Keeping my Balance

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 16:37:00 +0000

What's coming up after Ireland?

Jan 2017 - Costa Rica
Feb 2017 - Orlando
March 2017 - Fly to Paris - Beauchamp, France (3M), Paris, Dubai, Kuwait, Munich, Burghausen (3M Gendorf), Wroclaw, Poland (3M), Paris, Home
April 2017 - Star Wars Celebration - Orlando
June 2017 - Sea Isle City, NJ
Sept 2017 - Danube River Back Roads trip including stays in Prague and Budapest

What, I have to stay home in August?

Not necessarily in this order - the bucket list

Coming up someday
1. Second trip to Ireland
2. New Zealand/Australia
3 Scottish Highlands
4. Walk the Kerry Way
4. Drive the Wild Atlantic way (bike?)
4.5 Hike to hidden village of Galboly, Co Antrim, Ireland
5. Malta
6. Tirol area of Austria
7. Train across Canada
8. Storm watching - BC
9. Orient Express train
10. Siberian Express train
11. Croatia

Oh, look at this - photography workshops - https://www.elevation.ie

Ok, getting long, will be refined later...

Comic Con 2016 Han Leia

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 23 Jul 2016 05:33:00 +0000

Han and Leia cosplay from Force Awakens

With Leias from episode 4

Touring Tours

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 20:07:00 +0000

We asked at our hotel by the train station for a restaurant recommendation and the girl told us to take a bus into the city of Tours and go to the old historic area.

So glad we did, it's a wonderful spot.

The rest of Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 20:05:00 +0000

Back in Paris, we ate at La Petite Cluny

But it seems the emphasis was on the beer since this is my only picture...

Not willing to be done seeing the city, we went for a walk down the Seine.

Sad to leave Paris, but we checked out, stored our luggage and went for a walk.

Our hotel lobby

We went to the very famous Cafe de Flore on Blvd St Germaine for breakfast, one of the oldest and the most prestigious coffeehouses in Paris, celebrated for its famous clientele since the 1880's.

As for the big attraction at Cafe de Flore of seeing and being seen, they seated us way in back...guess we weren't an attraction.

We hauled suitcases up and down multiple flights of stairs taking the metro and getting to Gare Montparnesse.

This is where the building called "the box the Eiffel Tower came in" is located.

It looks totally out of place surrounded by buildings no more than 4-5 stories tall.

We had a wait for the train so did some shopping and sat and people-watched outside the station.

Then we took our train to St Pierre des Corps - a fast TGV train that got up to almost 200 MPH. Speedy and smooth ride, it took just 59 minutes.

We actually know the speed because some of the techno geeks were using their GPS to measure how fast we were going.

So now in St Pierre des Corps, basically a suburb of Tours. Tomorrow we will meet our Backroads tour here and start our bike adventure but first a bus ride to the old town in Tours - next episode.

Versailles palace

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 20 Sep 2015 16:31:00 +0000

Lunch with our finds from the market. The pears and Brie cheese were my favorites - just incredibly good but everything was very tasty!

I was actually a little disappointed in the interior of Versailles. I was hoping it would all be furnished as it was at various periods of its history. Most of the furnishings were removed during the revolution and sold but they have found and brought back most of them now however they weren't in the rooms they would've been found in. Most of the rooms are essentially an art gallery.

But here are some I liked.

The hall of mirrors

The outside of course is gorgeous as are the gardens

Louis XIV liked mirrors and there are some interesting mirror art on the outside. This is us standing in front of the mirror with the palace behind us.

Where the Sun King lived part two

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 20:55:00 +0000

We took a train to Versailles with Bikeabout Tours and then got our bikes and rode to the palace. Since we expected rain we rode around the grounds first. First stop was the Petite Trianon where Marie Antionette had her own little residence.

The early indoor toilet

Marie Antoinette's village where she spent time pretending to be a milkmaid. There was a full "staff" running the farm but they didn't actually live there. Kind of her own personal Disneyland. Or maybe an early type of cosplay complete with people for props.

The gardeners did work all night because she wanted new and different flowers to see each morning.

Obligatory group photo

There was some destruction during the revolution and also a tornado that destroyed trees but this one has been here a long time!

