Journal

Wednesday 17. 04. 19 I was given a couple of irises by Gisèle on Sunday and a couple by George and Laurene on Monday.

 

Tuesday 16. 04. 19 Patricia and I went to Les Baux today to see the new expo at the Carrières Luminaires, however we had forgotten that it was the Easter school holidays. When we arrived there was a long queue so we thought that we would have a walk around the old town and have a café and then come back later. On our return the queue was even longer so we cut our losses and drove to Aigues Mortes where we had lunch of fish and chips of all things in a Franco-Italian restaurant! Delicious! We then had a leisurely walk around town before driving home. We hope to get back to the expo in a few weeks time when there should be less crowds.

 

Thursday 11. 04. 19  We took the train from Amsterdam and travelled across Germany to Berlin last Friday after our bike ride. Checked into our very spacious apartment hotel in the Mitte district of Berlin and bought food at a the nearest supermarket which happened to be Bio. Spent the next 4 days wandering around. Saw an interesting expo at the Bohran museum on the Bauhaus from William Morris to Gropius, went around the Hamburger Bahnhof gallery of modern art which was enormous in an old station and factory, saw the wall and a concentration camp memorial and generally wandered around. Decided Berlin is a city that we both liked and will revisit.It is very easy to get around via bus, streetcar or subway. Got back home yesterday evening.

Friday 05. 04. 19 Met Julia in Amsterdam and spent the weekend there. Went to a superb Hockney/Van Gogh expo at the Van Gogh Museum – one of the best expos that I have ever seen and also a Rembrandt exhibition which was unfortunately marred by crowds. On Monday we went on our ride through the tulip fields around Amsterdam for 5 days. What a week! It was fun, interesting and even healthy! Met some interesting people – three ladies – Amanda, Caroline and Sarah really made our trip special.

 

Tuesday 28. 02. 19 Drove to Meze today with Patricia for lunch at L’Oscarine, an excellent  restaurant right on the seashore. It was warm enough to sit there in our Tshirts! Afterwards we had a stroll along the étang and spoke to some fishermen who were collecting sea urchins.

 

Thursday 21. 02. 19 I arrived back in Clermont on Monday afternoon after a great visit to Toronto inspite of the cold and the snow. It is warm and sunny here with a projected high today of 17!!!

 

 

Tuesday 29. 01. 19 Winter arrived last night – 32 cm of snow this morning and perhaps more today. Shovelled a narrow path to the road as far as the snow bank created by the snow plough. TTC not running between Victoria Park and Woodbine this morning – brings back memories!

Wednesday 02. 01. 19 Have had a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Christmas morning was the usual extravaganza opening all the presents at Jason’s followed by a hearty Christmas breakfast. We all reconvened at Carole’s for dinner of turkey and plum pudding which was very tasty followed by mince pies and Christmas cake – a regime might be called for in the New Year!!! Carole and I spent a quiet but very pleasant few days up north at Fran and Clive’s cottage. We came back to town yesterday afternoon on the bus and I’m now staying with Julia.

Tuesday 11. 12. 18 I arrived back in Toronto on Friday and there was snow on Saturday morning to remind me that it was winter and Christmas was approaching! Daisy decorated the tree yesterday so I now feel Christmas is really coming.