Well I did it!!! I was forced to speak some French tonight. All on my own :)
We have met a lovely woman here, Elizabethi, and her two children. She is an American who has been living here in France for the last 10 years. Derek took our girls home to tuck them into bed, Elizabeth was doing the same with her kids, and I stayed and parle en Francaia avec ses Amis. They speak little to no English, my French is about the same, but it worked!
Now I believe we had a good conversation about the weather here in Banyuls and how pirates have been here for centuries. The men I spoke with may think we talked about why horse meat is very good to eat in charcuterie and why pickles are best at room temperature. Either way! I spoke! I am pumped!!!
Took some amazing photos of Banyuls sur Mer this am..... I cannot email them as they are on the camera until we return... But I believe I was able to capture some of this town's beauty and serenity.
This was our last market day here (Sunday's and Weds in Banyuls) and we bought the usual assortment of fresh tomatoes, olives, fresh chevré, raspberries and a still warm baguette. Absolute decadence! We watched the locals dance the traditional Sardane dance at the town plaza while we enjoyed our ice cream's... Then went home and played cards (rummy!) with the kids before dinner.
bliss! Utter utter bliss!
J'adore la France!
Sunday, 29 May 2011
Saturday, 28 May 2011
Cant add photos
Hi again! I am sorrybwe dont have pictures on here. The ipad won't allow me to add them (must need flash?)
Email me if you want to see some and i havent sent them.
Xoxo
Email me if you want to see some and i havent sent them.
Xoxo
Divine days!
Well we are almost halfway through our adventure -which is crazy! It has been absolutely blissful staying here in Banyuls sur Mer. We have become well aquainted with the many many flights of stairs. We have located our favourite boulangerie and the best tomato producer at the market. We have explored all the nearby towns and we have dipped our toes in the fabulous Med sea.
We are ready to move on now. Weds we head to Cannes for a glitz filled week! Then exploring the fascinating history of ancient Arles, then Paris and then Croatia! Wow!
Our daughters continously amaze us. They are so independent and work well as a team. Of course they have had some disagreements but not many at all. I love hearing them whisper in the dark about their favourite parts of each day (today they went horse back riding which was on Alexa's wish list)and giggling over the adventures.
We will be back here one day.... I hope in the not too distant future. And next time we're bringing our road bikes!
Xoxo
We are ready to move on now. Weds we head to Cannes for a glitz filled week! Then exploring the fascinating history of ancient Arles, then Paris and then Croatia! Wow!
Our daughters continously amaze us. They are so independent and work well as a team. Of course they have had some disagreements but not many at all. I love hearing them whisper in the dark about their favourite parts of each day (today they went horse back riding which was on Alexa's wish list)and giggling over the adventures.
We will be back here one day.... I hope in the not too distant future. And next time we're bringing our road bikes!
Xoxo
Wednesday, 25 May 2011
The French language test
Okay so we have a week left here in Banyuls. The French children do not have school on Wednesdays and the girls have made a friend they wish to play with. So we are going to lay low and relax in town aujourdhui.
I have decided that a spa would be great today! But I am a little nervous.....
There is a phenomenal looking treatment centre here called the Thalacap.. They have a hotel and spa with jetted tubs, a gym, pools etc. I am going to book a half day (the price is reasonable!). But what I am nervous about is what exactly I will be getting done. My French is getting better but I hope that "modelages sous douche à affusion, is pleasant! It's not a.... Could it be...
Will keep you posted!!
:)
bonne journée
I have decided that a spa would be great today! But I am a little nervous.....
There is a phenomenal looking treatment centre here called the Thalacap.. They have a hotel and spa with jetted tubs, a gym, pools etc. I am going to book a half day (the price is reasonable!). But what I am nervous about is what exactly I will be getting done. My French is getting better but I hope that "modelages sous douche à affusion, is pleasant! It's not a.... Could it be...
Will keep you posted!!
