May 11/12, 2016 Vancouver to Paris

I will give a little background to this trip .......for Jeff's 65th birthday I plotted a trip to take him on the Camino.....by train. I particularly fell in love with the Parador in Leon. While the girls (Joanie, Sandy, Jan and myself were on the Camino we treated ourselves several times to "nice " hotels instead of the usual pilgrim fare) Now here we are almost two years later finally fitting it into our busy lives.
We left Vancouver on British Airways, slightly delayed.....and that was to be the pattern for the days travel to Paris, delays in London as well.  We managed to keep our cool, which can be a challenge when tired and delayed.
On arrival in Paris we walked for seemingly miles to retrieve our one checked bag, then more  miles to find a toilette! Finally we were outside the terminal getting a taxi. Fixed price of 55euros to our hotel. Timhotel is walking distance to the SNCF train station where we will be heading tomorrow morning.
Our cabbie was a transplant from Cambodia, very pleasant, travel time was about 40 minutes from the airport.
The hotel is in the Montparnase district which is full of small restaurants and boutique hotels. We checked into our room and since it was now 10pm we ventured out for a light meal and a glass of vino just 45 meters from our hotel.  Pilgrims, we are a stones throw down the street from the Odessa Hotel which we stayed in on our last girls visit.  The restaurant was run by 3 young fellows one of which spoke passable English, we had a lot of laughs ordering our pizza.....with buffalo meat (seemed a cross between carpaccio and prosciutto ) very good anyway, with handfuls of arugula and shaved Parmesan on top. I finished off with a latte which was drowning in whipped cream. On leaving the restaurant we asked for the card so I could mention it in my blog.....the Oggi, our waiter was Giovanni. He gave us the trip advisor card as he thought we wanted to comment on trip advisor!
We will be having a lot of language gaffs I can tell!
We stopped to purchase some water across the street.....good thing we hadn't ventured far as the rain is coming down!
So ends our first travel day, we have a 7:30 wake up call, not trusting ourselves to wake on time. Tomorrow will be interesting  as we have some close train connections !
Bien Nuit!

Dinner with an Old and Dear Friend

We were invited to have dinner with my old friend from elementary/high school days, Jane and her husband Greg. We called for an uber taxi for the 15 minute ride. We were immediately captivated by their house when we pulled up in front. Lights were shining and we could see figures beyond the beautiful old door with a glass oval. Jane and Greg enveloped us both in hugs hello! So nice! Their son Carl was also there to meet us and visit a bit before he had to depart. Ainsley and I felt right at home. We sat and chatted over wine and delicious appies. We were both in love with their old (100 yr old) house, so utterly charming and warmly decorated.  Jane had made a delicious dinner with scallops and a wonderful spicy sauce, rice and a beet and carrot salad. Yum! Dessert was a hazelnut cake with hazelnut Sicilian ice cream with blueberries and strawberries. We were full! By 10:30 we reluctantly called another uber to take us home. Jane generously took Ainsley's phone number for possible future meetings. It was a really special night.

My Last Day!
This morning we awoke to snow blowing sideways❄️☃ I guess the weather report of a big storm was correct.....-8 with the wind chill -16.
Ainsley said turn left out of the building and after about 50 steps I would get a cab.....sure enough I did. I asked the cabby to take me to the A.G.O, he did not know what I meant and I of course did not have the address. It's the biggest art gallery in Toronto, doesn't everyone know where it is? ,,,,I said to the cabby. Whew.
It didn't take long to get there and soon I was inside. I spent about 4 hours there including a short break for lunch. The Group of Seven, a y Jackson, Emily Carr, Lawren Harris, a European section, amazing. My favourite area was the drawing exhibit, many rooms with drawings from every artist you can think of, Degas being my favourite. There were very few people in the gallery which meant I could get quite close and stay there😀. There were artist easels set up and encouraging signs to sit down and draw. One young fellow was copying one of the exhibited drawings. I was surprised that picture taking was allowed.....and I took lots. One exhibit that I nearly missed was quite interesting. It was on the contemporary art floor, and by this time I was near the end of my visit. I decided I would spent a few minutes on the 5th floor. This exhibit was digital and took 14 minutes to view. There was an empty room with a large outline of a rectangle on the floor and a projector high up in one corner.  The " show " started with graphics in black sand soon tumbling down the length of the rectangle you could see human figures, chairs , more human figures. It was depicting the falling of the twin towers........dark and shocking, lest we forget, the image changed to tree branches with leaves fluttering in wind, then the colours started changing...pink, purple, red, yellow moving in soft waves, quite extraordinary, and soothing at the end.

