{"id":5176,"date":"2021-02-20T17:03:59","date_gmt":"2021-02-20T17:03:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/?page_id=5176"},"modified":"2021-02-22T17:39:13","modified_gmt":"2021-02-22T17:39:13","slug":"les-vacances-du-deux-personnes-jackie-et-robert-part-two","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/3-2\/travel\/les-vacances-du-deux-personnes-jackie-et-robert-part-two\/","title":{"rendered":"Les Vacances du Deux Personnes, Jackie et Robert &#8211; Part two"},"content":{"rendered":"<!-- Added by Post\/Page Specific Custom Code plugin, thank you for using! -->\n<style>.jackie {\r\n background-color: #ddd;\r\nmargin-left: 26px;\r\n}\r\n.entry-content {\r\nwidth:80% !important;\r\nfloat:left !important;\r\n}\r\n.page-links a {\r\n    border: 1px solid darkslategrey;\r\n    margin: 3px;\r\n    padding: 0px 6px;\r\n    background-color: #e4ca6c;\r\n}<\/style>\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/les-vacances-du-deux-personnes-jackie-et-robert-part-one\/\">Read part one here.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">NICE<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We arrive in Nice about 3:00 and got a car. Drove up to Michel\u2019s around 5:00 PM, just in time for Pastis. Le pere du Vinyette est ici avec his girlfriend. Her father is wonderful. He is seventy three and going strong. He is building a rock wall in the garden.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall-1024x715.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5205 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"358\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall-1024x715.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall-768x536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall-1536x1072.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rockwall.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/358;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Gilbert, Bernadette and Vianyette working on the rock wall<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>His girlfriend\u2019s name is Bernadette and she is very nice also. Michel arrived home from work and he and I left to get Corrine and then pick up a sofa bed for Jackie and I. He had given it away when he bought new living room furniture, but told his friends who received it that they would have to let him borrow it back for our use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The friend has an old beat up van that he used to return the sofa. The backdoors were barely on, one was hanging by a single hinge and had to be tied shut. But the truck ran well and they showed up around eight with the bed. We were having Pastis with them and Michel asked if I would like to perform magic for them (as if there was any doubt.) I dazzled them for awhile then they left. A quick dinner was prepared consisting of jambon, et tomato avec mozzarella, et (comment dit on \u201cbeets\u201d). We had rose wine and then red wine with cheese for desert. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5204 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"356\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs-1536x1069.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/aperitifs.jpg 1814w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/356;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Gilbert and Bernadette getting ready for aperitifs<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Shortly after dinner Jackie and I turned in. The sofa bed leaves something to be desired. It was pretty uncomfortable. This evening we are going to try sleeping the opposite direction to see if it makes any difference. Jackie must not have had much sleep as she conked out in the car this morning. I eventually had to pull over and we both took a short nap. This was after we visited Gourdon. We were early in Gourdon so nothing was open. We then drove up into the mountains to a ski resort that was pretty well deserted this time of year. After our nap we drove down to St. Paul du Vence. With the dollar so weak everything is very expensive. We spent about 2.5 hours in St. Paul, having a small lunch there. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunch in a French restaurant is always interesting. This lunch we were joined by a cat that sat on the bench next to Jackie throughout the meal. Somehow, I don\u2019t know how exactly, some food leapt off our plates onto the bench. When it was apparent that we were done, the cat calmly jumped down and went over to a table with two young Japanese women. It jumped up on the back of their bench to demand it\u2019s due. I took a picture with their camera for them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We then drove back to Valbonne. We looked for a place to exchange Jackie\u2019s travelers checks but it was too late for that. We also drove to a \u201csupermarche\u201d and bought Jackie some toothpaste. We also bought a bottle of Pastise, a bottle of red wine (St. Emillon) and some fromage (all for 122 FF or about $30.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We arrived back at the house about 5 PM. Jackie has been reading but just got up to go in for a nap. I&#8217;ll put down the journal and read a few chapters of \u201cToujours Provence.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WEDNESDAY MORNING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m sitting at the breakfast table with Bernadette, Vianyette and Gilbert (Vianyette\u2019s father.) Breakfast is a bowl of coffee and baguettes toasted and covered with butter and jam. Corrine just joined us. She has cut her hair since the last time I visited. She is eating a bowl of cereal for breakfast.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When greeting each other in the morning, friends and family will either greet with a handshake or kisses on the cheeks. Knowing which to do requires practice. For example, this morning, Vianyette\u2019s father shook my hand ( handshakes are usually done between men), Vianyette simply said good morning because she knows that Americans are not always comfortable with cheek kissing, Bernadette shook my hand (kissing be reserved for close friends and family). When Corrine arrived she kissed her mother on the cheeks affectionately, touched cheeks and made kissing sounds with Bernadette three times, then with me twice and with her grandfather twice (but actually kissing him.) It\u2019s a nice ritual but is difficult to follow. I have greater respect for dogs now, as they must have studied with the French in order to exceed them in ritual greeting behavior.