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Big Retirement OE
  • Trish Bulling
  • Neil Bulling

Big Retirement OE

Exploring Great Britain, Ireland, France, Italy, Turkey, Greece & Cyprus Read more
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  • Big Retirement OE
    Ancestor hunting
    Clonmore CastleRock of CashelSometimes there is a lack of seating in the roomsCobh CathedralSt Colman's Cathedral1CobhCobh harbourA lot more bungalows (single storey) houses in IrelandTop of the Coom - Ireland's highest pub which we stumbled uponHaving the obligatory Guinness1Dingle area, famous for tramping tracks2Unfortunately our view was impeded by the steady rainAn Chonair1O'Connors Guesthouse - view from windowO'Connors Guesthouse took up all 3 coloursHaving a bit of craicTop of the CoomIrish farmer 😂

    Ireland

    Jun 20–24 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C

    I have been remiss in posting here in the last few days, fairly hectic but fun - so, a quick round up of our trip in Ireland. I will do a couple of photo dumps to cover this part of our journey.
    We have found Ireland very green, lush fields, 4 seasons in one day, friendly people, fantastic roading system, still has very narrow, albeit sealed, lanes with large tractors. They pride themselves on having tidy towns and it showed.
    Most of the country reminded us of Southland, the Dingle peninsula has rocky, mountainous terrain with many hiking tracks that are used extensively. Talking to one chap, Ireland is still very much territorial, dislike (he used stronger words) the English with a passion, each county are even wary of each other. Neil has worn his All Blacks jersey that did start conversation which was great. One chap we talked to had played rugby in the Taieri for a short time 30 years ago then was talking about a small town called Cromwell, when he found out we lived in Cromwell he was so excited! He wasn’t so excited when he found out my ancestor, Mary Moffat, married Oliver Cromwell, Oliver Cromwell is not a popular chap in Ireland 😆 He whispered “Don’t tell anyone else that in this pub”
    We spent a bit of time researching cemeteries to find Diane’s ancestors to no avail unfortunately but found some other interesting sites along the way.
    Compared to Great Britain the houses are more single storied, plaster cast homes. The farm sheds and houses looked to be modern but that took away some of the historical atmosphere we were used to.
    We had an interesting drive heading to Cloghane near Dingle. We wanted to take some back roads and did we ever!! Over a mountain top on a single lane ‘road’ which was as close to the Skippers as you could get out of New Zealand but it was mostly asphalt. Imagine our surprise when we rounded a corner and came across Ireland’s highest pub “Top of the Coom’ 😆 we laughed and laughed and of course had to have a Guinness to celebrate getting there.
    Our accommodation was the very colourful O’Connors Guesthouse, beside an estuary and camping ground which was popular even though it poured with rain. This is where we met aforementioned Irish chap, the Irish music started at 9:30, and the small pub was packed, such a great atmosphere to hear them all singing at the top of their voices. D&D weren’t so impressed when they could still hear them at 3 in the morning. We were up the top of the pub at the far end, lucky us didn’t hear a thing.
    Cobh was a beautiful seaside town and St Colman’s Cathedral was one of the best we have visited.
    Visited a couple more castles, I think Neil has done his quota 😆
    We dropped the car in Dublin in a multi storey carpark with no clear signage and a hidden away office on the top deck - I went hunting and found a chap who was walking around the carpark who just happened to be working for the Sixt Car Rental company - it was all very random.
    After settling in we walked to the famous Temple Bar, the oldest pub in Ireland - so expensive but worth it to hear the Irish music and soak up the atmosphere. Photos in next post
    Dinner at our hotel entertained by our Spanish waiter who wants to go to Australia so was asking a lot of questions.
    We enjoyed our journey with David and Diane, plenty of laughs, sharing the driving and navigating, which went really well I must say. Now for us, a week in Wales and D&D head off to England.    Read more

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    We visited Bunratty Castle for 2 mins in pouring rain
    Bunratty Castle that you couldn't get into that I found out after walking in the rain2At least the top half was dryGalway - it improved so we could explore the rest of the lovely town2Dublin - The Temple Bar, Oldest Pub in IrelandThe Temple BarGalwayGalway - there were a lot of musicians in the busy streetsPersse Distillery - My Grandfather on Mum's side was a Joyce, could be a distant relativePersse Distillery2GalwayFish trapsAll signs in Ireland are in Irish & English1The Temple Bar1The Temple BarLots of connections to homeSpire of Dublin - replaced Nelson's Pillar that was bombed in 1966Birr Cattle Market - David & Neil had to have a look

    Ireland - Extra Photos

    June 23 in Ireland ⋅ ⛅ 18 °C

    Extra photos of our time in Ireland

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    I took a photo of this view (next photo)Richard Wilson painted this view 250 years ago23Photo not enhanced!1BeddgelertBeginning of our hike - it was actually warm and sunny on the hike1So pretty111Had to get a selfie1Slate fencingSlate quarry tailings

    Wales - Penygroes, Gwynedd, North Wales

    Jun 24–26 in Wales ⋅ 🌬 17 °C

    Travelling can have its ups and downs. Yesterday our swift ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, at 7:30am, was cancelled, we were put on another one only 10 minutes later but it took 3.5 hours instead of 2 hours. We were scheduled to pick our car at 11am, got there shortly afterwards but they had no cars, dropped us at beach for lunch, promised it would be ready at 1pm but took until 2:30pm to get on the road. At least we got an upgrade and a discount.
    This morning I completed some admin: 2 train journeys in France, updated my trip & cost spreadsheet. I could have done without seeing that last one 😆
    We are staying at Penygroes, a small town near Caernarfon in North Wales. Today we travelled to Beddgelert about 25kms from Penygroes in the Snowdonia National Park. It was stunning. An area known for hiking trails. We completed a 10km hike around Llyn Dinas (Lake) and back. The town itself was a picture postcard town, there were a few tourists there but not overwhelmed like a lot of other places we have been to.
    The area of Penygroes is known for its historical ties to the slate industry, this area served as a hub for quarrying and related activities. There are slate tailings still evident around Penygroes and I have attached a photo of a small portion of them.    Read more

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    Gave us a fair indication of what was ahead
    The story of Nant GwrtheyrnHow they quarried the graniteThey have quarried a large part of this hillOn the way downAnd downThe cafe - they hold weddings here as well1Our walk down to the beach where they loaded the granite onto boatsBeautiful beachLooking back up from the beachMiners cottageMiners cottage with history lessonDoctors surgery - this man saved the townLooking down from halfway back up, there is no other roadBeach with huts rented for the day1Finally got my feet wet1There some humorous signs on these huts - one said suitable for 6 ppl and dogNeil said he would be disappointed if his photo didn't make the cut - so here it is 😆We watched a lot of trucks coming through a tight intersection - I don't know how they do itSome tight lanes again todayVineyard grapes 😬

