Yesterday was blessedly quiet here. A storm threatened, but never quite materialized, all day. They closed all the parks in case of wind and lightning damage, which seems rather extraordinary to us (impossible to close Stanley Park although the road through it has been closed during severe windstorms) but probably quite sensible given the density of both people and trees in these urban parks and the ease with which they can be closed.
We weren’t completely slothful although I read for hours and had a delicious nap. We each did a yoga workout via Wifi and iPad, and we had a very enjoyable random saunter on our morning baguette mission. I couldn’t resist stopping for photos regularly –Paul is very patient, or tries to be–I’ve posted a few here and if you click on the Instagram widget at the top right, you can see the little Flipagram video I made with 16 of the shots. Bordeaux has such a wealth of architecture, particularly, as I understand it, of 18th-century town homes, so many wealthy merchants showing off their success for each other.
We’re off on a walking tour of Bordeaux this morning, so I may find out more about the architecture here. Or not: we’ve elected to go on the French-speaking tour, as a way to practice our language skills. We’re wishing there could be accompanying French subtitles, as in the lovely little film we watched on Netflix last night, L’Auberge Espagnole (the English version, apparently, is The Spanish Apartment).
But I suppose there’s not much chance our tour guide’s words will materialize in writing above her head. Dommage! That would be such a help. Oh well, we have a lesson scheduled this afternoon. Perhaps the French overload will push our poor brains right through into a magical Franco-fluency….
If not, we can commiserate with new friends over apéros later this afternoon. We’ve been invited to their place, having begun to forge yet another link to this city.
Meanwhile, may I ask you all a question? I’ve noticed that some of my stats have been down, pretty much since we left home, although not consistently so, and some measures have gone up. I suspect some of this has to do with the busy return to regular schedules at the end of summer. Also contributing might be that I’m posting from a different time zones so the posts go live at a different point in readers’ days. But I’m also wondering if some of you simply find travel posts less interesting, and since you’re not pinioned at a neighbour’s dining table while the photos are being passed around, you discreetly tiptoe away rather than clicking through to my blog. I will probably keep posting the travel photos because I’m so keen to share what I’m seeing, but I’d like to maximize value for effort expended. Any feedback would be appreciated.
No, do not think I mind if it is travel posts. I am just incorrigibly nosy so it does not matter to me. Interesting question as I am about to start my own blog and did not even know there were stats! Just keep posting. The only thing that really annoys me about blogs – and makes me stop following – is lack of posts. Plus same old images reposted ad nauseam. I look forward to seeing Bordeaux through your curious eyes.
Oh, you should start your own blog! I'd love to read it. And thank you so much for your kind encouragement. Much appreciated.
I love travel posts,please go on,keep posting! As you are in my time zone,I'm very happy,but for your readers across the ocean it could be confusing. But I like how you write, anyway,different time zone or not
Dottoressa
Thank you so much, Dottoressa. I've just finished responding to your comment on my reading blog. So kind of you to take the time.
Oh, I just read whatever you care to post! :0)
😉thank you!
Me too. Write away and I'll read. (Btw I'm on holiday in Greece and have been without wifi so I've been catching up on your posts)
Your Bordeaux posts are interesting. You have combined Frankie and family with life in Bordeaux, your feelings and travel. Travel with a personal touch! Reading you early morning in Brooklyn.
Thanks, Mme. Isn't it something, this technology. Here we are, each of us so far from home, and we still check our blogging friends' news and stay connected on our little mobile screens…
Always love your blog. If life gets busy on a day-to-day basis, I may have to catch up on a week's worth all at once, but I do catch up. Really love seeing this city through your eyes. Having formed deep attachments myself to an off-the-beaten-track (for tourists) English city by repeated and extended visits, I feel attuned to your journey. Please keep posting.
Thanks, Amy. I really appreciate y taking time to comment. Isn't it interesting how these less popularized cities can reach out and hook us in? (Although Bordequx has been getting more and more tourism coverage recently, and I suppose we'll have to share it more and more) do you care to say what English city has staked a claim on you?
I read always, via Feedly. The travel photos, well, I find that everyone is interested in different aspects and thus different pictures. You see architecture, others might look for wide angle city shots, etc. No matter. Write as you like, but of course, like all of us, you like to have readers! I tend to be most interested in vistas and in people shots, but maybe other readers have different ideas?