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Last night Jackie awoke from her nap and joined us for Pastis. She is acquiring a taste for it. I may corrupt her yet and turn her from being a granola head (but I doubt it.) Dinner was great as usual. Something just thrown together. Poached fish with a white sauce, melon, ratatouille, small potatoes, cheese and wine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ah, the sun is trying to peek through the clouds. We may yet see some good weather. Today I want to take Jackie to Monaco. We need to stop in Nice and change some money, we also need to buy some gas. Tomorrow we will return the rental car. We will spend the morning in Antibe and then return the car. We can arrange for Vianyette to pick us up. The next day I think we will hike to Biot and back. We haven\u2019t gotten much exercise since England. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monaco 1:30<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Relaxing at a little side walk cafe, overlooking the port of Monaco. There are hundreds of beautiful yachts moored in the port and across the way is the palace of Monaco, which is our destination. The sky is still overcast and doesn\u2019t look like it will burn off. Apparently the barometer is rising, so maybe we will have sun by the weekend. I\u2019m actually glad it is not sunny now, it would be too hot hiking around the city! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco-1024x710.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5199 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"355\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco-768x532.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco-1536x1064.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/Yachts-moored-at-Monaco.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/355;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Yachts moored at Monaco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Lunch was heaven on a plate. I got lucky and what I got was what I was hoping I had ordered. Creamy pesto on linguini. Bob also had a great lunch of taglionia with salmon cream sauce. We enjoyed an appetizer of tomatoes basil and fresh mozzarella with olive oil and vinegar. Bob is awaiting his coffee. During lunch we heard at least four different languages &#8211; French, German, English and Italian. The money in this area is staggering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco-1024x718.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5198 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"359\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco-1024x718.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco-768x539.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco-1536x1078.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/restaurantinmonoco.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/359;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Restaurant in Monaco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Our sleeping experiences have been difficult while at Michel\u2019s. Last night we use the couch cushions to give us some extra padding. It helped, but we kept being sucked into the middle and having to climb out to the sides. We are going to just sleep on the two couches tonight &#8211; hope it\u2019s better.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">The drive through Nice and the other small cities was very picturesque this afternoon. Most all of the buildings and villas are stucco with Terra Cotta tile roofs. Set against the greenery of the cliffs and surrounding mountains it is quite beautiful. The road here was a bit intimidating. Most of it was through mountains or set against sheer cliffs &#8211; beautiful and scary. Bob did great navigating the roads. He was much more aggressive driving here than he normally is back home. Port of Monaco<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco-1024x706.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5196 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"353\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco-1024x706.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco-300x207.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco-768x529.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco-1536x1058.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/portofmonaco.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/353;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Port of Monaco<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Ah the joy of driving in a French city. We needed to change money at the Kuwaiti\/French Bank on the Blvd. de la Anglais in Nice. It was impossible to park so I dropped Jackie at the curb thinking I could just whip down the avenue and do a U-turn back. I should have known better. I had turned into a side street to drop Jackie off, following two other cars. The street abruptly ended without notice at a pedestrian zone. Everyone was trying to back up or turn around. The street was narrow with cars parked on both sides. I finally managed to extricate myself. I had to turn right, back at the Blvd. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I drove about a mile down looking for a place to make a U-turn. I finally gave up and turned right again, back into the city. Driving in a French city requires a suicidal disregard for your own life. I went a few blocks and turned right again. I drove what I hoped would be far enough to have passed the bank and turned right towards the Blvd. I ended up about one block the wrong side of the bank, and there was no way to turn left, so I had to turn right, back on the Blvd. So down the Blvd. I went again. Farther this time, looking for a U-turn, but to no avail. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So I turned again into the city, driving a little farther in this time. Turned right to head towards the bank and drive until I hit a pedestrian zone and had to turn right again, towards the Blvd. This brought back me to the same point, about one block on the wrong side of the bank. Again I had to turn right. Again I drove down the Blvd., but this time I didn\u2019t bother looking for a U- turn, I just took the first right I could, back into the city. I drove as far in as I could, trying to get around the pedestrian zone, turned right, drove almost to the port of : Nice (a long way), turned right and finally managed to make it back to the Blvd., this time on the right side of the bank. It took me about 20 minutes to do all of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When I got back to Jackie, who was waiting outside of the bank, she said she had been worried about me. But when I saw her standing there, it wasn\u2019t a worried look I saw, is was mad. It didn\u2019t help her disposition any that she hadn\u2019t eaten earlier this morning. She was quite a grouch until we found a restaurant for lunch. Jackie wrote about lunch so I won&#8217;t bother here. As typical, the food was great but the