    North Wales to Sennybridge

    Jun 26–28 in Wales ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C

    Yesterday we took a drive to the coast then did a circular trip back to Penygroes.
    As usual our first item on the agenda was to find a coffee, we passed through some lovely villages but alas no cafe’s until I saw a brown tourist sign (like ours) that said Nant Gwrtheyrn & Caffi (Cafe) so off we went. As we went higher and higher on a steep narrow road we were starting to wonder where on earth we were going, then down down down to the coast. Lo and behold there was a cafe, a very nice one and a Welsh Language Learning School. This village was originally home to 110 men and their families who quarried granite but as the demand for granite fell away their village was dying. The local Doctor came up with the idea for the Welsh Language school and now over 25,000 people have been through the school, and yes, they all had to come in on that road.
    We went through a cottage that was reminiscent of how they lived and walked to the beach where one of the quarries was situated and where they loaded the boats to take the granite away.
    We love stumbling on hidden treasures like this.
    I finally got my feet in the ocean, definitely not togs weather but it was about 18 degrees. The beach huts were gorgeous, they are rented out for the day.
    We found a vineyard near Penygroes, the only vineyard we have seen on our travels. I have attached a photo of the grapes - not that impressive and on the bottle it just said “White wine” apparently a mixture of about 4 different grape varieties. I left it on the shelf since it was 17 pounds - $37.
    Today we have driven to Sennybridge where we spent 8 weeks in 1991 with Brian Davies, then revisited in 2015 with Gordon and Betty. We are here for 3 nights and are going to catch up with our Welsh boys who lived with us after we got home in 1991 and Gethin Davies who Neil shore with. We can’t wait to explore the area and relive old memories.
    On the way here we stopped for lunch right beside an intersection that was part of the highway but everyone had to negotiate a very tight street. One logging truck with trailer had to back up and round the street to let some cars through, he was not happy as they had come down the street when they shouldn’t have. His driving skills were outstanding. The truck with trailer stacked high with hay was impressive to watch!    Read more

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    Our dear Brian Davies who is recovering from health issues but has same cheeky sense of humour
    Gethin Davies, Brian's brother, these two got up to a lot of mischief, and they did again!!Got my Mum finger out for Welsh son Toby SmallToby Small and BrianTrigger - Brian Pritchard2The infamous Usk and Railway where, in 1991, Neil set a record of 13 pints of Murphy's Irish Stout 😬Sennybridge school where Kim & Kylie spent 8 weeks.Welsh Shearing Centre - Brian set this business up and it sells shearing equipment world wide.The Shoemakers Arms - where Neil has to duck down inside to avoid the beamsThe White House1Quirky is one way to describe The White House insideRubber ducky anyoneThis was cuteJim & Rona, the local butcher lived here in 1991, had one of the best meals ever hereSwallow's nest in Brian's shed2View from the top of Gareth's land, the love the Welsh valleysWelsh version of a shearing shedStunning Welsh landscape with cattle thrown inGareth & Sal

    Sennybridge

    Jun 27–30 in Wales ⋅ 🌬 21 °C

    Was lovely driving back into Sennybridge after all these years. We booked into the Usk & Railway hotel which was closed down in 2015 but was roaring with life back in 1991. We called into the Welsh Shearing Centre where I worked for 8 weeks with Brian Davies while Kim & Kylie went to school and Rachael went out with Neil shearing with Brian’s brother Gethin.
    The Usk & Railway has been fully renovated into a popular pub, restaurant & hotel. Kim came home from school one day, horrified, the world map in the school did not have NZ on it. I thought I had better check and sure enough, it wasn’t there! Apparently this is quite common, good thing these days, we don’t really want the rest of the world to know we exist!
    Brian came to see us, which was lovely, as he has been ill with cancer & Legionnaire’s disease over the last 3 years. He had his 81st birthday on Friday when we arrived. Gethin & his partner Marion also came to see us. Gethin and Neil are like long lost brothers when they get together, the bond is still there even though there is such a long time between meetings. We have tried to get Gethin to come out and visit us but he is definitely a farm boy and doesn’t stray far from Wales.
    Toby Small, one of our Welsh sons was with us as well on Friday, his memory of events when he was with us in 1994 was amazing. The bar lady kicked us out at 11pm 😆
    Saturday, I went for a big walk to reacquaint myself with Sennybridge. There has been a large army camp here for many years, occupying 15,000ha of land on the hills for training purposes. They have a replica town built so they can train hand to hand combat in confined spaces.
    The town seems to be prospering which was great to see, only 515 population but the next town Deffynog is practically joined and Sennybridge services the farming community. It has 3 thriving pubs and Deffynog has one.
    We visited the White House Hotel that was another frequent haunt back in the day. This has been totally revamped into a quirky restaurant and bar. The owner said it reflected his mental health status at the time 😆 Apparently the local farmers weren’t impressed, they do tend to be a bit traditional!
    Saturday night another of our Welsh sons, Brian Pritchard (Trigger) came to see us, he lived with us in 1992. Of course these boys all have children in their late teens and 20’s, time certainly does fly.
    Sunday morning we spent with Gareth Davies (Taffy) and his wife Sal and family, had a trip around his farm. We would have liked more time with them but Brian had invited us to his granddaughters wedding after party. That deserves a post all of its own.    Read more

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    Brian & Gethin Davies with Neil
    The Marquee was rather large with a dance floor behind the barMarion, Gethin's partner. They have promised to come out to NZ to stay with usTomi and BrianBrian is an excellent singer, they got him up to sing, he did brilliantly considering he is unwellBrian, Jody, Brian's sister Linda, SheilaMax & Jody😂Jody & Max on their wedding day2Health & Safety people!! 😂2Megan, Jody's grandmotherJody & Natalie Davies in Sheila's wedding & bridesmaids dresses2Horse racingStunt riding

    Davies family wedding after party

    June 28 in Wales ⋅ 🌬 22 °C

    What a day we had. Jody, Brian Davies granddaughter got married the day before and Brian & Sheila asked us to the after party. Brian had neglected to mention when we told him our travel dates, that his granddaughter was getting married the same weekend so we felt privileged to be there. He informed us on Friday night that he had arranged that we would attend the after wedding party with him.
    This was definitely not a casual affair, most ladies wore what I would consider wedding dresses to the after party. I hadn’t really packed for this type of event but that was not important. 350 people were invited with 186 at the wedding. The 7 bridesmaids rocked up to the wedding in the back of a ute with Sheila on board as well. Jody wore Sheila’s wedding dress for the first half of the afternoon, Natalie Davies wore one of her bridesmaids dresses.
    Sheila, Jody’s Mum is a talented galloping horse trainer so the party was partly horse themed. The marquee was set up inside the training track and they had a horse race with a bookie taking the bets, all the proceeds went to the Rescue Helicopter, there was a stunt horse riding display and to top it off we had can-can dancers. Watching the men watching the dancers (and participating) was hilarious.
    I met Marion, Gethin’s partner and we had a ball together. Gethin’s wife Sian and I were quite close when we were in Wales but sadly she passed away at a young age.
    We caught up with Brian’s extended family who we knew from 1991, Elwyn & Mary with children Wyn & Hugh. Gethin’s children Nerys, Nia and Alun, Brian’s ex wife, Megan, who looked after us extremely well when we were there in 1991. Tomi, Brian’s grandson has played for the Welsh 7’s team and Wales U21 team, a lovely young man who is now on a 2 year contract with Scarlets. Tomi was a bit horrified when he saw Brian in Neil’s All Black jacket, “Never, Grandad, what the hell” 😂
    Music was provided by an Irish band then a DJ, exceptional food, fantastic company, we felt very lucky to be there.    Read more

