A Canadian Postcard

Who knew an escape from all the preparations for our French Rendezvous would give us a "taste" of things to come.

We had a great getaway at our old homestead, an 1874 converted schoolhouse...affectionately named " Castle Durham "  and now the loved home of our dear friends.

Our friends, Susan and Mark were wonderful hosts and had planned an outing to visit....the "COFFIN RIDGE Boutique Winery".

The winery is located almost equidistant between Owen Sound and Meaford, with views overlooking Georgian Bay.

It was a cold, blustery day but we were quickly warmed by the roaring fire and the welcoming interiors....even though, there is some eerie folklore about the name " Coffin Ridge ".

Please visit the website...

Http://www.coffinridge.ca
599448 2nd Concession NorthRR # 1 Annan, Ontario N0H 1B0
Phone no. 519-371-9565

The purveyor, James provided us with complimentary tastings of several of Coffin Ridge's award winning wines.

After an interesting sampling of the wines, both couples made purchases of some of the delicious tasting wines.

An excerpt from an info sheet also makes reference to the folklore...
" The vineyards at Coffin Ridge are beautiful when draped In their snowy shroud."

You can even cross country ski the groomed trails thru the vineyards.

We will definitely visit in the summer and have a glass of wine sitting in the outside patio area overlooking the vineyards.

Thank you James for an informative tasting.

And thank you to our friends, Susan and Mark for a delicious wine and cheese tasting lunch back at your wonderful home.

So treat yourself to a wonderful experience...visit Coffin Ridge Boutique Winery.

The "Armchair Traveller"

"The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page" ~ St. Augustine

Of course you can also travel the world by reading books.

Monsieur Honey and I both love to read whether it be fiction, non-fiction, auto biographies, instructional, etc.

Our tastes in reading material may differ but there are some genres that we both like to read.

Most times you will find the atlas and maps not far away when "Monsieur" is reading, so he can visualize the country, landscape and the roads travelled by the characters.

Of course there is no shortage of travel books full of suggestions and sometimes useful, helpful information of how to get there, where to eat and sleep, what to see and on and on.

Not long before our first travels to Europe together in 2003, quite by chance we found a second-hand copy of "Rick Steves' 2001 France, Belgium and the Netherlands" book for a mere dollar.
This was a well spent dollar as we were visiting both France and Belgium.
This book became our "personal concierge" because of the helpful info provided about the airport layout, the train stations, the Metro, tourist sights, and hotel recommendations.

While at the train station in Narbonne waiting to catch a train to Bordeaux, "Honey" noticed the next departing train was to Collioure.
After consulting Rick Steves' book, we changed our plans and headed south.
Rick Steves' writes " Come here to unwind and do nothing. Even with its crowds of French vacationers in peak season, Collioure is what many are looking for when heading to the Riviera - a sunny, peaceful vacation from their vacation."
Since that time we have returned to Collioure four times, it is a special place on the Mediterranean.
P.S. 10 years later and we still haven't made it to Bordeaux, maybe this year.

We enjoy reading about life in foreign countries and some of these books have provided inspiration for some of our travels

This book " From Here, You Can't See Paris " is about a small village, Les Arques in the Lot Valley. It is home to a very good restaurant "La Recreation" and the Zadkine Museum.

"La Recreation" restaurant is housed in an old schoolhouse and the food is superb.

Reading Frances Mayes books was the starting point for our plans to travel to Italy.

A beautiful villa in Pescara, Italy

View of a Tuscan village near Greve-in-Chianti

Our "French Connection" friends gifted us with the book...White Stone, Black Wine - Life Among the Ancient Vineyards of the Quercy Blanc written by Amanda Lawrence.
Ms. Lawrence lives in a village near our friends in the Lot Valley.

Amanda describes her day to day life in this ancient region of South West France and as you read her book, it's as if you are with her at the weekly market in Cahors, sitting in the "café" sipping a coffee, attending the village Fête and visiting with her French neighbours.

So until you can travel to the destinations of your dreams, grab a book and relax in your favourite chair.


Photos of Collioure, a seaside village on the Mediterranean....a special place!

Sentimental Journey

"Gonna take a sentimental journey. Gonna set my heart at ease.
Gonna make a sentimental journey. To renew old memories."
...can you hear Ringo Starr singing these lyrics?




"She glances at the photo and the pilot light of memory flickers in her eyes."~ Frank Deford

Our souvenirs allow us to take a sentimental journey and remember our past travels.

Definition of souvenir (noun)...stems from the French word "souvenir" for a remembrance or memory, an item of sentimental value, to remember an event or location, sometimes a cheaply made item sold for a high price.

Shopping for souvenirs can sometimes be a big event while travelling.

Our caché of souvenirs does not include the usual suspects of knick-knacks, bric à-brac, kitsch or whatever you want to call these type of items.

It is easy to be tempted by vendors selling their wares in the colourful tourist shoppes and market stalls which usually includes the typical shot glasses, tea towels, printed with the name of the location, etc. only to be disappointed when the label reads..MADE IN China and you are visiting Japan as an example.

We always strive to buy something that is made and originates from the place we are visiting and has a special meaning, is useful and will rekindle our memories of our travels.

Our treasures include our collection of photographs, some wonderful pieces of original art that decorate the walls of our home, fabric for a table cloth, woven jacquard throws, CDs with special music, some delectable food items ... olive oils, balsamic vinegars, Herbes de Provence, tins of foie gras and of course any thing lavender and plus some special bottles of wine.

Monsieur "Honey" collects bronze sculptures and is affectionate about anything antique.

If he is aware of a vide-grenier or brocante, it will be on his must-see and to do list.
He has acquired some unusual and beautiful objets d'art.

Here are a few photos of some of our special souvenirs and each has it's own story.



Painting purchased direct from the artist in Florence, Italy

Silver tea canister purchased in Cannes 2010.

Print of poppies ...memories of our time in Aigue Mortes

The owners of the "Appartement Molière" in Pezenas were both talented artists, Karen a painter and Gerard a sculptor.... these Mini Cards were designed and painted by Karen Garcia, and eventually I found the perfect frame to display them..

The bronze polar bear bought at the brocante in Agde, and the marble slab found in Caunes-Minervois ....memories of our 2005 travels in France.

Our prints from Collioure 2012.

There's a "Polar Bear" joining us for aperitifs in Agde.