The Return Monsieur Honey's Morris Chair.

Some of you may remember my earlier post dated July 15th titled "Monsieur Honey's Morris Chair" ...  I wrote about the special fabric we purchased in France and the chair Msr. Honey had built and that we delivered to the upholstery store where cushions were custom ordered to fit the chair.

    The Naked Chair...

    built by Monsieur Honey from cherry wood.

Today on our way to do an errand we were driving by the upholstery store and I was "frantic" because I saw our chair in the window.

A quick U- turn and we were back at the store with payment made, the chair and cushions were loaded in the car for it's ride to our home.

The chair is now quite at home amongst our eclectic style and other pieces of furniture.

It has been "seat tested" by several visitors today ... and is firm, supportive and very comfortable.

The chosen fabric is beautiful.

    Great workmanship by Rene from Frantic Upholstery.

Vacation Stop

I'm temporarily in "Summer Vacation" mode ... and deciding whether I will continue with my blogging.

As you know we returned from France early in July and without over using the "it has been busy, busy" comment ... it actually has been very busy!

Since we've retired we always have family and friends ask what do you do all day?

It is a difficult question to answer...

I love taking photos and writing and sharing stories and experiences. 

Over the next few weeks I hope to figure out if I will continue with my blog during our "in between" stages, i.e. when we are not on an adventure.

I' m trying to walk most days so that I may be able to do the Pilgrimage walk to Santiago de Compostella next year...and right now we are discussing what other adventures and bucket list items we would like to do.

So for today I will share with you some "postcard photos" from our many trips to France.

À bientôt.

Summer Adventures...

I created my own adventure in nature and discovered some beautiful new things and some local history along the way...

Our town has a very comprehensive trail system.

I have not walked all the trails yet, but plan to do so... 

I added some additional streets and routes to my walk today... in the end I had taken 14,000 plus steps which for me equalled 9.25 kilometres.

Did you read the sigh?

Are they serious? ... it is all I can do to walk across it!

This bridge that crosses Tillsonburg's own Lake Lisgar I think is made of expanded mesh that you can see through which immediately gives me a pair of wobbly sea legs and vertigo.

But I am proud to say I did go from one side to the other... albeit with clammy and perspiring hands!!!

This trail follows the lake near the Town's Water Park ...

   

 

         

     

Do you have all your ducks lined up?

      

         

 

    

The pirates' play park .... that the grandsons love to visit!

Such a peaceful place to take a walk... 

Hydrangeas in the Garden

With my camera in hand I walked around our garden at home and took the opportunity to take some photos of the hydrangeas ... we have several different varieties and colours.

They are beautiful this year. 

Curious about the name I did a little research.

The fruit that follows the hydrangea's showy blossoms is cup shaped and looks like little water pails.

The name "hydrangea" is derived from two Greek words.

Hydro - meaning water.  Angeion - meaning vessel

                

                 

  

                            

It made me reminisce about our day spent Biarritz... 

                

In the next few days before the blooms are past their best, I plan to cut some to dry and use for decoration in our home.

A good dose of hairspray and they will keep their colour and shape for many months.

Counting Steps!

I have bought two new pedometers since we arrived home a month ago.

The first one was a "supposed" bargain at only $10.00 with a built in radio... but it didn't work properly from the get go. 

This week I purchased another one... 

the "Smart Health Step Tracker" and it actually is the same one I took with me to France ...the only difference is the colour.

I now have a fluorescent orange one whereas the previous one was also fluorescent but in key lime-green.

Funny thing was that I clearly hadn't read the instructions the first time around. 

In bold, black type it clearly warns and advises...  

IMPORTANT : Do not put the Step Tracker in water.

Had I not fallen into Monsieur Honey's and I believe like most men's habits of trying to do something first before reading the instructions ...  I would have avoided the "French" drowning accident of my trusted pedometer in the washing machine at Beaucaillou.

So now I have my accountability factor.

Even without it, I have been trying to walk everyday.

Yesterday, I walked to our local Farmer's Market that is held on Saturday mornings downtown. 

I purchased some fresh fruits and vegetables and Monsieur Honey arrived at the appointed time to retrieve the shopping.

I continued walking and did some more Saturday shopping at the downtown stores. 

My criteria for any purchases was that the items would have to be minimal in quantity and light weight because I had to walk home carrying these items. 

The weather was perfect for walking ... although warm there was a breeze that provided some cool relief.

So with one foot in front of the other, I will keep on counting ...