That's so interesting….I do tend to me drawn more to the details, I can see that now that you mentionit (although I do have one "hint of a vista" shot above). By "people shots" would you mean the kind I posted the other day, of family, and/or would you be content with photos of myself and Pater, and/or would you want to see more of "people on the street"? The latter makes me nervous because I believe that France has some pretty firm laws around this issue, and I think I'm too shy to ask permission. But I could throw the camera at Paul more often and then try not to be too impatient or too embarrassed at the picture-taking. And he doesn't seem to mind sharing his image occasionally…. No more family, though, until we get to Italy, nor do I want them to associate my presence with the risk of ending up on the blog…. But I'm glad to have this feedback to consider (and after having asked for it, I hope my response doesn't come across as defensive at all. Just thinking out loud, step by step). And vistas, I'll try to remember to include some broader. Views. Thank you!
I love your words! Whether you blog on travel, family, wardrobe, photography, a full heart or a sad heart – I'm reading. I rarely comment but I'm here, always reading.
Thank you! I'm honoured that you keep reading here, no comments ever necessary.
I think the island you live on is incredibly beautiful . I prefer it to the intense man made beauties of Bordeaux & many other European cities . Nevertheless , I'm still reading with interest as you write in a very personal way . So don't take any notice of me
Wendy in York
Thanks so much, Wendy. It did occur to me that for those readers who live in Europe, the historical architecture I marvel at is rather old hat. We do tend to be interested in what seems more exotic, as my island might seem to you. I appreciate your willingness to peek in regardless.
Oh dear, I already felt a bit guilty for reading and enjoying your posts all these weeks without commenting, now I feel even more so. In my case, your suspicion no. 1 hits the mark: the school year started 10 days ago, and I'm up to my eyes in papers, lists, preparations, meetings etc., trying to learn about 80 names as fast as possible and getting reconciled to a time table which has me get up at 5 am four times a week (I'm an owl, for heaven's sake!).
So PLEASE keep posting, I'll be back when I can.
No, no, no, please don't feel guilty! But thanks for taking a minute to let me know what you're up to. I remember those busy, busy days of starting up a new school year. Good luck win it all!
Simply said, I love travel posts. Keep 'em coming. Like others, I may not be able to read each individual post on the day it was published, but saving them up is a treat to which I look forward.
Thanks, Marsha. I'm so flattered that you would think of my posts as a treat!
Travel posts are my favorites…
Oh, I'm glad to her that! Thank you.
I love all the posts, but I do have to say that the last one about Frankie and family visiting was really lovely. I imagine I'm like many — new classes and schedule, unexpected house repairs, etc. I would love more details about how you plan your day and whether the travel wardrobe is working well. Still remember the sweaters I took to England the year it was 95 degrees in London!
Lynn
Thanks so much, Lynn. I've always found September a very busy time, until this magical thing called Retirement…i appreciate the ideas for a post on day-planning and on the travel wardrobe. Coming soon! So far, no wardrobe-weather mismatch, although it's raining more than we expected. Nothing like a surfeit of sweaters in sweltering London though….
I check in regularly, post rarely and love everything you write about. You have such a friendly, intimate style and now after several years, I do feel a connection. I live in eastern Ontario and am a gardener so your island garden posts have me pea green with envy. I'm also a Francophile and have really enjoyed your posts from Bordeaux so just keep on keeping on. I'll be there.
Thanks, Anon at 2:41, your kind words are much appreciated. I can see how a gardener in Eastern Ontario might envy my garden posts, although I always enjoyed watching Ottawa gardens explode into lush colour in (very) late spring…so dramatic!
I enjoy all of them, its like hearing from friends with interesting life developments. Time of posting doesn't matter as I tend to check my favorites the same time every day…..
ceci
Thanks Ceci, I guess I think of my posts as missives to/conversations with friends as well. Good to know you think of them the same way.
I LOVE travel posts – good architecture and gorgeous food are my faves 🙂 I've just been really busy and, if I read your posts at work (in a free moment), I cannot comment because my work firewall prevents me from doing so on blogspot blogs. Didn't used to. Now I can't even reply to comments on my own blog at work.
