a letter to myself...

After years of dreaming about Paris I took the plunge last spring and travelled to Paris.

It was a bit of a risk...travelling alone.

Having never flown to Europe or been on a flight longer than 4 hours I wondered if the flight would be daunting or if I would experience anxiety.

There were so many unknowns...
I was optimistic and did not let any doubts cloud my determination.

A carry on with 3 weeks worth of clothes and cosmetics was packed with the help of seasoned carry on advocates whose posts on blogs and Pinterest that I avidly followed before departing.

I stayed awake the entire flight from Vancouver to Paris...9 hours and a time change were involved.

The service on the direct Air France flight was amazing...champagne and crisps were served shortly after take off...the dinner menu circulated and there were 3 options for dinner which included wine and dessert...all included in the original airfare fee...no added expenses.

The bar cart came by regularly, but I did not imbibe as I had heard that too much alcohol at 30,000 feet might not be a good idea...and I wanted to arrive in France fresh, with a clear head.

At Charles De Gaulle airport I was met by a limo driver and whisked off to my hotel...

after I checked in I unpacked and stored my extra credit cards and euros in the safe.
I ventured out and explored the area around my hotel.

The Sorbonne and The Luxembourg Gardens were nearby...the streets were crowded with people and the shops and cafes were bustling...

Fresh air, the Parisians strolling along the boulevards.

I was in Paris and felt so alive and energetic!

I walked for hours...and while I walked I kept thinking...this is really happening!

The Monoprix was located a short 3 minute walk from my hotel so I popped in and purchased cheese, a small baguette, fresh strawberries and a bottle of wine. Dinner was easy fresh and tasty...

I opened the windows wide so I could hear the sounds from the street below.

I took a refreshing shower and put on my nightgown ~ inviting sleep...

as difficult as it was to close my eyes on Paris ~ I did.

Awakened after about 6 hours of slumber around 6am by the street sweeper...
and just in case you were curious, it was a man with a broom!

The days become a bit of a blur...I packed so many things into each day.

(I kept a travel journal)

I met up with friends before the official start of the Ooh La La Tour.

Friends were renting an apartment about 5 minutes from my hotel in the 6th.
(they are seasoned travellers and visit every year in springtime for 2 months)

They took me "under their wing" and showed me the sights...we walked for many hours every day.

I took in all the sights and sounds...the city is truly enchanting...but that is a serious understatement.
You have to find out for yourself.

With so many museums, galleries, shops, cafes, and parks one has an opportunity to see and experience new things every day...and I never felt overwhelmed and absorbed as much culture and ambiance as one could in 2 weeks.

Jamie Cat Callan, author and our tour leader asked us to write a letter to ourselves about how Paris has affected us and she collected them and she sent them to us this Christmas.

I recently received my letter in the mail...

I wept when I read my letter.

It was written with such passion about what I was seeing, living and how I was feeling.

WOW!

I felt incredibly fortunate to be able to take this trip.

It was a "big deal."

I had never been apart from my husband for more than 4 days.

Here I was taking off to France for 3 weeks and it was expensive.

After Paris I took the TGV and travelled to the south of France where I spent an idyllic week in the one of the most beautiful villages where friends were living.

They showed me the sights and drove me to other quaint villages.

I wandered about the village daily exploring and taking pictures.

I will remember...

The busy weekly market day, the cafes, the shops, the food, and the friendly people.

It was wonderful to experience the daily routines of life in the country.

The pace is slower and the scenery is exquisite.

It was difficult saying goodbye when it was time to leave...

Travelling to France was a gift to myself.

On the occasion of my 60th birthday...

a trip that I had dreamt about for as long as I can remember had become a reality.

It was selfish in many ways but looking back it has satisfied me and quieted a yearning.

I am content.

If I never travel far again it matters little...

having had this time in Paris.

Following my dream was worth it...

I have great memories

wonderful pictures and I met lovely women on the tour.

We are connected by our mutual experiences and I think of them often.

Roses in Paris on Rue Racine

Thank you for stopping by...

Hope your week is off to a great start.

Hostess

Vancouver getaway...

Last weekend we hopped on a BC Ferry and visited friends in Vancouver.

Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson Street

The Marina on False Creek is where our friends moor their boat.

They served us a delicious dinner and we sat looking out facing this beautiful view.

The next morning the weather was cool and breezy, a typical Fall day.

Wind, rain and a wee bit chilly...leaves at our feet.

Perfect weather to visit The Vancouver Art Gallery

Exhibits by the Canadian Group of Seven and Lee Bul were highlights.

I was very impressed by the art installations of Lee Bul.

She worked with mirrors in Via Negativa and the effects were really interesting.

Walking through this mirrored installation I felt dizzy and slightly disoriented...

there were twists and turns before arriving at the lights.

It seemed quite popular with the people who were viewing this exhibit.

I ventured through the maze of mirrors several times!

We stopped for lunch in the cafe before going upstairs to explore more exhibits.

"Between Object and Action:

Transforming Media in the 1960's and 70's."

artists

Kate Craig, Eric Metcalfe, Gathie Falk, Carole Itter and Evelyn Roth.

We shopped a bit along South Granville...I found something on sale at Eileen Fisher!

                                        Later we met up at La Quercia for a fabulous meal.

Sunday morning Mr. HB and I went to check out the new Nordstroms and popped into Holt Renfrew before heading to the ferry.

We took our books up to the on board buffet and sat at a window table for the duration of the trip.

A beautiful setting sun

 appeared just as we were about to disembark the ferry.