service was lacking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spent the afternoon walking around Monaco. The problem with Monaco is that it is too crowded with tourists and there is really not much to see. The palace is disappointing and the casino is like Las Vegas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">WEDNESDAY NIGHT<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Dinner was roast pork with potatoes and a salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Good, but not exactly low fat and healthy. Corrine commented that it wasn\u2019t a \u201cdiet\u201d meal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">I&#8217;ve asked Michel to suggest an adventure. Hes got the map out and is showing Bob how to get there. It is a prehistoric site that we have to go through Italy to get to. I would love to, but I\u2019m afraid it might be tough to get Bob to agree if we have to wait until Saturday. Apparently it is an all day trip\u2026 we want to make sure we are here Friday night. Michel\u2019s parents are coming in to visit and are bringing a lot of seafood for a big dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">This map is very big and is somewhat intimidating. But, Bob and Michel are still looking\u2026 maybe. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday-1024x715.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5195 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"358\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday-1024x715.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday-768x536.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday-1536x1072.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/358;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Rainy day in Nice<a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/rainyday.jpg\"><\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>What weather! The sky is gray and it is raining\u2026 \u201c woke up this morning to the sound of thunder, how far off I sat and wondered..\u201d I think summer is over in Provence. With it raining our plans may have to change. We need to return the car this morning (actually by 3:00 PM.) Jackie wants to go to the post office in Valbonne. We had planned to do that then take the car back and catch a bus into Nice. We would spend the day walking around the old village and catch a train to Biot around six. From there we would call the house for a ride. I don\u2019t think Jackie will want to walk around the old city if it is raining.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Bernadette has come in. We are having breakfast inside, in the kitchen this morning. Bernadette touched cheeks with me three times this morning. Despite thunder and torrential downpour this morning it is a perfect day with clear blue sky and a light marine breeze. We\u2019ve spent a wonderful afternoon walking in Old Nice. The village is beautiful with its narrow alley ways, bright colored buildings and long flights of brick stairs up to the churches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps-727x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5194 lazyload\" width=\"364\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps-727x1024.jpg 727w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps-213x300.jpg 213w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps-768x1082.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps-1090x1536.jpg 1090w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps.jpg 1263w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 364px) 100vw, 364px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 364px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 364\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Steps in Old Nice<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#foogallery-gallery-5197 .fg-image { width: 150px; }\n#foogallery-gallery-5197 { --fg-gutter: 10px; }<\/style>\n\t\t\t<div class=\"foogallery foogallery-container foogallery-default foogallery-lightbox-foobox fg-center fg-default fg-ready fg-light fg-border-thin fg-shadow-outline fg-loading-default fg-loaded-fade-in fg-caption-hover fg-hover-fade fg-hover-zoom\" id=\"foogallery-gallery-5197\" data-foogallery=\"{&quot;item&quot;:{&quot;showCaptionTitle&quot;:true,&quot;showCaptionDescription&quot;:true},&quot;lazy&quot;:true}\" style=\"--fg-title-line-clamp: 0; --fg-description-line-clamp: 0;\" >\n\t<div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5194\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicesteps\/4284149567.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pidgons1.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5193\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/pidgons1\/959627427.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicedoor.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5192\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicedoor\/2243243271.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicemarket.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5191\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicemarket\/1493745154.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicewall1.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5190\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicewall1\/3344805527.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicewall2.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5189\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicewall2\/3611675118.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicesteps1.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5188\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicesteps1\/1966227355.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/women.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5187\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/women\/3354981767.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicewall3.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5186\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicewall3\/3624020363.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/valbonnecat.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5207\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/valbonnecat\/1036075379.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/pidgons2.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5185\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/pidgons2\/2770773178.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/nicecat.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5208\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/nicecat\/3712836292.