Time was spent with my buddy Michelle who flew over from Oz to visit Paris and indulge in France's delights. We had a great time together as usual and explored the famous "rose granite" coast of northern Brittany, ate a seafood feast in Paimpol, "ooohed and aaaahed" at stunning chateaus and just had fun watching "knights" jousting and fencing. (see extremely gorgeous spunky knight below! Oh to be young again!!!) We rented a country cottage near a fishing village and indulged in the sights. I look forward to my next adventure with Michelle..........My Becky also visited which I have already written in a previous post and that time was just unbelievably special and loving. What travelers we have all become!
I also trekked up to Normandy for a few days on my own and visited some very famous landmarks. The D-Day beaches stirred my heart. I had NO IDEA how much planning went into that huge invasion. Did you know that the USA soldiers were training in the UK nearly 2 years before the invasion? I visited cemetries with a sea of white crosses marking the graves of the fallen, I listened to museum stories about the soldiers whilst pushing back the tears that stung my eyes. The coastline is stunning and dotted with old chateaus and villages all occupied during this trying time. It is extremely moving and definitely worth a visit if you get to this region.
On a lighter note I spent some fabulous hours examining the Bayeaux Tapestry, it is some 1000 years old and the colours are still visible in the story of 1066 - William the Conqueror. Bayeaux is an amazing town with ancient cathedrals and wonderful stores. I know I will return, the lure of France is simply too strong. I could go on but will post some photos below that tell their own story.
I am now spending some wonderful weeks with my Dad and Margaret in Munich, visiting friends and enjoying some super lunches in quaint Bavarian guest houses before heading back to the Caribbean for some needed maintenance work. My work list is growing and aside the work I will be doing there, I can't wait to catch up with some dear friends there.
There is no doubt that I will miss the cobblestoned streets of ancient french villages where I shopped for my weekly vegetables; there is no doubt I will miss the delicious french red wine for about 1 euro a bottle or my mouth drooling "meille feuille" - the original french version of our "vanilla slice" - my friend Adina likes to travel down to Sorrento to a cafe that has the best but I HAVE to tell you, those vanilla slices in Sorrento are a mere SHADOW of the french ones.......Adina, you must try one in France one day! I will miss my awesome little Renault Clio that faithfully drove me around Brittany and I will sorely miss my passionately favourite city in the world - Paris! How well I know Paris now, its Metros, its twenty arrondissements, the markets, the museums, the sidewalk cafe's. I have visited so many corners, hours in cemetries, from the top of the Tour D'Eiffel to the catacombs and sewers! - the ambience of the most romantic and beautiful city in the world. The city of lights. I will miss her sorely!
But I will return, once you have experienced Paris and France in the true sense, (not just a fly through tourist visit) you are hooked.....truly hooked for life. It's time to move on now, for now though there are new countries to explore and places to see!
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