TORONTO,PARIS,STRASBOURG,SALZBURG,MUNICH & VILLEFRANCHE

AND A VISIT TO QUESNEL VIA WHISTLER

12.09.2011 - 13.11.2011

First stop on this adventure was Toronto where I visited my son, Doug and his family. We went to grandson Cameron's first football game of the season, cycled to the waterfront, walked all over and had a family dinner with grandkids Tanya and her husband Powin, Shannon, Cameron and Caroline as well as great grandkids Justin, Ethan, Spencer and Riley. Also there were Justin and Cameron's girlfriends. All this was held under the calm and capable direction of daughter-in-law Linda. I had a session with Doug's personal trainer to up-date my weight training routine which hadn't been changed in 17 years. Now I should be set at least until I am 100.

Heather and I met in Paris and took the train to Strasbourg, a wonderful city, which, along with Brussels, is headquarters of the European Parliament. It is in the Alsace region and well worth a visit. We also went to Colmar, home of Albert Schweitzer, to tour the vineyards during the harvest and stole a few grapes and drank some wine too. Once again we rented bikes in Strasbourg and found it a great place to cycle.

Then it was another train trip, this time to Salzburg. I can't imagine any better way to get around in Europe than by train and it's cheap as well. We went to Salzburg, home of Mozart,to visit Heather's son Tait and his wife Sego and Heather's first grandchild, Leopoldine. A good time was had by all. After four days we went to Munich for Oktoberfest. Don't ask me why it is held in September. This event has been held in the same location for 200 years. It's all dirndle skirts, liederhosen, oom-pah-pah music, beer and bratwurst. What Fun!

Then it was off to Villefranche for four weeks at the Institut de Francais. This was my fifth time at this intensive language school so I won't repeat what I've said previously except to say it was as good as ever. Our apartment was very near the school and overlooked the natural harbour and beyond that the Mediterranean. We went to Cannes and rented lounges and an umbrella on the beach and we also swam a few times after school in Villefranche. What a life! One weekend we went to Genoa, Italy and the beautiful fishing village of Camogli. Also we went to Saint Paul de Vence where Heather and I connected last year.Throughout my time in Europe we visited many museums and art galleries, attended concerts and plays and a few movies too.

Heather came to Vancouver with me for three weeks before returning to Oakville. It's been an interesting time for us being in my apartment and we are learning lots about each other. We drove to Quesnel via Whistler where we stayed overnight and then through the mountains to the Cariboo region of British Columbia. So now Heather has met my daughter Melinda,who lives there, her husband Wayne and my granddaughter Andrea and her daughters Makenzie and Erika. Our visit went very well and the drive was spectacular. It was terrific to be able to get together with Heather's sisters, Jean, who lives in Vancouver, and Janet who lives in Sooke but was in Vancouver for a conference. Also we had my grandsons Michael and Chip over for dinner. Keep tuned, I am going to Oakville December 5th for a month. Heather will then meet the rest of my family. Strasbourg, 2011