><div>So, what does 21 look like now?? The good news is that I still LOVE real estate after all these years! I think even more so now, because I'm part of this local brokerage doing so much more for the community than any other real estate brokerage in our area: scholarships, charity/non-profit & client use of our moving trucks, supporting fundraisers, providing the Easter bunny and bunny ears for the kids for our annual Parks & Rec Easter Egg Hunt, hosting new buyer seminars, Trunk or Treat, running social media for the Old Home Days Celebration, Scarecrow Festival, food drives, delivering supplies to schools and Covid kits to seniors, toy drives, supporting local businesses, making floats & walking in our parades, awesome client and agent appreciation events, and more. I feel SO GOOD about, and so grateful for these opportunities. I am honored to be a mentor to several newer agents, and I am proud of their hard work and achievements. I even had a high school intern for a short while who wanted to explore real estate as a career before heading off to college.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdSK5DPYc6mlpxOMTvxH5IoGWjWBdo97N2PvKYfVrA4_dXEmkqw2uu5lqZNnumYDhjGbwRMEWQIIMA2ZoSS6HgfbqeBvn57X1qD2C94fgW-xGK_uV_cJUE7K4XYhAY_-aDeexNqts9EyS/s960/Scholarship+logo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdSK5DPYc6mlpxOMTvxH5IoGWjWBdo97N2PvKYfVrA4_dXEmkqw2uu5lqZNnumYDhjGbwRMEWQIIMA2ZoSS6HgfbqeBvn57X1qD2C94fgW-xGK_uV_cJUE7K4XYhAY_-aDeexNqts9EyS/s320/Scholarship+logo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn5ZpkpowYoHW5vK9dUw1lSvcMv2gi0bAE3l_rW_nse_8sikzA-s0xyq8Yjm9IRC4LpxTIgATci_ut4OvSf98uTt5fefTrR6D1JkHW-roCavxY2uyQ74hIHa5ZBLVpOSa9EV7AlhqBeKN/s960/Parade+day+in+front+of+truck.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWn5ZpkpowYoHW5vK9dUw1lSvcMv2gi0bAE3l_rW_nse_8sikzA-s0xyq8Yjm9IRC4LpxTIgATci_ut4OvSf98uTt5fefTrR6D1JkHW-roCavxY2uyQ74hIHa5ZBLVpOSa9EV7AlhqBeKN/s320/Parade+day+in+front+of+truck.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to walk and hand out goodies in the Old Home Days Parade.</td></tr></tbody></table>.<br /></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguSwYjhP7U2QgpjlFkEr1zbFYndJ-JNljZA-hn-P53CnGRM7JR6AlLmEIxIqnbp5Ply2FAHDMIDh257a_2wQ8sO9hykbChZCRa1t0tX5ZDopSvXZrhlJk6xC5jzT1OMce4ngfpTzGcxgw/s960/IMG_2974.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="960" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjguSwYjhP7U2QgpjlFkEr1zbFYndJ-JNljZA-hn-P53CnGRM7JR6AlLmEIxIqnbp5Ply2FAHDMIDh257a_2wQ8sO9hykbChZCRa1t0tX5ZDopSvXZrhlJk6xC5jzT1OMce4ngfpTzGcxgw/s320/IMG_2974.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carl dropping Covid safety kits for each of his agents at our homes after securing masks, sanitizer and gloves to protect us while showing homes. </td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSFnOiRcInroby-c0pxmNpqv7K8Ux5oh7QhpTq6aO0MdyTQNEUZjlpcPYEH1AMU3tz_qH3kVH5ZVPE0AbfRmvSYkSPIMu0TL5OIIG0HU8e-LZ-vly83LAd9Yp2_VOSPrRS1VyCFBP7PKZ/s640/IMG_2931.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLSFnOiRcInroby-c0pxmNpqv7K8Ux5oh7QhpTq6aO0MdyTQNEUZjlpcPYEH1AMU3tz_qH3kVH5ZVPE0AbfRmvSYkSPIMu0TL5OIIG0HU8e-LZ-vly83LAd9Yp2_VOSPrRS1VyCFBP7PKZ/s320/IMG_2931.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bringing the Easter Bunny to the town Easter Egg Hunt.</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Over the years I've learned where my strengths and weaknesses lie. I found the work/life balance and the routines that work best for me. Things definitely shifted with Covid (I'm working mostly from home now) but we adjust. If I need time, I take time. I love being a mentor and being creative with marketing. I love that I can come up with crazy ideas (ie. we need a snow machine for our community trunk or treat display!) and my broker supports them (we won best trunk or treat display for our Frozen-themed truck...just saying!) I'm so appreciative and happy to work with a broker who has big ideas and who has created such a supportive, collaborative, fun & modern work environment. We have a huge family of agents who have come onboard with us...and it's just that...it feels like family. It feels like the way real estate used to feel...only better!</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7_nXdzOOUnpyl-CBzaV4SLOZbbx28vZvv6JYvaLtrkM1yeGaf1-GYh8QxFqNwlOy6swQ9vXAz55VeIooKFJmSyt6tBGWyoqzdlOwSfHDm5ErbQkHy3KqgjfhN06luFdeVZ27BASSztBE/s640/IMG_8416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx7_nXdzOOUnpyl-CBzaV4SLOZbbx28vZvv6JYvaLtrkM1yeGaf1-GYh8QxFqNwlOy6swQ9vXAz55VeIooKFJmSyt6tBGWyoqzdlOwSfHDm5ErbQkHy3KqgjfhN06luFdeVZ27BASSztBE/s320/IMG_8416.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our 3rd year of Trunk or Treat.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4E5i74KRFCgnR0TqRWA5qQTNCppXpazInH6eeZkM9XDzOEv6bc6J8csuRf3JEo2d94HBHgzkYtN1zxm2supC7SUVw_WgIAH8rz2ZPh2Oj-x60-KBwGsuMUGsL6KHx68p8cg9oD-SFWYx/s640/IMG_8421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgT4E5i74KRFCgnR0TqRWA5qQTNCppXpazInH6eeZkM9XDzOEv6bc6J8csuRf3JEo2d94HBHgzkYtN1zxm2supC7SUVw_WgIAH8rz2ZPh2Oj-x60-KBwGsuMUGsL6KHx68p8cg9oD-SFWYx/s320/IMG_8421.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Making it snow! It looked amazing at night with the Christmas lights we had!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br />I still help the first time home buyers and renters, and the people starting whole new chapters of their lives, while also helping past clients buy their dream homes. At this point most of my business is repeat or referral business, for which I am so grateful. I've even had several clients who came to me after they had bought one of my listings, when they were ready to sell because they had a good impression of me when they were buying. That means a lot. </div><div><br /></div><div>Is it still stressful after all these years? Yes, it can be, but I don't get as rattled as I once did. There are some big egos in this business, communication problems, times where we have to "break-up" with clients who just aren't a good fit, and sometimes there are so many circumstances beyond our control. On the bright side, every day is different, and I don't ever get tired of seeing "the look" someone gets when we walk into exactly the right house, or the smiles when we hand over the keys on closing day, or telling a seller that we got a great price for their house. It's amazing to be a part of that experience with people. Plus I still love houses, interior design, great floor plans, and yards & gardens! Some days it's a dream job...but then some days there are creepers, and some days there are long walks to clear our heads. </div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKJe1S0-5xPHpc4gHbmYRsLjAGUK_vlcAlsCjddO0gFAl625CwdhpvHFbGNg1pkcTPUZFoLFIsWY-nTvlDL8RSP1aiI9ddyz2kdu66-ABMFwBGIgnyB2hTsUC_9LrAh34eD3SOsqydCx2/s640/Dock+%2526+kayaks+view+of+Pocotopaug.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="428" data-original-width="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWKJe1S0-5xPHpc4gHbmYRsLjAGUK_vlcAlsCjddO0gFAl625CwdhpvHFbGNg1pkcTPUZFoLFIsWY-nTvlDL8RSP1aiI9ddyz2kdu66-ABMFwBGIgnyB2hTsUC_9LrAh34eD3SOsqydCx2/s320/Dock+%2526+kayaks+view+of+Pocotopaug.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Being in a lake community I get to sell properties like this one!</td></tr></tbody></table><div><br /></div><div>Mostly 21 is me gushing about how grateful I feel for all of it. It's the connections I've made with strangers who became friends; people I run into in town who tell me how much they love it here, clients who text me photos of the renovations they've done since they bought their homes. At this point I know pretty much all of the best closing attorneys, have great relationships with other agents, know who to call when there's evidence of bats in the attic or asbestos in the basement. I know which mortgage brokers will call me back on a Saturday night and get my client the pre-approval they need in order to get an offer in before anyone else does. I know where to find the answers if I don't have them, and I have the true and generous support of my broker and office mates alike.