My Madrid

 Madrid highlights: Amazing churros (deep fried rolls of dough) dipped in hot, liquid chocolate.  Dip and eat, double dip and eat, and drink, yes drink the leftover melted chocolate.  A moment on the lips and a lifetime on the hips!!  The Mercdo de San Miguel, a charming tapas bar with something for everyone.  The 'mad' bull...he didn't get his morning coffee either, Ha! Ha! Ha!  The eat and repeat store - what kind of a name is that for a food establishment?  A nap on a park bench with my beloved while Matthew made friends with some Spanish kids at a local playground.  And finally 'on the road again', this time it's off to Portugal!

Basking in Basque Country

San Sebastian is a little jewel nestled on the northern coast of Spain bordering on France.  We fell in love with the city, our hosts Ramon, Begona, and Xabi and the Basque countryside.  We spent a day at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and I can now confirm with certainty that I am not a connoisseur of modern art.  Really a kitchen where we are not allowed to touch the cabinets let alone lean on the counters?  And no, that is not another rainstorm but another piece of modern art that 'goes off' every hour on the hour.  Like I said.....modern art and all.  But, we loved our stay and want to return (have I said that before?).  

What a Week In Provence

I'm so glad that Peter Mayle wrote that book. It was a wonderful place to be, even if it was only for a week. Our week there was to be one of R & R and while it was (mostly), we spent a fantastic time exploring the many back roads of the area. We followed the road signs and drove through amazing cities perched on the sides of hills. We visited great markets... oh the olives and spices... we wound our way through a labyrinth of narrow streets and enjoyed each and every turn in the road.  It was a kaleidoscope of sight and sound and I can't wait to return one day and finish our explore.  Many thanks to Audrey and her daughter Marie for their wonderful hospitality and their friendship. We will be sure to include them on our return visit one day.

Fall In Paris

Can anyone be as lucky as we were to have spent two amazing weeks in Paris living right in the heart of Marais, home to trendy shops, winding cobblestone streets, French bakeries, and a gazillion little cafes squished into corners and spilling haphazardly out onto the streets? Thanks again to Jenn and Eric for their hospitality in Paris, for helping us locate to another flat, and for all the great advice on what else to see in "the city of lights".

No one knows how to carelessly throw a scarf around their neck like a Parisian - man or woman. Scarves and sunglasses are a foolproof recipe for chic. Even children are dressed well, especially on Sundays when families go for a walk or to the park for an afternoon of play. I even saw a tiny little girl with the cutest curls toddle after her mother wearing the Paris "uniform" of tights, shorts, and yes...the carelessly thrown scarf!

I was sad to miss out on the best season of Dancing With The Stars but I had the good fortune to watch couples doing the tango beneath the lights of the Eiffel Tower. And further to my coffee theme, five dollars for a tiny espresso!

I enjoyed all of Paris...from our six storey walk up to the art galleries (if you look closely I think I found the first guy ever to text, and by the way, I do love art galleries because they are also great places to have a nap) to the hike up to the second level of the Eiffel Tower (all 669 steps) to the over five plus mile walk back from the Arc de Triomphe to our apartment (who needs stairmaster). But I think the best part of Paris for me was the two Sunday afternoons that I got to spend sitting in Place des Vosges reading my book in the warm autumn sunlight while Parisian families and friends visited and played. I will always treasure our time in Paris.

I Could Have Danced All Night/Time Gentlemen Please

I love all things British; movies, Downton Abbey, Coronation Street, Colin Firth, Adele, Colin Firth, Sarah Brightman, Colin Firth, Sean Connery, Amy Winehouse, pubs, did I already mention Corrie Street & Colin Firth?  In my next life I want to come back as a barmaid in an English pub and serve the punters...yes I know that cleavage is considered an asset...let me work on that :) but despite my lack thereof, the owner of our local in East Finchley (the area where we were staying) kindly let me "pull a pint" one evening. I wonder if they need any help at CK's?  We had a grand time walking the city and as you can see I earned my rest at the Natural History Museum while 'the boys' took the place by storm....there is only so much time in a museum a girl can be expected to take.  Loved our speedy but short taxi ride to St. Paul's and really enjoyed the evening services in both Westminister Abbey & St. Paul's Cathedral.  Our week simply flew by and the pub food was amazing as well. Matthew ate so many servings of fish & chips we thought he'd sprout gills. Too many highlights to talk about them all but one thing is for sure....I'll be back!