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    She was a hot one
    1Such a relaxing spot2My fav spot at our accommodation3The NEIGHBOURS POOL which we were not allowed in - tortureStart of our walk to Dover's RestThe view was lovely on our walkCover's Rest, compass on top was pointing true NorthWe came down these which was nice1The bush was beautifulThe mounds in the field was from Roman cultivation3Just a pretty spot. You can see these steps are very old and well wornChipping CampdenThe old market hall in Chipping Campden, right in the middle of the now streets2Inside the old market hallThis is the alleyway that the horses come through to start the huntThe Lygon Arms HotelThe hooks in the ceiling were for the travellers to hang their luggageWhere the horses come through for the hunt on New Years DayOur worldly belongings. We are loving our Sierra suitcases/backpacks.

    Chipping Campden - London

    Jun 30–Jul 2 in England ⋅ ☀️ 32 °C

    Our stopover on the way from Sennybridge to London was Chipping Campden, another delightful Cotswold Village. We stayed out of Chipping Campden at Western Subedge in the country. It was 32 degrees, we didn’t escape the heatwave that was sweeping through Europe. Our apartment was lovely but as is typical in the UK no air conditioning but with all the windows open it did cool down a little. There was a beautiful outdoor area in the shade and a breeze so life was pretty good until I heard the owners of the apartment swimming in their pool which we were strictly forbidden to use 😆
    The next morning early, we set off for a 5km walk up to Dovers Rest, this area had been inhabited by the Romans and you can still see the mounds in the fields where they had cultivated wine. The walk went through an orchard, paddocks & a forest, where we spotted a squirrel, the sheep were obviously used to people walking around them as they didn’t move an inch.
    We visited Chipping Campden and had an ale in the Lygon Arms Hotel. This used to be a coaching inn for travellers with stables out the back and hooks in the ceiling of the alleyway where they hung their luggage out of harms way. The owners have had this inn for 5 generations and each year they have a hunt on New Year’s Day, the horses still travel down the side of the inn and out onto the street. I have added photos of the alleyway to give a perspective of how narrow it is where the horses go through. This is an old tradition that has lasted generations.
    I did ask a local why there is hardly any air conditioning available, apparently it is because a lot of the buildings are listed and you cannot put a AC unit outside or it will ruin the aesthetic.
    We found a pie shop! Neil asked if they had a mince pie and they didn’t know what he was talking about, thought he was a bit nuts to be honest. Mince!! In a pie!! Anyway we purchased a steak & ale pie for me and a steak, Guinness & stilton pie for Bully. They have a more sweet pastry here on their pies, I personally prefer the savoury pastry.
    To be honest we were very tired after our busy time in Sennybridge so the rest of the day was very quiet.
    This morning we set off for London to drop off the car at Heathrow, get a train into London and walk to our Hotel. They call the M25 the biggest carpark in London for a reason, I am sure we travelled at 10mph for a long time but we got there. Temperature 24 today so a lot more pleasant.
    Our hotel in London was described as ‘compact’ I think that is an exaggeration 😂 I chose this hotel for the proximity to St Pancras Station where we get on the Eurostar to Paris in a couple of days. It has what we need and what more can you ask for!    Read more

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    So high!! We took two of these to get down to the level where we caught our tube
    The underground is fantastic, so easy to use (unlike Paris)Like I have mentioned, our hotel room was 'compact' 😂The Scream - Edvard MunchThe Dream - Henri Rousseau - spot the children, they look part of the artChrist in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee - Rembrandt van RijnI have no idea how this worked, there was no physical object to touch yet they moved as I movedFrameless Immersive Art Experience - Almond Blossom Vincent Van GoghMirrors on the floor reflecting the art - see my feetChildren who live in apartments have to have an outdoor experience one way or anotherJust another narrow alleyway but this one led us to some delicious Italian foodBusy Kings Cross/St PancrasTapas at Camino and orange wineNeil found a mince pie!! But unfortunately we do not have a microwave 😭He found two mince pies in fact - poor Bully, so close yet so farCarbonara & mediterranean salad YUMalmond croissants are one of my favourite foods, sure to sample some more in FranceSt Pancras Station - off to the EurostarMet these two vagabonds in the coffee shop at St PacncrasLine for taxi at Gare Du NordOn our way to accommodation in Paris - traffic is insane around Gare Du Nord

    London to Paris

    Jul 2–5 in England ⋅ ☁️ 20 °C

    2 nights and 1 day in London before heading to Paris with David & Diane. Got an important task out of the way on our first night - getting the gel nail polish redone on my toes 😁
    We were tired so ending up eating porridge and fruit in our room for dinner! We are definitely not going hungry so a light dinner did us good.
    Found a fabulous little cafe just down the street for our breakfast named Cappadocia then headed off on the underground to Holborn station so we could go to the British Museum. I looked at tickets last night but Neil wasn’t sure if he wanted to go so I didn’t book them. Big Mistake - first lines were for the people with online tickets, we had to go round the back of the Museum, 2 blocks, to get to the ticket office but the line was so long we decided against it.
    Back on the underground to Marble Arch station so I could go to Frameless Immersive Art Experience. It was fabulous, the famous paintings were bought to life on walls, floor and ceiling with music to match each scene. I took many videos but unfortunately I can only attach 2 to this post. If you are ever in London it is a must see.
    Lunch at a small Italian restaurant up a narrow alleyway where all the office workers seemed to be then back on the underground to our hotel. I am a huge tennis fan so settled in to watch Wimbledon on the tele before heading out to dinner at a restaurant called Camino, where we had tapas last time we were in London, at the beginning of our trip. That time it was busy but comfortably so, this time it was heaving with people. Word must have got round about how good it was.
    At Kings Cross Station there were some food stalls and Neil spotted two different types of beef mince pies BUT we have no microwave in the tiny hotel room we are in and we are off to Paris tomorrow, no food allowed on train so he had to leave them there 😆 poor Bully.
    For some reason we did not take many photos this time in London so you can have some of food instead.
    On the 4th July we met David & Diane at St Pancras station and hopped on the Eurostar to Paris. Trains are a fantastic way to travel, so smooth and comfortable. Diane booked us an AirBnB, a two bedroom apartment on the 2nd floor in a mainly residential area. It will be a wonderful place to stay until the 8th July.    Read more

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    1
    1Pompeii

    Frameless Immersive Art Experience

    July 3 in England ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C

    I wish I could add more videos but unfortunately I can only add 2 from the Art experience. Venice and Pompeii.