</div><div><br /></div><div>Pandemic or not, 21 is looking pretty good, and I am profoundly grateful to be here.</div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks for reading.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-25465497095623856422021-01-14T21:48:00.001-05:002021-01-14T21:52:01.269-05:002021 Garden Planning Anyone?<p>Every year, after Christmas is all put away, I welcome January by taking inventory of my seed stock and pouring through seed catalogs and then planning out my garden! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimNtHy8hZwH7z_Xa-8mLLfEHixpT3OsWfbbec4PiuFtHy796QIaZUykVUv9ZqeFrh5AMUe3qa5tskIrjAxMatxOOgaj7NCqC0inZ4IPnZa2NqBtJNbqSXpP1p_6sxWgnZTY8lNmdyDW1T/s2048/IMG_0084.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjimNtHy8hZwH7z_Xa-8mLLfEHixpT3OsWfbbec4PiuFtHy796QIaZUykVUv9ZqeFrh5AMUe3qa5tskIrjAxMatxOOgaj7NCqC0inZ4IPnZa2NqBtJNbqSXpP1p_6sxWgnZTY8lNmdyDW1T/s320/IMG_0084.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>Gardening is in my blood. Both of my parents grew up on farms, and even now my Uncle Leopold's farm, <a href="https://fermecouture.com/" target="_blank">Ferme Couture</a>, is still run by his grandson (6th generation to farm this land!) up in my dad's hometown in Quebec, Canada. Growing up in Canada we had a HUGE garden, with my brother and I each having our our section to plant and tend whatever we chose. Any weekend visit to a nearby uncle's massive garden meant we were out helping to harvest the freshest veggies and sweet strawberries, or collecting eggs from the hen house, or playing in the barn with our cousins. Our pantry was filled with preserved fruit jams and it was wonderful. When we moved back to the states we had a much smaller, extremely tidy suburban garden for tomatoes, cucumbers and greens, and somehow weeds dared not grow there. My own garden has more weeds than I can pull. I'm VERY good at growing weeds!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDB610QUpUx7OtNLxwqHmW5AKZE_HHKORfnLXAsFMiyZrRvxWAm6OFYVdAJwTpq_eB05LeS1tNdvDRVIuRo1xAmrWUm4F8UPaTLP4JdQZOaUgNuZL8U6Inr-_Yt48bm-RX0Vqx_6kLyVu/s2048/IMG_0770.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGDB610QUpUx7OtNLxwqHmW5AKZE_HHKORfnLXAsFMiyZrRvxWAm6OFYVdAJwTpq_eB05LeS1tNdvDRVIuRo1xAmrWUm4F8UPaTLP4JdQZOaUgNuZL8U6Inr-_Yt48bm-RX0Vqx_6kLyVu/s320/IMG_0770.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Morning Glories are so pretty until they choke out everything else!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>I've been gardening here in East Hampton for more than 20 years now! Perennials, fruits, vines, veggies, you name it, I've probably grown it (including cucamelon.) I'm such a gardening nerd that I keep a gardening journal, listing initial wish lists for when we bought the house, to outlining gardening projects over the years, planting lists with favorite varieties, and notes on what the deer ate and what grows well where! I have notes on favorite gardening with children books, like <i>Roots, Shoots, Buckets and Boots</i>, which I must have borrowed from my local library half a dozen times when the kids were little. My planting notebook even has plans for a small orchard behind the carriage house. My grandparents had an orchard on the family farm where my dad grew up (one of my cousins owns it now...so nice that it's still in the family!) and I always loved it. That property is and was a magical place that stretched on beyond what you could see. <br /><br />Last Spring I had not planned on a garden in 2020 because we were supposed to be away for the Summer, picking up our son in France, and traveling through June & July. When those plans were dashed, I discovered that my husband had purged my seed stock after mice got into it. It was late in the season to replace some of my favorite varieties, but I made do with what I could find, and I tried something new - I sprouted alfalfa sprouts for the first time! <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAb_ZsdStfeDJ8EjP4w_OZgvnHXQ-Lk9hPP5Ev5-FPc66jHlfb_9fMHAmvpcjrxfUQ7j_HDuRsROz1qLPbIXBWf6Ub5-cOPmXy5waQcWLr-38UPgRp5dw5R22HAxgM_J61ngfsCxuMR0f/s2048/IMG_0045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuAb_ZsdStfeDJ8EjP4w_OZgvnHXQ-Lk9hPP5Ev5-FPc66jHlfb_9fMHAmvpcjrxfUQ7j_HDuRsROz1qLPbIXBWf6Ub5-cOPmXy5waQcWLr-38UPgRp5dw5R22HAxgM_J61ngfsCxuMR0f/s320/IMG_0045.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"></td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Then my dearest cousin who owns the amazing garden center, <a href="https://www.atlanticgardening.com/" target="_blank">Atlantic Garden Center</a>, in Raleigh, NC, sent me what was left of his onion sets and some other supplies! In the end I did fill the garden and the terrace planters with veggies, fruits & herbs, and was able to share. That's always the nice thing about gardening...the sharing part. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlUy0DMv7fFAJ4TMSEdoFssyxFfL83xSfgWxI_ec1Jp1yKPWsYkSLnG9nCehSBDsjIYtgOB9axLq9IhNVLcRU8MamDicBGqOMcGdjzurH6XuAQmKXLMEessJWcObEL8SJh0ek__VuQhQV/s2048/IMG_0552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnlUy0DMv7fFAJ4TMSEdoFssyxFfL83xSfgWxI_ec1Jp1yKPWsYkSLnG9nCehSBDsjIYtgOB9axLq9IhNVLcRU8MamDicBGqOMcGdjzurH6XuAQmKXLMEessJWcObEL8SJh0ek__VuQhQV/s320/IMG_0552.jpg" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes, we have grapes!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>In a year of Covid, many of us likened our gardens to Victory Gardens. I found myself out there every morning, which was a really calm way to start the day, in a frightening reality that was happening all around us. There is definitely something therapeutic about digging in the dirt and working with your hands. I also learned an important lesson about always wearing gloves, as I must have touched a weed that I was either very allergic to, or something got under my skin, because going into Spring 2021 I still have a mysterious, painful skin condition along a few fingers that we are attempting to treat with only limited success. <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-_wHiJb4mrBmp3n_MqaPCB-o143WFJoz3-z7s1OgKZYNQ8azQ8JuwbBl0PDP2bur9AyBe5KmEQ_h9X0cfo3k5fArDVK6AlFMeWxXHFPIEEz3peNU4y-kfq59eI2Hrb8q58lBaXupEFNz/s2048/IMG_0207.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5-_wHiJb4mrBmp3n_MqaPCB-o143WFJoz3-z7s1OgKZYNQ8azQ8JuwbBl0PDP2bur9AyBe5KmEQ_h9X0cfo3k5fArDVK6AlFMeWxXHFPIEEz3peNU4y-kfq59eI2Hrb8q58lBaXupEFNz/s320/IMG_0207.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First day of organizing and planting the terrace 2020. Garden fence repairs in the background were one of many projects for the year.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>Fast forward to January 2021 (which, wow, hasn't this been a horrific start to the year?) We have held off on rebooking our cancelled trip so far, and while I have a glimmer of hope that there might be some travel, I am ready to browse seeds! My favorite resource for seeds is <a href="https://www.highmowingseeds.com/" target="_blank">High Mowing Organic Seeds</a> out of Vermont. What am I ordering early before they sell out this year? Vates Kale and the DMR salad blend are at the top of my list, along with peas, some gorgeous purple beans, flat-leaf parsley, thyme, and dill. I have a decent supply of leftover seeds from last year (yes, you can still plant them, only the germination rate might be lower.) Sometime around March I'll start seeds with the kids if they're still willing, and on St. Patrick's Day, we plant peas because a dear neighbor who was a great gardener (and a fellow Frenchie!) said it was good luck! Hart's Seeds in Wethersfield, CT puts out this helpful <a href="https://hartseed.