2018: A Very Memorable Year

Our memories of the past year includes friends (both new and old), family, travel and housesitting in the UK, Spain and France. 2018 also brought about a change of scenery as both ourselves and our daughter and son-in-law purchased new homes this year. While we're not ready to sell our Elliot Lake property just yet, John and I are grateful for the opportunity to explore the nation's capital this winter at our leisure while we hibernate in our 1-bedroom condo. 

Elliot Lake to Topsfield, MA and Back

The temperatures have dropped considerably since mid October and we've endured rain, sleet and snow - often all within the same day! While driving from Elliot Lake to Ottawa at the end of October we experienced our first snowfall of the season. Thankfully, by the time we reached Mattawa most of it had melted, but there was still a layer on the top of the picnic table.

Mattawa, Ontario

October Splendour

From a visual standpoint, autumn in northern Ontario is spectacular and while we were concerned 2018 may not fare as well colour wise as previous years (due to this summer's drought) our worries proved to be unfounded.

Ferry, Friends & Fall

September has come and (almost) gone which is a shame because it's my favourite month of the year here in northern Ontario. The temperature is moderate, there are virtually no bugs and the vibrant fall colours are a spectacle that continue to amaze. Add friends and cottages, a second Chi-Cheemaun ferry ride as well as a second successful cataract eye surgery to the mix and what's not to love?

Lake Huron from Fred & Maxine's deck

Chi-Cheemaun, Cataracts & Coons

My primary goal this summer was to keep the calendar clear to accommodate my cataract surgery and once the dates were set, the next item on the agenda was to ensure we arrived at the hospital in southern Ontario on schedule. (My right eye surgery was set for August 3.) The forest fires, especially the Parry Sound 33 fire, were worrisome, so we opted to take the Chi-Cheemaun ferry from South Baymouth on Manitoulin Island to Tobermory.

Storms, Fires, Friends & Family

The old adage that time flies is proving correct this summer. In the six weeks that have passed since my last post we've been busy, busy, busy and it's been hot, hot, hot.

Back in Canada A Month!

We've been home a little more than one month and it's been an enjoyable albeit busy four weeks. We've reconnected with a good many friends and family and settled back into a routine that for a change does not require a backpack! Even the gazebo is up, making the backyard a lovely outdoor space without the bugs.

Brighton, UK

After completing our Nice housesit we flew to Gatwick and before our return to Canada on May 13, 2018 we took the Thameslink southbound train to visit Brighton. 

Monaco

Last year when we visited Menton, France and Ventimiglio, Italy we travelled through Monaco, but did not set foot on terra firma of this postcard-size country. For that reason I did not feel comfortable mentioning or claiming it as a country we've visited, but as of this week that's all changed. Monaco is officially #27 on our list.

Vence & Cannes-sur-Mer

Two easy to reach destinations by public transportation from Nice include Vence: a hilltop medieval village and Cagnes-sur-Mer: a lovely town on the Mediterranean where the French painter, Auguste Renoir, lived and painted during his final years. 

Haut-de-Cagnes Revisited

 Haut-de-Cagnes is one of our favourite medieval villages on the Cote d'Azur. 

Grimaldi Castle Museum

Last year when we visited Haut-de-Cagnes the Grimaldi Castle Museum was closed so this week we returned, making certain beforehand to take note of its opening hours! 

Ships at the Port, Nice, FR

On the morning of April 25, 2018 the Hermione sailed into Nice Port amid much fanfare.

Charles Negre Photography Museum, Nice, FR

During the first week of our housesit in Nice we visited the Photography Museum conveniently situated alongside the Flower Market on Cours Saleya.

Back in Nice With Petra & "The Girls"

The past week has flown by. We arrived in Nice the evening of April 17, reconnected with homeowners Katherine and Paul on the 18th and officially began our housesit with Petra and "the girls" the following day. It's hard to believe today marks the end of the first of our three weeks here, but oh, what a week it's been!

Paris to Nice via SNCF Train

Mid day on Tuesday, April 17 we took a city bus from our Airbnb flat to the Gare de Lyon to catch the 14:11 train that would take us to Nice. 

The Louvre

Our final day in Paris we toured the Louvre the world's largest and most visited museum. It receives 15,000 visitors per day, 70% of whom are foreign tourists.

Paris Landmarks by Foot & Bus

Day five in Paris we took the BigBus red and blue line tours and much to our surprise spent about four hours total on both buses. It was certainly a good value (tickets cost €36.00/person) and the audio commentary provided just enough facts to provide some history and insight without being overwhelming.

Notre Dame, Paris

After touring Saint Chapelle on day four of our stay in Paris we strolled a few streets further to see Notre Dame.

Saint Chapelle, Paris

Our fourth day in Paris we walked from our flat on the left bank to Île de la Cité one of two remaining natural islands in the Seine within the city of Paris. It is here where the medieval city was founded and home to  Saint Chapelle.

Musee de l'Orangerie, Paris

The Musee de l'Orangerie is situated on the right bank and surrounded by the Tuileries Gardens.

Eiffel Tower & the Jules Verne Restaurant

It goes without saying that the Eiffel Tower is on everyone's list while visiting Paris. We had no idea of the many options available to us, but upon learning one can dine in a Michelin restaurant on the second level AND it includes a private elevator ride we booked a table two full months in advance of our arrival.

Musee d'Orsay, Paris

The Musee d'Orsay is housed in the former Orsay railway station that was built for the Universal Exhibition of 1900. 

