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It's Almost like Being Home with Friends

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The second time I went to Europe was in 1981 and, that time, it was with my mother.  Before we left home, a friend of hers asked if we would be going to the Black Forest/Alsace region.  When we said yes, she gave us the name of her daughter and son-in-law who lived in that area.  One day, we just turned up on their doorstep and, out of that, was forged a very long term and wonderful friendship.  Sue and I found out we knew people in common and she had had my summer job with the Canadian Hydrographic Service after I moved on to another summer job.  Initially, I only visited them every two or three years but that has gradually escalated to annual and sometimes even twice-yearly visits.  Their guest book attests to the frequency - and it has been noticed!   In my defense, I have done my best to reciprocate their hospitality whenever I have been able to.  Needless to say, these visits have given me a sense of having a "safe haven" and almost a se...
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Au Revoir and Bonjour

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For my last afternoon on the Cote d'Azur, Elaine and I went to Villefranche.  Unlike earlier in the week, this time it was really crowded - probably because it was a Sunday, the weather was lovely, and it was the beginning of the half-term break.  The beaches, restaurants and parking lots were all packed.  Luckily, we found a parking spot in the fortress.  Then, we walked down to La Darse, Villefranche's old harbour, and along the seaside path around to the seafront.  No matter how many times I come here - and I have been so blessed to have come here many times - it never fails to take my breath away.  A friend who also loves this place recently asked me why I like it so much.  I was unable to articulate why - perhaps it is the stunning scenery; perhaps it is just the beauty of the sea and mountains here; or maybe it is because this place, unlike many others on the French Riviera, has maintained the feel of an old fishing village.  There is none o...
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After the Storm!

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Friday, the "red weather alert" was reduced to "orange" at 10 am.  However, the Promenade car lane on the sea side wasn't opened until around 4 pm and the police continued to "dissuade" people from using the wide sidewalk along the seaside.  However, even police tape didn't stop them.  So, for at least 5 hours, motorcycle cops patrolled up and down the sidewalk on the Promenade telling people to move.  As fast as they cleared them, other people replaced them.  While the sea was pretty rough and waves quite high, it didn't look that dangerous to me.  However, I am used to the storms on the west coast which look worse.  There was, however, some damage further inland, including loss of electricity to hundreds of homes and one river spilled over its banks.  Later in the day, the rain stopped and the sun came out a bit and things got back to normal.  Here are some shots of the waves and the sea yesterday. We stayed inside for a lot of the day exce...
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