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Harts-Guide-Vegetable-Planting-Chart.pdf" target="_blank">seed starting/planting calendar</a> for those of us in Connecticut. </p><p>I am also a big supporter of our local garden center, <a href="https://www.paulsandsandys.com/" target="_blank">Paul's and Sandy's Too</a>. I get most of my fresh plants from them, with the exception of supporting a few local farm stand growers and the Hartford Farmer's Market, because there have been times where I've bought basil or other herbs entirely in Italian (I did my study abroad in Italy, did you know?) <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzJaDru6azNXV6yP9rTsZnVOXuba5oOYiAf11YpabkWXozGo-mhtFui7dlZXjIWn-yQ1Gio4VhPDhv-XpOJytqp4qUtvU6GVdkO1zT6pe00QcQLi9A9KLJyj-lqa3-wUxpxsjFqY4H-S/s1080/IMG_2756.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3yzJaDru6azNXV6yP9rTsZnVOXuba5oOYiAf11YpabkWXozGo-mhtFui7dlZXjIWn-yQ1Gio4VhPDhv-XpOJytqp4qUtvU6GVdkO1zT6pe00QcQLi9A9KLJyj-lqa3-wUxpxsjFqY4H-S/s320/IMG_2756.JPG" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I grow a few varieties of lavender and harvest twice each season.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>I absolutely love growing herbs. I always have basil, 2-3 kinds of thyme, chives, flat-leaf parsley, dill, lavender, sage, rosemary, mint, and tarragon when I think of it. Now that we have a kitten I'm considering catnip. Every year I fill my terrace to overflowing with pots (I keep adding a few more each year!) and fill them with herbs & flowers. Some years I have color themes (blue white & red for the year Julien went on exchange to France, red & white in memory of my dad, all pink for Charlotte's 1st birthday, etc.) In 2020 I gave up almost all of the flowers with the exception of hanging baskets, nasturtiums, marigolds, and something purple to contract them, to grow food on the terrace in addition to my garden space, because I wanted to grow as much of our own food as possible. Our amazing neighbors kept us supplied with fresh eggs, and we ate a lot of omelettes with fresh herbs and side salads over the summer!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WBUY7sV7cmoqrx5NNpoy-d_7AZaHnmfI5zx36IP64D9JqoFWyw2qqB3Xo46__kEEB_tXptcSHAcuuUNio4IsaZWr9TMoIfQ03QRBN2X6hK9JAh9otD0fnxM30NbOu9sMiiG5bz7y6cw4/s2048/IMG_0566.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6WBUY7sV7cmoqrx5NNpoy-d_7AZaHnmfI5zx36IP64D9JqoFWyw2qqB3Xo46__kEEB_tXptcSHAcuuUNio4IsaZWr9TMoIfQ03QRBN2X6hK9JAh9otD0fnxM30NbOu9sMiiG5bz7y6cw4/w240-h320/IMG_0566.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Growing food on the terrace is so convenient!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><p>There are perennials fruits, veggies & herbs that I grow too! From rhubarb, to grapes and asparagus, to the raspberry bushes I begged my husband NOT to plant far back in the yard (I don't go back there) to the lavenders, kale, chives, sage & thyme that winter over. I would like to replant the strawberry beds, but I lost that battle to the chipmunks who come and take a bit out of each berry) and the blueberry bushes that I failed by not feeding them enough. I've grown colorful veggies for the kids, like purple carrots and vibrant purple beans and blue potatoes. For years I had to plant double the peas I thought I would need because my little one would eat her way through the row. Fresh peas right off the plant were her favorite!</p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEthWLebmH6BAbUBZs_5Fy4XbMV77BHeB8UL3lHZZXRdvTAxntbnIWtMcZFEKEAU5eeNR3puYNy7mj7KQ8vAVDXrYjYVblv54oHyP4ZGxCEJTaDO2pK1vFEnd1ifsG-SNBzbmT5CU8E9nA/s1600/P7170617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEthWLebmH6BAbUBZs_5Fy4XbMV77BHeB8UL3lHZZXRdvTAxntbnIWtMcZFEKEAU5eeNR3puYNy7mj7KQ8vAVDXrYjYVblv54oHyP4ZGxCEJTaDO2pK1vFEnd1ifsG-SNBzbmT5CU8E9nA/s320/P7170617.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was so little!<br /><br /></td></tr></tbody></table>I still compost, but I'll admit to being lazy because I don't march out there very often once it gets cold, or after I've discovered a snake in the compost bin or the garden. Snakes are my garden season ender. </p><p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxPrMAGOrz4Eb4Wts6jxGGoZ4Gu6H60UI3hJXoYS-Fl1LMLbk0MYG4w5GmhC7JIMdaP3pM6eKPFNXUYjg32vM4MLmnAdVFxZSSJVxNvD6hZxz4qTpc9Diro1K0UylYrmzjin2TgFU8SBI/s1600/P7040482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQxPrMAGOrz4Eb4Wts6jxGGoZ4Gu6H60UI3hJXoYS-Fl1LMLbk0MYG4w5GmhC7JIMdaP3pM6eKPFNXUYjg32vM4MLmnAdVFxZSSJVxNvD6hZxz4qTpc9Diro1K0UylYrmzjin2TgFU8SBI/w240-h320/P7040482.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My neighbors find it hilarious that my husband installed a mailbox in our garden. He says it's for keeping garden hand tools and supplies. Flag's up...we've got mail!</td></tr></tbody></table><br /></p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYvWmzy2EZnG387kTBLyfu-hCQ7j8mpgz-Y8EgUbXX8kpks-gcbTF386Rxk79UIRlHmJG1xJcQbp9RVcsh6JmVNc-rTRVfbTDqTZBKPpWeNBKo7ncRDNKpRzWrp2rjdKg3tiPKLuxYtgw/s1600/P8130195.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZYvWmzy2EZnG387kTBLyfu-hCQ7j8mpgz-Y8EgUbXX8kpks-gcbTF386Rxk79UIRlHmJG1xJcQbp9RVcsh6JmVNc-rTRVfbTDqTZBKPpWeNBKo7ncRDNKpRzWrp2rjdKg3tiPKLuxYtgw/w320-h240/P8130195.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At least 10 years ago...playing in the runner bean tent and climbing the tulip tree that sprang up and had to be removed.</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><div>Back to planning for 2021....I'll need to rotate crops and spread my compost. I've never gone so far as to do soil testing. I'd like to give the garden a little more structure...maybe that will be my 2021 garden project.</div><div><br /></div><div>Will you be gardening this year? <br /><br />Stay safe my friends!<br /><div><br /><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div></div>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-22705387032347973942021-01-03T12:19:00.000-05:002021-01-03T12:19:33.553-05:00My Bullet Journal <p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">In September of 2016 I wrote the first pages of my bullet journal
after reading Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It was a quick read that I read
with some of my real estate team and I got a lot of out of the book. I tend to value productivity, which is something I learned from my parents, so this book with its ideas like "own your morning and you will own your day" resonated with me. </span></span></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My bullet journal is a living, breathing book that I use
mostly for real estate, and does not replace my agenda (yes, that’s on paper
too) or my travel planning book (also paper and holds the drafts of every trip
I’ve created and/or taken plus future trips.) It started with a Miracle Morning-inspired
habit tracker based on my own version of S.A.V.E.R.S. and quickly evolved into
notes and task lists…then kept evolving!<br />
<br />
</span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">I have a creative side, so this fulfills that need with some
colorful pages, some creative lettering, and a failed scrapbook-style page at the
beginning (it really does not work in this book.) Visually, mine’s not interesting
enough to share, but I know people who create absolutely lovely bullet journals.
If you’re not familiar, a quick Google search will show you some brilliant
journaling. As I love art supplies, I do have some high quality fine tip marker
sets and what is left of my beloved vintage Venus Canada Laurentien, Berol
Canadiana, Berol Canada Prismacolor, and the random Venus Paradise pencil
crayons from my Canadian childhood (called colored pencils in the US, and now
used sets go for high prices on ebay. Can we take a moment to appreciate how
amazing these are?) Mostly though, I use black pen in my journal. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My pages are filled with notes from books and seminars, classes,
