Last Hurrah

People make jokes about 'when pigs fly'.... but I think they just might start flying in a few years because time seems to fly more and more every day!

Hedi and Bruce were in England for nearly 2 weeks but it felt more like 2 days! We had a little trip to France, a few days around London, Bruce and Hedi had a night in Cambridge, and then we all went to the Isle of Wight for the last weekend.

The Isle of Wight has a very strategic position between England and France and therefore many of the interesting sites are castles, battle stations, and other military defences. We enjoyed an afternoon at Carisbooke Castle. They have great videos to help explain the importance of the location and who lived there over the ages. Bruce couldn't get enough!

On Sunday, we went to the west coast of the island and visited one of the main tourist attractions called the Needles and the Needles Old Battery. We had a wonderful walk along the coast with views of the cliffs. At the top was the military battery and direct views of the chalk stakes (Needles) that rise out of the water. Amazing things in this little world of ours!

Bromberg visit part 2

We had only a few days in and around Richmond with Hedi and Bruce during their recent trip out here, but we made good use of the time that we did have.

1. Night out to dinner at Mama's Restaurant with Jayme, Emily & Becca. (Mamma's has turned into our celebration site and the place we go anytime there is a group together)

2. Evening of Indian food with Richard and Mary-Anne. Richard and Hedi have a special bond because Richard helped Hedi pull of a surprise party for Lenny around his 30th when ILOG went to Florida for a work conference.

3. A wonderful evening at Ivan and Corrine's house with a home cooked Salmon and delicious veg.

4. A quick spin through Isabella Plantation Garden in Richmond Park as we were heading to the Isle of Wight.

It is just so beautiful in and around Richmond that I love having the opportunity to share it with other people. This is the little Terrace Garden park that is just at the end of our street. Isn't it amazing?? Chula loves to run around the grass (off to the far right of the picture) and she is a skilled squirrel huntress! he, he

All that running around can tucker a Chula out... apparently even her head needed a bit of a rest!

The Brombergs arrive!

I know it has been way too long since I updated the blog. That volcano really threw a loop into normal life! How many times does a person get to say that?!? About 3 weeks after getting home, we had some visitors who have been promising to come for years.... Hedi and Bruce Bromberg! This is clearly worthy of several new blog posts!

Part One:

Only a few days after arriving, we jetted off to Paris for the weekend with a hope of attending the French Open for Lenny and Bruce. It was a really lovely weekend. The weather could not have been better~ sunny with a light breeze. If Hedi and Bruce ordered this.... I want the number for their travel agent! Amazing.

Nuts and Bolts: Eurostar! What a way to go. I met Lenny, Bruce, and Hedi at Richmond station. We caught the tube to King's Cross and then jumped on the Eurostar. Only 2 1/2 hours later.... Nous sommes arrivés à Paris! Parlez-vous français ? I sure don't! No worries~ Lenny and Hedi both had things coming back to them and I supplemented with my fluent use of ULP (Universal Language of Point- I just point at anything I want to order! Works great!)

Itinerary: We enjoyed Friday night out in the Latin Quarter. Saturday was a big day walking and seeing the Louvre. Please note this wonderful picture of Winged Victory ~ she is still my favorite work in the Louvre. Sunday was another day out walking and then into the Marais district where we enjoyed some Judaica shopping. Okay, you got me. That part was my request. But we all had fun!

This was our little breakfast place. The waiter was a hoot. He played up that he didn't know any English. As soon as we tried ULP and a little French... his English came back to him!

Such a wonderful and beautiful city. Au revoir Paris!