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    Our local cafe/restaurant BiBiche
    View from our balcony down to the cafeThis building is typical of the residential apartments locallyThese avenues were purely for residents, no cars, children were playing football😂 The French Bastards - local bakeryBouillon Pigalle - 2 storey 300 seat restaurant, this is the queue to get inOur lunch - a mixed platter: deliciousYou get served your chicken out of the bottom tray, potatoes are cooked in dripping fatAnother "Bouillon" traditional French food at affordable prices. Another long queuePassage JouffroyPassage JouffreyOur apartment - Bully resting after walking for 3.5 hoursThere are many antiques in the home - note the flag, thank goodness the AB's wonThe ceilings in the home are a work of artStained doors leading nowhere, but opened they let some breeze in.Modern kitchenOpen the door out of the walk in wardrobe and you walk into the kitchen 😆We have a balcony where we can watch the world go by1Neil wondered why these 'shop' names weren't in French 😆

    Paris

    Jul 4–6 in France ⋅ ☀️ 26 °C

    Our journey from London to our Paris accommodation went smoothly. We are staying in the 9th Arrondissement in a mainly residential area. Our apartment is spacious and comfortable. It is a family home that is rented out on AirBnB. Diane booked it and she found a winner even if the floor isn’t exactly level.
    Neil and I decided to discover the 9th Arrondissement on foot, it was wonderful to see the families going about their weekend activities, discover wide avenues of beautiful apartments that are car free, the children were playing football and enjoying the 27 degree heat. Their innumerable cafe’s, all doing a roaring trade, people slowly going about their day. We wandered until we reached the covered passages “passages couverts”of Paris. We enjoyed Passage des Panoramas, Passage Jouffroy & Passage Verdeau,they have spectacular glass roofs, Art Nouveau and Art Deco decor, many cafe’s, jewellery, book shops, art, and stamp shops. They are essentially an early form of shopping arcade built between existing buildings. Massive iron gates or wooden doors at each end get closed and locked each night.
    In this area the French ladies are well dressed, stylish and slim. They carry themselves so well, some people could say arrogant but personally I think it is confidence. How they remain so slim with all the Boulangerie’s about I do not know. Delicious croissants in many varieties, au pain chocolate, baguette, apple tarts and so much more.
    Bouillon Pigalle - we spotted a lineup outside a building so I googled it, it was a restaurant. Apparently popular choice for travellers seeking a taste of traditional French cuisine at affordable prices, it must be good as the line was long waiting to get in. Restaurant Chartier also had a lineup, another restaurant that does not take reservations serving traditional French cuisine at an affordable price. Might have to try one of them out during our stay.
    Temp here in Paris is 27, perfect, glad it isn’t 37 as it was last week!    Read more

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    The balcony was tiny but watching Parisians going about their day in the sun was fun.
    1Diane & David had a big day sight seeing and couldn't quite make the extra 100m to our apartment 😂How our wine was delivered, they also asked if we wanted ice in our wine much to Diane's delightWe had to try snails! They were bland and tiny but bucket list tickedBone Marrow entrèe - deliciousDuck, bottom right 😚 They often bring veges and salad in separate dishesTypical scene in Paris - this was on the way to our restaurantResidential avenue near our accommodationThe glass walkway ruined my photoGlass walkway and close up of balconies and domeJust stunningAll the luxury brands were thereDiorLouis VuittonLaduréePradaThis coat cost 2,150 Euro $4,300NZJewel encrusted croc - couldn't see the priceMore delicacies1Rooftop view - Eiffel TowerRooftop view1One more from Frameless

    Paris Day 3 & 4

    Jul 6–8 in France ⋅ 🌧 19 °C

    When you are in Paris it is only right that you sample as much French cuisine as you can. We found a restaurant very close to our accommodation called Le Rescapé, They delivered our wine in small carafes. I was introduced to Viognier in New Zealand and have been watching out for it, it is a full bodied wine with a lush soft character, definitely my new favourite.
    Entrée was snails, small and pretty bland, bone marrow, delicious. I have put a collage of our mains below.
    Neil, as you know, is an avid duck shooter and has been force feeding me ducks and duck breasts for weeks before we left to get rid of them out of the freezer (I wasn’t a big fan). Ironically, it has been me that has chosen duck off the menu, two nights in a row, last night it was cooked rare with poached pears and roasted new potatoes. It went to #1 of my meals since we left, Neil will have to up his game 😆
    At meals they often bring the vegetables and salads in separate bowls, all that is on your plate is the meat and sauce. In 1991 it was the French custom that you have your salad before your main meal, it appears that they may still do this as David & Neil had to ask for veggies the night before as they were only getting potatoes and meat on their meal.

    This morning Neil & I visited Galleries Lafayette, a huge department store catering for the wealthy, as you went up stories the prices got less. This building is world famous for the stained glass dome that rises to 43 metres, the floors have ironwork balconies that are works of art. I have put a photo of a woman’s trench below that cost 2,150Euro 😲 The jewel encrusted crocs were cute, all the luxury brands were represented. Most of the ground floor was perfume and makeup. There were eight stories in the main building with more than 2,000 brands and cafe’s, bars & restaurants plus the rooftop view. One more building for men’s fashion and one for food & house products.
    There was a glass walkway that extended out into the middle of the building, there was a long line-up to get on this walkway so we gave that a miss but you can see it in one of the photos below.
    The temp has dropped to 17 with rain today, perfect for having a rest after our walk and before we have a dinner cruise on the Seine tonight.    Read more

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    Our cruising boat
    House boats were all along the SeineStatue of Liberty & Eiffel Tower from the river7Diane snapped this when I was contemplating how very very lucky we were to be doing this1The entrée - I totally forgot to snap the other coursesOn our way to Sacre-Coeur - if it was on the way back they would have been in dangerBasilica Sacre-CoeurFrom the rooftop domeThe walkway on the dome was a work of art itself (except for the graffiti 😠)2Paris downtown1296 twisty steep stepsMany feet have walked these stairs1Inside Sacre-Coeur2Padlocks with lovers inititalsSteps leading up to Sacre-Coeur in MontmarteThese petrol pumps were randomly on the footpath along Blvd de Clichy1Moulin Rouge6Check out the lineup waiting to get into the Sacre-Coeur. Pays to go early

    Paris 4 - 5

    Jul 7–8 in France ⋅ 🌧 18 °C

    Last night we enjoyed a Dinner Cruise on the Seine river. Luckily the rain cleared up so we got a good view out of our glass covered boat. The lady who was checking our ticket said we needed to pay an extra 15 Euro each to get a window seat. I did have a discussion with her about the fact this was never mentioned when I booked the ticket. We said no, but Karma, when we got on the boat we were immediately taken to a window seat 😆 Gave her a little wave as we left.
    The cruise went for 75mins, we were served 3 courses and had live entertainment. We saw all the sights alongside the Seine and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
    After our cruise we walked up The Avenue des Champs-Élysées to the Arc-de-Triomphe, even at 9pm there was no let up with the crowds.