Toronto Visit February 2016

It was pretty exciting to visit Toronto and Ainsley in her new environment.  I should have blogged about it each day instead here I am on my last day of 8!
My arrival was on time and I took the train into Union station......a $44. Return trip. The train reminded me of the London trains as we went by little pockets of housing areas along the way. The station itself is similar to Grand Central in NYC.....I walked to the big clock over the info booth, texted Ainsley and waited. Eventually I went outside to wait for her and was hit by a blast of freezing wind! In my not warm enough Vancouver coat! There were people everywhere who seemed to be going somewhere in a hurry, a sea of black coats and briefcases. It was 5 o'Clock rush hour to the trains!
Ainsley arrived and we grabbed a cab to her apartment. She seems to know her way around!
I was anxious and excited to see her place. It is tiny and beautifully decorated, she has used every bit of space efficiently. The bedroom walls and all ceilings are grey unfinished cement which is very modern and edgey. Living room/kitchen is white.  We settled in, had a glass of vino and then walked out to Gustos for a bite. Her location at 12 Charlotte Street is in the heart of downtown close to transit of all kinds, streetcar, and easy access to cabs, uber and car to go!
And that was my first day. Ainsley has the next three days as holidays plus the weekend.
Day two we took the subway to Yorkton mall for a little retail therapy. Lots of window shopping and a few purchases. We decided on sushi for lunch......not very appetizing......I think Vancouver wins as  the sushi capital.
We met her friend Aaron for dinner at Lees, a popular Toronto spot within walking distance. Ainsley and Aaron had gone there for her birthday dinner last week and loved it, they were very happy to be going back ....special treat.  If you are ever in Toronto you must try their salad called Singapore Slaw, it has 19 different ingredients and really is 'to die for'.  Aaron was taking an uber home so dropped us off on the way.
The next few days were girly days, walking about the different areas, I was amazed at how well Ainsley seems to know her way around after being here such a short time. I can get lost very easily!
We rented a car to go and drove to the area known as "the beaches ", the beach is Lake Ontario . It wasn't too cold or windy and we walked along the front stopping at the art exhibits built around lifeguard posts.  There were a lot of dogs on sectioned off parts of the beach.....last hurrah for them as March 1st is no dogs on beaches for the season. We walked out on a breakwater, the water splashing all around.  We wandered and walked a few streets looking at the architecture and did some people watching, so many out and about in the good weather.  Soon we were looking for another car to go to take us to the Distillery District. This is an old area with lots of shops and restaurants in preserved buildings...lots of brick roads and buildings.  After a bite to eat,  we made our way back to the apartment.
The weather the last few days has been a mixed bag, cold, snow, rain, sun, windy, we've had it all. Most of the dogs wear snow booties, we even saw one large shaggy dog wearing full pants and boots on a snowy day.....we guessed his coat would have been the type to be covered in icy snow balls. The snow booties protect the paws from the salt on the sidewalks. Quite a sweet sight to see .
We visited the St Lawerence Market which is like an indoor Granville Island, or more like the famous  market in Barcelona! Lots of fabulous cheese, meat, fruit samples....and purchases were made.
We haven't cooked in very much but plan to now we bought fresh pasta and sauce.
I'll sign off and hopefully refresh my memory on the rest of my visit on my next post. xo

Oct/Nov. visit fro. Donna and Fred

We have been at our home in Arizona about 3 weeks, settling in and enjoying the quiet.  Not many of our friends are in residence . Toni and Richard who winter here from Oregon invited us for dinner along with Sandy  and John.  Then a second invitation from Toni and Richard with Linda and John with whom they have bought a fishing lodge  in Alaska.  Lots of interesting friends! We will enjoy visiting them in Alaska. We are also back playing regular pickle ball at the Carefree  Resort. 

Our friends Susan and Brian from Roberts Creek BC/ Vancouver, are also here and joined us for dinner at our house. 

