Photos of France.. what they are ..at bottom of the photos

French Cow ( a breed I am told)... An old Dutch windmill, through the trees and the rain, the sails part are gone... An unusual cow, only BROWN on them was on their butt... My favorite old narly tree... A kitty at one of the marinas we stayed at, sure was loving... town of LaGacilly... A lock... sunset at the marina.... 4 swans a swimming... Mel and I at Mont St. Michel... the view of the parking lot (Mont St Michel) from almost the top!... Mont St Michel... Mel in our rental car... unusual bridge we crossed La Haver I believe... Mont St Michel at night (okay if you don't enlarge it)... memorial at the D-Day Beach : Omaha Beach... view of the harbor from our hotel room in Fecamp France... another view of ocean from our hotel room... Pierrefonds castle.. in early am with a hot air balloon going over the top


Will have more photos a little later.. This is just a sneak peek..
You all take care.. Keri

THE BOAT... France

Not sure where I had left off last time.. PLUS I have added and changed a lot of what I had written before. So if some sounds like a repeat.. SORRY.. I am really trying to get into the mood to do this proper :) Au revoir....

AHHH the Louvre! Miles and miles of art.. Any kind.. Any era… any country! The 3 bad things I think about it.. 1. Not really English friendly 2. No water fountains and bad ass hot in there! Till you get to Egypt.. They have it nice and air conditioned! I was also nice to see the Egyptian Art.. I could even read a wee bit.. only because it was in Latin and some is like English words.. Yea ! I rented a wheel chair and pushed Mel around.. No way would he ever have made it as long as we did.. We went ALLLLLLL over that place.. Trust me on that one! They had elevators that go up.. They go down.. But to go from floor to floor.. All the way down at one.. You couldn’t do it.. You had to go from elevator to elevator.. One area of museum to another area.. I am surprised I didn’t get blisters! Then we had lunch.. So.. Okay.. I am done with Paris.. Would rather rent the car early and get out of Dodge… Way to many people.. And this hotel room is about to do us in… it is like walking in a boat.. Out on the ocean.. We get up at night.. And all but run into stuff the floor is so uneven.. But then.. Instead of paying at least $200. A night for a hotel.. We opted for the cheaper hotel… so believe.. You get what you pay for! Who knows what we will do tomorrow!
We found a Italian place for dinner.. It was pretty good actually! These two guys came in and sat down.. OMG you would NOT even begin to imagine the food them two guys put away.. They started with a platter of sausage and meats, one of parmesan cheese chunks… then they ordered a steak for two that was at LEAST 3- 4 inches thick! It was like a T-bone.. But sheese.. Still! After they ordered that.. One guy got a bowl of Spaghetti and one got a bowl of fettuccini, they each ate half and the other traded and ate it.. Mel and I had the same size bowl of pasta.. And I was full after half of it! PLUS they are 2 baskets of bread.. Now this was BEFORE their dinner came.. They had veggies and potatoes with the steak.. Man it was hard to believe they could eat all that.. I hurt just seeing what they ate.. And chunks of parmesan.. I just don’t see how they could just eat it.

Got back to the room and decided after about killing ourselves on the uneven floors.. We would go ahead and check out tomorrow and hopefully drive towards Pierrefonds.. That is if we can get the rental car early!

Well another morning.. Another day in paradise.. We had breakfast and checked on out.. We basically have an idea how to get to the airport.. But that is it.. The Metro is busy this morning.. It sure is a far cry from London’s Tube.. It is dirty here and in places smells of urine. I notice that water that has ran down the walls and the graffiti along the train/metro line. It is a shame.. Because Paris is a huge city.. With a lot of old history and could be a marvelous place to explore… but that would have to be for another day.. I am happy now to get out of town.

I wish my hubby felt better… he is getting so tired.. And this we knew would happen.. But I have 3 things against me now.. That is totally ruining this trip 1. I don’t speak French, so news! 24/7!! 2. I have a POS computer (we’re not going there!) 3. Hubby has no ambition, and I don’t want to go out alone to explore.. I feel bad for him.. Wish I could do something to help.. But all I can do is stand by him and let him mend. Maybe I will buy a friggen puter to use when we travel over here (Europe)… Have to admit.. I wish I would have brought my MAC.. TOSHIBA is a FPOS and ought to be FTITT! No, please don’t ask me to translate.. Just know.. Toshiba.. Is NOT my favorite computer!
Going to stop here and will write more later.. Ya know… don’t want to miss the latest news updates!

France by the ocean is very beautiful and the people when they slow down, are very nice. I can make out a few words.. A few, if they say it slow. Had an Italian guy last night at the hotel.. Hitting on me.. Even gave me his room number.. Just incase J I needed any help. Sha okay.. Did learn I know more Italian then I do French ... lol.. Hubby got a good laugh out of that.. The next morning there is the little Italian guy.. Sitting by himself.. At least he didn’t come up to us.. Yeah.. That was amusing.