    Neil and I have been to Paris in 1991 when we went to the top of the Eiffel Tower and Arc-de-Triomphe plus the Louvre so this time we focused on other activities.
    This morning we walked uphill to the Basilica of Sacre-Coeur in Montmarte. On the way we had our morning coffee, they did not have any soy or oat milk (I am dairy intolerant) so I opted for an expresso. It came in a tiny cup but it was SO good, Paris might have converted me.
    We walked up the 296 steps to the top of the Dome and got fabulous views of Paris, then I went into the Basilica. There was a service happening, I am always mesmerised by the singing, the acoustics in Cathedrals are next level. We were lucky when we arrived there was only about 20 people in the queue that went quickly, when we came out the line was VERY long. I have attached a video showing the queue.
    I think the steps leading up to Sacre-Coeur are as famous as the building itself. There is a funicular for the less able bodied but we are always up to a challenge.
    There were thousands of padlocks attached to the fence with lovers initials on them, I teased Neil he should have bought one of our travel padlocks and left it as a souvenir.
    Spotted the Moulin Rouge on the way home.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    You many windmills travelling in the train
    In 1991 we were amazed by the fields of sunflowers, we now know where the sunflower seeds come fromAmboise, a pretty townAfter climbing way up we went down, it was like secret passagesHomes that disappear into the rock faceI would love to see how the house moulds its way around the rockBlack pudding bunThis fete was right beside our accommodation, so much funThat bun was actually very tasty1Château Royal d'Amboise chapel1Looking down on Amboise from the parapet2Château Royal d'Amboise1Inside the chapelIt was a long way downLooking across at the Château Royal d'Amboise gardensThe walkway up into the Chateau2

    Amboise - Château Royal d’Amboise

    Jul 8–9 in France ⋅ ☀️ 24 °C

    Our trip to Amboise started with an Uber drive through morning traffic in Paris from our apartment to Paris Montparnasse, our driver was expert at weaving between the traffic. A bit hair raising for small town people.
    The train was comfortable and fast, great way to travel and see the countryside. We had 1 connection onto a train with no allocated seating, just managed to jam our cases in the door then sit down on pull down seats for the 15min ride to Amboise. Caught the bus for a short ride to the main area of Amboise then a 10min walk to our apartment which spacious, comfortable with everything we needed for 4 of us.
    Neil and I set out on a walk and took a random staircase to see what was up there - it was certainly up there!! Got a beautiful view of the town then found a another random path down the other side of town, we saw little doors set into the rock walls which were houses that are still being lived in. There is a lot of development happening to some of the old buildings which was great to see. I also found some great little clothes shops, a couple of dresses later I was home 😁
    We could see a market getting set up about 100m from our accommodation so Diane and I set out to investigate, it started at 6pm and it seemed like a lot of locals came to buy some food, a wine and just sit and enjoy. There was live music. We called the boys out and we had a lovely evening!

    The next morning Neil and I visited Château Royal d'Amboise. Looking up at the Chateau Chapel from down on the street you had no idea the beauty up on top. This was one of our favourite visits to a castle/Chateau. It had a serene quality about it which made you want to sit in the garden and just be.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Leonardo da VinciHis workshopWorkshop where the magic happenedI found it hard to take in that Leonardo da Vinci would have sat in that chair and worked hereHe welcomed many dignitaries here who wanted to commission himMultiple direction machine gunsThe first tank prototype that was put to useMilitary suspension bridgeThe paddle boatDrillShapes from nature that he used in his workHe designed these stairwaysSome of his inventions were displayed in the extensive grounds

    Amboise - Leonardo da Vinci Chateau

    July 9 in France ⋅ ☀️ 25 °C

    After we visited Chateau Amboise we wandered back into town and I found a hair salon, the lovely hairdresser fitted me in for a haircut and a chat. He had worked in Canada for 15 years so there was no language barrier. He said you must go to Château du Clos Lucé, Parc Leonardo da Vinci. I had read about da Vinci house before we left for our holiday but had completely forgot about it. It was in Amboise! After a 20 min walk we were there.
    Leonardo da Vinci was a Botanist, Civil and Military engineer, Anatomist and Scientist, Architect, Painter, Mathematician & Geometry in space, urban planner, religious architect, theatrical and ephemeral architecture.
    They had many of his inventions on display and his workshop with equipment and drawings in the Chateau. While da Vinci painted few pictures (Mona Lisa) he left 100,000 drawings and sketches on 8,000 sheets, gathered together in his manuscripts and codex and now kept in the world’s largest museums.
    Da Vinci spent the last 3 years of his life in this Chateau and it is a place for passing on the universal heritage, memory and knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci. Its mission is to make the complete world of the artist better known to the widest possible audience.
    The Chateau has an extensive garden that da Vinci used for inspiration for many of his inventions.
    After 16,000 steps in the heat it was definitely time to head back to the apartment for dinner and a local wine.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Chateau Chenonceau
    Entry to Chenonceau1Not my cup of tea!Tapestries were hung to stop draughts enteringThe Apothecary1Florists houseWine cellarThe Chateau was used as a military hospital in the 1st world warImpressive vegetable garden with trellis for pumpkin growing1This mist was needed, not for garden, for the people in 30+ degreesKitchenKitchenChopping block that has seen a lot of use3Myy new turquoise hat made it easy for Neil to follow me in the maze

    Amboise - Parc du Château de Chenonceau

    July 10 in France ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Catching up with posting - been having too much fun exploring

    On Thursday, along with D&D, we visited Parc du Chateau de Chenonceau which was a 30 min bus ride away. Impressive Chateau over the Le Cher river. We were impressed with the Chateau, not much with the state of water 😠 People were using punt boats to paddle around, I would not have gone near that water.
    In the first world war the Chateau was used as a military hospital, the stables served as a display room. There was a separate building which served as the florists room that makes up arrangements for each day in the Chateau. The flowers are picked from the gardens. I enjoyed the Apothecary and the kitchens in the Chateau. The vegetable garden was a dream, I did take note of the structure that you could grow pumpkins on.

    History of the Chateau: In 1535 King Francis 1 incorporated it into the Crown Estate as part of a debt settlement. Later, King Henry ll decided to offer it to not to the Queen, but to his Favourite, Diane de Poitiers, to dispose of as her own and true patrimony. This artificial exit of Chenonceau from Crown Lands meant that it was saved, two centuries later, from the French Revolution.
    We decided that we had probably had our fill of Chateau’s after this visit 😂    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Rocamdour, look closely you will see people on the ramparts right at the top
    Steps from the carpark to the main streetMain street when we arrived and when we descended from the topThis truck came out of a garage in the mains street, he had 1mm to spare on each side 😆Dogs and BullyHalfway up, still need to crane my neck to see the topNeil pointing out that we are making progressThe stepsThere were many many girl guides here, we think they must have been at a campPainstakingly vacuuming the cobblestonesSwallows everywhere, even in the middle of my photoThis part of the walk was gorgeous, shady & peacefulShrines on every turnGrotto where I presume they took stone to rebuild3