Donna and Fred arrived and we promptly went for margaritas !!!!!. at our favourite happy hour bar, the El Encanto!  Since it was Friday we had to Also go to Harold's bar and then to the Buffalo Chip to watch the live  bull riding and the dancing. The band is western and the place is hopping !!!!! We have never seen it so packed. Outside there are bonfires burning  by the corrals , even a rider on a horse is in the mix! It was a great evening......,!

On Saturday we did a little tour around the towns of Carefree and Cave Creek to give Donna and Fred the lay of the land.

Donna and I made a trip to Costco ......we were standing by the wine in Costco chatting away when a couple came up to us and said they had been driving behind us trying to get our attention as our car was belching white smoke .....they had been unable to get our attention and said to each other, well, let's hope they are going to Costco!!! Sure enough there we were! 

We had left Jeff and Fred basking  at the pool. 

Donna and I have been collaborating on meals, and watching the London Tennis each day with the guys. The weather has been all over the the map....hail, rain and sunshine.

One morning Donna and I were in the kitchen  chatting over our morning coffee when All of a sudden a bobcat jumped off the roof onto the tree in the courtyard. We did manage to snap a couple of pictures before he disappeared. 

I should say at this point that Donna and Fred have brought us a set of three candle holders which Fred has made out of sections of birch trees?..they are so beautiful and I LOVE them! Donna, has brought a box of delicious brownies fromMartha and a package of pumpkin brittle she has made. We are so spoilt! 

We went out to the Grotto Cafe for brunch.......a funky cafe that makes great food and coffee.

Tuesday, Jeff is coordinator at Pickle ball and then him and Fred climbed  black mountain. Donna and I were headed  for the shops...crate and barrel and others. After a rake around a few stores we had a bite to eat at True Foods,an organic restaurant where we enjoyed soup and an appy. We head back home as we had an appointment with Preston to view the Boulder House. It s a magical mystical place! Person is so knowledgeable and generous with his time. 

After an hour viewing the property and hearing the stories of its history we departed to the Spotted Donkey  Cafe for happy hour margaretias and a snack.

Then It was a quick stop off at the local store for some meat and home for tennis.

Jeff and Fred got a bonfire going out the back of our property and we got a fire going inside to ward off the chill! 

Another bbq and more vino and a fine meal!

Bellisimmo! 

Changeable weather Oct 21, 2015 Arizona

The weather has been muggy and then rainy, so much that the washes were running! This is the first time we have seen this in real time! Quite exciting to see how quickly it flashes and just as quickly stops!  The rain was coming down with such a force that the roof overflowed. Jeff was very busy with a broom sweeping it away from the patio doors. 

Before the rains came we had a very muggy couple of days where the sky was dark earlier than usual, the coyotes were confused as they normally don't venture out until dark. We had 5 or 6 of them right on the other side of our wall, then they took off across the runway to the other side where there is a larger bit of land without houses on it.

This statue in the photo is taken at the entrance to be of our neighbours.  The necklace on the woman is a beautiful turquoise colour. 

I

October 13,2015.......arrived in Arizona

We arrived at our home in Carefree today, our grandson Andrews 16th birthday. Happy birthday to you Andrew!!!!! We've checked your bat and it's in great shape! Today is also the first day for Ainsley on her new job in Toronto! Anxious to hear how it went. 

The drive down was long, the first day we drove to Twin Falls Idaho arriving at 10pm. 

The second day we drove to Boulder City, Nevada. What a lovely town, our friends Toni and Richard have a home there but unfortunately were not in residence. We stayed at an historic hotel, the Boulder Dam Hotel, which has just 21 rooms. The rooms are good size with modern updates but period decor. When we arrived a man was playing a grand piano in the lobby.  The temperature at 4pm was around 100degrees. The hotel is beside the Boulder dam museum and it was free for hotel guests but closed at 5pm. We dashed over and did a quick 15 minute tour, next time we visit we will make sure there is enough time to really see it.  We then went across the street for some cold libation! 

A short stroll took us to Milo's Italian restaurant where we had a nice glass of vino and delicious pasta. 

Today was a short four hour drive to Carefree.

We have ordered pizza from "the best pizza in the world " and are settling  in to watch the democratic USA debate.