webinars, & meetings. There are habit trackers (some successful and some
not) and gratitude lists for when I needed them. There are big ideas, big questions
and big goals. There are honest answers and accountability. There are reminders
for self-care (because I’ve never been good at taking time for that.) There are
affirmations. There are weekly, monthly, quarterly, and ambitious yearly business
plans, marketing ideas, launch plans from we formed a team, then opened a new
real estate brokerage, and years in review. It has become a resource that I
turn back to often.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">There are, as of right now, 182 pages of things that are
(mostly) important to me and it’s all organized into one place. It’s not that I
don’t love tech, but there is something about putting pen to paper that feels
like more of a commitment to me in this case. Maybe it’s my homage to analog in
today’s digital world. I always learned by writing things down back in school.</span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span style="font-family: arial;">My journal of choice? The German-made Leuchtturm1917 A5
(medium sized) dot pages notebook. It is small enough to slide into all of my
work bags, and keeps closed with elastic and has ribbon bookmarks. It’s very
utilitarian looking, and I will absolutely be getting another one as I edge
towards the last of the 249 pages of this one. <br />
<br />
Are you a bullet journal enthusiast? </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 12pt; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1ngwj_cH50e_qXZTJu-M2hZWSOHM2zXWYz8jm0pTYbxAMtlzWEzJeN5ibBpv1JYNhNQ5Z2xV_k0z-WaGugpT98QoqtmnryI9dBrz2twz2gm3dhHHWZQvXsB8ktQRPXnhhruOX9XWp7g1/s640/Bullet+Journal+by+the+fire.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO1ngwj_cH50e_qXZTJu-M2hZWSOHM2zXWYz8jm0pTYbxAMtlzWEzJeN5ibBpv1JYNhNQ5Z2xV_k0z-WaGugpT98QoqtmnryI9dBrz2twz2gm3dhHHWZQvXsB8ktQRPXnhhruOX9XWp7g1/s320/Bullet+Journal+by+the+fire.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p></p></div><p><br /><br /></p>My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-37014591343915554362020-02-01T17:54:00.002-05:002020-02-01T17:54:51.013-05:00Old Purple Farm<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZNIU_NLOWbCIt1m658cYnexlDPgbiaVYCnzUWJq5BQkAlQf3NfZ_jJe3sc7ctnf-a9W7MCZ5egbbIlRN-3MmooNrA5R5VHt2azjXOo0zWshAA8fOzuIlcPU3mA84l1ukrsLrcRcXfoVp/s1600/Just+Listed+My+Favorite+House+in+East+Hampton%2521.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1342" data-original-width="1600" height="335" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqZNIU_NLOWbCIt1m658cYnexlDPgbiaVYCnzUWJq5BQkAlQf3NfZ_jJe3sc7ctnf-a9W7MCZ5egbbIlRN-3MmooNrA5R5VHt2azjXOo0zWshAA8fOzuIlcPU3mA84l1ukrsLrcRcXfoVp/s400/Just+Listed+My+Favorite+House+in+East+Hampton%2521.png" width="400" /></a></div>
To be honest, it's easy for me to get excited about a lot of my real estate listings. I love good home design. I've gone so far as to fall in love with more than a few properties over the years...some for their views...some for their kitchens...or the general feeling you get when you walk in.<br />
<br />
This home is one that I've loved for over 23 years now. It's an antique center-chimney colonial circa 1746 known as Old Purple Farm, and today I put it on the market for the owner.<br />
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Isn't it a beauty? You enter through the courtyard at the back door into the kitchen with a lovely tiled mudroom spot to sit and remove shoes, and hang your coats. The owners remodeled the kitchen in 2000 and kept the original chestnut posts and beams, and the fireplace is just stunning! Right now it is outfitted with a ventless propane system, and the propane is also used for the cooktop. The light fixtures were custom made by local artisan shop Classic Lighting Design for the kitchen, and I especially love the one over the cooktop! Windows are 12 over 12 panes to replicate the classic look of the home and provide great natural night. There are lots of cabinets for storage, and the kitchen is fully applianced. The table by the fireplace is the coziest spot!</div>
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To the left of the entry, overlooking the courtyard, is the tiled sunroom, filled with Southern exposure sunshine.</div>
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The kitchen also leads to a large formal dining room, with original wideboard chestnut floors, and original fireplace. </div>
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From the dining room you move to the front of the house, where there is a staircase to the 2nd floor, and the formal living room, with fireplace, and built-in shelving, wideboard floors, and more of those gorgeous 12 over 12 windows!</div>
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The first floor continues with a full bath, and one of my favorite very cozy rooms, the library. This room was the original dwelling of David Bailey, built in 1746. From there the home was expanded by Ezekiel Spicer who owned the home from 1747-1752, before selling it to the Purple family, who owned the property for 59 years. (The owner has a lot of great history on the house, including the complete chain of ownership and ancient deeds!)<br />
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Off of the library is what the owner uses as a family room. It was also used as the sitting room for the 1st floor master suite which was added on as an in-law suite in 2004. The family room has French doors to the large deck, and a utility/storage and laundry room sits off of this room.</div>
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The family room leads to a separate entrance and coat closet before opening to the 1st floor master suite. This master has a walk-in closet, and more French doors to the deck, as well as a very large en-suite master bath with both walk-in shower and soaking tub. </div>
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Back in the main hall, another staircase leads to the 2nd floor, where there are 3 additional bedrooms (1 with fireplace) plus an office with access to the walk-up 3rd floor attic, a walk-in linen closet, and a full bath with shower. These rooms feature original floors and 12 over 12 windows</div>
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One of the many things I love about older homes is they're almost always oriented correctly. That was one of the things my dear carpenter dad taught me to look for in a home, and this one does not disappoint with its southern exposure in the kitchen, sunroom, and courtyard, and western exposure on the back deck for great sunsets while dining alfresco! </div>
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The driveway leads to a courtyard planted with perennials and herbs, with the entrance to the kitchen and the old carriage house attached to the home and now used as a storage room.</div>
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The house also has a 24 x 28 post & beam garage with loft by Country Carpenters built in 2004.</div>
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I'm not just wowed by the beauty of this home...I'm also a mechanicals and utilities girl, and again, this property does not disappoint! </div>
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There's a very sexy Buderus boiler with 6 (yes 6!) heat zones for the house and there are 2 (yes 2!) oversized 330 gallon oil tanks in the basement. The owner is diligent about getting the furnace serviced and cleaned annually, and the boiler has its own chimney.</div>
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Electrical service is 200 Amps and the house is wired for generator.</div>
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The house is on public sewer, which is a rare gem in East Hampton. </div>