Our plan is to drive towards Bayeux and spent the night … THEN the plan is to go to the D-Day beaches, we will be staying about 12 miles from the beaches. We get to the hotel, see a sign with guest MR FAY on it.. And park. Our room is small and faces the main road, it is warm and stuffy and the window doesn’t open, for security reasons with it being on the street. Hmmm okay then. Our hotel room is NOTHING like it was the night before where it was a huge room, electric drape closure and an amazing view of the harbor.. ( If anyone is coming to France.. I very highly recommend staying in Fecamp at the Le Grand Pavois.) Tonight though we are staying at the Le Lion D’Or in a very old part of Bayeux. On the lounge wall they have photos of famous people that had stayed there in the past.. John Wayne, Spencer Tracy and several times… Eisenhower, Prince Charles, etc. It was pretty cool to see all the photos… they were even all signed for them Then I learn we have to pay 8 euros a night to park at the hotel.. That bites… But this morning the little road beside us was closed and they had a market going.. I bought a couple things from there.. Mel even walked with me down and back.. He bought sausage and cheese.. I bought stuff J We found a HOLLY HAT though..

D-Day beaches is not what you would expect, where there once was barbed wire and dunes, it is now houses and restaurants‘. I am not sure what really I expected.. But from what I saw.. Especially at Omaha Beach.. When we went ashore.. With the cliffs around.. We were no doubt.. Sitting ducks. I am surprised there were not more deaths. We went into a couple museums and that was very interesting. The nice part, there was a family there, and dad was busy teaching his kids all about the history of D-Day and explaining to them, what all it meant. I told him when we were leaving it was great what he was doing with his kids. He said they have been stationed in France for 2 years and this is their part of learning about the history of America. Way to go! We had lunch there.. I have to tell you they have AMAZING onion soup here.. Or as we call it back home.. French Onion soup.. Omg sooooooo good.

Last night we stayed at Manoir De La Roche Torin, by Mont Saint Michel. Cute little hotel had a fabulous view of Mont St Michel… and the cows in the pasture next to us .. We were going to stay at the Mont.. But 500 meters to GET to the office and then 80 steps UP to the room.. Mel never could have done that, well maybe once.. But not every time he wanted to rest. Kind of wished we had stayed there.. But.. Another time perhaps. So we will spend 2 nights here by the Mont, play catch up and later we will go to the Mont… hopefully have dinner there somewhere. Ended up having dinner at the hotel omg so good.. Their scalloped potatoes are to die for.. It is thin sliced potatoes, this Normandy cream and Guerer (sp) cheese sprinkled on top. That is it.. I couldn’t believe how good they were!

Well I think I will try to post this.. And HOPEFULLY Friday night before we leave for the boat.. I will be able to post again. If not.. I will post as soon as I can.


THE BOAT..
Well today we picked up our boat.. And rented a couple of bicycles to take along with us. I have to say though.. I forgot our train tickets BACK to here.. But as it was.. We would have missed that train anyway.. OMG trying to find the place to turn the car back in.. we knew it was at the train (Gare) station in Rennes… and she said there was a sign.. No address so Miss G was of no help.. OMG I finally had Mel just park and I walked down to find where the rental return was.. Yeah.. There was a sign.. It was about the size of a pound of butter on a sign.. With like 7 other returns. BUT was also on a parking sign. Needless to say if I hadn’t walked about to try to find it.. We would still be looking for the damn thing. Needless to say EVEN knowing French at that point.. Would not have helped. BUT we got the car turned in.. then bought train tickets to the WRONG town.. I was so ticked.. I didn’t even stop and think of where we were going… ON THE TRAIN!! Via boat.. We are going to Redon.. NOT TRAIN… so up we go to exchange the tickets to Messac.. Which got us down here at 2pm.. Not 4pm with a change in trains.
We are SO .. SO glad we bought groceries yesterday.. And got them onto the boat so we didn’t have to do all that today. Tonight.. We are staying in the Marina.. We went for a bike ride.. And then I fixed dinner and now J Hubby is taking a nap.. You know you are supposed to nap .. That is why everything closes so early for a few hours.. Just what he needed to hear. He was amazing today.. He walked all the way from the train station to the boat rental.. Which is a good mile. I tried to get him to sit down and I would bring a bicycle to him.. But he kept walking. He says it was Mont St Michel that put him in shape to walk this far. Let me JUST ADD.. He did NOT do this with out whining and moaning the WHOLE way J He did good J He deserves a nap.
Our boat does not have any tv .. There for we pretend there is nothing on tonight. J Only the big.. Big boats have satellite.. BUT.. They had books (English and German and French) that you could take and keep or what ever. I have books.. I will for sure have them all read by the time we come back… he will still probably be reading the first book.. HOPEFULLY he will do nothing more ambitious then drive the boat and sleep! I really want him to catch up and heal. There are a couple spots we want to go to.. So if we get no further then there.. So be it..