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><div class=\"fg-item fg-type-image fg-idle\"><figure class=\"fg-item-inner\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/moto.jpg\" data-attachment-id=\"5218\" data-type=\"image\" class=\"fg-thumb\"><span class=\"fg-image-wrap\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"150\" height=\"150\" class=\"skip-lazy fg-image\" data-src-fg=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/cache\/2021\/02\/moto\/575178114.jpg\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20width%3D%22150%22%20height%3D%22150%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20150%20150%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E\" loading=\"eager\"><\/span><span class=\"fg-image-overlay\"><\/span><\/a><\/figure><div class=\"fg-loader\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>Above: Shots of Nice and Biot <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Bob was in seventh photography heaven. Some of the shots that I cold see should be great and really be representative of Old Nice. We enjoyed a lunch of mozzarella, tomato and basil salad with a tuna, basil, tomato and cheese pizza. It was very filling. Bob ate most of the pizza and I had most of the salad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">What strikes me most about the women here is that they all seem so petite. Not many seem to be over 5\u20192&#8243; and they almost all have beautiful bronze tans. They are very striking women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">I found a pottery shop that I really liked. Bob had me convinced that if I liked it I should buy it. After walking around the maze of streets we found it a second time but it was still not opened &#8211; merde! We&#8217;ll see what\u2019s in Biot, they looked to have some nice shops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re relaxing at a cafe on the waterfront. Enjoying some refreshments and watching the colorful people go by. We\u2019ve got an hour to kill before we head back to the airport where Michel is to pick us up at 6:00.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A lot of walking today &#8211; which I love, but I think Jackie got tired of. She wanted to catch the bus back to the airport, but since we had an hour to kill I suggested that we walk to the airport. It was about three miles along a busy road by the sea. It was a long hot walk and I could see steam rising from Jackie, but I doubt that is was from the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tomorrow I&#8217;ll go back to Nice by myself to take photographs. Jackie can lie by the pool and get some sun. I really enjoy the old city. The buildings are pastel shades with contrasting colored shutters. There is a great deal of ironwork around windows. What makes it fascinating for photographing is all of the geometric shapes formed by the buildings, windows, shadows, etc. I don\u2019t know if I got any decent shots today. I was shooting ISO 100 but left my tripod and camera bag at the house. Many of the shots were at 1\/10 or 1\/60 of a second. I steadied the camera against buildings, etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Tonight I will have to check my film. I may have to buy some more. It is very expensive here. About $11.00 compared to $6.00 in Portland.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">The walk was not enjoyable, Bob was very perceptive in that I was not enjoying the walk. The sun was setting in our eyes, there were 10 loud lanes of traffic, noxious fumes, desolate airport next to us with little view, it was hot and my feet hurt <em>__<\/em> walk!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">But I was not angry at him, I was angry at myself. I knew I did not want to take the walk, I should have taken the bus and let Bob walk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Vianyette\u2019s brother, Marc is visiting and we are sitting around the table enjoying the company. Vianyette\u2019s father reminds me of a Roman Senator. He has the broad forehead, Roman nose and the hair combed forward. His zest for life is great and I love his sense of humor. His eyes speak novels. Bernadette, his girlfriend is equally wonderful. She is probably about 15 to 20 years younger that Gilbert but is very compatible with the older man. She is very warm and friendly and tries to speak English a little. For the most part she enjoys spending her time by the pool &#8211; sunbathing topless or swimming in the pool nude! <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FRIDAY MORNING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I&#8217;m surprised that I am up this early and am not having a near death experience. It was quite a party last night! But I do love being up at this hour. Michel has just left for work. I had breakfast with him and have taken my bowl of coffee outside on the patio. It is a beautiful morning. There are just a few small clouds that the sun is peeking though. Corrine is now up eating breakfast in the kitchen. It is the first day of school for her. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5184 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"356\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/michelandvianyette.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/356;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Michel&#8217;s friend Michel and Vianyette<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Last night there was eleven at dinner. Michel\u2019s friend, Michel, came over. I met him two years ago when I vacationed here. He still lives on a sailboat. He, Michel and two others will be sailing to Italy soon, for four days, to see a boat show there. We started drinking Pastis. About 8:30 Marc and Delphine arrived, with a friend of Marc, Albert. Marc sells investments for tax purposes. His latest is a catamaran tour in the West Indies. I had seen Marc and Delphine two years ago also. It was nice to see them again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Dinner, as usual was both simple and wonderful. Lasagna in a cream sauce was the main course. Melon was the appetizer. Vin Rose et Vin Rouge also. After dinner we had champagne to celebrate Michel\u2019s birthday and Michel and Vianyette\u2019s anniversary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Between the five glasses of Patis, the four glasses of wine and the three glasses of champagne, I somehow managed to remain upright and cognizant. Even this morning I feel like I am likely to live at least another hour or two.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Vroom just got up and came outside to lay next to me. He looks somewat like a Doberman but isn\u2019t. He is a special breed of dog characterized by having six toes on his hind legs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom-809x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5183 lazyload\" width=\"405\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom-809x1024.jpg 809w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom-237x300.jpg 237w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom-768x972.