The palace will be next.

Where the Sun King lived, and a few others

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 14:47:00 +0000

Started out the day with breakfast at the hotel, actually a very nice, full typical European breakfast. Lots of cheeses, charcuterie, wonderful baguettes, yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, etc. oh, and even cereal for Bill...

Tim having breakfast

Here's a little view of it.

Waiting near Notre Dame to meet up with our BikeAbout Tours Guide, we saw police walking by, fully armed. They were present many of the places we went. Looks like the one guy was giving me the evil eye for photographing him.

On the train to Versailles, with April, our wonderful guide.

And we're off. This was just a little prelude to the big bike ride next week.

First stop was the local market. I wish there was a market like this near me. I can't even begin to describe how perfect the produce and cheeses were! We just do not see this quality and variety of fresh foods at home.

These pears were perfectly ripe

The cheese guy

The wine guy, Dave

A stop for a little treat too

This page is going to be just food. The Versailles tour will be on the next post.

Notre Dame and Baton Rouge

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 19 Sep 2015 12:06:00 +0000

After eating we were ready to go! First a short walk to Notre Dame because we had never gone inside.

The whole group outside Notre Dame

The main entrance

A very pretty inside

I love all the candles. Some churches have gone to little lights that go on for awhile to cut down fire hazard but I prefer the real candles!

Very imports girl in the history of France. Yes, it's Joan of Arc.

Flying buttresses

Statue of St Jean-Paul.

Then we made our way by metro to Monmartre, one of our favorite areas. Saw a few sights and then to the Baton Rouge bar, currently a very popular spot. At this address in 1944 was the bar Chez Fernand where my father visited as a GI after the liberation of Paris.

To quote my brother

"Big thrill for the Corrigan clan. We stopped here for drinks and dinner. My father stopped here at this same location and spent the afternoon drinking with his squadron buddies shortly after the liberation of Paris in 1944. The proprietor at the time asked them to pay their tab with K-rations since there was no food to buy with money."

The postcard my father kept from the bar.

A toast to Dad

At night on our balcony, we could hear jazz music played by musicians on the street.

Getting acclimated and seeing a few favorites in Paris

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 23:47:00 +0000

Watching Midnight in Paris on the plane. Can hardly believe that in a few hours we will land in Paris and be walking here too!

Plane ride was uneventful, if long. We met Marilyn at the Sheraton and then took the train into Paris. There's a stop quite near our hotel so that was pretty painless.

Dropped off luggage and went to eat. Right across the street was La Luge, a restaurant in my planning blog that was highly rated.

My avocado and shrimp salad 1st course

Rabbit with yummy cheesy potato pieces

Beef bourguignon was good but not as good as ours.

Desserts we got were creme brûlée, chocolate mousse, and chocolate banana crepe. We ate them too fast to photograph, I guess.

More to come, we kept going until 9PM

Airport fun

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 20:58:00 +0000

In the airport, reading the phrase book that Dad had when he was in France during WWII. Some interesting but not too useful phrases for us, like "let's hide on the barge and go down the canal until we find the other soldiers" and "what surprised me was not to find any enemy..."

We leave in an hour and a half.

This is the day!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 16 Sep 2015 14:21:00 +0000

After hours and months of me planning this, its finally happening.

The past week Bill and I have been working on trying to slowly move towards the time zone in France. Got to the point of going to bed by 7:30-8:00PM and we got up at 3:30 AM this morning. We've sort of tried this before but never too successfully. But this time it is going well and we consistently went to bed a half hour or so earlier each night the past week - and set an alarm for earlier. Now if I can just sleep on the plane, I'll be in not so bad shape - big "IF" though...

Packing is almost done but I'm not being as good as usual - I know I packed way more than I NEED. They allowed us a 26-28 inch suitcase on the bike tour and so I am using that size. I usually limit myself to a 21 inch carry-on so this is a lot of clothes. Probably won't even be able to wear them all. But we do need bike clothes, bike equipment, bike seat (my choice to bring mine) plus dressier clothes for some evenings and clothes for the 6 days we are not riding bikes. Plus it has been raining at least half the days lately in France so rain gear too and parapluie (umbrella - I love that word in French).