Woke up this morning to a nice blue sky and calm winds.. We have to admit.. It was cool getting out from under the blankets.. Much preferred staying under them where it was warm and toasty! BUT.. First thing we had to do was wipe all the windows because of the moisture.. We couldn’t have left even had we wanted to.. Because couldn’t see out our windows. It was when I looked at the temp about 930..48degrees.. Not bad for me.. But SOMEONE asked if we were in Antarctica!! Sheese :/

We left out of the marina at 1030 heading for Redon. Got through the first lock just fine.. And the young man was very nice and called ahead so they new we were coming at the next lock. Yesterday when we were at the Marina, I asked about the “black water” tank and where we pump out at.. He informed me.. They do NOT pump out.. As the boats contribute to 0.7% of the pollution in the waterways over here.. Hmm lovely I thought, kill me if I fall overboard!

There doesn’t seem to be to many boats out on the river.. That is kind of nice at least this way we can maybe get a moor spot. We did pass my boat though.. “Contessa” ahh lovely boat.. Oh well onto Redon…

Made it through the second lock, the lock man spoke very good English.. I like that J


A few days later….

Friday…
I think I am about to die.. I did so many locks today and it’s been POURING down rain! UGH.. I am so glad I have a rain coat.. but eventually even that got soaked and I was still in spots getting wet. Well what can ya say.. It is fall.. I am in France and with a man I love… What can be better then that J
We have gone from Messac to Redon spent the night.. Went to La Gacilly spent the night.. Back to Redon spent the night…. Headed to Guenrouet and spent the night and tonight we are in Nort-Sur-Erdre tonight. It is to rain all weekend all though we hear not as much as today though.. So Sunday we will leave in the morning back to Messac.

We’ve seen lots of cows.. Every color you can imagine.. I have my favorite.. Little beige colored ones with brown spot on each side of the tail J Stacy I have photos for you. We have seen lots of swans and ducks and water foul.. And even a critter for Jax’e.. 3 actually I think they were otters.. I had the perfect shot and I tell Mel “SLOW DOWN“.. And it went under the water.. Dang.. it was so perfect.

Well I guess since no internet until tomorrow.. I will head on off to bed.. Love to the kids....
Talk to you all later….

Well Here we are back in Blain.. Kinda wish it was Blain WASHINGTON.. Can’t say I care for France, or maybe I should say the canal.. This I think is the boring’est trip we have had. It has a few really beautiful small towns.. But the canal.. Cows, horses, sheep and trees..
After August/September, about everything shuts down.. The restaurants all tend to close more then one or two days and they may or may not have a sign. You could walk into town.. How ever far that may be. Then they may or may not have a lock keeper at the locks.. And they are “on your own” from noon to 2pm.. And they MAY OR MAY NOT be back at 2 pm. AND… if it is raining.. They MAY OR MAY NOT come out to do the lock! Also the boat is smaller then we have had before, with a radio … all in French. The CD player doesn’t work .. Or so I was told. And spiders.. OMG.. I cant believe all the spiders, killed them from the bed, my clothes, hubbys clothes.. I am SICK of SPIDERS! Sorry Usually I have lots to write about that is so positive.. But 4 days of rain…. A very small boat, lots of spiders and locks every mile.. I am tired! I am ready to get off the boat and go to London.. Fact is.. Wish we could cut this short and go to London early.. I know.. Buck up.. But if it keeps raining I am sure I will have a new expression other then BUCK UP…Even the hubby admitted it is pretty boring.. BUT.. We have done a lot of sleeping.. even I have been sleeping more then usual.. But then I have read 3 books and now on my 4th. And I still have 6 days left to go.. I think if we can.. We might leave early.. I have to pack and post a lot of my stuff home and some.. Om I think I will throw away it has been tore and rust spots on it and little holes here and there. So perhaps… to the garbage…

The valuable points of being on the water.. The little lock keeper who gave me a batch of lavender, the lock keeper who rode his scooter to the next lock, because it was unmanned and I shouldn’t have to do the lock alone.. Being with Mel and even though he doesn’t talk much.. Hehehe getting him to talk some.. Which is better then not at all. In this boat it is pretty amusing to watch him.. He barely can fit through the doors, they are very short and narrow doors. Then the shower.. He has to sit down for that. I would be frustrated if I was him.,. But he is taking it really good. Cracked his forehead a few times.. But doing okay!

