Saturday, November 2, 2024

It’s the End of October 2024…Time to go to France!!!


We are ready to go…

Waiting for our Uber to take us to LAX

___

It’s been quite a year since we left France last December in 2023.
When we got home there were some major repairs to our house that needed to be redone, like raising the collapsing ceiling, roof repairs (because of the collapsing ceiling) and painting.  Because of that, it put a hold on any traveling for 2024.

When that was done and paid for, plans for the annual trip to France began.  We decided to try again for a long term visa to allow us to stay up to 12 months if we wanted.  In 2023, we had gathered most of the paperwork needed and didn’t get our appointment to submit our application in time for our departure date, so we saved it all for this year.  To make a long story short we received our long term visas, just a week before our departure date which was October 24, 2024.

So begins the Adventure that will take us through the year 2025.

October 24-25
WestJet Airlines: 
LAX to Calgary (YYC) to Paris (CDG) to Toulouse (TLS)/22 hours from airport to airport

We rent a car at the Toulouse airport and drive the 1 1/2 hours to Chalabre, where we will be for 2 weeks.
______

LAX to Calgary

Layover in Calgary
We can’t get away from bears

Calgary to Paris

Premium Economy is pretty nice

From Paris to Toulouse, then we get a car to drive to Chalabre

Maison Martin, Chalabre
In through the wooden doors
Then through the iron gate


Now we have entered Maison Martin
A restored Capucine Convent of the 17th Century.

Shutters partially open at the top
is our bedroom window


———-

October 26-Nov.1

We unpack, rest up and relax in this beautiful Gite.

Enterance




The living space

Entrance to the Garden

———-

We settle in and for the rest of the week, we enjoy the village.











Saturday, we unpacked and got our basic needs and then Bob and Arlette brought over some wine, sausage, cheese and bread to welcome us. (Too tired to think about a photo)

We rested, settled in, figured out how to Zoom our classes in the States, tried to get our bio-clocks to sync with France. 
Around Thursday, felt like we were set for the rest of the trip. 
Went on a shopping adventure with Arlette, then were able to visit with them on Friday evening.

We are now ready to drive out to Esperaza and visit with Tina and see how she is doing and find out what she is planning to do with the rest of her life.

On to week two…


Wishing you all well




Sunday, December 10, 2023

Final Days in Pau

Wake up!
 
Too much snow to go to the mountains today.
I’m not feeling too well anyway, so we stay home.

Sunday…

Felling better so we go out

Last minute shopping
for stuff today


Xmas decor going into
Place Clemenceau

Roasted Chestnuts
in a charcoal oven

Shopping at the Place

Things to take home and
Roasted Chestnuts

We have late lunch
at Les Burgers de Papa



The walk home

***

Today, we wait for “Send My Bag”
It has clothes we don’t need for the last couple of days 
and other stuff we don’t want to take on the plane.



And I try to finish my painting of the Church in Bizanos - Eglise de Saint Magne





***


Our last full day…

We clean the apartment…somewhat

And go out to take Christie and David to lunch

First to their apartment



Looking like Christmas

We have lunch at Greedy, Christie goes 
to her private French class.

David promised to take me on the Ferris Wheel

We go through the Place


Getting ready to take photos

There’s John

The Blvd de Aragon
to Place Clemenceau

We’re at the top of the wheel…




Gare de Pau

Almost back on the ground


We say our good bye to David

On our way home
We check out the “Tree”

Our Pau home
(On the 5th floor)


***

It’s Wednesday, December 6, 2023

Time to go home to Sierra Madre, California

Patrick gives us a ride to the airport

Checking in our luggage

Our last photo in Pau

Loading onto the plane for Paris
saying good-bye to the Pyrenees

***


After a 3.5 hour layover in Paris
and a 2 hour layover in Calgary, 
it’s been 22 hours traveling…

Los Angeles is in sight!





We land at LAX, grab a taxi
and get home by 11 pm.
In bed by midnight

***

Thursday, December 7, 2023
Good Morning!
367 W. Highland Ave.
Sierra Madre, California


It’s good to be home!