Monthly Archives: October 2012
Lively Lyon
I’m not sure why but Lyon reminds me of Salzburg. Maybe it’s the hill, the charming castle/cathedral and the river setting. Or maybe it’s the size or it could be that every time I visit Salzburg the weather is wintry. … Continue reading
From Nice to Lyon
Most of this day we spent aboard the TGV on our way from Nice to Lyon. You already know that Gord is train crazy so you won’t be surprised to see train yard photos. The weather is lovely, if not … Continue reading
Sea to Sky
Hurricane Sandy is on our minds and the people living in that part of the world are in our prayers as they batten down the hatches for some freakish stormy weather. Stay safe, dear ones! The sun was shining today … Continue reading
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Mediterranean France feels much like the Italian Riviera. Both languages are spoken, laundry hangs from windows in narrow passageways, pasta and pizza are local specialties and buildings are painted in warm solid colours. The pace is relaxed and people are … Continue reading
Exploring the Riviera
This is one of those days when I am grateful for a faulty weather forecast. A 30% chance of showers translated into a 0% precipitation reality and the French Riviera performed exactly as the guide books promised. We breakfasted with … Continue reading
Nice in a Storm
Weather plays a pretty key role when one is a nomad, even if the role is short-term. When the rain falls and the wind blows and lightening and thunder flash and crash about, it seems prudent to stay indoors. However, … Continue reading
Impressions
Impressions are tenuous at best. You don’t know whether or not to trust someone’s impression as true because, well, it’s their take on things. And for some impressionists, I guess accuracy is not the point. They would argue that the … Continue reading
A Striking Day
The museum pass seemed like a good idea at the time as it promised an economical means of visiting several of Paris’s renowned museums. Nothing was said about scheduled strikes. Gendarmerie were plentiful today as demonstrations of striking workers shut … Continue reading
War, Death and the Parisienne Tourist
My only real exposure to any of the France’s King Louises is based on Hollywood’s depiction of the boy king in The Three Muskateers film. From our hotel window the Dome Chapel of Hotel National Des Invalides, with its gleaming … Continue reading
At Peace in Paris
There is nothing like waking up in a different city. You roll over in a leisurely drowse, gradually realizing the room and bed are unfamiliar but you somehow feel unalarmed and fully rested as you take in new surroundings. Travel … Continue reading