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom-1213x1536.jpg 1213w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackie-vroom.jpg 1580w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 405px) 100vw, 405px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 405px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 405\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Roxie, Vroom and Jackie<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It is now 9:00 AM. Everyone is up. Gilbert (pronounced Jil-bear), Bernadette, Vianyette and Delphine are finishing breakfast. Gilbert doesn\u2019t speak English. He just told me that he and Bernadette will be leaving Sunday evening at six o\u2019clock to go to the airport for a flight back to Nante. Bernadette has to work the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is now 10:00 AM. Jackie is down by the pool getting some sun and reading a book. Vianyette has shown me how to run the washing machine for clothes and I have started the first of three loads. I\u2019m back at the patio to read another chapter of Toujours Provence. Later this afternoon we will probable drive over to Biot to look around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FRIDAY NIGHT\/SUNDAY MORNING 1:30 AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The party has just broken up. Michel\u2019s parents, Marc and Delphine, and Albert were over for dinner which started with Pastis and ended with me attempting to sing the American anthem followed by their singing the French anthem. Between was an incredible Nante style dinner that Madam Roulliard prepared (traditional foods of Nante) consisting of crayfish, clams, crab and oysters. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner-826x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5231 lazyload\" width=\"413\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner-826x1024.jpg 826w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner-242x300.jpg 242w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner-768x952.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner-1239x1536.jpg 1239w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dinner.jpg 1613w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 413px) 100vw, 413px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 413px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 413\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Dinner<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5230 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"356\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/dancing.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/356;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Jackie and Gilbert dancing<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Not to mention beaucoup wine. Michel\u2019s parents left to go back to their apartment in Cannes. That\u2019s when the singing really started. Marc and Gilbert led everyone in about 20 different French songs. Vianyette and Bernadette were dancing and in general it was crazy. I feel like I really missed something growing up. Corrine and Delphine have grown up listening and singing these songs. They will do the same with their children. I don\u2019t remember really learning songs as a child. The only memory I have is being told that I couldn\u2019t really sing. The French people I have met can only be describe as being fully alive. They know how unimportant work is and how important the family is. Their life style is very good.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jackie and I spent the afternoon shopping (?) in Biot this afternoon. She seemed indecisive and couldn\u2019t decide on anything. Finally we drove the back roads back to the house in time for Pastis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is really good to see Marc and Delphine again. Marc is quite a character and Delphine has a lot of her father in her. Her English has got quite good and she is not as hesitant as Corrine to use it. I did much better at dinner tonight as opposed to last night. I think I only had one or two Pastis. I could be wrong since I can\u2019t remember the amount of wine I drank. We had white wine with dinner and a St. Emillon with cheese and singing after. It\u2019s now a quarter to two in the morning. Jackie is reading in bed. She wants to got to Italy tomorrow, but I don\u2019t think we will be up a five, ready to go! She hasn&#8217;t really been ready to go before 10 or 11 yet. On our first jaunt in France she slept most of the day. I\u2019m not sure what we will do tomorrow (or more accurately today).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10:00AM<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We got up at about 8AM this morning. Jackie went down to the pool for some sun and now is in the bath. She wants to go to Italy. I don\u2019t really want to but\u2026 I ate breakfast with Michel this morning and Gilbert. They are going to Canne today for a boat show that Marc is working in. I have looked through my guide book trying to find something nearer than Italy that Jackie might consider an \u201cadventure\u201d but I fear the only adventure for her is Italy<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">I did wake up at 5:00AM!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">No, the adventure is not Italy, but it is quite beautiful anyway. We\u2019ve headed north, inland, to the Lac de St. Croix. The drive thought Grasse and into the mountains has been spectacular. We stopped at Castellane where they had a village market. We bought sausage, fromage, fruit and vine, but could not find a pastissere open. Fortunately we did find a baguette in Monstiers so now we\u2019re rounding the lake and looking for a picturesque spot to enjoy our late lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">The weather is perfect today &#8211; about 82 degrees with a light blue sky and a few scattered clouds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix-1024x716.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5229 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"358\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix-1024x716.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix-300x210.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix-768x537.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix-1536x1074.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/lac-de-st-croix.