Our main reason for visiting Toulon was to meet the ferry to travel to Corsica. We also took the opportunity to visit Dominique’s school friend Elizabeth. We have been here before, but that was in January 2010 and at that time we took a ride across the harbour to lookContinue Reading
You may have noticed a few things: no recent photos, gaps in the timing, and wondered why? Well all the best laid plans fall apart somewhere along the line. First, when I arrived at Paris CDG, I turned on my new toy, the NetComm MyZone credit card sized wireless modem,Continue Reading
We were joined in Noirmoutier by John McGarry, who was a regular member of our bike riding group between Meadowbank and Parramatta on Sunday mornings, while in Australia for summer. He caught up with us to see the start of the TDF and stayed with us in Noirmoutier. The opportunityContinue Reading
Noirmoutier-en-l’ÎIe is the main town on the Île du Noirmoutier, not surprising really. The island which is located about 4.5 km off the Atlantic Coast of France is connected to the mainland the Passage de Gois, a cobbled causeway built at the point where the waters meet at high tideContinue Reading
After family visits in Paris, Mamers and Vendee, we headed for the island of Noirmoutier for the start of the tour de France (TDF). The tour was planned to start at the entrance to the island near the bridge and then to pass through the south area andContinue Reading
From Hellbourg we travelled south – out to the coast to Saint André and back up the next valley – to the town of Bourg Murat (near Le Tampon). This is the location of the La Maison du Volcan, a museum which opened in 1991 and is devoted to theContinue Reading
Hell-Bourg, one of the “Plus beau village de France”, in fact, the number 1 outside “Metropolitan” France, was established in 1830 and put itself on the map with the discovery of hot springs in the vicinity. The town was named Hell-Bourg in honour of Governor de Hell, who promoted theContinue Reading
There are two very good reasons to fly Air Austral. The air fare is $1,750 return to Paris, and the plane is only half full. Once on the plane, the food is very good and the service is attentive, relaxed and friendly. In addition I have found that, with advancingContinue Reading
Apart from the blog, other technology has changed since 1975. My digital SLR Canon 350D seems dated after only 5 years, but still takes great photos. Unfortunately, the 50 mm lens does not fit it! Apart from the camera, however, I have been spectacularly unsuccessful in mastering technology on theContinue Reading
Thirty five years ago, in March 1976, I left Sydney and headed for South Africa, first stop Mauritius. I kept in touch with my family, and occasionally with my friends, with an aerogram once every two weeks or so. I took slides on my Canon Ftb, with 50 mm, 1.4Continue Reading