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2 wells service the property, with a system installed by Frosti Water Care. If one well runs low, the pump kicks in to draw water from the other well. It works great - the owners never ran out of water!</div>
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There's even an extra furnace in the carriage house that is not in use, but can be run on wood and/or coal. </div>
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Too often I show homes like this and they're in a state of disrepair and neglect. This home is loved. This home has so much to offer, and such a positive energy and even a grace about it. It's special and it's rare to find a home of this vintage in such beautiful condition! </div>
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For the 3D virtual tour, click <a href="https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=AztUqzMHDHU" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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For the Multiple Listing Service link, click <a href="https://www.carlguild.com/homes-for-sale-details/31-SOUTH-MAIN-STREET-EAST-HAMPTON-CT-06424/170267253/17/" target="_blank">here</a>.</div>
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I also think you can't beat South Main Street as a convenient location! You can reach all 4 town schools in about 5 minutes or less. The bustling historic village center 2 minutes away has been revitalized and is home to fabulous boutiques, adorable galleries, studios & shops, restaurants, a bakery, the most delicious coffeehouse/tavern, a great bike shop with access right onto the Airline Trail, and even our own farm brewery has a tasting room/record shop/live performance space here! You can also find the town library, senior center, post office, and historical society museum in our sweet village center. </div>
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Just a few minutes farther brings you to all of the shops, services and restaurants on Route 66, or to enjoy beautiful Lake Pocotopaug (free access via Sears Park to all residents!) We also have other great recreational opportunities with Hurd Park, Salmon River, Airline Trail State Park, and both gyms and yoga studios! This is a great area if you love the outdoors!</div>
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Route 16 at the beginning of South Main Street takes you to either Colchester or Middletown, both with more great choices for shopping and restaurants, services, movie theaters, etc., and East Hampton is an easy commute to either Route 2 or Route 9. We are located between New York City and Boston, with train service in Old Saybrook, New Haven, Kensington, or Hartford, among a few other places along the shoreline!</div>
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<br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-3717470016623238052019-11-08T23:25:00.000-05:002019-11-09T06:47:57.859-05:00How I Became a Student Exchange Mom & Host Mom - Part I of My Exchange Experience<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAiD657FTYXN0oEV5OK-iU7tkBPVuBownc0-h5r438-8CkBm-YBx_nvdvHFEQdBHz-7ZBKpHP8RxvASLAMJWNvi8HVN0DlZfCfQG1__M__5n-WmpRWbcxNAOAsIMr_w-Ydft4YUNvgekj/s1600/Screen+Shot+2019-11-08+at+16.02.57.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="313" data-original-width="416" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAiD657FTYXN0oEV5OK-iU7tkBPVuBownc0-h5r438-8CkBm-YBx_nvdvHFEQdBHz-7ZBKpHP8RxvASLAMJWNvi8HVN0DlZfCfQG1__M__5n-WmpRWbcxNAOAsIMr_w-Ydft4YUNvgekj/s320/Screen+Shot+2019-11-08+at+16.02.57.png" width="320" /></a>Today's post feels fitting due to the fact that it's November 8th...<span style="text-align: center;">and yes, we did hug our exchange student!!</span><br />
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I get a lot of questions about how we got into hosting exchange students, and lately everyone asks how it happened that we sent our 15yr old son off for a year to do his own student exchange in France. (Update: he turned 16 in France this Fall.)<br />
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It started just about 7 years ago with the Chair of our local Rotary Youth Exchange asking if we'd consider hosting a high school exchange student from Spain. At that time, my own kids were very young...around 6 & 8, and I declined based on the fact that I didn't think we had the kind of lifestyle a young European kid would be looking to experience here (early bedtimes, etc.) The school year went by and we put it out of our heads.<br />
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That Summer we spent 6 weeks kicking around the UK, France, and Iceland before coming home right before school started, to find we were being asked again, urgently, if we could provide temporary housing for another exchange student, Jasson, from Romania. He was arriving in a few days and our Rotary district had offered to try to place him (since the district that had previously accepted him had to cancel with no notice.) Our guest room was available, we jumped through all the hoops, background checks, letters of recommendations, and agreed he could stay with us for a week or 2 until they had things figured out.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mother's Day 2014</td></tr>
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We loved him instantly. It sounds a bit crazy, but we did. He was charming, smart and sweet, loved our goofy kids as much as they loved him, was meticulous about everything, and was honest and funny (he would FaceTime his dog!) I think it must have been hard for him to be all of those things when he was jet-lagged, tired, and nervous about where he would be living, yet he was. He stayed with us until Christmas, moved to a 2nd host family until Easter, then came back to us for the rest of his exchange year. We didn't realize it at the time, but he made a big impact on our son, who very much looked up to him as a big brother.<br />
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2 years after he left, we visited Jasson and his wonderful family in Romania, while spending few weeks in Eastern Europe. It was such a beautiful reunion, and so fun to see Jasson maturing into a young man in college!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In Romania Summer 2017</td></tr>
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When, 2 years later, we were asked to host again, we all worried that we couldn't love another exchange student as much as we had loved Jasson. (It was very much like that fear of having your 2nd child!) We needn't have worried. Jérôme from Belgium was older (18) but so were the kids by now (12 and almost 15) and again, we loved him and he fit right into our family. Jérôme was with us for the entire year with the exception of 2 weeks when we host a French exchange teacher every year. Being closer in age, and spending so much time together, the kids all really bonded. Charlotte loved having (now 3) older brothers. We had the pleasure of meeting Jérôme's family, who we absolutely loved, and we hope to visit them Summer 2020 while we are back in Europe.<br />
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What I should have seen coming was that our hosting would plant the seed in Julien's mind that he wanted to experience his own student exchange year. He spoke with Rotary and started his own application process (which took almost a year start to finish!) In order for our district to send out a student, they told us we'd have to agree to host again this year.<br />
