Ready or Not

 New trips planned and not quite packed up yet.

First stop - Ireland for two weeks of exploration and adventure.  Can’t wait to see the castles and prehistoric settlement mounds - the kind of history we just don’t have here.  My hubby is travelling with me for these first two weeks - mostly we’ll be making up our itinerary as we go along and also travelling pretty light.  I can’t wait to get there and tell you all about it.

Second stop -  Camino revisited.  I hope to start out from St. Jean on September 14 and have more than one month to arrive at Santiago.  I do hope it cools off a bit in Europe in the next month or I’ll need all of those extra days.  Here’s a general look at the route ... just a wee stroll.

For those who have read my blogs of old, you’ll know that I spent 12 days on the Camino in 2013 and walked approximately 300 km, ending in Burgos.  I considered beginning in Burgos - but those first 200 km are SO beautiful that I really would like to experience them again.  And since I’m now under-employed/retired I have the luxury of time to do with as I please ... mostly, anyway!

Stay tuned for the fun and adventures ahead!

Renaissance Indeed!

If you read about my first "Air B&B" experience in Winnipeg (see "(Making) Accomodation(s)"), this serves as Air B&B's full redemption.

My host, M., has been most helpful, generous and kind.  She picked me up about three seconds after my bus arrived in Niagara Falls - even though her house is less than two blocks away she didn't want me to have to walk.

Her home, fairly new to her, is a lovely three story in the "Bed and Breakfast" district of Niagara Falls.  It's beautiful inside and out - and the bathroom is completely equipped - with towels and everything!

My sweet little room with a comfy daybed.

In addition to being a consummate host and generous human being, M. has a way with a story and is handy with a turn of phrase.  I have had a lot of good laughs and free entertainment since arriving.  To add to the experience, two lovely young women from the UK were here for 3 of my 5 days - E. & K., twins headed to Pittsburgh via Boston, New York and other places.  We had a lovely time together with only minimal translation services required.  

Add caption

Two of England's Roses

M. has been our chauffeur, tour guide, entertainment and chef.  Last night she made us all a lovely dinner as it was E. & K.'s last night in Niagara Falls.  Then we had a technology party and got M. onto What'sApp, shared some dessert - I'd found these on my Wine tour the day before ...

Lifting a glass of Niagara ice wine as we toasted a lovely time together!

Notice the posh table setting - candles and the whole nine yards.  M. always goes out of her way to make it all very special.

Some of M.'s stories ... 

My time here has been refreshing because of the landscape, the exercise and the new things I've seen.  It's been memorable because of the people I've met and the friends I've made.

Moral of the story:  Give Air B&B a try.  It's like a box of chocolates (or a box of cakes).  You never know what you're going to get.

Sunday night - M. drove us down to thefalls to watch the fireworks.

The fancy cakes - it's not an egg - it's a fondant pumpkin on a wee pumpking cheesecake.  Oh so good...

And one final bit of wisdom shared by a friend ...