I guess I ought to back up and talk about the Mont St Michel.. We managed to park kind of close to the Mont entrance, but still it was a hefty walk.. We got to the entrance and was greeted with stairs.. We had to walk through the village to get up to the Abby. When we got to the base of the Abby.. We were greeted (with I think they said there were) like over a 1,000 steps. I am sure and I am sure hubby will agree with me.. That had to be GOING UP! We made it and then we paid and had more stairs to go up to the top. Where we paid they said were 900 stairs.. I believe it.. The next level … not sure.. But there were stairs and more stairs. Of coarse once up… you had to come down, and with hubbys bad knee.. It was pretty tense. I didn’t let him sit for long, because if he did his legs would feel like jelly. It took like 4 hours to go up and back down. He had to sit a few times.. But he did good. He picked a good day to go.. We got out to the car, and the rain started to come down, it rained all that day and part of the next. We finally got out if it.
It was something to see, the night before we had driven over to it to see it in the night time.. It was pretty awesome looking. The Mont and Pierrefonds Castle.. Were (and still are) the WOW factors of this trip. I also enjoyed the Louvre, I learned one of the ceilings in the Louvre were once in Egypt in a temple. I can hardly wait till Dec 2011, for when we go to Egypt! It is in the planning stages now..

Last night because it was raining all day.. I made homemade egg noodles and chicken soup. It was good.. We finished it off tonight.. It was even way better.. I did good! I had two spices and made it work.. Added onion, carrot and celery.. Oh yeah it was good.. Glad I made it. Tomorrow would be nice to eat out.. But dang.. everything opens like at 7:30pm for dinner.. I don’t like to eat that late.. Messes with my pills and me.. I like to eat about 5:30 or 6pm.. Well I know it isn’t about me.. Lol…

I guess like any other night since the stupid internet doesn’t work and I had to pay for it THEN they charged me twice! I will be emailing them tomorrow.. Telling them I want our $$ back.. I am sure they will just laugh and say “crazy American”. BUT… the kid in Nort-Sur-Erdre gave me an extension cord to use for my computer.. There for… I am in the boat.. Not at the toilet.. Hmm maybe I would get internet at the toilet!

We talked about going to Arizona tonight… he said he is looking forward to that.. I am also! The place we go has an awesome pool, a super puppy area.. Right out the gate.. Puppy sniffing land and lots of motorcycle trails! Plus 6 miles (via the back roads mind you!) to the WalMart, a mile about to Walgreens and the grocery store (go before 8am or after 7pm) AND… the people there are pretty awesome too.. Well they were last time we were there.. J Stayed about 70 degrees and had really no dust storms to talk about.. Not anything like there at Arizona City.. OMG they were horrible. I don’t see how kids and adults don’t have brown lung.. I cough like crazy in Arizona City.. I can imagine all the lung problems down there. Hope my son has a good air filtering system on their house, for their new little daughter.. Yeah.. It gets bad. And then the street sweeper comes along.. And makes a mess and poof cloud as bad as any dust storm.

We might spend a little time going down this time at Lake Havasu it really is a very pretty area and we enjoyed it last time.. It wasn’t the desert… but the lake was sure nice.. But then.. Who knows.. J I don’t think we will go cross country in December again though.. Sorry Stacy L

Well it must be ablout 9 or 9:30... Time to head for bed.. Read a couple hours.. Get up and do the same o same o… all over again.

Talk to you later… You all take care.. Keri

OMG.. I forgot to tell you about the rental car and the turn in at Rennes! And the crème brulee’…

Well another day.. Another RAINY day.. Nothing worse then having to sit in a boat .. And sit, doing nothing. All though I am sure when we leave today we will have more UNMANNED locked and I will have fun playing out in the rain. Watch.. As soon as we turn the boat in.. it will become nice. They said Sat that it was to clear up Sunday and be nice the rest of the week. I guess they are a little like our weathermen! ONLY… our weathermen are actually a little closer usually in the forecast. Anyway .. Enough about rain and my whining.. It is a new day and we are closer to coming home. But then when we get home we get ready for our trip down to Arizona. I hate to say it.. But I am looking forward to going. I wish my family could be down there with me at holidays.. But for now.. We do what Mel would like to do. I know if I said I didn’t want to go, we wouldn’t. But I also know of the exercise he gets down there, and how much he feels better in the warmth then the cold. Heck even I feel better in the warmth then the cold. Boy my old bones sure tell Arthur is around when it is cold out. Lately.. Both of us have been feeling the effects of the weather over here.. None of which is very pleasant.

I feel so bad because I have nothing to say about this canal trip.. The leaves are turning color, quickly I might add. The canal is very pretty and the countryside is pretty. But it is trees and cows … Did see an old wind mill.. Tried to take photos through the trees.. Not sure how good it turned out.. But will try to post a picture of it also. Ahh photos.. I am going to probably put them on a separate post after this one. So keep an eye out for it!

