Discover Paris and the secrets of real French products. Tours in Parisian markets and in gastronomic manifestations, samplings and meals in private apartments. An original way to discover Paris and to have a glimpse of Parisian daily life.
What better way to explore the city than as a gourmet food traveller with this great tour company Succulent Paris
“Where are the men?” This was clearly the unspoken thought of many who watched the five of us toss the ropes and maneuver our Barge through the locks on the Canal du Midi in Southern France. We were the only crew of women on the canal and when on the last day we steered our way through the famous seven locks at Beziers, the crowds that come to watch this spectacle gave us a round of applause for our efforts. Read more
I went to the Eden Artists festival on Saturday in Mt Eden Auckland. A beautiful day with local well known artists painting away – the art is sold in an auction at the end of the day. I was particularly drawn to the work Nicky Foreman was working on.
On her table was a flyer advertising a 12 day art tour of France that she escorts annually to France. It is called Renaissance to Modernism – a journey through an artists eye and this year (2009) it is 29 September – 10 October. Read more
Le Couvent B&B is in the heart of Roujan, 20 kms or so from Besiers, it is the perfect place to stay to explore this area. Ali and Lizzie are fantastic warm hosts, you are in the centre of the lovely village of Roujan, close to the great Castle-Abbey of Cassan. Read more
In Medieval times, the south of France was its own little world – with strong local alliances, its own language and an independent spirit. Too independent, it seemed for the Roman Catholic Church and their claim to unique religious truth.
They largely welcomed Jews and Saracens, and those whose christian faith diverged from that of Rome. The latter were regarded as heretics, and for the first time a Crusade against christians was waged on European soil. For 50 years they were hunted down, many were burned at the stake. It was the beginning of what would become the Great Inquisition when all opposition and independent thinking was quashed .
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It’s not easy travelling alone – negotiating driving in a strange country and trying to navigate as well has had me going round in circles more than once. Sitting alone in a restaurant, wondering where to go next – all these things are the challenge of travelling alone.
But it is also a time to reflect and take stock – no other ‘noise’ keeping you from harsh reality.
I have a new mantra – “I am open to love and life and what the future offers”.
So doorways, windows, passage ways are what my eye is drawn to along the way. It’s giving me a great focus for exploring the country and reflecting on this staging point in my life. There are so many openings – some sealed up, some often used, some which offer promise and possibility – it is a fantastic metaphor. So I have started a series of pictures of windows and doors, it seems an apt thing for this transitional time in my life.
I will add more to this collection of photos over time – click on them and view them as a slidesow.
What an idea the Canal is! I had a similar feeling when I saw the Great Wall of China last year – what a vision – what a dream – imagining such a venture was possible and then doing it.
Pierre Paul Riquet from Beziers sank his entire fortune into the venture when from 1667-1681 12,000 people laboured on the 240 km long canal that would link the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. There are 350 bridges, aqueducts, and locks along its length, with 300 year old Plane trees lining the route – giving shade and a lovely dappled light. It truly deserves the World Heritage Status it was given by UNESCO 1996.
Of course we drank wine – mostly the local Rose – cheaper than water, and easy drinking. Champagne was also a favourite and most evenings we shared a bottle before dinner.
Breakfast was fresh bread and croissants and cheese – the muesli brought along by Yvonne was mostly uneaten. One night in the Puys region we had a simple green puy lentil dish with pork in a canal side restaurant.
Joining a women’s tour to do this trip was a great idea – It is a regular on the Bushwise Women Calendar. I get to enjoy a trip like this on my own, but not on my own. We began to get to know each other – Yvonne – the tour leader and owner of Bushwise Women, who lives in Northern NSW, her friend Fiona from Adelaide, Sam from the Blue Moutains west of Sydney, Gwen from Christchurch NZ and me from Waipu, NZ. Read more
A sleepless night before heading off to France – hadI not quite caught up with the timezone and also the anxiety about being on my own and not speaking the language – or perhaps just about being on my own full stop. It seems like aloneness moments are going to be frequent experiences on this trip – I guess to be expected by this relentlessly communal person on a 4 month journey alone. Read more
