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#SOLOFLIGHTING

Refresh, Restore, Resume

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A sip to refresh my spirit, as I start my 2018 Reset Adventure

Refresh, restore and resume has been the theme of my 2018. As I age, I am listening to my body, as well as my Elders. The things I used to do, are done a bit differently now. Refreshing my mindset on what I want to do took center stage over everything else. I actually hired garden assistance to clear underbrush in my woodland area. I have never trusted anyone to lay hands on my garden, except for me. Afterall, who would know the terrain, the journey of each plant and how to love them, except for me?

Restoring my energy by feeding my body before my overnight flight.

Restoring my faith in mankind, trusting that everything happens for a reason and feeding my soul has been educational. A learning experience even if I thought I understood. The assistance in my garden came at a time when I really needed to turn off negative energy and seek positive interaction. Two guys clearing and making a huge difference in an evening, returning to finish the job, another day.  If I had taken this task on, it would have taken me a lot longer and my energy zapped by overdoing it. Help is a good thing and knowing when to ask, is even smarter.

Initially overwhelming, this year has been quite interesting. To be quiet, be still, as my Dad would say, was a way to find my inner garden again. Taking time to refresh my inner spirit by traveling, taking time for me, as well as restoring my faith, was necessary. I can now resume creatively finding all things beautiful…everywhere!

Traveling to places old and new. It’s August and time for me…

Meanwhile in Porto by way of Paris, I am present…

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Be Paris – The Journey Continues

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Be Paris Toolkit….a personal collection of items needed to just Be Paris!

Be Paris best describes why I make the seasonal journey to the City of Lights.  I make sure I create the opportunity to reboot, refresh and restore my spirit as I travel. I call this my Be Paris journey because in Paris, I find it easy to just be. Be quiet, Be engaging if I want to be, Be emotional, Be adventurous, and most importantly Be spontaneous. My first Be Paris journey was all about what we read in books and see on TV. A typical tourist, armed with maps, emergency numbers – I was scared to death.

Although I have family that lives here, they were on holiday out of the country. I was left in the hands of Ricki Stevenson, Owner of Black Paris Tours, and a family friend.  Quite the whirlwind adventure and only piqued my interest in getting to know the City of Lights more intimately. Thank you Ricki for sharing your friends, food and fellowship with me. I think I started breathing when I got back to the United States. It was my first time soloflighting to a land I dreamt of as a teenager. For the first time in my life, I had the opportunity to just Be.

After a few well-timed trips to Paris under my belt with friends and without, I have learned more about Me. I need this moment, in one of my favorite places (so far) to pause and just Be Paris. There are secret streets that I need to find, as well as food that I need to experience. Now that I know this, I have acquired a few tools to just Be Paris.

My latest tool is a newly published book from Messy Nessy “Don’t Be A Tourist In Paris“.

How could I not order a signed copy of this book! It is quite dog eared right now…

Getting through this book in advance of my trip did not happen. I enjoyed reading it while in the Tuileries and on the Metro on my travels. This book provides a great roadmap to some of the places I was not familiar with. “Don’t Be A Tourist In Paris” also provided identification to places I had recently discovered.  When I am in Be Paris mode, I do not get lost, I just discover new and interesting territory. One of the most interesting things I find about Paris is the ease of finding your way back to where you started. One of the areas featured in this book was the fabric district, just below Sacré-Cœur Basilica.

I can usually find something that I NEED at les-coupons-de-Saint-Pierre

I have to catch myself and be mindful when looking for fabrics.  One year I had to purchase an additional suitcase…and put some in the suitcase of my co-worker. When I visit Paris, one of the places I pause is les-coupons-de-Saint-Pierre. I visited there again this trip for some cool fabrics and some serious deals! Ooo LaLa!

When hunger hits, my next tool comes in quite handy, particularly if you are in the 5th AR.

Tom Reeves reviews some of the best places to eat when this lady wants to just Be Paris.

Read this book in advance as I did, you will find it is very practical to keep on hand.  I made the effort on my past two visits to Paris to actually check out a few of the places Tom recommended.  I must say now I understand that slow service is not bad service…but all the more reason to linger and actually savor your meal, and enjoy the ambiance. In addition to this book, make time to see what Discover Paris Tours is offering. Tom is co-founder and offers a fantastic Black History Tour of the Luxembourg Gardens area. I took this tour and it was fantastic!! Next visit, I will plan on partaking in one of the Gourmet Walking Tours.

In order to just Be Paris, one must find time to just wander. A tour can be a wonderful think however. Finding that one tour that will blow your mind while in Paris can be challenging. I have learned that you really do not need to do more than two – but one can create  memory.  I am glad that this time I chose CityWonder for a Castle Trifecta Tour.

Great job CityWonders with two of the most enthusiastic tour guides I have ever met!

I had such a terrific time on this tour, I almost signed up for another day tour with two other travelers I met.  We had a fantastic time on the way there, as well as on the way back. Of the Castles we visited…my favorite was…

Definitely a Palace made for ME….and oh the gardens……

Now you know how I just Be Paris.  I am certain that the next time I visit, I will have a bigger toolkit and more stories to share. In the meantime, where is the place where you can just Be?