We made it to Redon tonight.. was going to go out to eat.. but all the restaurants around here are basically closed. It seems Sunday and sometimes Monday are closed day.. but was told this time of year they sometimes just close to ...close.. okay then..

Tomorrow we should with no problem make it into Messac and the boat rental place. We will hang around a day .. get the boat mucked out.. things packed.. go to the post.. mail a few things.. and then if nothing else.. head to Rennes and spend a day or so there.. since we don't go to London till Saturday.

Well you all take care and I will write again when I can... Soon though will be in London and have no trouble on the internet :)

Hello from France... I know.. finally :-)

11 Sept 2010: leave for Seattle

13 Sept 2010: Leave for London, British Airways, Flt. #48

14 Sept 2010: Arrive London, noon

14 Sept. 2010: spend night at Comfort Inn, Kings Cross

15 Sept 2010: Euro Train from London to Paris, train #9024

15 Sept 2010: Montpensier Hotel, Paris (Sept 15-18)

18 Sept 2010: pick up car at Charles d’Gull Airport

18 Sept 2010: Hotel Beaudon, Pierrefonds France (Sept 18-19)

20, 21 Sept, open travel, will be Northern France, by the D-Day Beaches

22 & 23 Sept, 2010: Manoir De La Roche Torin, Mont St. Michel

24 Sept, spend night in Rennes

25 Sept 2010: turn in car at Rennes

25 Sept 2010: Train from Rennes to Messac

25 Sept 2010: pick up boat in Messac

25 Sept to Oct 9: will be on boat (going from Messac to Pontivy, canal de Nantes a’ Brest)

09 Oct 2010: turn boat in by 9am

09 Oct 2010: train from Messac to Rennes

09 Oct 2010: All Seasons Rennes Centre Gare Hotel

10 Oct 2010: Eurotrain from Rennes/Paris to London

10, 11 Oct 2010: Marriott, County Hall, London

12 Oct 2010; Leave London, British Airways 3:10 pm arrive Seattle @4:45pm (same day) flt#49
















Well now that you have seen our plans to where we are going.. Here below is actually what we did do and how things are going… at this time

Arrived London.. We fly into London-Heathrow and had to deplane via stairs. Been awhile since we have had to do that! Then we take busses to the main terminal, where we go through customs and all that fun stuff. Now I have to tell you, we are use to taking busses OUT to the plane, as last time we went into the terminal via a gate ramp coming out to the plane. Oh well We made it.. Wanted to smack the lady in front of me.. She laid her seat all the way back and I swear I could look down at here.. They put the seats any closer.. A cruise across the ocean will sounds really good! Might take a few days longer.. But you won’t have someone’s head on your lap. I should admit.. By the time I was really irritated with her I was also very tired by then.
We got through customs and got over to the Tube desk and we bought our “oyster passes”, for the tube. Goodness sakes.. We had left London last time.. Owing one pound on each of the cards.. Shame on us! Once outside, boy I have to say it was very humid! I was really surprised. After the tube and a short walk .. We got to our hotel, and by 6pm.. I was asleep. I woke up and thought I had slept all night.. I slept hard and heavy.. Sheese it was only 8pm.. I wasn’t sure if I would be able to sleep that night.. But 11pm.. I was asleep and woke up … at 7am.
Off to Paris! This morning.. I am so looking forward to the Louvre… But the people.. Ugh to way to many people! Fact is WAY to many people.. I can’t express enough.. Just way to many people. So far the few people I have asked for directions… have been nice. On the train, I sat next to people from Australia.. And they were fun to talk to. Their son (older) flew to London to give them a tour of Paris and of France around Paris.. He hopes someday to move to France.
Well first night in Paris brought a so-so dinner.. Not the greatest.. But the chocolate mousse was good.. We saw a lady there that was in a Komodo... Very unusual. And our hotel room.. well hehehe that is something else.

Coffee is strong enough to give a “steel monument” heartburn! It is all espresso style.
At the hotel, the bed is small and about 18 inches from the floor to the top of the bed.. Poor Mel has to double up to get onto the bed. I agree it is very low to the ground.. And again.. Very small. Meantime, he is sure in 7th heaven.. The ONLY 2 channels we get here that are in English.. Are news channels! Okay… revenge is sweet… I get it.. But couldn’t we have had just ONE English tv show channel.. sigh Breakfast here in the hotel was croissants and coffee. And the coffee was so strong, it reminded me of coffee my Uncle use to make, you could stand a spoon in it. Meantime all this bread, ought to do my blood sugars good :-/
So today, once I can pull the man away from the news tv.. We are heading towards the Louvre … Like I told the man.. I did not come to Paris to sit around a crappy hotel room! So.. He has 5 minutes.. Have to do some tough love here!