Just weighed the suitcase - 44 lbs, just 2 lbs more than Bill's so I guess I'm ok at least. And no, the cat is NOT going along...just everything else on the bed.

Plane leaves at 5:25PM so about 10 hours to go. But we are of course getting to the airport way ahead of time, as we always do. I will update as often as I can get to it!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 15 Sep 2015 14:54:00 +0000

Ready or not - we're going!

Day 14 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:19:00 +0000

Sept 29

Hotel shuttle or taxi to CDG. I believe Marilyn's flight is earlier but we should plan to be there by around 8 AM.

Fly home - hopefully with many many happy memories and many many pictures to help keep those memories!

Day 12 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:18:00 +0000

Sept 27

Day Trip to Le Mans

Birthplace of Henry II - who married Eleanor of Aquitaine and had sons Richard Lionhearted and King John

and if you want to see "another pretty church" - Cathedrale de Saint-Julien de Mans

There is also a Plantagenet Museum as well as a 24 hr Race (Le Mans race) museum.

Probably earlier dinner in Chartres before train.

Train back to Chartres.

Hotel - Mercure Chartres Cathédrale

Day 13 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 23:18:00 +0000

Sept 28

Train is at noon so some time to have a leisurely breakfast and finishing packing.

Train to CDG - routing was either through Le Mans or a town far north of Paris - seemed a little weird and was longer and more expensive. So we go through Le Mans and then layover there and train to CDG. Shuttle to hotel. The only other option was a train to Paris and then metros (probably 2) and RER train and that seemed like more work with our luggage.

And now for something totally different!

We will stay at Nomad Hotel Roissy. A brand new hotel with a theme of conservation, technology and wonderful (hopefully) experience. But definitely different than anything you've tried, I would bet! Rooms are small - they are expecting you to be here overnight on your way in or out of Paris Charles de Gaulle airport. Shower is right in the room!

Everything is controlled electronically

And they say that the rainforest shower is an experience not to be missed...here is the showerhead.

Evening restaurant ideas

Auberge de la Pomme d'Or - ½ mile - old family style restaurant

or just at the Nomad - small bar with food or self-service food area. (if you are tired of good restaurants)

Day 11 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 22:40:00 +0000

Sept 26

Restaurants - see yesterday's entry for a few

Chartres - see Chartres Cathedral Notre Dame

Chartres old town - Historic Preservation area

Chartres en lumières

we could do an organized tour or just visit the places illuminated on our own

Hotel

Mercure Chartres Cathédrale

view from room

Day 10 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 20:00:00 +0000

Sept 25

Ride to Montrichard, or relax at hotel.

Lunch and then coach to St Pierre des Corps train station arriving around 1:30-2PM

Train to Chartres

Hotel
Mercure Chartres Cathédrale

Restaurant ideas in Chartres near the Cathedral/old town- for tonight, or tomorrow lunch and dinner

Near Cathedral - La Picoterie 36 rue Changes - another "best creperie in town"

a more upscale foodie restaurant - La Vieille Maison (old house) Restaurant - owned by Bruno Letartre (probably the name is at least from the same source words as Lethert)

Le Petit Bistrot - 12 place Billard (but closed Sunday & Monday)

Day 9 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:58:00 +0000

Sept 24

Ride to Chateau de Chenonceau on the Cher River
private tour

Ride to Chateau de Nitray
lunch on the grounds

Shuttle or ride back to hotel

Dinner - Chateau de Chissay

Hotel - Chateau de Chissay

Day 8 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:54:00 +0000

Sept 23

Ride to Amboise, lunch on your own, visit Clos Luce museum (where da Vinci spent his last days)

Ride to Chissay-en-Touraine

Dinner at Chateau de Chissay

Hotel - Chateau de Chissay

Day 7 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:52:00 +0000

Sept 22

Ride to Azay-le-Rideau, lunch on your own in a cafe or picnic.

Ride to Montbazon, ride or shuttle to Chateau de la Bourdaisiere

Dinner at hotel

Hotel - Chateau de la Bourdaisiere

Day 6 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:33:00 +0000

Sept 21

29 mile trip

Ride through Bourgueil and Restigne - see medieval St Martin de Restigne cathedral

Ride to Chateau de Gizeux, guided tour and wine tasting

Picnic at the chateau

Ride along the Loire back to hotel

Pool?