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/358;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Teenagers at Lac de St. Croix<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">We found our spot in the shade by the lake on some big rocks. The silence and tranquility were great partners to our wonderfully pleasant lunch. Just as we were finishing our lunch a group of seven German teenagers decided to set up their beach headquarters right in front of us. So much for the tranquility. They brought music, their sailboards, a big umbrella and plenty of conversation. We only stuck around long enough for the two girls to creatively change into their swimsuits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Driving though the canyon was quite beautiful. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1-717x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5228 lazyload\" width=\"359\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1-717x1024.jpg 717w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1-210x300.jpg 210w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1-768x1097.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1-1075x1536.jpg 1075w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge1.jpg 1400w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 359px) 100vw, 359px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 359px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 359\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Gorge du Verdun<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>The geology of this part of the French Alps is pushed up sedimentary. At one time it appears that this mountainous region was a large lake or shallow sea. There were several road side stalls selling fossils and a couple of signs relating to the prehistoric finds in the area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Midway up the canyon walls there were several caves hollowed out from the water. They could have possibly been used by prehistoric man.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the villas or chateaus are set up on the sides of isolated mountain sides. Its hard to imagine living that remotely. They had to have been very self sufficient to have survived like that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"719\" height=\"1024\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2-719x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5227 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2-719x1024.jpg 719w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2-211x300.jpg 211w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2-768x1093.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2-1079x1536.jpg 1079w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/gorge2.jpg 1405w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 719px) 100vw, 719px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 719px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 719\/1024;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Gorge du Verdun<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">We&#8217;ve pulled off the road in St. Vallier next to a park and can watch the locals playing Petanque across the road. Bob is napping in the seat next to me. We\u2019re still quite content from our late lunch and are in no hurry to return for dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SATURDAY EVENING &#8211; 11:00 PM <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Jackie is reading in bed. Since I can\u2019t sleep with the lights on and she can\u2019t read with them off &#8211; I&#8217;m sitting in the dining room updating the journal. She has accused me tonight of being a creature of habit, which, as I sit here while she (habitually) reads in bed find amusing. I find as I grow older I do not understand the logic of a woman\u2019s mind any more than before, in fact I think there must be some inverse relationship. Women seem to make some sense when you are young but in a decreasing fashion, make less and less sense as years go by. Someday some bright mathematician will win the Nobel prize for discovering a formula that describes that relationship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We arrived home from our adventure around 7:30 or 8:00. I took a quick shower and Jackie and I were playing cribbage when everyone else returned from attending the boat show in Nante.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently there was some marital strife going on. Michel had too much Pastis during the day and was being lectured by Vianyette about his driving. He undoubtably had had too much to drink as he was arguing with her, something that no man in a normal state of mind will do; argue with a woman, especially a wife. My limited experience has been that even if you think you win the argument, you really lose in the end.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The adventure was fun today, except for the amount of driving. I was behind the wheel for about six hours. We covered quite a distance. What made it trying was that we were on narrow mountain roads in the French Alps. After a while you develop a rhythm to it as you swerve from a curve in one direction to a curve in the other, all the time looking behind for some crazy Frenchman trying to pass on a blind corner and in front for a careening truck or camper bearing down on you driving in the middle of the road. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages-1024x668.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5226 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"334\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages-1024x668.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages-300x196.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages-768x501.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages-1536x1002.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/sausages.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/334;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Market selling sausage<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We stopped in Castilion to by some food in an outdoor marketplace. It was just closing up but we manage to buy some killer sausage, fromage and some fruit. We then walked across the street to a wine dealer and bought a bottle of vin rouge and a small bottle of water for Jackie.