:)
bonne journée
Friday, 20 May 2011
Living like the French
We are loving it here in France and cannot believe how quickly time is going. I wouldn't think it would be possible to fill our days with so little -but we are and we are all loving it!
I woke up last night and went and stood on our balcony around 2am. There was honestly not a sound to be heard. Nothing! Banyuls sur mer is a hilly town and we are living in the old section. There are a few cars that somehow manage to park near us but with the super narrow roads and the stairs everywhere not many. We are several blocks the main road and several blocks from the train station so we hear no noise. But it was pretty cool to stand surrounded by houses that are hundreds of years old, looking at a church that is from 1280 a.d. in the moonlight and not hearing a peep.
Derek and the girls are all sketching and painting quite a bit. And even I am trying!
Today we are going to catch the bus for 1 euro and go to Argeles sur Mer. It's a little town about 20 mins from here. I am sure it's absolutely chaos in the summer. There is a huge long beach, an amusement park, bric a brac stores everywhere and an ice cream (creme glacee) shop every 150 meters. We almost stayed there before I found this place in Banyuls. I am so glad we didn't as it is a fun place to visit but too touristy for us. It will be a good day!
Savouring it all!
Much love
Us
I woke up last night and went and stood on our balcony around 2am. There was honestly not a sound to be heard. Nothing! Banyuls sur mer is a hilly town and we are living in the old section. There are a few cars that somehow manage to park near us but with the super narrow roads and the stairs everywhere not many. We are several blocks the main road and several blocks from the train station so we hear no noise. But it was pretty cool to stand surrounded by houses that are hundreds of years old, looking at a church that is from 1280 a.d. in the moonlight and not hearing a peep.
Derek and the girls are all sketching and painting quite a bit. And even I am trying!
Today we are going to catch the bus for 1 euro and go to Argeles sur Mer. It's a little town about 20 mins from here. I am sure it's absolutely chaos in the summer. There is a huge long beach, an amusement park, bric a brac stores everywhere and an ice cream (creme glacee) shop every 150 meters. We almost stayed there before I found this place in Banyuls. I am so glad we didn't as it is a fun place to visit but too touristy for us. It will be a good day!
Savouring it all!
Much love
Us
Wednesday, 18 May 2011
Part deux!
Blog tues may 17th
We took the car back today to Perpignan. We had planned to spend the day investigating the area but it was so hot and the girls got bored. So we caught the bus back home to Banyuls. We enjoyed a light late lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the bay and Derek and I ordered the tapas platter to share. It came beautifully presented on a plate with chilled shrimp, salami (charcuterie is available everywhere) some potato things and a bowl of fish. The heads were removed but it was a shiny plate of what we think was sardines. Derek and the kids wouldn't touch them but I did. They were pretty good! Just now Derek and I left the girls at our house while we walked the 2 small blocks to the corner store. We bought a litre of milk (not chilled comes in a container like apple juice), a litre of juice, a bottle of champagne, a bottle of our favorite local red wine and a bottle of Banyuls sweet wine. Total bill: 12 euros! Can you believe it?!? No wonder we are going through so much of the wine - you can't afford not to!
The weather is really good right now. Plus 28! So we will lounge here in Banyuls for a few days before we plan our next adventure.
I have washed a load of clothes and hung them out to dry (no one uses dryers here). The cats that prowl the streets are howling and we watch them sitting on the rooftops at night! I hope they don't try to steal our clothes as they flap in the wind like a kitty toy :)
It's amazing how utterly relaxing this life can be. We wake up about 7 am or so. Then I usually go for a run (but not too far or fast - no one seems to run here but I have that triathlon when I get home and I would love to complete it (though I am realistic that I will not be breaking any records). We eat a simple breakfast of coffee and croissants (they are still hot from the bakery run the girls do each am) and then we walk around to explore.
I love it here!!!
