Travel

Sunday 07. 08. 11 Got back to Toronto this afternoon after 5 days in the Ottawa valley. We left the Annapolis valley last Monday and drove to Levis in Quebec – a long, warm day in the car. Tuesday we continued driving and arrived in Petawawa around 4.30. We stayed with Don and Sue Tuesday night and then moved into the cabin at Pineridge for the rest of our stay. Besides all the partying we also managed to check out Pembroke and Petawawa and swim and kayak in the Ottawa river. It seems to have been one long party with relatives arriving each day until the wedding on Saturday which went wonderfully well under clear, sunlit skies. Fraser was amazing and took his part in the ceremonies very seriously. After the wedding meal we all went back to Don and Sue’s for a campfire. Sunday morning we said goodbye to Patrick and Emily and all the members of the Maher/Stewart clan and all our new relatives.

Sunday 31. 07. 11 We have had a great visit. We have been to various local historical sites to give Daisy an idea of Nova Scotian history. The best was this evening when we went on a candlelit tour of the garrison graveyard in Annapolis. Tomorrow we set off for Petawawa.

Monday 26. 07. 11 Arrived back here in a heatwave last Thursday – hot and humid. Since then have got my old bike back on the rode and have been enjoying the city. Have seen a couple of movies and today spent the afternoon at the Clayroom working on the above.

Sunday 17. 07. 11 Went with George and Laurene down to Montagnac this afternoon to watch le Tour. As always a very festive atmosphere with the caravan coming by throwing hats, scarves and sweets at the crowd. This all happens about an hour before the riders who all pass by in about 10 seconds!

 

Tuesday 12. 07. 11 Just back from a visit to Marie-Pierre and Olivier. We had a wonderful time, fishing in the Bassin d’Arcachon, picking green beans from an allotment, visiting Bordeaux and seeing an expo at CACP. En route back we stopped for lunch with Michele in Bayonne. A very convivial and animated weekend.

Sunday 03. 07. 11 Yesterday we took a boat tour in the afternoon from the Grau d’Agde. Starting on the Herault up to Agde, the écluse ronde to the Canal du Midi, across the wildlife sanctuary at Bagnas and out into the Etang de Thau and back again. En route a plate of oysters with white wine. Four and a half hours en bateau for 13 euros – a bargain.

 

Saturday 28. 05. 11 Just back from taking Jason to the airport. We have had a busy few days since we returned to Clermont. We have driven up les Gorges de l’Hérault and visited Narbonne and Beziers. On Thursday we rode up to La Couvertoirade and then had lunch at La Cravate on the Col de Mineur before climbing up and down the Cirque de Navacelles. Yesterday we stayed round here but went into Pezenas in the afternoon. Next week back to work!!

Wednesday 18. 05. 11 Started the day with an early coffee with George and Laurene at Les Negociants. After this, reluctantly, we drove to the airport to drop off the car and say au revoir to Suzette the voice of the GPS! We had lunch in Montpellier and wandered around discovering a good photo exhibit at the pavillon populaire. We took the bus back to Clermont and had our first pastis of the summer at Les Necociants en route home.

 

Tuesday 17. 05. 11 I picked Jason up at the airport on Saturday along with a rented car and we have been driving ever since! We drove north of Nevers over the Millau Viaduct on Sunday to Guédelon a site where they are building a 13th century castle using 13th century tehnology. An interesting site that has a lot of integrity and authenticity. Yesterday we drove back home via le Puy en Velay. Today we have been to Avignon, le Pont du Gard and Aigues Mortes. There was a brilliant expo using the bridge as a theme at le Palais des Papes with the best multimedia show I have ever seen. Tomorrow Montpellier.