Slowly checking back into reality……

Teri, Cottage In The Court

Learn more about soloflighting

Be adventurous with Black Paris Tours

Click to find out more about DiscoverParis

Discover Don’t Be A Tourist In Paris

Explore City Wonders Paris Tours

Look here to find fabric deals in Paris les-coupons-de-Saint-Pierre

 

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Loire Valley…Countryside Beauty in France

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The Loire Valley, just outside Paris should be on your make time to do list when visiting Paris, France. The Loire Valley had remained a mystery to me – what was it famous for and why, what grows there and what is the temperature like. City Wonders Tours offered a Loire Valley Castles & Winetasting Full Day Trip Tour. What better way to explore the Loire Valley. The opportunity to visit three Castles – Chateau de Chambord, Chateau de Nitray, and Chateau de Chenonceau without driving, was certainly  treat.

Chateau de Chambord

Chateau de Chambord…The King only lived here 72 days…

Daniel and Kotryna, City Wonders guides, filled us in on some juicy tidbits of  history and information. King Francis definitely wanted to make certain you KNEW whose Castle this belonged to.

View from above overlooking the vast estate of King Francis…only a portion mind you…72 days…
These are the stairs that took you to the top where there were many walkways for optimum viewing pleasure…72 days….unbelievable
Truly a grand Chateau and the garden….was gorgeous!

Recently renovated, the garden was long and colorful. Full of pollinator plants and wonderfully pruned trees.

Placard describing the restoration plan…
There were a lot of the perennials that we use in our gardens stateside.
carefully pruned trees created an allee, defining the exterior edge of this garden.

The Castle itself had very little inside. All of the furniture that King Francis used was brought in and went with him when he left. During wartime, anything that remained was sold, stolen or has not been recovered – yet. There was this beautiful stove of sorts that had been restored which would heat certain rooms. not like our wood stoves mind you, but a floor to ceiling model – that Castle was COLD! Just goes to show you, consider your climate when admiring homes from lands far away in different climates. Keeping up with the Joneses goes waaaaay back!

Chateau de Nitray

Respecting that Chateau de Nitray is a private home, I will refrain from sharing the beauty that was found on this property. It is certainly a must see!

Currently a private home with an operating winery and food…

Nestled on a lane off the main road, was our mid-day stop that included our first tasting and lunch. We were greeted by the Owner who proved to be a gracious host. We first sampled Chateau de Nitray Touraine Sauvignon – light, citrus fragrance and smooth. The smell of hearty food was in the air and our host explained that we would be served Chateau de Nitray Touraine Les Meuriers with our lunch.

Oh the lunch! The tomato’s, new potato’s and perfectly cooked chicken was delicious!!
Served from this table with large pans overflowing with local goodness.

I have to share – I had two helpings of the tomato’s – I did not eat stewed tomato’s….until now. Perfectly seasoned tomato’s, the potato’s, accompanied by the chicken – heaven on a plate! Did I mention the cheese board and bread?

There is correct way to slice cheese and a correct placement of the bread. Ask me for the details….

The goat cheese just danced across the bread and the cheese round melted on my tongue…just delightful! With full bellies, we did our best to help the local economy and left with bottles of delicious wines for later. Nothing wrong with making the memory linger.

Chateau de Chenonceau

Our final stop of the day was at Chateau de Chenonceau. In my humble opinion, City Wonders saved the best of the Loire Valley for last.

This is the kind of Castle that brings a smile to any Princess’s face.

First had another wine tasting…

The wine cellar greeted us for the day’s second wine tasting in the Loire Valley.
Daniel led our group in tasting the whites and the reds offered.

As we left the wine cellar, we headed towards the Castle…and were in awe!

Daniel told me earlier in the day that this was most likely the Castle I would love the best – HE WAS SO RIGHT!

From the foyer with restored floor….

A photo of the restored floor due to the high level of visitors…
The sides of the foyer had original tiles left tin place. I touched the original floor of a Princess…

The floral arrangements were voluptuous….

The floral arrangement in the foyer….bodacious

The painting that brought out the beautiful attributes of the reigning wife of King Henri, son of King Francis hangs in the bedroom of Queen Catherine de Medici. Quite the contrast between Diana de Portier, Duchess of Etampes who was considered beautiful. Keeping in mind that beauty in these days was pale white skin, no eyebrows, hair plucked for the appearance of a big forehead and pale skin. I think that someone did not like the competition.

Competition was fierce and seriously not kind. This was supposed to be a flattering image of Catherine de Medici….hmmm Not the best photo.
The bed of Catherine de Médicis

Throughout the bedroom, there were a lot of “C’s and H’s”. Talk about marking your territory…these letters were everywhere. The flowers chosen to accent the rooms from the property were outstanding!

This arrangement was beside the bed in the bedroom of Queen Catherine de Médicis.
Arrangement in one of the sitting rooms. The scent of the lilies drew you into this room…

Drawn outside where the canoes lazily graced the surrounding waters, I explored the grounds and gardens.To the gardens……

The gardens to the left of this phenomenal Castle.
One combination that really caught my eye….

The amazement of Wisteria in full bloom…

Wisteria after the visit of the bees….
Such abundant bloom accompanied by an orchestra of bees…….

Then, there was the other garden…..

Up close and personal gardens that emitted an intoxicating smell that drew you in…
Signs that reminded one to not walk on the grass…
This garden to the right of the Castle is where I would have hidden. Immersing myself into the magnificent grandeur and beauty of Chateau Chenonceau.

Unfortunately, we had to head back to the bus and head back to Paris. The thoughts of the day – the Castles, the food and the wine made for quite the conversation among strangers.

Thank you City Wonders (Daniel and Kotryna) for a terrific day in the Loire Valley.

Here are a few links to find out more:

City Wonders Tours

Chateau Chambord

Chateau de Nitray

Chateau de Chenonceau

Diane de Poitiers

Catherine de Medici

Recapping my day in the Loire Valley,

Teri, Cottage In The Court

 

 

 

 

 

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