We just found out that my Mum and Dad are going to meet us in Paris - so excited! A favourite client of mine just passed away recently (I'll miss you Margot) and it is a reminder to "carpe diem". So I am grateful for this time as a family to remember what is important in life. I realize what amazing daughters we have. They are fun and silly and crafty and clever. It drives me a little crazy sometimes and yet I admire them so much. Derek too! Time flies and I think at home I get so busy just being busy that I forget to stop and look and marvel at the wonders around me.
Have a great day my friends!
Xo
T
We took the car back today to Perpignan. We had planned to spend the day investigating the area but it was so hot and the girls got bored. So we caught the bus back home to Banyuls. We enjoyed a light late lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the bay and Derek and I ordered the tapas platter to share. It came beautifully presented on a plate with chilled shrimp, salami (charcuterie is available everywhere) some potato things and a bowl of fish. The heads were removed but it was a shiny plate of what we think was sardines. Derek and the kids wouldn't touch them but I did. They were pretty good! Just now Derek and I left the girls at our house while we walked the 2 small blocks to the corner store. We bought a litre of milk (not chilled comes in a container like apple juice), a litre of juice, a bottle of champagne, a bottle of our favorite local red wine and a bottle of Banyuls sweet wine. Total bill: 12 euros! Can you believe it?!? No wonder we are going through so much of the wine - you can't afford not to!
The weather is really good right now. Plus 28! So we will lounge here in Banyuls for a few days before we plan our next adventure.
I have washed a load of clothes and hung them out to dry (no one uses dryers here). The cats that prowl the streets are howling and we watch them sitting on the rooftops at night! I hope they don't try to steal our clothes as they flap in the wind like a kitty toy :)
It's amazing how utterly relaxing this life can be. We wake up about 7 am or so. Then I usually go for a run (but not too far or fast - no one seems to run here but I have that triathlon when I get home and I would love to complete it (though I am realistic that I will not be breaking any records). We eat a simple breakfast of coffee and croissants (they are still hot from the bakery run the girls do each am) and then we walk around to explore.
I love it here!!!
We just found out that my Mum and Dad are going to meet us in Paris - so excited! A favourite client of mine just passed away recently (I'll miss you Margot) and it is a reminder to "carpe diem". So I am grateful for this time as a family to remember what is important in life. I realize what amazing daughters we have. They are fun and silly and crafty and clever. It drives me a little crazy sometimes and yet I admire them so much. Derek too! Time flies and I think at home I get so busy just being busy that I forget to stop and look and marvel at the wonders around me.
Have a great day my friends!
Xo
T
Sunday, 15 May 2011
My Girona!
Blog re girona
My Girona!
We had another great adventure - while we have our rented car, we drove down to Girona in Spain. Derek has been wanting to see this town as it's a big cycling town. I was eager to see it as it was apparently modeled after Venice in Italy.
It is beautiful and big. We took the tourist train at the kids request Around the city then we walked along the old castle walls. We stopped and sampled the Spanish gelato (all of us decided we prefer the French creme glacee). On our drive home which took about 2 hours we stopped in two shopping towns. La Jonquera on the Spanish side and le Perthus on the French side. We bought good charcuterie for a few euros and great gin for 5 euros.
Back home tonight in Banyuls and I don't think we'll leave France for a bit again (though crossing the border was a cinch - don't even stop your car). We are really feeling at home here in France and want to stay. Spain is beautiful but felt a little less polished and when you add a new language (mostly Catalan spoken in Girona which is a combination of French and Spanish) it makes things a little trickier. Something we noticed in Spain and not here in France is the prostitutes. Beautiful young women would be standing on the side of the highway in Spain (we saw probably 20 in all) dressed in next to nothing. So sad to see. The laws must be different between the two countries for prostitution as we haven't seen that in France at all.