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Flash forward to Summer 2019, where we said our tearful goodbyes to Jérôme at the airport, followed by a surprise visit from Jasson and his mom from Romania, welcomed Maggie from Denmark, and with much trepidation, sent Julien off to the south of France for his Junior year of high school.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boston Summer 2019</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our exchange student from Denmark</td></tr>
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We have been so lucky to host kids who feel like family to us, and lucky that our son has wonderful host families in France. We have met not only the kids we've hosted, but the students from other countries here on exchange (Fabiana from Bolivia, Pedro from Spain, Mathieu from Belgium, Ludovica and Andrea from Italy, Loïc from France) and met new families from Connecticut whose children have completed their exchanges or are out on them now like Julien. Our circle has grown wider. Julien's circle continues to grow as he meets new friends from around the globe while living in France.<br />
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Being apart from my teenage son is every bit as hard as I imagined it would be. I worry about if he's lonely, if he's understanding the teachers in school, if anyone can read his cursive writing (since he's never been taught and they don't use computers in his French school like they do here.) I've broken down in tears in front of the burrito section at the grocery store more than once. I miss his constant guitar and piano-playing, his singing, his music, his playing games or hatching plans with his sister, watching Parks & Rec reruns, and even his friends. It's so much quieter here. Confession time...I don't miss his laundry! That boy goes through SO many towels and clothes.<br />
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Having Maggie here has been a blessing. Charlotte finally gets a sister! Of the 3 students we've hosted, her English might have been the best upon arrival. She is sweet, kind, helpful, and fun to be around! Being a 16 yr old girl in a new school in a new country is a big adjustment. It can be overwhelming for these kids, and I think they're so brave to take on the experience, so far away from their support systems. It's not the same as our kids who go off to college. They're not going home for the holidays, and they're expected to change host families 3 times during their year here, in order to get a wide range of experiences.<br />
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Hosting has meant doing a lot of fun tourist stuff with the kids too! We've taken the kids to New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Philadelphia, Newport, Vermont, New Hampshire, Cape Cod, as well as upstate New York. We've done museums, concerts, parks, science museums, escape rooms, hikes, football games, biking, aquariums, amusements parks, golf & mini-golf, and lots and lots of shopping! Rotary has activities for the kids to do as well, which in the past have included trips to New York City, ski trips, weekends at a beach house, group orientation weekends, etc. I have to say hosting has been a great experience for us! My family has grown in ways I didn't expect, and I'm grateful for it.<br />
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What have I learned from my exchange experience? Come back for Part II.<br />
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<br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-49547556612913467522019-10-16T08:23:00.000-04:002019-10-16T08:23:49.073-04:00Once Upon a Time...Once upon a time I wrote this blog.<br />
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I started writing here in 2008. It was surprisingly successful and I really enjoyed my Thursday morning blogging routine. Then, after writing and not publishing the last few posts I wrote back in 2015, I realized that EVERYTHING I wrote felt sad. Between grieving the loss of my father, and the other heartbreaking news we'd received, the sadness and fear bled into my writing. In truth, I love reading other people being honest and open about what they're facing, seeing their vulnerability, but I felt I needed to grieve privately, and I had to protect my brother's privacy because he wasn't ready to tell anyone that he was so sick. 2015 was a really hard year for me, and it was a rainy Autumn afternoon while I was sitting at an open house in Glastonbury that I decided I had to take a break from writing.<br />
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Fast Forward four years to today...a beautiful, sunny, perfect October day...2019.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo used with permission and taken by Ted Morton Photography. (Thanks Ted!)</td></tr>
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Of course I still miss my dad. I ask him to watch over my son who is living overseas. My brother is alive and well and headed to Hawaii to surf, and I'm so incredibly grateful for that. 8 weeks after my father passed, my brother nonchalantly (if you know my brother this makes sense) told us he was in Stage 4 renal failure. Like my dad (and the 22 others in our family so far with kidney disease,) he had Polycystic Kidney Disease and he needed a transplant. I immediately started the process of getting screened to be his donor, and on March 30, 2016, almost exactly 10 years to the day my mom donated a kidney to my dad, we had a successful transplant. This topic deserves it's own post, which I'll do. (A lot of people reach out to me to talk about my experience and I welcome all of them with their questions! Seriously, if you know someone who needs to talk about living organ donation, I'm happy to help.)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Minutes before going into the operating rooms. </td></tr>
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So much has happened and so much has changed! The kids have grown. Our family has grown (by the addition of our exchange students who have lived with us - no more babies for me!) We've made incredible memories across Eastern Europe and Ireland. My work brokerage has changed. I finally love avocado.<br />
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My youngest is now a teenager! She's funny, and smart, and sweet & sometimes sour (like the candy she's always eating) and adores her brother, who is having a blast living in the South of France as a Rotary exchange student! Letting him go overseas for a year at age 15 was extremely difficult for me, but we all agree it's an incredible experience for him. [Note to parents: This is the downside to hosting awesome exchange students...your own child quickly realizes how amazing of an experience exchange is, and it's hard to disagree.] Julien is lucky to have wonderful host families, fun host siblings, new friends from around the globe, and while school there is a challenge, his French is improving!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bon Voyage Julien! </td></tr>
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We have hosted 3 Rotary exchange students so far. Jasson from Romania was first back in 2013-2014, followed by Jérôme from Belgium 2018-2019, and this year we have Maggie from Denmark with us. We have loved hosting the kids, and it's no exaggeration to say they have become family to us. (In my heart I have 5 kids now!) We went to visit Jasson and his family in Romania in 2017, and he and his mom came this Summer to surprise my kids! We're hoping to meet up with Jérôme this Summer while we're in Europe, and he knows he's always welcome here.<br />
