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| We are ready to go… |
Waiting for our Uber to take us to LAX
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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.
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LAX to Calgary
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| Layover in Calgary We can’t get away from bears |
Calgary to Paris
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| Premium Economy is pretty nice |
From Paris to Toulouse, then we get a car to drive to Chalabre
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| Maison Martin, Chalabre |
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| In through the wooden doors Then through the iron gate |
Now we have entered Maison Martin
A restored Capucine Convent of the 17th Century.
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| Shutters partially open at the top is our bedroom window |
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October 26-Nov.1
We unpack, rest up and relax in this beautiful Gite.
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| Enterance |
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| The living space |
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| Entrance to the Garden |
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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