The weather has been amazing! It was 25 degrees today and is supposed to get warmer next week! Loving this :)
Tomorrow we are thinking we may head towards Coullioure again (love that town!) and go explore the ancient ruins of Peyrepertuse and Quillan. Or we may stay here in Banyuls and head to one of the 9"caves,in town. I thought caves were caves. But that's what they call their wine cellars. I really want to practice my French so I am going to ask " est ce que tu veux essayer du vin". Wish me luck!!
My Girona!
We had another great adventure - while we have our rented car, we drove down to Girona in Spain. Derek has been wanting to see this town as it's a big cycling town. I was eager to see it as it was apparently modeled after Venice in Italy.
It is beautiful and big. We took the tourist train at the kids request Around the city then we walked along the old castle walls. We stopped and sampled the Spanish gelato (all of us decided we prefer the French creme glacee). On our drive home which took about 2 hours we stopped in two shopping towns. La Jonquera on the Spanish side and le Perthus on the French side. We bought good charcuterie for a few euros and great gin for 5 euros.
Back home tonight in Banyuls and I don't think we'll leave France for a bit again (though crossing the border was a cinch - don't even stop your car). We are really feeling at home here in France and want to stay. Spain is beautiful but felt a little less polished and when you add a new language (mostly Catalan spoken in Girona which is a combination of French and Spanish) it makes things a little trickier. Something we noticed in Spain and not here in France is the prostitutes. Beautiful young women would be standing on the side of the highway in Spain (we saw probably 20 in all) dressed in next to nothing. So sad to see. The laws must be different between the two countries for prostitution as we haven't seen that in France at all.
The weather has been amazing! It was 25 degrees today and is supposed to get warmer next week! Loving this :)
Tomorrow we are thinking we may head towards Coullioure again (love that town!) and go explore the ancient ruins of Peyrepertuse and Quillan. Or we may stay here in Banyuls and head to one of the 9"caves,in town. I thought caves were caves. But that's what they call their wine cellars. I really want to practice my French so I am going to ask " est ce que tu veux essayer du vin". Wish me luck!!
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Medieval Village of Carcassone!
Wow!!! How do we describe the amazing sights we have just seen today? We rented a car in Perpignan for a week and drove a few hours through Narbonne and to Carcassone. This medieval castle and town has been around since the Romans. Robin Hood with Kevin Costner was filmed here and we'll rent that when we get home to see a version of life then.
It is absolutely staggering in it's beauty! We walked along the ramparts and peered over the walls to the 3 inner walls and the 52 towers. crazy! Eerie and beautiful! We then checked into a fancy hotel (avec a heated piscine!) and after a swim went back into the ancient village after most of the other tourists have left. We were the only people inside a 2000 year old church at dusk. Surrounded by stained glass and the organ and the alter.... We were all moved.
We will head back to Banyuls tomorrow and will stop at a couple more ancient ruins on our way.
C'est magnifique! This is an amazing country.... Not expensive like we'd thought, clean, good fresh food. And so much history!
Now if I can just improve my French....
Sorry no pics yet..... One of the iPads takes pics but we've been using the camera mostly. Will take pics and upload soon!
Love to you all!
It is absolutely staggering in it's beauty! We walked along the ramparts and peered over the walls to the 3 inner walls and the 52 towers. crazy! Eerie and beautiful! We then checked into a fancy hotel (avec a heated piscine!) and after a swim went back into the ancient village after most of the other tourists have left. We were the only people inside a 2000 year old church at dusk. Surrounded by stained glass and the organ and the alter.... We were all moved.
We will head back to Banyuls tomorrow and will stop at a couple more ancient ruins on our way.
C'est magnifique! This is an amazing country.... Not expensive like we'd thought, clean, good fresh food. And so much history!
Now if I can just improve my French....
Sorry no pics yet..... One of the iPads takes pics but we've been using the camera mostly. Will take pics and upload soon!
Love to you all!