    Rocamadour

    July 13 in France ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C

    In 1991 when we left Wales we did a 6 week tour of Great Britain, France, top of Italy, corner of Germany and Switzerland.
    In France we happened upon a Village called Rocamadour, we only viewed it from the ramparts of the Abbey and I so wanted to go down into the Village but it just didn’t work out that trip. So I have waited 34 years and finally fulfilled my bucket list dream of going back and it was spectacular. We hired a car in Sarlat so we could visit this beautiful area, Neil did exceptionally well driving on the other side of the road, my job navigating takes on another dimension ensuring he is on the correct side of the road. We left at 7:30am which was a wise decision as we had fulfilled our sightseeing desires when the majority of the tourists were arriving.
    Rocamadour is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most beautiful villages in France), it is famous for its sanctuary of the Blessed Virgin Mary which has attracted historical and anonymous pilgrims from many countries, among them Kings, bishops and Nobles (thanks Wikipedia)
    We parked in a car park down the bottom of the hill, walked up many steps to reach the main street then carried on up 216 steps to the Cathedral where a group of Girl Guides were singing, it was surreal, I have put a video below. They were also cleaning the cobblestone pathway with vacuums, it looked like a painstaking task. We then carried on up some ramps under the trees, with shrines at each corner, where I presume the pilgrims prayed on their way to their Abbey.
    David and I popped into the Cathedral on our way down, where we sat for a while listening to a prayer session, it was so peaceful after the bustle outside. Refreshed we carried on down to the main street. I have to say it was very funny as we were watching Neil pop his head in the door of the church and did an instant pirouette and was out of there. He is a bit allergic to churches and cathedrals. The views from the top were magnificent and the drop over the edge of the ramparts was steep!! I was terrified of dropping my phone 😬

    I will do another post with the rest of the photos as it was a special place.

    Getting out of the car park was a bit of a mission, Neil couldn’t get the ticket to scan so we could pay with our card at the machine, after I had a go as well we had about 4 cars up behind us so we backed into the carpark and I went to the ask the attendants at the entrance why it wasn’t working. They took one look at my ticket and said NOT OUR TICKET. Back across the other side of the carpark I told Neil, wrong ticket. Oh, he said, and lifted up his phone and retrieved the correct ticket. He had put the Sarlat parking ticket in the tray as well. Anyway, back to machine, me standing beside the car using the machine, I thought it worked so started moving to get into my side of the car and then had second thoughts, did it work? In the meantime the bar had gone up and I was standing in front of the car with Neil yelling GET OUT OF THE WAY. What a debacle 😂😂😂

    After Rocamadour we visited Domme and La Roque-Gageac which are also listed beautiful villages, Domme had the best views of the Dordogne Valley then drove through La Roque-Gageac right beside the Dordogne River, there was an incredible amount of people there enjoying everything the river had to offer.
    It was very hot by then (36 inside the car in parking lot) so we headed home to enjoy the cool of the apartment.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    When we picked our car up it had been sitting closed up in the sun 😬 41
    Charcuterie boardDuck is on every menu multiple timesI had steak today for a change, I actually got some salad, not a usual addition here1Bully's birthdaySarlatLe Pub on the right is an Irish bar where we watched the rugbyMuseum of prehistoric historySaint CyprianThis activity was so inviting but we ran out of timeRandom birds you could buyDolly (Google maps) took us down a very narrow road to get to Domme1If only my case was biggerThe gorgeous Dordogne ValleyLook how close the roof is to the roadGay & Kev with their fabulous vanBastille Day decorationsChilling outInteresting artwork in our accommodation

    Sarlet-de-Caneda : Additional Photos

    July 13 in France ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    I forgot to mention in the last post that duck, as a menu item is huge here. I have enjoyed it and tried it in many different forms.
    Ordering steak can be hazardous, med rare actually means very rare!
    Meat and cheese boards are common.
    The sauces the French make are divine.
    Whenever you enter a shop the assistant always say “Bonjour” when you leave “au revoir”
    Most people in hospitality speak a little English, if my very limited French does not get the required response then hand gestures help or I resort to Google Translate which has been a godsend. They really appreciate if you make an effort by learning basic French words.
    If travelling, get a Wise card, we use it for every purchase in every country, you just load different currencies onto it.
    The weather has been kind to us, most days here in Sarlat have been a high of 27 or 28 except the first day which was 32. Keep missing the heatwaves so far.
    Shops/businesses close for a couple of hours in the middle of the day so you plan around that.
    The French woman dress well, my plan of wearing shorts and t’shirt most days has gone by the wayside, I have had to up my game and purchased some dresses and tops. We sent a package home of our warmer items that we wore in Great Britain so I had room for some purchases 😁    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Great win for the All Blacks. Spot the odd one out 😆
    Walking to pick up our rental car, any more steps and it would be on my back!A Rosé with Gay in one of the many many bars in Sarlat1Our apartment in SarlatLooking up at our apartmentBelow our apartment it was a hive of activityOur balconyThe BrosLes Eyzies - Museum of Prehistoric HistorySarlat with his girlfriend, she obviously has lost her head over himHappy Birthday BullyBirthday dinner1I love fireworksGrotto DommeCan't keep Neil away from his birdsSo many fascinating alleyways like thisFresh water well in Sarlat draped with Bastille Day bannerChateau Beynac-et-CazenacPaddling in the Dordogne river. So many canoe hire companies on this riverThe beautiful Dordogne Valley15 mins of non-stop action

    Sarlat-de-Caneda

    Jul 14–16 in France ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Sarlat-de-Caneda has been a special stopover for 5 nights. We were blown away by our accommodation when we stepped through the door. The thick walls ensure the heat is kept out, we are located in the heart of the old town with a cafe/bar directly underneath us. It has an outdoor balcony where we took advantage of the cool of the mornings to eat our breakfast.
    We were enchanted by the narrow alleyways, the central square, a wonderful place to meander.
    We have been joined in Sarlat by Gay and Kevin Renwick who parked their RV up in an Aire close by. Gay found us the local Irish Bar in the town square where they put the rugby test on for us. It was funny watching the French people coming in, take one look at the score and leave again, muttering loudly.
    We then joined the market which had set up through many of the streets of Sarlat. Food, Clothing, well anything your heart desired really. This is one of the biggest markets in the region.
    The Dordogne area is known for Foie Gras & Walnuts. There was every type of food you could think of made out of these ingredients. The walnut tart I had as dessert at dinner was delicious as was the Foie Gras terrine.
    After visiting the market Neil and I got in our rental car for a training run, it went well, we visited Les Eyzies, Saint Cyprien & Beynac-et-Cazenac.
    At Les Eyzies there was a towering limestone cliff hanging over the main street. We visited the Les Eyzies National Museum of Prehistory that houses exceptional collections that tracemore tan 400 millennia of human presence. The location of the upper terrace overlooked a past hunting ground and a compulsory passage point for herds of reindeer, this was the main reason that Magdalenians chose this spot to live 12,000 years ago.
    Beynac-et-Cazenac is another French listed beautiful village, the chateau stands guard over the town where hundreds of people were canoeing on the Dordogne River. I had a paddle which was lovely in the 30 degree heat.
    We had a wide choice of restaurant for dinner with D&D and Gay & Kevin.
    Monday was Bastille Day and Neil’s birthday - the fireworks at night were a highlight, they went on for 15mins.
    Tuesday, Neil and I went for a drive to visit Domme Grotto, a natural occuring cave underneath the town of Domme. They were fascinating. I had to pinch some photos from the web as we were not allowed to take any photos.
    Tomorrow we are off to Carcassonne, our last two nights with D&D.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE

    Sarlat-de-Caneda Market

    July 16 in France ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C

    Photos of the Sarlat Market the morning we left with video of man playing mouth organ who was entertaining the crowd

  • Big Retirement OE
    1Coming back from dinner on our first night
    1From our courtyard, the old city of Carcassonne1Note the birds, the swallows, falcons soar on the updraughts1Entrance to the old city1Entrance to the CastleInside the entrance square of the castleOn our trek around the walls1Of course there were steps involved2A Neil masterpieceA lot of the old city is being restoredHot work for those poor horses1Did the washing in the sink and hung it in the olive tree, dry in no time!Salmon Tartare & CassouletEnjoying the shade in our fab area1Amphitheatre in the old city, preparing for a concertpart of the entertainment on market night

    Carcassone

    Jul 16–18 in France ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Diane and I jinxed our train trip to Carcassone because we said how well our travel had been going. We had a hardware failure between Sarlat and Toulouse. Waited on the tracks for about 30mins which meant we missed our connection but the SNCF app is great, they changed our next booking and emailed us the QR code and time.
    Carcassonne is another bucket list item from 1991, we saw the walled old city from a distance and I said one day I am coming back. Our apartment was right under the wall of the old city, as I went out into our courtyard the castle & wall were looking down on us, magnificent sight. Out for dinner at a local restaurant that served Tapas which is very popular here. Courgette flowers, black pudding, squid, pate, aubergine (deep fried & breadcrumbed, yum) steak pieces. They look at you funny when you ask for a wine list, they have one beer and one Rosè on offer. As long as it was wet and cold we weren’t worried! I have even taken to putting ice in my wine which I have always considered to be sacrilege but when needs must!
    We did not escape the heatwave here, it was very hot, 37 degrees so the next morning we went early to walk around the old city wall, go through the castle and cathedral. Had a history lesson on the way round the ramparts and Neil was practising throwing a javelin through the gap in the wall at the enemy 😆
    The old city had an amphitheatre which has been converted with modern seating and they were setting up for a concert, there was a sound check happening which sounded pretty good.
    A sorbet was welcomed when we descended then we went back to the apartment to chill out, literally. We jumped in the jacuzzi which was set at 27 degrees, heaven.
    A night market was happening just around the corner, goods this time not food, a band was playing, fire performers, 4 girls dressed in black velvet 🥵 singing and playing instruments as they walked through the diners in the narrow street. This happens every week, the locals turn out in force plus tourists which made for a festive atmosphere.
    Dinner was cold Gazpacho soup for Neil & Cassoulet, a dish that is a regional favourite, roasted duck leg & duck sausage with white beans in a gravy. Neil really enjoyed it. I had a cold dish, salmon tartare with cucumber & apple, delicious, will be trying that one at home.
    Just a two night stay in Carcassonne, now D&D head to St Remy-Provence and we head to Toulon. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time with them, many laughs and it is good to have comrades in arms when travelling. We are back to coping on our own!    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Toulon is known for its art works and flowers. These types of arrangements were in a lot of streets
    Our room wasn't ready so thought we would try out a Tigre beer at a restaurant next doorNicoise Salad - it was deliciousNeil's Caesar Salad - in this heat, salads are perfectThis blue line started at our hotel, it led you to artworks around downtown ToulonThese chairs are doll like - absolutely no use at all but cuteOur waiters were dressed like thisSome of the performersOn our walk home a whole street had these flowers above it1No, we did not have to climb these stairs but Neil did for the hell of it 🤦We could have walked to the top of Mt Faron if we wanted to 😬From the top of Mt Faron, our hotel is down close to the waterNight time walk before dinner, people heading out on the waterSalmon Tartare with cucumber, red onion, tomatoToulon's version of a hop on hop off bus 😁This is how you receive your Caffe Alongé, small cup half fullSaint-Mandrier-sur-Mer beach, the water was warm & cleanBully went for a swim in the Mediterranean - this is not usual behaviour for him 😆So many apartments in downtown Toulon, not a car to be seenOne of the many artworksCable Car up Mt Faron - it was hot and sweaty in there!

    Toulon

    Jul 18–21 in France ⋅ ☀️ 30 °C

    Train travel is a great way to go but sometimes things can go a bit awry, our train leaving Carcassonne was delayed by 15mins because of Law Enforcement Intervention at the previous station 😲 luckily for us the train made up time and we still had 20mins to make our connection in Marseille, the platform number came up on my watch as we were getting off the train so we made our way straight there and managed to get two seats together on the free for all train. It is hit and miss here whether they check your ticket or not, we could have had a few free trips. A lovely trip down the coast and seeing the South of France beaches for the first time.
    Neil was desperate to see the rugby on Saturday morning so he thought his best chance was to check out the Irish Pubs, no luck as they didn’t open until 4pm and the rugby started at 9am. Toulon is a vibrant city, restaurants everywhere and each square had its own music, we stumbled upon a square that was having a Pacifica celebration and it was packed. We enjoyed the atmosphere and a Charcuterie board with a wine. There were different Pacifica performances to enjoy. These towns keep humming until about 1am.

    One thing we have noticed in France is that a lot of people smoke, especially women.
    We are staying in a hotel with a pool which has been lovely considering the temperature is in the low 30’s.
    I managed to sign up on the NZR+ app to watch the rugby test - Bully was one very happy chappy. This involved logging out of the hotel wifi and using my eSim internet so NZR+ app thought I was in NZ, technology can be tricky.

    After the rugby, and in a happy mood with the win, we walked 30 min to the Toulon Cable Car which took us up to Mt Faron. I think we climbed half the distance before we got there. I did not feel very ladylike with sweat running down my back and legs 🥵 After a wait of 45mins to get on, it took 6mins to get to the top. I was lucky to get the prime spot against the back window and took some photos and video’s. We were squashed in like sardines, standing extremely close together (video below). A bit underwhelming when we got to the top as the trees hid most of the view, a quick turnaround and back down and I got some good photos on the way back down. There is a large military base in Toulon and a military port. Rested for the remainder of the day before heading out at 7pm for a Salmon Tartare for me and a Nicoise Salad for Neil, both so fresh and light, jazz music this time for entertainment.