Walking over to the entrance of the Louvre.. Who did we run into.. The people from Australia! It was very nice and surprising to see them.. Never did see them again the whole time at the Louvre.. And we left about 2:30pm.. Did learn… anyone with a handicap pass gets into any museum free in all of France.. I happened to have mine with me.. So Mel and I got in for free.. Nice to learn this.

AHHH the Louvre! Miles and miles of art.. Any kind.. Any era… any country! The 3 bad things I think about it.. 1. Not really English friendly 2. No water fountains and bad ass hot in there! Till you get to Egypt.. They have it nice and air conditioned! I was also nice to see the Egyptian Art.. I could even read a wee bit.. only because it was in Latin and some is like English words.. Yea J I rented a wheel chair and pushed Mel around.. No way would he ever have made it as long as we did.. We went ALLLLLLL over that place.. Trust me on that one! They had elevators that go up.. They go down.. But to go from floor to floor.. All the way down at one.. You couldn’t do it.. You had to go from elevator to elevator.. One area of museum to another area.. I am surprised I didn’t get blisters! Then we had lunch.. So.. Okay.. I am done with Paris.. Would rather rent the car early and get out of Dodge… Way to many people.. And this hotel room is about to do us in… it is like walking in a boat.. Out on the ocean.. We get up at night.. And all but run into stuff the floor is so uneven..I mean WAY UNEVEN! But then.. Instead of paying at least $200. A night for a hotel..it was still in US 125 euro.. so wasn't cheap price wise. But we opted for the cheaper hotel… so believe me.. You get what you pay for! :-) Who knows what we will do tomorrow!
We found a Italian place for dinner.. It was pretty good actually for Italian in France! These two guys came in and sat down.. OMG you would NOT even begin to imagine the food them two guys put away.. They started with a platter of sausage and meats, one of parmesan cheese chunks… then they ordered a steak for two that was at LEAST 3- 4 inches thick! It was like a T-bone.. But sheese.. Still! After they ordered that.. One guy got a bowl of Spaghetti and one got a bowl of fettuccini, they each ate half and the other traded and ate it.. Mel and I had the same size bowl of pasta.. And I was full after half of it! PLUS they are 2 baskets of bread.. Now this was BEFORE their dinner came.. They had veggies and potatoes with the steak.. Man it was hard to believe they could eat all that.. I hurt just seeing what they ate.. And chunks of parmesan.. I just don’t see how they could just eat it.
Got back to the room and decided after about killing ourselves on the uneven floors.. We would go ahead and check out tomorrow and hopefully drive towards Pierrefonds.. That is if we can get the rental car early!

Well another morning.. Another day in paradise.. We had breakfast and checked on out.. We basically have an idea how to get to the airport.. But that is it.. The Metro is busy this morning.. It sure is a far cry from London’s Tube.. It is dirty here and in places smells of urine. I notice that water that has ran down the walls and the graffiti along the train/metro line. It is a shame.. Because Paris is a huge city.. With a lot of old history and could be a marvelous place to explore…and I am so very sure, there is so much history here... we have not even touched the surface. It is though a shame about all the graffiti. Another day.. I am happy to get out of town.
I wish my hubby felt better… he is getting so tired.. And this we knew would happen.. But I have 3 thinks against me now.. That is totally messing with this trip 1. I don’t speak French, 2. news 24/7!! . I have a POS computer (we’re not going there!) 3. Hubby has no ambition, and I don’t want to go out alone to explore.. I feel bad for him.. Wish I could do something to help.. But all I can do is stand by him and let him mend.
Going to stop here and will write more later.. Ya know… don’t want to miss the latest news updates!

Left Paris.. got our rental car and headed for Pierrefonds. The first day here is the last day of Merlin filming at the castle. So castle is closed. I think some of the crew are staying here at our hotel. I saw the little gal that plays Gwen, this morning leaving the hotel. And then from the room, one of the crew guys leaving with I think the one who places Arther in the front. You know that was pretty cool.. Merlin is one of our very favorite shows.. Let me drop a hint here.. I HOPE SEASON 3 IS BEING RECORDED!!!
Pierrefonds Castle is HUGE and just amazing.. it just sits there (like it is going to get up and walk away.. duh) but it sits there this impending force.

France by the ocean is very beautiful and the people when they slow down.. Are very nice. I can make out a few words.. A few. Had an Italian guy last night at the hotel.. Hitting on me..while i was using the computer. Guess he didn't understand the part.. MY HUSBAND... he even gave me his room number, just incase I needed any help. sheese well okay then. I told hubby and we both got a laugh :-) I did learn though that I know more Italian then I do French. Well on towards the D-Day Beaches.


