1. That’s what happens when you buy a holiday home — you never get to go anywhere else — similar to being an expat — your holidays are always back ‘home’.
2. I trust the home exchanger coming to Paris has been given meticulous instructions on the care of maidenhair ferns, or are you confidently expecting it to be dead by then?
Fraussie
January 17th, 2013 at 9:50 am
1. I’ve decreed a total ban on any more renovations until we’re living there. We decided in advance that last year would be devoted to Blois, but that’s definitely finished now!
2. Don’t depress me. But we’re only going for 6 days so it might survive. Every time I think of you, I go and spray it!
Bon voyage! Your next trip sounds wonderful. Will be interested in what you think of Easy Jet (we haven’t used it yet, either) … and so interesting re your reference to Michel Thomas as I recently read a brilliant review of his French learning program.
Like you I *love* living in Europe (UK, Paris …) because of the proximity of other countries and interesting places! It really is so dramatically different from living in Australia, beautiful as that is … sigh.
Cheers and see you soon. Take care and safe travels.
Fraussie
January 17th, 2013 at 9:59 am
Thanks Carolyn. Relationnel really improved his English with Michel Thomas and I’ve used both the Italian and Spanish courses now. They correspond so well to today’s on-the-move media-focussed public!
You have to read the previous post (and the whole series, starting with the Natural Skinnies and Us, then How I Lost 20 kilos after 50, for good parts 1 to 6!
Pat in Toulouse
January 16th, 2013 at 9:48 pm
I will follow the comments on this post very closely, as I am also bound for a week-end in Barcelona in February! I’m going with a friend, her teenage daughter and my own teenage daughter. 🙂
Two things I think you should know:
I’ve been told by a friend who went last month that they really don’t speak Spanish in Barcelona. They understand it, of course, but they reply in French or English if you don’t speak Catalan.
Also, Easyjet allows only one carry-on in total, no “personal item” except your coat. That means your handbag must fit inside the carry-on! I flew to Nantes with Easyjet in October and I was really lucky that I had left some space in my carry-on for a few books I wanted to borrow from my friend in Nantes. Otherwise I would have had to check the bag and pay an additional fee.
Fraussie
January 17th, 2013 at 9:54 am
I had forgotten about the Catalan. It’ll be great if they speak French to Relationnel! I won’t have to do all the talking.
Thanks for the tip on Easyjet. We’ve paid for one suitcase in the hold but will each have cabin baggage.
Two teenagers in tow sounds a bit of a handful!
The only person I actually know from Barcelona only speaks Catalan and English. He doesn’t speak French, even though his girlfriend is French. They communicate in English. I’ve no idea how typical he is (quite possibly not very…)
Redfern
January 17th, 2013 at 9:12 am
Brava!
Fraussie
January 17th, 2013 at 9:54 am
For the kilo or Barcelona?
Gara in Sydney
January 17th, 2013 at 8:53 pm
Barcelona is wonderful – I spent a week there last June, staying in a little hotel on Las Ramblas – so convenient for everything. Do go on the ‘hop-on hop-off’ bus tours – there are 3 different routes, all starting at Playa Catalunya. I particularly recommend the Blue Route which takes you round all the wonderful Gaudi buildings. Get off at Sagrada Familia cathedral (watch out for pickpockets) and it is well worth going inside even if there is a queue. It is amazing. Also get off at Parc Guell and explore. You are going at a good time of year – you won’t have queues everywhere. Enjoy!
1. That’s what happens when you buy a holiday home — you never get to go anywhere else — similar to being an expat — your holidays are always back ‘home’.
2. I trust the home exchanger coming to Paris has been given meticulous instructions on the care of maidenhair ferns, or are you confidently expecting it to be dead by then?
1. I’ve decreed a total ban on any more renovations until we’re living there. We decided in advance that last year would be devoted to Blois, but that’s definitely finished now!
2. Don’t depress me. But we’re only going for 6 days so it might survive. Every time I think of you, I go and spray it!
Bon voyage! Your next trip sounds wonderful. Will be interested in what you think of Easy Jet (we haven’t used it yet, either) … and so interesting re your reference to Michel Thomas as I recently read a brilliant review of his French learning program.
Like you I *love* living in Europe (UK, Paris …) because of the proximity of other countries and interesting places! It really is so dramatically different from living in Australia, beautiful as that is … sigh.
Cheers and see you soon. Take care and safe travels.
Thanks Carolyn. Relationnel really improved his English with Michel Thomas and I’ve used both the Italian and Spanish courses now. They correspond so well to today’s on-the-move media-focussed public!
Looking forward to seeing you in March.
@AussieFrance 1 kilo down… How’d you do it!?!?!
You have to read the previous post (and the whole series, starting with the Natural Skinnies and Us, then How I Lost 20 kilos after 50, for good parts 1 to 6!
I will follow the comments on this post very closely, as I am also bound for a week-end in Barcelona in February! I’m going with a friend, her teenage daughter and my own teenage daughter. 🙂
Two things I think you should know:
I’ve been told by a friend who went last month that they really don’t speak Spanish in Barcelona. They understand it, of course, but they reply in French or English if you don’t speak Catalan.
Also, Easyjet allows only one carry-on in total, no “personal item” except your coat. That means your handbag must fit inside the carry-on! I flew to Nantes with Easyjet in October and I was really lucky that I had left some space in my carry-on for a few books I wanted to borrow from my friend in Nantes. Otherwise I would have had to check the bag and pay an additional fee.
I had forgotten about the Catalan. It’ll be great if they speak French to Relationnel! I won’t have to do all the talking.
Thanks for the tip on Easyjet. We’ve paid for one suitcase in the hold but will each have cabin baggage.
Two teenagers in tow sounds a bit of a handful!
The only person I actually know from Barcelona only speaks Catalan and English. He doesn’t speak French, even though his girlfriend is French. They communicate in English. I’ve no idea how typical he is (quite possibly not very…)
Brava!
For the kilo or Barcelona?
Barcelona is wonderful – I spent a week there last June, staying in a little hotel on Las Ramblas – so convenient for everything. Do go on the ‘hop-on hop-off’ bus tours – there are 3 different routes, all starting at Playa Catalunya. I particularly recommend the Blue Route which takes you round all the wonderful Gaudi buildings. Get off at Sagrada Familia cathedral (watch out for pickpockets) and it is well worth going inside even if there is a queue. It is amazing. Also get off at Parc Guell and explore. You are going at a good time of year – you won’t have queues everywhere. Enjoy!
Thank you for all those suggestions!