France

As I sit here with my fresh pressed coffee, I'm now ready to write about France.  While in France, I couldn't think of the words to describe what I was experiencing. There is so much untouched beauty in France. It's hard to think of words to write. The family's trip was 4 cities, two weeks. In tow; 3 crazy kids and 1 Jack Russell. Crazy?! Mais Oui! But that's the way we roll Yo!

First stop Paris.
It's really only 5 hours from our house and we thought we left early enough to be able to have an afternoon there. When driving in France you learn the meaning of 'longest 20 minutes' seriously. When we arrived in Paris and started making our way through the construction, we were 20 minutes from our hotel. 1 hour later we were still 20 minutes from the hotel. 1.5 hours later...or 20 minutes according to Madge (that's our GPS) we arrived. We're not staying in the Ritz. We picked accommodations that supported 3 noisy kids, and 1 dog, plus a kitchen(ish). We didn't stay in the best part of town, but that's how we like it. Really. In only 4 days we saw everything we needed to see. Notre Dame, The Louvre, markets, and everything in between. Oh did I mention Disney?! Yes we did it. Yes we are that crazy. Yes it was that crazy. Best highlight of Paris? Really for me, it was experiencing Parisian life. We went to open markets. Talked to local people. Stayed in the Grit. We saw Paris. It was beautiful and awesome and in 4 days we were off....

Next?! Dijon!
I was not ready for Dijon. I had come off a Paris high and didn't know it could get better then that. It did, and more! Dijon is small, compared to Paris. The beauty old and untouched. The historical part is full of character and architecture as old as Jesus. Our apartment two stories up, no lift..original features. Big french windows, original beams and that floor! I love old wood floors! From our room we could see the old roof tops of Dijon. This city is a feast for the eyes. We devoured it. Ate it all up and it left us hungry for more. Hubby and I love all things French and this was to us, the icing on our French gateau. We did take a side Tour of Beaune. Wow. We took the back road of wine country to get there. I really can't tell you or describe to you what we saw. It was amazing. It was awesome. It was everything French country.  le sigh...

Where to next?! Bandol!
We wanted to stay in the South of France. Some place where the kids could play on the beach. We wanted to be in the middle of everything! I was sadden by this part of the world,  I have to admit. I was expecting French beach and what I got was Mexico. There is nothing overly special about this part of the world. It's warm. The sand is nice. The water green. It's nice. There is nothing to 'feast your eyes on' (unless you count the topless woman and hunky tanned men! yummy!) We did beachy things. We tanned. We warmed up. We went to Marseille and saw Hitler. I don't have much to write on this part. I'm sorry. It wasn't my idea of France and I feel I got ripped off. I wanted beach french and got Will Smith. We did have a nice time though and enjoyed much wine here.

Okay last stop! Bordeaux
Like Dijon, I was not ready for Bordeaux. I thought it was going to be a small city with nice things to see. Wow. It was a LARGE city with more then 'nice things to see' this was the city to see. This was better then Paris! This was everything I imagined France to be (and more!) I wish dear reader that you could see what I saw. I wish you could have felt what I felt. If you are ever, ever going to take a trip to France..you need to go to Bordeaux. We only had 1.5 days. We took it ALL in. We walked and took a bus tour. We snapped pictures until the fingers were sore. This part of France has been maintained so well. Much of the original Bordeaux still lays intact today. Arches and stone works. Churches and cobble stone. Bridges and waterways. It's all there. My heart I think is still there. I can honestly say (again!) that there are no words for Bordeaux. It's on the list of 'to go back, without children' list.

Dear reader there is so much to see in France. There is so much to experience. There is so much to do. It was the trip of a life time. One filled with too much driving. Too much screaming children and too many packing and moving. It was worth it though. To know that places like Beaune and Bordeaux still exist in our world today. Places of pure beauty and no sky scrapers!

I hope you all have a chance to visit one day. It will be worth every penny you save, promise.

xo

Stay tuned for part deux! (sorry! Paris, Dijon and Bordeaux need some more details!)

England! Year 1!

One year ago, our very tired family arrived at Heathrow Airport. It's been one year since our visa was stamped. One year ago we started on this crazy England adventure.

It all started with a sentence almost said under his breath 'what do you think about England?' It was meant to be a seed, as it was a seed that was planted in his head. I knew then that we were headed to England. When your a wife to an executive you go where the work is calling. I really wasn't worried. We had talked about England before. My list of 'requirements' was little...but for a stay at home mum and having three kids under 5, they were necessary.

1) we're not living in London
2) The back garden must be child friendly
3) I want green and rolling hills
4) WE'RE NOT LIVING IN LONDON

With the help of the awesome staff at the relocation consultancy we were able to find school, a house and everything else imaginable. They were my angels, and I couldn't of kept my sanity without them.

So we're one year on with two more to go.

What can I say about England?! it's FUCKING amazing balls! seriously people if you get the chance go!

England is every part of me that I love. The country, the green, the cows, the chickens, the farms, the hills, the horses, the history, the travel......I seriously heart this country. I have access to awesome foods! I have access to awesome farmers! I have access to all things organic (at an awesome price!) I have access to all things Tudors...seriously, I heart this place! I have learned some things about me and my family. I have learned about life. I know it's only been a year. But when you are put into a situation where it's you and only you...it's really sink or swim time. The life here is like being at the cottage 24/7. There is nothing on the telly. Shops close at 5. The weather is hit or miss. The people are a little different, while still being the same (make sense?)

In one year we've had lots of company! We love company! We have a great spare room, and I welcome all. The man is not so enthusiastic about company, but he's a Davey so he's not to fault. We've always had a policy at our house; The door is always open, stay as long as you like. But if you stay too long you might have to take a child home with you.

We are looking forward to the next year and all the things it will bring. Hopefully more family visits -mum, S&K, Mum & Don, Mikey, Dad, A&C (I'm pointing a big finger at you!) Friends-C&M, Kelly. We're looking forward to more travel-FRANCE TOMORROW! I'm hoping to get to my beloved Ireland...maybe without kids?! There is so much to see here, I doubt we'll see it all!

So England, you have blessed me with a great year! Here's to two more! Cheers!

xo