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2019 is a big 2-0 year for us. This Spring marked our 20th anniversary of buying our house. This Summer marked our 20th wedding anniversary. This Fall marked the start of my 20th year in real estate. In 2018 my real estate team left our big brokerage to open our own office under our team leader and broker, <a href="http://www.carlguild.com/" target="_blank">Carl Guild & Associates</a>. It has been an amazing move for not only the 4 of us, but for the 40+ other agents who have since joined us in this new community-focused brokerage. We've just opened our 2nd office and I couldn't be happier with the decision to do this. I love that we do so much to give back to our local communities, which is something the big brokerage didn't do at all. I'm a mentor to several newer agents who are all doing a great job and I'm so happy for them in their successes!<br />
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So...what's next? I'll be sharing more of my adventures in real estate, our travel escapades, my experience in living organ donation, recommendations, green living tips, local news, updating the look of the blog, and so much more!<br />
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Thanks for reading!<br />
x<br />
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<br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1740870952040954316.post-64945461596455890502015-09-23T16:33:00.003-04:002023-07-28T08:53:30.010-04:00Cloudy with a Chance of Haggis - The Best for Last!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Our story picks up with our drive West from Fort Augustus on The Road to Skye. I can tell you it was absolutely breathtaking - mountains and lochs (lakes) and rivers galore. At one point, I think it was on the A87, the landscape was so moving I actually wept. I kid you not. That's pretty much how I felt about every part of our trip from that point forward. The beauty was overwhelming. When Cousin Sophie had told me that I would love this part of Scotland more than the rest, I didn't really understand why. Then I saw it for myself. (Wish I had a good picture to show you of the road, but hubby didn't stop the car, and the blurry car window photos just don't do it justice!)<br />
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Just before Skye we stopped at Eilean Donan Castle, another scene straight out of a fairy tale, that I'd been looking forward to for a very long time. (If, like me, you're a fan of the 1986 film Highlander starring Christopher Lambert & Sean Connery, you'll recognize it.) You might also recognize it as the most photographed castle in Scotland…because it is THAT scenic (of course it has an Instagram account! - I follow their various social media pages just to look at the photos they post daily!) What's different about this castle is that it is still owned by a family, who lives onsite, and rooms are decorated with antiques and memorabilia. (It feels like someone's house - and they don't allow photos of the interior.) We had delicious pastries and coffee in the café (with an art gallery full of beautiful photos people have taken of the castle!) then crossed the bridge to Skye.<br />
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<b>Isle of Skye</b><br />
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First stop was the Fairy Pools. I'll admit, finding them was a bit of a challenge (not really well-marked) until we actually got there, but I can think of far worse places to be a little bit lost! It was worth the effort, because we had a really memorable (and wet) hike (thank goodness for our rain gear!)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scottish Gaelic on all the signs out this way! </td></tr>
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We hiked about an hour out along the trail, which included a river crossing! Unlike the time we had to ford 2 rivers in Iceland (when I did chicken out at the 2nd river) I was able to cross this one with hubby's help. It involved leaping across slippery rocks and hoping he would catch me - the rocks were pretty far apart! I can't say I love doing that, but it felt like an accomplishment! </div>
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We stayed 1 night at a really sweet guest house (booking early is absolutely essential - not many guest rooms on the island!) where we were greeted with tea, freshly baked shortbread cookies, and a warning to our son from the little innkeeper that she would "throttle" him if he used up all of her Internet data watching youtube videos. It was awesome. The house overlooks a huge loch and is fenced in because otherwise the sheep try to come in the house! Since it poured rain that evening, we stayed in and played board games in the living room and got an early night's sleep before our big day of touring the island. Breakfast the next morning was possibly the best we had on the entire trip - everything cooked perfectly! Hubby said it was the best haggis he'd eaten - and he ate it each and every time it was offered!<br />
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To give hubby a break from driving for a day, I had arranged to spend the day with Donald from <a href="http://www.skyescenictours.com/" target="_blank">Skye Scenic Tours</a>. He's a local with a 9 seater van and a great sense of humor, and we had a super day with him. We spent the day with a really nice German couple and a retired British couple (the husband was a retired professor with the SMOOTHEST accent - my son at one point said it was the most amazing voice he'd ever heard!) So, we're not big tour bus kind of people, but to ride along with a local who showed us spots we might not have found on our own (like that dinosaur footprint out on a rocky beach) and who gave us history and personal commentary as we drove, was fun and worth it. My little one got to ride up front, and dazzled our driver and our new friends with the Scottish Gaelic she had learned from our library's online learning program. She absolutely beamed when he complimented her! (Proud mama in the back was smiling ear to ear too.) I didn't get a good photo of the Old Man of Storr, but here are some of the other favorite places he brought us:<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waterfall & Kilt Rock</td></tr>
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The answer is sing, right? Olaf would break into song? I wouldn't blame him - it's so beautiful!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can you see the dinosaur footprint? (3 toes in the center of the pic.) At An Corran, Staffin Beach</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Quiraing. Absolutely outstanding! (Stardust was filmed here.)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exploring the Fairy Glen</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This path was down a tiny road and came out to a view of Dunvegan Castle, where we had lunch.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over the course of the day, C picked up a sheep stuffed animal, and asked Donald for a good Scottish name for it. He chose Morag. Here she is showing the local sheep her new friend Morag. Clearly they are not impressed.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hiking up to the Dun Beag - a prehistoric roundhouse. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view from the ruins.<br />
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The Sligachan Bridge was so scenic we visited there twice during our stay on Skye. We did so much walking. My Merrell hiking shoes did not let me down! Charlotte's cute wellies were less practical. </div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">That beautiful day had an equally beautiful ending, where Donald dropped us off to catch our ferry to Isle of Raasay, with outstanding views from every angle!</span></div>
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Trying to look all cool & aloof but they loved the scenery on the quick ferry ride as much as we did! If I haven't mentioned it earlier, the kids are wearing LL Bean lined raincoats, which got a TON of use on this trip. (Yes, on trips, I still dress them to be spotted easily in the landscape or crowd!) </div>