Our next plan is to drive to Bayeux and spent the night… THEN the plan is to go tomorrow to the D-Day beaches, we will be staying about 12 miles from the beaches. Our hotel room is NOTHING like it was the night before where it was a huge room, electric drape closure and an amazing view of the harbor.. ( If anyone is coming to France.. I very highly recommend staying in Fecamp at the Le Grand Pavois, we spent the night before Bayeux there.) Now though we are staying at the Le Lion D’Or in a very old part of Bayeux. On the lounge wall they have photos of famous people that had stayed there in the past.. John Wayne, Spencer Tracy and several times… Eisenhower, Prince Charles, etc. It was pretty cool to see all the photos… they were even all signed for them

D-Day beaches is not what you would expect, where there once was barbed wire and dunes, it is now houses and restaurants‘. I am not sure what really I expected.. But from what I saw.. Especially at Omaha Beach.. When we (Americans) went ashore.. With the cliffs around.. We were, no doubt.. Sitting ducks. At Omaha Beach they do have a very large memorial to honor the servicemen who died there. I am surprised there were not more deaths. We went into a couple museums and that was very interesting. The nice part, there was a family there, and dad was busy teaching his kids all about the history of D-Day and explaining to them.. What it meant. I told him when we were leaving it was great what he was doing with his kids. He said they have been stationed in France for 2 years and this is part of learning history of America. Way to go! We had lunch there.. I have to tell you they have AMAZING onion soup here.. Or as we call it back home.. French Onion soup.. Omg sooooooo good.

Last night we stayed at Manoir De La Roche Torin, by Mont Saint Michel. We were going to stay at the mont.. But 500 meters to GET to the office and then 80 steps UP to the room.. Mel never could have done that. So we will spend 2 nights here and today we are playing catch up and later we will go to the Mont… hopefully have dinner there somewhere. So two nights here.. then onto Rennes!

Well I think I will try to post this.. And HOPEFULLY Friday night before we leave for the boat.. I will be able to post again. If not.. I will post as soon as I can..

You all take care.. Keri (mom J )

Our 2010 trip..France

Well I figured before we leave I ought to show you a few places we plan on going. Only because I may not be able to add photos while we are over there. I have found their Internet to be horribly slow in places.
We fly into London.. We love London and enjoy seeing all of the history that is there...and there is a lot of it there. I never have made it downtown.. and that is okay with me.. I love the history and the plays! They have awesome theater there! That is where we saw WICKED.. if it comes to a town near you I recommend you see it... it is awesome :) http://www.wickedthemusical.com/
In London we only have one night and then the next morning we will take the Eurotrain http://gofrance.about.com/cs/trains/a/eurostar.htm , to Paris. We will be staying at the Montpensier Hotel http://www.montpensierparis.com/. It is only a couple blocks from the Louvre and we have two day passes for it. http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en . We will be in Paris for 3 days then we rent a car for a few days and go to a amazing castle.. Pierrefonds. It is the castle that is used in the making of MERLIN on the BBC one channel. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Pierrefonds We will be spending two days there and also seeing the small town.
From Pierrefonds we will go north and up along the coast to an area known as the D-Day Beaches. We plan to spend a couple nights up there and eventually driving west over to Mont St Michel.
Mont St Michel use to be a fortress and a might grand one it was too! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mont_Saint-Michel And for more ionformation on it.. Rick Steves has a great piece about it ..so stuck it on here also!
http://www.ricksteves.com/plan/destinations/france/mont.htm we will be spending two nights on here.. so that will give us a chance to explore and rest when need be.. because of all the stairs.
From Mont St Michel.. we go to Messac and pick up our boat! http://www.leboat.co.uk/destination/france/brittany we will have the boat for two weeks. We had thought of going down and then over to Pontivy... but got an email that part of the canal will be closed for construction repair. So bummer.. now we rethink where we are going to go. I am sure where ever it is.. we will enjoy it. We turn the boat in on October 9th in the morning then we go spend a night in Rennes so we can explore the town.. the next morning we catch the train to Paris and then onto London. When we get in we will take the tube (their subway and btw.. it is fantastic!) http://www.tfl.gov.uk/modalpages/2625.aspx
In London we will be staying at the Marriott http://www.marriott.com/default.mi We spend 3 days here.. then finally we have to fly out on October 12th at 3:10pm and arrivein Seattle at 4:45pm! If only it were that simple.. we fly 9 hours and 35 minutes. But once we get to Seattle.. we take off and go up to Ferndale and see a new grand daughter that was just born.. Jillian Fay Casey :) We are home by monday and Monday.. it's girls day at the spa! and that will be fun and awesome!
So hope you all take care and I will be thinking of you all..
HUGS..Keri :)

Priest Lake

Another weekend at the lake.. it is always enjoyable. And it is beautiful up here.PLUS.. the weather is about 10 degrees cooler, and it cools down wonderfully at night! We have been coming up here so that we could ride our motor cycles without Spokane traffic! So far it has been fun.. haven't seen any wild life.. but then we probably scare them away with the noise of the bikes and 4 wheeler. We have a friend (Dana) and she comes up with her 4 wheeler, but we sure do see a lot of countryside :) We are still trying to get a trail map.. that has the numbers of the trails on it... so when we get lost.. we know HOW lost we are :) But the stores don't seem to have them.. so heading to the Park ranger station today to try to get one. They were closed but went to dinner at Elkin's and the man at the desk gave us an awesome trail map.. not the one we had been wanting but this was as good. And.. by the way the dinner at Elkins was amazing.. it was Filet minion with cognac mushroom sauce.. OMG it was so tender and the flavor was out of this world.. it was so good.. and mashed potato's with shallots.. oh what a dinner.. we all over ate on that one!