Sunday, 8 May 2011
Another fantastique day
It keeps getting better! We discovered a market here in Banyuls today. It,s held every Thursday and Sunday. Loads of fresh fromage and olives and veggies! I bought some fromage de Chevre and she asked me "quel age?" it's available at either "deux mois ou sept mois". The older it is the more expensive it is. I bought half a kilo of 2month old goat cheese to go with our vin that is 2euros a bottle. The cHeese was expensive at 11 euros but sooooooo sooooooo good!
If I don't have Derek or the girls avec moi then I am forced to parle en Francais and while my French isn't good I can be understood. But the girls and D are so fluent that I tend to let them speak for me.
Yesterday after we returned from our journey to Perpignan and Argeles sur Mer we sat at the town square here in Banyuls and listened to a band and watched all the people dancing their traditional Catalan dance. Wow! All ages joined and did this very complicated footwork dance. So cool!
This morning there was a parade - we don't know why but it was neat to watch.
We are now going to splash in the Med sea!
Au devoir mes ami!!,
If I don't have Derek or the girls avec moi then I am forced to parle en Francais and while my French isn't good I can be understood. But the girls and D are so fluent that I tend to let them speak for me.
Yesterday after we returned from our journey to Perpignan and Argeles sur Mer we sat at the town square here in Banyuls and listened to a band and watched all the people dancing their traditional Catalan dance. Wow! All ages joined and did this very complicated footwork dance. So cool!
This morning there was a parade - we don't know why but it was neat to watch.
We are now going to splash in the Med sea!
Au devoir mes ami!!,
Friday, 6 May 2011
Alexa says!
We saw trees that look like giant pineapples and it is fun here! Had yummy ice cream too. Mine was menthe et chocolate and Morgan had fraise.
Bye!
Bye!
Bienvenu au Banyuls sur Mer!!,
We are here we are here!! And we absolutely love it! The town is larger than we expected and less expensive! The temp is 26 degrees today and people (not us yet) are swimming! It took forever to get here (felt that way) but sooooo worth it!
Bought a great bottle of vin last night for 2 euros. Our villa is big and extremely quiet! We have 2 decks and enjoyed an al fresco lunch today of wine, baguette (baked this am) cheese, salamoi and fresh tomatoes. It's splendid!! I could honestly live here!
We don't have Internet working in our room but it's free wifi at the office de tourisme. Derek has the girls riding the carasoul while inemail and catch up.
BLISS, bliss! Bliss!
We will be back here for sure.... Who wants to come?? I'll take a couple pics now (thx cool new iPad) and tempt you all.
LOVE TO ALL!!
the French Morans (all except me are speaking tones of French! Morgan with great confidence this am ordered us 2 croissants and a fresh baguette and "use pain de chocolate" with great skill. I hope to work on my French soon. Xoxo
Bought a great bottle of vin last night for 2 euros. Our villa is big and extremely quiet! We have 2 decks and enjoyed an al fresco lunch today of wine, baguette (baked this am) cheese, salamoi and fresh tomatoes. It's splendid!! I could honestly live here!
We don't have Internet working in our room but it's free wifi at the office de tourisme. Derek has the girls riding the carasoul while inemail and catch up.
BLISS, bliss! Bliss!
We will be back here for sure.... Who wants to come?? I'll take a couple pics now (thx cool new iPad) and tempt you all.
LOVE TO ALL!!
the French Morans (all except me are speaking tones of French! Morgan with great confidence this am ordered us 2 croissants and a fresh baguette and "use pain de chocolate" with great skill. I hope to work on my French soon. Xoxo
Monday, 2 May 2011
Toronto!
We arrived in Toronto late Saturday night and are having fun with Philip and Leslie! They took us to the ROM museum yesterday and today we are going to Niagra Falls! The girls are excited to see that and so are D and I!
We fly out Weds at 5 and arrive in Barcelona Thursday morning! Soooooooo excited!
We fly out Weds at 5 and arrive in Barcelona Thursday morning! Soooooooo excited!
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