    Next morning we hopped on a Ferry to Saint-Manderier-sur-Mer, a 20 min ride on the ocean, the sea breeze was so welcome. Diane had told us about the beach there so we took our togs and both went for a swim. The beach we chose was not crowded, the water so warm and clean, lovely sandy bottom. There was a lot of noise further along the waterfront & when I investigated I discovered there were two boats who were having jousting competitions, I have put a video in next post as no room here. We headed back to Toulon and visited Les Halles de Toulon, a food court that offered everything your heart could desire, plus air-conditioning, always welcome.
    Walked the Cours Lafayette market street and headed to the hotel to watch Tour de France, I am a big fan so happy to watch for a couple of hours and chill out.
    There was a blue line painted on the pavers outside our hotel and it led all over downtown Toulon. I asked the receptionist at the hotel what it was and he said it led to all the artworks in the area as well as notable buildings. He said it was done after they had heard Banksy was in town! Personally I think that might have been a rumour to cultivate interest in their artworks, but with Banksy you would never know.
    We found Toulon delightful with its decorated streets, many squares filled with cafes, flowers & music, so easy to get around and the closeness to the ocean and all it has to offer, made it a great destination for a 3 night stay.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Jousting competition
    1Listen for the Cicada'sGold plaques that led you around the city45 min wait for the cable carSome beautiful homes up in the mountainsGorgeous hanging basketsProof!So many yachtsYet another Charcuterie boardOur snack in the hotel roomAnother iteration of a Caesar saladOur local squareHotel artwork

    Toulon - Additional photos

    July 20 in France ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C

    Toulon - additional photos and video’s
    The Cicadas were loud in the trees!
    Gold plaques on the street led you on a tourist walk.
    We try to book apartments so we can have a kitchen to make our own food but when you are in a hotel you have to improvise, as you can see from the photo of Serrano ham, cheese and fruit, delicious and all we needed.
    We have had many iterations of Caesar Salad, you can see another one below.
    Our hotel had artwork all through it and was rather quirky, I have included one of the artworks below.
    Proof that I went in the Mediterranean Sea and stayed in quite a long time, with the high salinity of the water floating is extremely easy and relaxing.
    So many yachts! Playground for the rich.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    To sit here: 36 Euro for a day 30 for half day, 7 Euro for a towelYou can sit and swim here for freeBulling getting pummelled as he makes his way into the MediterraneanThese are not that comfortable to sit or lie on but nobody seemed to careThe water was so warmPromenade des Anglais - goes the whole length of the beachCute little restaurant - Quai des Etats UnisStunning Nice beach4This was crochetedNote the concrete ramps, cars come down here!What I love about these cities, which way?2Bienvenue à la Cathédrale - stunning detail & artwork4Bienvenue à la Cathédrale - stunning detail & artwork4"Fontaine du Soleil" Fountain of Apollo in Place Massena in the very heart of NiceNeil would have opted to lie in this area - in the shade!Segway's were popular1This is what we got with our coffee's ❤️1Lunch - Chicken Parmentier, Beef Bourguignon, Zucchini's, mashed potato - DeliciousPrecision boat driving to land them in exactly the right placeAbout every 7th wave there was a big one, caught a lot of people off guard

    Nice- Day 1 & 2

    Jul 21–23 in France ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Another train journey under our belt from Toulon to Nice, a majority of it along the sea front.
    Our apartment is a 2min walk from Nice Beach in the heart of old Nice. Nice is all about the water, most activities centre around being on, in or above the water. You can rent a lounger for a day for 36 Euro ($70) or 30 Euro for half day, a towel is 7 Euro and an umbrella is 14. We passed on all that and lay on our towels on the free beach.
    The beach is rocky and the ocean is small pebbles, unless you wear your sandals into the water it is very hard on your feet. We got a lot of amusement watching people creeping their way in and out of the ocean.
    My first foray into the water did not go well, there is a steep drop off into the water and the waves were big and strong on our first day. I was beside a lady holding her child, about 3yrs, when a wave hit them and the child went in and under, I grabbed his arm and pulled him out, his Mother and Grandmother were distraught. I carried on only to be hit by a wave which downed me and washed me round and round, hurt my wrist a bit in the fall but otherwise the only thing hurt was my pride. Neil managed to fight his way in and enjoy the water.
    Beside us a boat was towing a parachute with usually 2 or 3 people attached underneath, the driver did an excellent job landing them on the beach in exactly the right place (Video below)
    We have now hit the 2 month mark of our trip and we would be lying if we said we weren’t tired. Nice is going to be our rest and rejuvenation spot for 4 nights before flying to Istanbul for an 11 day cruise.
    Today we went for an explore around old Nice, just walking is the best way to discover delights. I have been into many Cathedrals and Neil did his best to steer me away from Bienvenue à la Cathédral in the heart of old Nice today but to no avail. This was such a surprise, the artwork and detailing was so intricate, with bays all around the Cathedral, each one different with incredible paintings. We stopped for a coffee at Chez Les Garçons Ségurane, not only did they have a flat white (first one for a long time) but they came with a delightful moustache shaped biscuit with a tiny one for Neil’s espresso, plus a ginger cake. I love the detail that the French put into their food.
    After visiting yet another market, buying a small watercolour painting which the artist signed personally, getting some fresh fruit & olives we headed home, hot and sweaty.
    Back to the beach for another swim, this time the waves were much better behaved and we both had a lovely swim. I must say we are definitely getting a tan, you don’t burn here like you do at home.
    Today we had a late lunch at a lovely restaurant beside our apartment, Each dish is served in a bamboo container so the flavours do not all intermingle, you can choose how to eat them. Best part, using the slices of baguette that you get with every meal to wipe up the delicious juices when you are finished. This is something I am going to do at home using my sourdough. I am going to branch out into baguette making! Plus make Chicken Parmentier like I had today, yum.    Read more

  • Big Retirement OE
    Kids learning to sail being towed along, very cute
    Villefranche peninsula where the most expensive villas are2It was nice to be out on the water2230 million Euros for the white and pink one - I mean reallyCastle Hill in our wakeWhere all the really expensive Villas areVillefranche-sur-MerNice beachCastle HillThe memorial in front of Castle Hill was for World War 11View from up on top3Halfway upWe made it up to where those people are standing1Nice that is not on the beachThe nice but not outstanding waterfallYou can see the beginning of the steps, the round lookout point was halfwaySettled into the air conditioned apartment watching Tour-de-FranceVillefranche-sur-Mer2What Neil wishes he had to what he could actually afford here 😆

    Nice - the end of our time in France

    Jul 23–25 in France ⋅ ☁️ 26 °C

    Our last day in France. What a treat it has been, we have thoroughly enjoyed exploring this stunning country. So much more to see in France but we are very happy with what we have seen and achieved in our time here.
    On our last day we took a 1 hour cruise, which took us to Villefranche-sur-Mer, where the most expensive villa to be sold in the world is located. A white and pink house (photo attached) recently sold for $230million Euro 😲 Famous people from all over the world own mansions here, Elton John, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie had their honeymoon here. The Rothschilds mansion is open for people to visit with nine themed gardens from different cultures. This bay is sheltered on all sides and is the only beach that has sand instead of the rocks found on the other beaches in Nice. The super yachts were impressive!!
    We then were taken to view Nice from the water, we were told that a walk up Castle Hill was a must for views over Villefranche and Nice so that is what we did. About 500 steps later we were there. Viewed the ruins of what once was a castle, saw incredible views of Nice beach and a waterfall that we were told was beautiful but by New Zealand standards was incredibly ordinary.
    Back to our apartment where the air-conditioning welcomed us, 28 degrees today so cooler than other days. Settled in to watch the Tour de France then out to dinner on our last night.
    Favourite occupation - people watching, you can spot the tourists from the locals very easily plus the affluent from the not so affluent. Fascinating place.    Read more

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