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My French has reached tourist level 2 I think. I asked the dealer where a patisserie was, to buy some bread and he told me exactly how to get to several, but that maintenant, le patiserrie est ferme. We took what we bought, piled back into the car and headed toward the Gorge du Verdun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The gorge is a beautiful area. Very touristy, especially for camping and hang gliding. But despite that it is still quite beautiful. Step cliffs plummeting down to a river. The water in the river, and in the lake it empties to, is a vivid aquamarine color similar to the color of the Mediterranean ocean near the shore. We stopped at another small village to buy a baguette and continued to the Lac du St Croix. This is a very large lake with a lot of tourist facilities. We found a park like area and stopped for lunch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch-715x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5225 lazyload\" width=\"358\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch-715x1024.jpg 715w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch-209x300.jpg 209w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch-768x1100.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch-1072x1536.jpg 1072w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/jackielunch.jpg 1396w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 358px) 100vw, 358px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 358px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 358\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Jackie eating lunch at lake<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11:00 AM Sunday Morning.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I have just returned from my morning in Nice. I\u2019ve figured out why driving is so much fun here. The main reason is that you get the fabulous illusion of speed. This is because of three factors. First the speedometers are calibrated in kilometers per hour rather than miles per hour. Thus, when you glance at the dial, you are easily doing between 80 and 100. Second is the size of the cars and the road. Both are much smaller than in America, this creates and illusion of speed as well. The third, and most important reason, is that you typically drive like a bat out of hell here!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The morning was fantastic. Driving to Nice at 7:30 or so was beautiful with very little traffic. The sun was just up, a bright orange globe reflecting off the azure blue of the sea. I parked under the open air market place next to the old ville du Nice. The market was still getting set up but already customers eager for the first pick of the fruit and vegetables were squeezing and poking the food. In addition to the fruits and vegetables were all kinds of meat and poultry. I saw twenty different preparations of olives, many types of mushrooms, peaches and nectarines, beef, lamb, rabbit and chickens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5224 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"341\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1-272x182.jpg 272w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/marketplace1.jpg 1770w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/341;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Marketplace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>I leave the market and begin to wander the streets looking for photo opportunities. It is still a little early &#8211; the light hasn\u2019t quite reached down to touch the pastel walls of the buildings. People are beginning to come out. There is a ledge with pigeons on it that makes a good photo composition. Around 9:00 I wander back to the market place and sit down at an outdoor cafe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I order a cafe au lait and enjoy the view of people wandering by. I hear French, Italian, German and American voices. Of all of the languages I find French the most beautiful to listen to ( and English the least.) Across the courtyard a woman and small boy are setting up tables for another caf\u00e9. The boy is struggling with a table much too big for him, trying to help. He tires of working and having put in a hard day, mounts his bike (with a training wheel) and begins the tour de France though the marketplace. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike-1024x712.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5223 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"356\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike-1024x712.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike-768x534.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike-1536x1068.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/boybike.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/356;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Boy riding in marketplace<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens-722x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5222 lazyload\" width=\"361\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens-722x1024.jpg 722w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens-212x300.jpg 212w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens-768x1089.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens-1083x1536.jpg 1083w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/girlsfeedingchickens.jpg 1410w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 361px) 100vw, 361px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 361px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 361\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Girls feeding chickens<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>A little while later I get up and wander the marketplace again. I see some cute little girls dressed up for Sunday feeding lettuce to some live chickens in cages. I try to get some shots but it is difficult to compose the shot.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The sun is in front of me. I look at my watch and decide it is time to return to the house. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SUNDAY EVENING.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>After returning home from my morning journey to Nice I relaxed for a while with Jackie and then we ate lunch. A simple meal of leg of lamb, salad, and beans. It was wonderful. Each time I\u2019m here I resolve to fix my stove and oven, but somehow the resolve doesn\u2019t last for the trip home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot-1024x695.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5221 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"348\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot-1024x695.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot-300x204.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot-768x521.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot-1536x1042.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/shopbiot.