London- Horseback Riding

July 23, 2011

Hello!

Today was a great way to spend time with horses and in parks. We started our day with a nice taxi ride to Hyde Park Stables, where we met our horses. My horse's name was Blue and was always ready to go. Mom was atop Monty, a astounding black and white horse. Paige rode Teddy-Bear, probably named after his sweet nature! THen we headed off to Hyde Park and had a lovely ride around the park. We even got to trot! After our adventure, we headed to Waterstones (bookshop) and then headed back to Hyde park to relax and read. Mom even took a nap! Then, we had pizza at our lovely apartment. What a lovely day!

Goodbye!

~*~MILLY

Riding in a taxi

Paige on Teddy-Bear

Me on Blue

Heading out

Teddy-Bear!

Blue!

Reading at the park

London- Getting There

July 22, 2011

Hello!

Today was a long day of traveling, again. Waking up at oh-dark-hundred was not easy. I almost fell asleep during our good-bye's to the groggy Cohens. Then, a 45 minute car ride to Valance to catch our train. We got there so ahead of time, we were able to relax at a cafe and have breakfast. Then two long train rides before we finally arrived in London. Then we took the tube to an etchings church where we were able to do brass rubbing. I choose a simple celtic design, Mom choose Lady Anne Boelyn, Paige choose a dragon, and Dad tackled the hard task of a griffin. All turned out beautiful. On our walk back home, we pasted many interesting street perfumers and a green wall! It was, literally, a wall made out of real plants! It was amazing. Then we walked by the pump that started the cholera epidemic in London. Then, dinner and back to the hotel! I was asleep before my head hit the pillow!

Bye!

~*~MILLY

Mom holding her brass rubbing 

Me and my brass rubbing

Dad's finally finished brass rubbing 

Ship in a bottle!

The green wall.

A street performer 

The pump

It was a long day!

France - Last Day

July 21st, 2011

Bonjour!

Today was, sadly, our last day in France. The other family we are staying with, the Cohens, are staying one more week while we are heading to London and then HOME! Today, was a swim day. I probably stayed ALL day in the wonderful pool! Oh, I love having a pool in our backyard! It stays at a consistent temperature of 82 degrees F. In the pool, we are usually playing one of these games ; 500, baseball, monkey-in-the-middle, or just splashing each other. I have to say that I will indeed miss the Cohens yet I can't wait till we get home! I think I miss my cats the most! Today is such a bittersweet day! But at least we ended it on a good note: S'MORES! These s'mores were the BEST s'mores I have ever had, and I've had a lot! It kind of sad now, France is like over and I don't think we're coming back!

Au revior France!

~*~MILLY

Our hose and the fire pit thing

Mom packing up!

The much loved pool

Me and our bouncy ball

Cooking s'mores

Yum!

Good-bye France!

France-Roman Ruins

July 20th, 2011

Bonjour!

Today we traveled to the southern part of France. First thing on our agenda, yet another marketplace. This one was most definitely the most crowded of all. In my opinion, it was too crowded to enjoy the experience and shop. After a small detour to a smoothy place, we hit the road again, this time going some place less modern. We were headed towards the ruins of a ancient Roman town. The ruins were amazing and beautiful and hot! We, in our heads, kept asking, how did they build this? There were no modern technologies or machines the aid them, yet the Romans managed to create wonderful buildings that past the test of time. Next stop, water! This time we were heading towards a river to cool down. We also were there to see another ancient Roman thing, an aqueduct! This amazing monstrosity was just so cool to see. Especially because of how nice that water looked. Before you could say WOW, we were heading towards the water. The freezing water felt delightful after standing in the burning sun. There was even a "diving board" for us on the other side.  Just amazing!

Au revior!

~*~MILLY

Mom and Paige weaving their way through the crowded marketplace

One of the amazing ruins still standing today!

Us and the ruin

Part of the village

This building looks slightly burnt. I wonder why!

The amazing Aqueduct!

Paige and I jumping off our "diving board"

It was cold!!!

France-Pottery,Cafe and more!

July 19th, 2011

Bonjour!

Today was a slow and rainy day, but we still managed to fit in few things, in between pouring showers. The afternoon was when our small adventure began. After being dragged out of the house, not literally, we headed to a thrift store in Clouisclaw and then to many pottery shops. Along the way, we came across an interesting "No Dragon" sign. After that, we headed to Marsanne and to a cafe. There we had coffee, not me, and I enjoyed rich chocolate cake. Yum! Next stop, GIANT wind-turbines!!!!!! THis wind-powered giants were amazing to see in person! They are HUGE!!!!!!!!! SO BIG!!!! Then, to get warm, we started a nice fire. After getting very warm, I froze myself by jumping into the pool to collect two 2-Euro coins! Brrrrr!

Au revoir!

~*~MILLY

Paige and I posing by the "No Dragon" sign

Pottery!

Mom enjoying an Expresso

Me tasting coffee for the first time, BLAH!

Wind-Turbines

The warming fire and the firemakers (Paige and Ari)

France-Chocolate, Castle and Go Karting

July 18th

Bonjour!

Today, our dreams of chocolate came true! The ever illusive chocolate factory finally was open today! After many days of our dreams being cursed (dramatized) we finally we able to smell the scent of warm chocolate as we walked through open doors. Although we could not get a tour, the chocolate was worth it! We bought so much stuff, we even got some free things, like coco powder and a box of truffles! After being stuffed with all the free samples possible, we made our way down a winding road to 'The Crazy Man's Castle'. Altough it was interesting and pretty, I do not thing it was worth it at all. If you lived close enough, sure, it would be fun to do, but not if you live far away. After a kind of dissapointment, we went to a small park and had a picnic. After that can the main attraction : Go Karting!!!!! Even though I was just a little bit terrified when I stepped into the car, it was amazing! The first few laps, i went as slow as a snail, but by the second round, I was tearing around corners with breakneak speed. Well, maybe not that fast! It was a very fun way to end an otherwise o.k day!!!!! FUN!

Au revior!

~*~MILLY

Chocolate Factory!!!!!!

Crazy Man's Castle

More of Crazy Man's Castle

Paige and I in front of Crazy Man's Castle

"Isn't it fashionable?" (Me wearing a hair net)

"Wait, which one is the brake?" (Ari Cohen)

"You are so not going to pass me" (Josh's "driving" face)

VROOM! (Paige in the kart)

"How fast is the speed of sound?" (Me driving Kart #33)

France-Picnic

July 14, 2011

Bonjour!

The day started with dreams of chocolate, but ended with wine.

We headed out bright and early for the ever elusive chocolate factory. Ferme, closed, the sign said, our smiles quickly turning into frowns. What do we do now? I wondered. Luckily, parents always have a plan B. Soon we found ourselves picnicking away at the top of a slight hill, in the midst of a vineyard. The view of the town was astounding and the food great! The smiles quickly appeared on all of our weary faces. A small walk away, we were greeted by the sight of a small family chapel and stopped to take many pictures. A day quickly turned from bad to good ended with chocolate……..from a grocery store. Yum!

Au revoir!

Picnic with the Cohens

Rows of grape vines

The small family chapel

GRAPES!!!!!

Paige and the grapes

Us with the grape vines in the background

More rows of grape vines