London to Paris Via the Chunnel

We arrived in Paris via Eurostar train 6022 from London on the afternoon of Tuesday, April 11 - just one day later than originally planned, so while the rotating French rail and air strike did affect us, it wasn't all that traumatic. One might even say it added to the story of our latest adventure. 

Guildhall Art Gallery, MI6 & Piano Recital in London, UK

Travel itineraries are rarely carved in stone and today is a perfect example of that. Since early January we've had tickets for the Eurostar (chunnel train) from London St. Pancras to Paris Gare du Nord. Due to the rotating French rail and air strikes that began last week and continue through June, however, our train was cancelled. So, what's a couple to do? Re-book and make the best of it, of course, and this morning John suggested we visit the Guildhall Art Gallery.

Our 2nd Winchester Housesit with Poppy

We first housesat for homeowners Lisa-Jane and John in April 2015 and when the opportunity arose for us to spend additional time in Winchester with Poppy we happily packed our bags. Sadly, today is our final day with this lovely girl, but we're SO grateful for every single moment.

Oxford, Revisited

In January 2016 we spent a week in Oxford and enjoyed it so much we hoped one day to return. Seeing as we had a few free days between our Marlow and Winchester housesits and Oxford was within an hour's train ride we made good on that goal and stayed three nights last week in the Malmaison - a former prison turned hotel.

Marlow, UK Housesit

We spent ten days in mid-March in Marlow, Buckinghamshire with Jasper, Mew and Purr. These three adorable fur babies belong to Claire and David whom we had the pleasure of meeting four years ago during our first UK housesit. 

Memories of Malaga

After spending 18 nights in Malaga we returned to the UK with wonderful memories that will remain with us for the rest of our lives. Memories like busy, narrow streets and picturesque alleyways.

Calle Fresca, Malaga

Malaga Crystal & Glass Museum

Visiting the Crystal and Glass Museum was a last minute decision on our final day in Malaga and all things considered it was one of the most interesting, perhaps even quirky, venues in the city.

Pompidou Centre, Malada

The Pompidou Centre, on the Malaga harbour front, is a branch of the Paris contemporary art museum of the same name and features a colourful glass cube entrance.

Malaga's Hidden Gem: Santa Maria de la Victoria Basilica

Sometimes one discovers a gem quite by accident and such is the case of the rather drab exterior of the Santa Maria de la Victoria Basilica. 

Bishop's Palace, Malaga

The Bishop's Palace features a baroque red and yellow exterior and is on the north side of Plaza de Obispo. Built in the 16th to 18th centuries it is a series of buildings that take up the entire block. 

Castillo de Gibralfaro

The Castillo de Gibralfaro sits atop Malaga on a hill named from the Arabic word Yabal meaning mountain and the Greek word Faruk meaning lighthouse and this combination explains why this site was chosen as a coastal vantage point. 

https://www.malagafestival.org/

Malaga Cathedral

Our first glimpse of historic Malaga was its catholic cathedral on the evening of our arrival as it shimmered in glorious light and shadows.

Malaga Centre of Contemporary Art

Present day artists and their creations can be a mixed bag of tricks, but we were pleasantly surprised by what we found within Malaga's Centre of Contemporary Art.

Malaga Museum

The Malaga Museum, housed in the Palace de la Aduana, features the Museum of Fine Art on the first floor and Archaeological Museum on the second. 

Pheonicians, Picasso & Plazas

Sunday was cool and sunny and like the locals we headed to a nearby plaza for a couple of relaxing hours to soak up a few rays and savour a glass of wine out of doors. 

Carmen Thyssen Museum, Malaga

We're SO grateful to not have any of the snow that is plaguing the rest of Europe at the moment, but we haven't gotten off scot-free either. Yesterday was our third day of rain in Malaga and it's torrential.  Umbrellas held high, we cued outside the Carmen Thyssen Museum and as I was not about to take a photo in the pouring rain the photo of the exterior of the museum below is courtesy of Google!  

Port of Malaga

Tuesday was warm and sunny and we headed to the port which is a short walk south of our flat and seeing as Malaga is on the cruise ship circuit the city has done a fantastic job of creating an inviting and welcoming first impression.

The Alcazaba, Malaga, Spain

Our second day in Malaga we strolled east past the cathedral to the Alcazaba - a short 6 minute walk from our flat - and as it was such a glorious day we decided to explore its interior.

Sunday Stroll in Malaga

We awoke to a lovely sunny morning and opted to spend Sunday like the locals (known as Malaguenos) and go for a leisurely stroll.

Our Evening Arrival in Malaga, Spain

We flew from London Gatwick to Malaga, Spain on February 24 and arrived at our Airbnb location in the centre of town around 7:00 PM. We knew we were in the right place as the Iglesia del Sagraria Cathedral looms above the Plaza del Obispo.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Housesit February 8-13, 2018

Today marks the end of our latest house and pet sit in Royal Tunbridge Wells.

Adieu Guernsey

 After ten incredible house and pet sitting days in Guernsey we flew back to London (Gatwick) via Aurigny Airlines this morning. 

Guernsey's Little Chapel

On January 24, 2018 we arrived back in Guernsey, Channel Islands, for a repeat housesit.

Churchill War Rooms, London, UK

On our final day in London we visited the Churchill War Rooms. The war rooms became operational on August 27, 1939 just a week before Britain declared war on Germany and closed six years later on August 16, 1945.

Tower of London

In the late 1970s when John and I first visited England we toured the Tower of London. We've returned to the city many times since and until this year never considered a repeat performance. John, however, suggested we do it this time around and I am ever so glad he did. Like many things (us, wine, to name a few) the tower exhibits have improved (and expanded) with age.