On the way up to the lake I bought knee/elbow/wrist protectors..mainly for Mel.. I couldn't find small enough ones for Jax-e.. but I also bought some for me. Still looking for a helmet and goggles for Jax-e :) You know Jax-e has already been in two accidents already! She doesn't need anymore accidents on her record! :)

SO!! We get this idea that we will ride up to the Look out tower on Sundance Mountain..Wow forgot to post this.. BUT we did ride up the mountain.. it was a LONG way up.. seemed even longer going down. I rode with Dana on the 4 wheeler. but it was great. I keep thinking I will get photos posted.. BUT this is a mac and I still have to figure out the how to go from the photos.. to the blog.

Meantime.. been very busy packing and getting ready to leave. sat we take off for Seattle spend a couple days.. have a dinner with my son and his girlfriend and then.... off to London.. from London to Paris...

If nothing else.. I will write some when we get over there..

Everyone take care.. Keri

our new rv

Yes.. we do plan to travel some more.. not sure to where.. But to the south in the winter to ride our motorcycle.. swim and walk out in the desert.. well it sounds really good and I think we are really looking forward to it.

So.. here is our new rv. It has 2 slide outs, living room and bedroom. It is 8 feet longer then our old one. Our old one will always be remembered.. but our new one.. cherished! :) It is a 1999 Airstream, 34 foot land Yacht XL. It has white leather seats and the interior seems to be black and white :) Two of my favorite colors. :) It even has a shower that I think hubby will fit into! Only because it has a sky roof for the head.

I think that Jaxe will also like it.. there is a little more room .. she can play and actually lay down so she doesn't get stepped on!
It has a REAL queen size bed and I am so excited.. I will miss my little cubby hole.. but if I want to read.. There is a bedroom door I can SHUT!

In the bathroom there is a REAL linen closet. I can't believe all the cabinets and nooks and crannies. And around the under side of the coach.. STORAGE I can't believe!

We do plan to eventually put a flat screen in there . We will remove the old tv.. which sets between the driver and passenger seat and probably put a little "cave" there for Jaxe to sleep in.. it will be her little hide away. Or.. it will become a cabinet.

We will get to pick up our coach on the 22nd.. and then leave for the Tri-Cities and the hydro plane races. We will pull the boat down and then have a friend help up put it into the water. Rvs are just not always made to do somethings. I am sure if we REALLY had to use it to put the boat in.. we could. I would rather not.

Then home for two days and head to Mel's daughters baby shower in Ferndale, WA.. over on the west side of Washington. It will be fun.. but when we go to Ferndale.. it will just be the RV and I don't mind driving just that. .

Well you all take care.. will write again later..

Keri

The Bedroom, black and white spread..

4th of July, Priest Lake Idaho

Wish you all could have come up.. Missing friends and family.. miss making memories and laughter. BUT.. Hope you all have a fantastic 4th of July... where ever you have gone or what ever you are doing!

It was a little cool and sometimes rainy up here at the lake.. but for the most part.. the rain held off and even though it was overcast.. we still did a lot. We rode motorcycles up a trail that took up to the top of the hill where we could see the lake forever! Saw a deer.. squirrel AND... a mouse.. :) It was fun..only one time I was a little concerned about the trail.. but I fought through it and survived!

Saturday Mel, dan, Laralee, Nino, Athena and myself, went up through the thorofare from lower Priest to upper Priest. Coming back down through the throfare we saw a young male moose! We even had sunshine while going through. For those who don't know what the thorofare is.. it is small almost creek like.. I think the deepest part we saw was like 6 feet deep. You can see fish swimming under the water.. it is clear and beautiful. You can even see the logs that are underwater, from the fallen trees.Two boats can pass each other comfortably. Other then that.. you would most likely be beached somewhere.

Saturday we had a BBQ.. my sister and Dan came up.. my niece Laralee, her husband and their daughter Athena... Mel and I and had friends stop by. It was good.. wasn't super warm.. but the sun did come out and the BBQ was good.

Not sure what our next little trip will.. but I will be sure to stop and say HI on here from time to time.

Love to my family and you all take care!

Keri

WILL POST PHOTOS SOON