Tuesday, Oct 23 Up late again. Have to stop reading my ereader so late at night. It does take my mind off the karaoke singers (who aren't very good - even I can tell) who seem to start up around 11 pm and go until 1 am. The sounds come in through the back window that's right over the bed. Anyway we decided our plan would be to walk around Montmartre and ponder going up the dome and then do a sketch somewhere and have lunch. I really wanted time in a few special stores in that area. Got off the Metro at a station that I thought was behind Sacre Coeur so we could walk down to it rather than hike the hill. Majorly wrong choice twice over. We came at it from the east ... read more

Oct 21, Sunday A bit late starting out but the time change hasn't affected us much, although as I type Ross is having his nap before bed again. Walked out and intended to head straight to Luxembourg Gardens but at our local street market it was art market day. Spent an hour looking at all the interesting sculptures, acrylics. oils and mixed media. Loved one painting but a wee bit pricey. Walked on to the gardens and was not too impressed until we got to the main area. What a people place. Seems like most of the population was out playing, reading, relaxing, sailing. Dawdled here sketching and people watching. Slowly wandered until we found a lunch place. Great food but a tight squeeze with close small tables. We had galettes - a little like crepes. ... read more

Everything was ready to go and catch the Skytrain to the airport - only one last thing to add to the suitcase. Could not remember what it was and checked all my lists but everything was there. Oh well off to the airport. Sitting in the waiting area and yes - I forgot a jacket or coat or even sweater. Hmmm - how many Euros for a coat in Paris? In the waiting area I told Ross he needed to download the Westjet app so he could have entertainment on the plane. I had done it early in the morning. Then we both checked our headphones so we wouldn't blast our choices all over the plane. Mine worked and I was happy because I could never get it to work on my old computer. Ross could ... read more

Wed, Nov 23 Drove to 3 different beautiful quiet beaches - each one a perfect movie-type location. Had a late lunch at the KariKari Carrington Winery (going back there soon!) Rest of the day reading and all that relaxing kind of stuff. Thur, Nov 24 Drove to Hokene to do the Wairere Boulder walk. Got lost and after about 10km down a gravel road a very kind lady stopped her car and pointed us back in the opposite direction. Not really my fault as the road signs were very misleading and neither Ross nor I saw the big bold sign on the hill pointing to the Wairere Walk. Interesting walk and surprise, not as long as they said. Glad I took my poles with me or I would have been twice as long. Then off the ... read more

November 12, Saturday Had the house all cleaned for C&E to dogsit, bags packed and the rain subsided as we walked to the Seabus. Timely connections and we were at the airport 3 hours ahead of time as I like for international flights. Minor line up and my suitcase was underweight. THEN the agent explained our passports would have to be checked. Not worried they were only a year old and good for 10 years. Seems there's a half cm waterdrop on Ross' photo and on mine the nose is rather indistinct (a good thing I thought) due to water damage. Clerk 1 consulted with clerk 2 who then called the supervisor. She spent 5 to 10 minutes talking with others and then came and asked us a few questions about the purpose of our trip. ... read more