Seriously, no need to apologize or explain, and I hate that I might have given that impression. It's actually the stats overall that dropped, as much as, or more than, the comments. They spiked up again the last few days, though, and the comments here are so encouraging, I guess I'll just hold steady. Really annoying about the firewall at work. I guess this will be the case in more and more workplaces. Honestly, if I read a post at work that I wanted to respond to, the likelihood of my getting back to it later would be pretty much zero….
I know – that's the prob. I have a few minutes to destress, so I look at my blogs, and I can't even have a moment of communication. Then, in the eve, I'm either too tired or onto other posts that come into my reader. And of course, I always go for the most fun ones when I have that small window.
Hmm, well, if it's a longer 'talky' post I read it, go away and think, come back and maybe comment, go away again, come back again and read others' comments and your responses. If it's a travel post, I just read and enjoy!
I'm truly honoured, as I would imagine other bloggers must be as well, that readers would take the time to go away and think about something we've written, then come back to comment.
As I say, though, it's not a drop-off in the comments I'm noticing, but a temporary drop in the stats.
I just typed and then erased a lengthy comment in which I guessed at the different things the stats could be counting and an analysis of each. Retirement mode might not come as easily as I hope. Hee hee.
Just because I don't comment, don't think I don't enjoy! I think because of the time difference down under, everything has been said by the time I read you. But you are always welcome in my mailbox.
Thanks, Julie. And you are very welcome here as a reader. Never any need to comment.
I love all of your posts … And I'm also enjoying the link to your daughter's blog in Rome …. You both have such a great style! I've only recently started to read regularly … well for a few months! Following a link from Hostess of the Humble Bungalow. Apologies for not commenting before! Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
Rosie
Thanks so much Rosie, and I'm very tickled you read my daughter's blog as well. I've been so pleased to see how well she writes. Only wish she'd post more regularly, but I remember those days with a little one and see that I'll have to be patient. Again, please let me reassure you that commenting is never, ever necessary. Lovely to know you're out there reading.
I love everything you write. I have been reading for years, though I don't think I have ever commented. I am rather shy! I have been following you on instagram, I did not realise you were posting until I checked by habit. I thought you might not while on holiday. Maybe others are thinking the same. Keep posting, all of it is of interest to your readers. There are so few authentic bloggers of our age group, so many just do reviews now. I love following along with you and Pater.
Hello Jean, and thank you so much for leaving these encouraging words, despite your shyness. And thanks for following me on Instagram–isn't it great? I do like the ease of that platform, being able to share a visual image that tells a little story, without my having to organize too many words,
As I've said before, I love your travel posts, so don't dream of cutting back on them! We're heading for France ourselves in a couple of weeks – Carcassone area rather than Bordeaux, but your adventures do whet my appetite for our annual French 'fix', even if storms do sometimes threaten at this time of year. So glad you had such a happy family reunion, and were able to lay down precious memories of your time together.
Rosemary
We haven't been to Carcassone. Do you go there every year, or does your annual French fix move through various regions? Thanks for the kind words about the travel posts. Much appreciated.
In over thirty years of pretty well annual visits we've visited quite a few areas – Normandy, Brittany, the Limousin, the Dordogne (which I think you've probably touched on from Bordeaux), Paris (of course) – but in recent years, largely because of convenience of flights and also greater possibility of good weather (we usually travel in October) we've concentrated on the Languedoc Roussillon region. Some wonderful sights, and Carcassone itself, though much restored, is spectacular. Hope you'll make it some day!
Rosemary
I love both your blog and Instagram:) You are one of only several that I check daily!!
So keep writing and sharing pictures ..they are much appreciated..Coco
So nice of you to say that, Coco, thank you!
I've been in Italy without a computer myself the last two weeks, so haven't been reading your blog. Photos of someone's travels are never as good as being there yourself 😉
Where in Italy? And did you like being away from a computer or did you find it tough?
I wonder if that's true for everyone that doing the actual travel is better than enjoying it vicariously through photos. Honestly, there are places I'm happy just to see through someone else's eyes. France is not one of them😉
I just read that Rosie found your blog through mine! That's wonderful….
I think stats are down here too…I try to avoid checking but sometimes I peek and if they are up I rejoice and if they are down I do feel deflated.
Travel posts are some of my favourites. Travelling vicariously through others is inspiring.
I love those community connections as well, Lesley. Always fun!