Category Archives: Rambles

Oh, boy, a road trip! Last Sunday we took off with Mary and Gilles on a road trip to the city of Reims and a tiny town in the middle of a World War I battle site. We wanted to … Continue reading →

Last Friday we saddled up the trusty old Renault and headed to Brittany to celebrate a bunch of birthdays. Our friends Jamie and Hervé Rufin, who have vacationed on the Presq’ile Quiberon for a number of years, last year bought … Continue reading →

When we were in France two years ago, we went to La Rochelle after reading Ina Caro’s chapter on this historic city in her book, “Paris to the Past.” Like her, we immediately fell in love with the place and … Continue reading →

When we were here a couple years ago, we walked the length of the Loing Canal from its start to past Nemours, doing couple-mile stretches as a time. Since we don’t have any canals nearby, this year we’re walking along … Continue reading →

French has a phrase for a geographical area so small that it may not even be inhabited: lieu-dit. Driving on back roads of France you’ll see hundreds of signs for lieux-dits, places that might have a house or two, or might just be … Continue reading →

Last Saturday Gilles was set to watch an important Rugby match of his favorite team, from his hometown area of Clermont-Ferrand. Knowing that it would be a really good idea for us to be absent during the match, Mary, Laurie … Continue reading →

I’ve got some catching up to do here! We spent three days in the Loire Valley with Laurie’s sister Peggy, then Craig and Annie and Clara (aka, “The Red Tomato”) arrived and we culminated that visit with a birthday party … Continue reading →

We spent three days last week with Mary and Gilles on a ramble that centered on the town of Reims. The reason for the funny title is that the French pronounce Reims as “Rance.” I don’t know why; an example … Continue reading →