We returned from France yesterday, 9 hours later than scheduled and sans luggage...thank-you Air Canada, NOT!

And that's all I'll say about that. We had a spectacular time for two weeks in belle France and that is what I prefer to tell you about.

We are still suffering from jet lag so I'll ease into posting again over the next few days as I get back to a readjusted circadian rhythm.

There weren't too many chores awaiting our return, but a tour through the garden revealed scads of Roma tomatoes needing attention, which D. is currently cooking down into sauce. There was also a second crop of raspberries needing picking and D. did that also. No baggage yet so no laundry to do, it's on it's way and should be here soon...today. The driver called from Ottawa to get exact directions to our home.

This is our fourth trip to France. Each trip is special in it's own unique way. Our first time was a three week vacation prompted by the fact that our no. 3 child was going to be living in Paris for a year while working for his French company. With free lodging, who could pass up that opportunity? In fact we went twice that year, once in the spring and again in the fall.

The third trip was special in that it was our first time on our own in a country where English was not the prominent language.

This trip was highlighted by the fact that we planned to meet two people whom we had met through online blogging, as well as revisit the "City of Light," Paris, and take in the South of France. When I say the South of France, I mean the Provence region as opposed to the Southwest of France, where we have visited twice before.

Meeting on-line friends in person is sort-of like going on a blind date. You're never sure how it's going to turn out. In this case it could not have turned out better. Not only did we meet two exceptionally wonderful people and there spouses, through each of them we met two other bloggers who were equally delightful people. I will introduce you to Di. and Melanie as I relay our excursion to you at the points at which we met them.

On Oct 3rd, 2006, I posted about an 1971 Erma Bombeck column
titled; I've Always Loved You Best. The feelings described therein apply to our experiences with France and the people who have befriended us there.

Each trip to France has offered something new to make it special. This trip created new friendships with wonderful people, each different in their way. Each, truly exceptional, down to earth (salt of the earth as the saying goes), folks who are all that they portray themselves to be on their blogs and so much more.

Stay tuned for pics and stories of our fulfilling journey:
I have a few metro tickets and some Euro in my pocket, I guess I'll have to go back to France next year!


I don't know how "they" found out when we'd be arriving in Paris, but find out they did and 10's of thousands of Paris teenagers greeted us shortly after we got to our hotel with a fantabulous "Techno" parade down the Blvd. Beaumarchais that lasted for a couple of hours and was thoroughly entertaining. The "bass" was a tad heavy and I put my arms over my heart to protect it! ;) This is a glimpse for Sasha.