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<b><span>Isle of Raasay</span></b></div>
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<span>This was just an overnight stay, but we quickly wished we had scheduled more time as the Raasay House had activities like kayaking, that the children would have loved to do, plus there was an whole island to explore but we didn't have time. The view of the Black Cullins from the front lawn of our hotel was just mesmerizing though. I pretty much sat at the tables outside and just stared at it while the children ran around the yard and played chess in the library before dinner.</span></div>
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This was the path we walked back down to the ferry terminal.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beautiful Raasay House where we stayed and had a lovely dinner<br />
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<span>From Raasay, we had another scenic ferry ride on <a href="http://www.calmac.co.uk/" target="_blank">Caldonian MacBraye Ferries (CalMac)</a> back to Skye, and from there we headed South. We drove through many villages and towns along coastal roads I wish we'd had more time to explore, like Oban, before finding down a winding single-lane country road, the tiny hidden ferry terminal we were convinced might not exist. The ferry ride was especially fun because the captain invited us up to show us how he piloted the ferry using a joystick. He was so kind and friendly, and gave us advice on what to see & do on Isle of Arran! The Scots are such lovely people.</span></div>
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<b><span>Isle of Arran</span></b></div>
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<span>This was quite possibly my absolute favorite place of the entire trip, and I could have spent another week exploring it! My "must-see" on the island was the Machrie Moor standing stones, while hubby wanted to tour the Arran Distillery, which makes outstanding whisky. I had booked a swanky resort/spa, the <a href="http://auchrannie.co.uk/" target="_blank">Auchrannie Resort</a>, where we stayed for 3 nights. It was just perfect and I'd go back in a heartbeat. The staff was so helpful, the food was excellent (wish I'd gotten a pic of the breakfast buffet!) the pool was huge, and the activities were so great that we wished we had known about them ahead of time - they had gorge walking, climbing, segway tours, abseiling, mountain biking, archery, and sea kayaking, plus a children's play barn where my daughter played for a bit. We spent our one FULL day there exploring the island, and found an excellent lunch outside next to the Arran Brewery (I can't seem to find a name of the café, but it was very good!) The children did an island Scavenger Hunt, which we found in a small shop, and I helped them find the clues in Lochranza while hubby took his distillery tour & tasting just down the road! It was really quite fun - the clues took us to signs in the village, or the old castle ruins where we had to find letters engraved in stone. I also fell in love with <a href="http://www.arranaromatics.com/" target="_blank">Arran Aromatics</a> while we were there (I brought some back as gifts as well as some fabulous lavender & tea tree lotion for myself! </span></div>
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<span>These are pics from the Machrie Moor - it is accessed from a farmer's field, so to get to it, you walk through fields upon fields of sheep (and their droppings - wear boots because it's impossible not to step in it!) </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The standing stones did not disappoint!</span></div>
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<span>After the moor walk, we drove down to the southern edge of the island where we found a local butcher who has a brother in Connecticut. We had almost stayed in this town at a nearby hotel, but I was so very glad I had chosen Auchrannie Resort, because nothing came close to it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Lunch in Brodick on a beautiful day!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Isle of Arran has a huge red deer population - they were everywhere! They also have red squirrels, but we didn't find any!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">More views on my walk with the kids around Lochranza - such a charming village!</span></div>
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Finding scavenger hunt clues!</div>
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<span>After our scavenger hunt at the castle ruins, we walked back to the café at the Arran Distillery for tea time and some shopping! Seriously, such a great day!</span></div>
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<span>Coming back to Brodick at dinnertime, we watched the CalMac Ferry glide past GoatFell, the beautiful mountain overlooking Brodick Castle, and the children rode a few amusement rides at the shore. We also smiled as we watched a college-aged guy playing bagpipes which moved a mum nearby to start highland dancing!</span></div>
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<span>We ended the day with a picnic dinner and frisbee on the lawn of the resort, followed by a good long swim in the spa pool before calling it a night! (Remember, the sun would rise around 4am, and didn't set there until 10pm, so we had some very long & memorable days!) </span></div>
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<span>The island was just so enchanting. They call it Scotland in miniature, and I can see why. If you're ever considering a visit, it' s a quick & easy ferry ride (but do reserve in advance if you're bringing a car!) and not far from Glasgow. I wish we'd had time to climb GoatFell, wish we'd have done some of the adventure activities at Auchrannie, had more time to shop the darling little shops, visited Brodick Castle, the Heritage Museum, and the Mogabout Safari tour. There's so much to do it really deserves more of a week than just the 3 days I had planned. The ferry ride back was smooth and the ship sold the Cobb Mutiny Bars that we had fallen in love with back in the highlands (yes, I bought out the entire supply at the ship's café that morning to bring home with me!) </span></div>
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<span>(For those of you who asked, yes, I did kind of look for Sam Heughan in Glasgow, but I didn't find him. Apparently he wasn't at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens where we had our picnic lunch. He was probably busy filming somewhere.) </span></div>
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<span>So now we've finished the last of the tea we brought back, and the last Cobbs Bakery Mutiny Bar is ready to be shared at dessert this evening. The whisky, somehow, has managed to multiply into a 2nd bottle, which I take to be Scottish math, or a testament to how good it is! Scotland, like much of the UK, is very special to me. In many ways it reminds me of growing up in Canada. There's something more to it than that though, it still feels more untouched, more genuine, more steeped in tradition. There is inspiration everywhere; castles and hairy cows, mountains, lochs and fairies in the glen, sheep, rivers, delicious woolens, mist, hearty food and hearty drink, and time for tea. </span></div>
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<span>I recognize that part of what made the trip so important to me was that it was a part of the grieving process after losing my dad the week before we left. I thought of him, talked to him, and I felt like he was there with me. Turns out it was exactly what I needed. </span></div>
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<br />My GREEN Life and Real Estatehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02260844250063929550noreply@blogger.com1