Dinner at a local restaurant

Hotel - Chateau de Rochecotte

Day 5 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 26 Aug 2015 19:30:00 +0000

Sept 20

Meet Backroads tour outside St Pierre des Corps station 10:00 AM.

Shuttle to Chinon, get bikes

Bike Ride -the one shown is full 22 miles.

Dinner at Chateau de Rochecotte

hotel - Chateau de Rochecotte

Day 4 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 30 Jul 2015 03:33:00 +0000

Sept 19

Morning in Paris and lunch (see some ideas on day two blog), then metro and TGV train to St Pierre des Corps is about an hour, then relax, dinner and get ready for the bike trip in St Pierre.

Take train to Tours St Pierre des Corps station in Tours.

Staying in hotel Kyriad St Pierre des Corps Gare - right outside the station - this is where we will meet the next day for the Backroads Tour.

Several restaurants in the area including in the hotel.

Day 3 Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 28 Jul 2015 03:06:00 +0000

Sept 18
Early breakfast and meet BikeAbout Tours at the Charlemagne statue outside Notre Dame at 8:45 AM

Go with tour by train to Versailles and do easy bike ride of grounds, see buildings, ride to Marie Antoinette's village and have picnic lunch with supplies bought at the local farmer's market.

Train back by 5 PM.

Dinner

Evening depends on what everyone feels like doing. (maybe sleep)

Otherwise, walk along Seine, see Eiffel Tour at night, etc

Or a fancy meal? Probably need reservations, if we can get them. Le Reminet

http://www.lereminet.com

or not quite as romantic and quaint - Le Bistro du Perigord

71 Rue St Jacques

Day 2 continued - Planning

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Jul 2015 22:32:00 +0000

Check in at hotel - I have contacted them and we can leave luggage with them if the room is not ready yet.

Then some sightseeing right by the hotel until rooms are ready.

Visit Notre Dame
Notre Dame is a historic Catholic cathedral on the eastern half of the Île de la Cité in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. The cathedral is widely considered to be one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture, and it is among the largest and most well-known church buildings in the world. The naturalism of its sculptures and stained glass are in contrast with earlier Romanesque architecture.

and the Church of St Severin.

Saint-Séverin is a magnificent church, located on the lively tourist street Rue Saint-Séverin. It is one of the oldest churches that remains standing on the Left Bank, and it continues in use as a place of worship.

It is built in flamboyant gothic style mostly between the 13th and 15th century. Covered by Gothic arches, and what looks like a small courtyard is in fact a former mass grave, where only wealthy Parisians were buried in tombs. What’s more, in 1474 the first surgical operation was carried out here on a prisoner suffering from kidney stones. The operation was a success and the prisoner’s death sentence avoided!

Before or after churches, lunch nearby or in the left bank/Latin quarter.

Nearby Yelp recommended restaurants -

For a casual meal - Creperie Genia - highly rated, right near our hotel
15 rue de la Harpe, Paris - and we can compare to our Creperies from last trip!

or a traditional smaller French restaurant - La Luge -19 rue St Severin

A little more upscale - Le Bistro du Perigord - 71 Rue St Jacques

If rooms ready, we can check in and rest a bit if wanted. Or walk around more.

Later take Metro 4 from St Michel-Notre Dame Metro stop to Barbes Rochechoart and Metro 2 to Blanche (by Moulin Rouge)

Walk up Montmartre hill - see Sacre Coeur, etc

Enough churches - time for a bar!

Walk to Baton Rouge - 62 rue Notre Dame de Lorette - where we have 6:00 reservations.

Dad's story about the bar at this location in 1944!

Dad told me there were four of them and they paid with three of their K-rations and shared the other one. The owner had told them he couldn't buy food with the money but needed food to feed his family... We tried to visit in Sept 2014 but the bar at that location then had been closed a few years. So we will visit the new one!

Metro 2 from Blanche (by Moulin Rouge) to Barbes Rochechoar and Metro 4 to St Michel-Notre Dame and back to hotel and Sleep!!