All in all it was a fun weekend and the cats were happy to see us when we got home.

Hope your week is ticking along nicely.

Sea Ray Summer ~ Friday Harbour

While we were moored at Roche Harbour Marina we decided to spend the day exploring Friday Harbour on San Juan Island. We'd been there before, many years ago, once by boat and once via the Clipper and remembered that it was a quaint historic town with a large grocery shop and many small and interesting stores.
The Washington State ferry docks at Friday Harbour and there is a very large Marina adjacent to where the ferry comes in...if we were staying longer we would have cruised into the harbour and stayed for a day or two to provision.

It was a really hot afternoon and we wandered about for over an hour before ducking into a shady patio for something cold to drink and a bite to eat.

Crab cakes for The Hostess!

(minus all the mayo)

We found a bamboo salad bowl set with a First Nation design in the little kitchen shop.

They are made in Vancouver BC!

Mr. HB spied them and mentioned that if we could find somewhere to stow them that we should purchase them for our boat.

As we were paying I said "Happy Anniversary!"

Our 41st to be exact.

We did take time to relax...

we read our books and wandered along the dock peeking at all the boats.

Easy meals...our "Picky Plate."

(when it's too hot to cook we nibble and "pick at" an assortment of things)

That's Maytag Blue Cheese...made by the son of the Maytag Empire and only available in the US.

We try to buy some each time we go south as it is delicious...

I love it sprinkled on a green salad...

a little goes a long way.

Coffee and foamed milk...

 a good way to savour the start to the day.

My OOTD

Black Yoga capri length pants

a white linen Lands End Tee

Sperry Shoes and an "old as the hills" Eddie Bauer straw hat.

I don't dress up much on the boat.

It's comfort all the way!

The winds were strong Gale Force in all the nearby Straits so we chose to stay another night.

We were up bright and early the next morning and scooted across Haro Strait in our SeaRay before the predicted winds rose up again...

I love the hues of blue and mauve in the petals of this hydrangea.

The garden is shaping up nicely with an energetic and dedicated garden helper on board.

I'm so grateful for an extra pair of hands...

you know that old saying 

"many hands make light work."

~ John Heywood ~

And speaking of hands

 a reader has brought me some of those fabulous Playtex Living gloves from the states.

(which I think is so exciting!)

I'm going to meet up with her this week and visit her new home on Salt Spring Island.

I love the kindness and generosity of people in the blogging community.

I've had great opportunities to meet new people and make connections.

It's something that I never expected...

Thank you!

Sea Ray Summer ~ Roche Harbour

Roche Harbour is located on San Juan Island in Washington State.
Just south of the 49th parallel across Haro Strait from Sidney, BC awaits a picturesque marina with all the amenities. It's a lovely spot to tie up our SeaRay for a few days.
It also is the permanent home to many US boats.

Modest boats mingle together with vast opulent yachts sharing dock space while the owners are free to enjoy the Resort. Boaters are an extremely friendly lot. It makes little difference that you are cruising on a 70 or 100 foot yacht or a 25 foot runabout...you are "out there" on the ocean having fun.

We observed two families sharing a "very compact" boat, which was probably about 25 feet...4 adults and 6 children..can you imagine the logistics? The sleeping and cooking arrangements would require immense planning and precision.
They were having a fabulous time and there was lots of laughter and some good natured competition.
Racing on paddle boards, floaty toys, kayaks and a sailing dingy and when they were not having races they were swimming at the pool...I imagine that they were exhausted by the time their heads hit the pillow!

Roche Harbour Resort has a swimming pool, assorted shops, a spa, cafe, bar, restaurant, The Hotel de Haro, beautiful gardens, a church and tennis courts. At sunset the flags are lowered in a precision military fashion accompanied by music.
This is known as the "Colours ceremony."

I snapped a bunch of pictures to share with you...

Here we are tied up on the guest dock in front of the church.

The Hotel is a popular spot for weddings.

The historic Lime Co. building houses the grocery, clothing store, the washrooms, laundry, showers and a post office.

Crab Season opened and many boaters were setting their traps.

The cook pots on the docks were boiling away in no time and people were enjoying their haul.

The Lime Kilns.

The lovely Classic Chris Craft "Paloma" formerly known as Destiny.

She has just been professionally and lovingly restored.

Her new home port will be San Francisco, California.

We met the proud owners who had just taken her out on their maiden voyage and were cruising with their friends aboard the classic beauty "Rialto."

These beautiful Chris Craft wooden boats in "just out of the box" immaculate condition require a lot of hard work, TLC and VERY deep pockets!

The grocery store is well stocked with an assortment of food...

they carry all kinds of things that mariners might have forgotten to pack!

Wines from Washington, Oregon and California as well as imports are available.

White roses

White wedding gowns...

a perfect pairing.

It was hot weather and we needed to make shade on our boat which was quite a challenge.

We used towels and a blanket to help keep the midday sun off our lounge.

I was most surprised to see Starbucks working out of one of the kiosks in the square.

There are many local artists and artisans selling their work out of these kiosks and by the amount of people milling about I think they must do a pretty good business.

The Kayak rentals were always busy.

We took the shuttle into Friday Harbour one day to explore.

Stay tuned...

I'll show you some more of this idyllic destination...

in the next post.

Hooray!

we have had a downpour of rain this morning and we really need more to help douse the forest fires that are raging in our province.

The gardens are parched and there are water restrictions in many municipalities...

I'm praying for rain.

Hope you have a great weekend.