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/348;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Shop in Biot where Jackie bought pottery<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>After the lunch Jackie and I dashed to Biot to buy our souvenirs. Jackie made up for her previous indecision. We found a pottery that Vianyette recommended and Jackie went into a rabid buying frenzy. I was concerned that she was spending too much of her money and was trying &#8211; without much success to restrain her. At which time she looks at me and says. \u201coh dear &#8211; I forgot my credit card\u201d So I was the one who was on the rabid buying frenzy without even knowing it. She did get some nice pieces &#8211; very simple provincial style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We also went to another more tourist oriented store and I bought some bowls like those used by Michel for the morning coffee. They have descriptive phrases on them, i.e., le plus snob and le plus sexy\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We returned in time to say our goodbyes to Gilbert and Bernadette. Afterwards Jackie and I took a short swim and played cribbage. She is slowing closing the gap but is still four games down. We then went back to the house. Jackie continued to read her science fiction book and I played Yahtzee with Michel, Delphine and Vianyette (I won.) The vacation is almost over. Vianyette and Michel have covered the pool and Michel says it was probably the last time they will use it this year. Gilbert and Bernadette have gone back to Nante and it has been a quiet evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--nextpage-->\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SATURDAY EVENING<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>What a wonderful vacation this has been. It\u2019s hard to imagine that two weeks have passed. Every day has been a great adventure and we\u2019ve had a nice balance of activity and rest. We could have easily entertained ourselves for another week, but I\u2019m looking forward to the privacy of my house and I\u2019m sure Vianyette and Michel will enjoy having their house back. I\u2019m definitely looking forward to being able to travel and afford an hotel room most every night &#8211; hopefully it won\u2019t be to far away in the future.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Our last night of Pastis in the ambiance of a Mediterrainne Villa. Bob is enjoying his last binge of pistachios and olives. It will be a while before we enjoy this again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">I got lucky and found just what I was looking for today, at the pottery shop that Vianyette recommended. I got a nice set of blue and white pieces to serve a \u201cFrench\u201d meal. I&#8217;ll have to surprise Bob one evening with a Pastis on the patio and pistachios and olives to start the night with. If I&#8217;m very ambitious I&#8217;ll serve a simple meal of meat, potatoes and salad, ending with cheese and fruit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Monday 10:00<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">We&#8217;ve made it into Nice without any major problems this morning. Even managed to get our baggage into storage at the airport with the help of Suzie ( a co-worker and friend of Vianyette\u2019s.) The antique market is set up this morning. Bob has a great eye. He picked out a beautiful milky glass lovebird vase. He sent me back to check it out. At 25,000FF it was probably one of the most expensive pieces in the market.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There were a lot of swag clocks, but they were very beat up and only one had the long pendulum and even it had been pieced together. I even saw a Napoleon Stafordshire piece. We had to get out of there &#8211; it would be too difficult to bring something back now &#8211; before we found something we were tempted to buy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Well we are just about finished with our vacation. We fly to Paris at 4 arriving at 5 or 5:30. We will check into a hotel at the airport and then take the subway into Paris. I figure the Champs D\u2019Ellsse will be a good place to head for. We didn\u2019t have a chance to say goodbye to Marc and Delphine, but I have their address at home so I\u2019ll write them a letter, in English so Delphine will have to translate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We are soaking up the ambiance in a small square in the old city of Nice. Ambiance can be describe as a unique combination of smells and sights. The square is obviously old and the plastic chairs and table at the cafes seem incongruous. While sitting at the Cafe Geriko we are visited by a beggar dog and dived on by pigeons. It seems that you subconsciously develop the habit of scanning the ground pour merde and watching the sky for dive bombing pigeons. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog-694x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5220 lazyload\" width=\"347\" height=\"512\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog-694x1024.jpg 694w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog-203x300.jpg 203w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog-768x1133.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog-1041x1536.jpg 1041w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/feedingdog.jpg 1356w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 347px) 100vw, 347px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 347px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 347\/512;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Dog at the cafe Geriko<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">12:00<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is getting hot. We finished walking around the old city. Jackie bought some gifts. We left the old village and walked down the waterfront. It was hot next to the beach. We have stopped at a cafe\/night club to rest and wait for lunch with Vianyette. I\u2019m drinking a Heineken and Jackie a Perrier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lunch with Vianyette was very enjoyable, she is such an animated character. We discussed, at length, the idea of opening up a cafe de Provence. We decided that Michel and Vianyette would have to come to the U.S. to be our business consultants.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Par\u00eds<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Flight was uneventful. The airport is always entertaining. The inexperience travelers are very comical as they race from place to place, ever worried that they are going to miss their flights. What\u2019s worse are the elderly. They all but play bumper cars with the luggage carts and always have this fearful look on their faces as if they are lost &#8211; they probably are.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Bob is off getting the luggage and I\u2019m waiting at the back of the mob at the luggage carousel. It was a 1 1\/2 hour non-smoking flight, so most of the people in this group are puffing away. The area is clearing out so I\u2019m venturing in. I still refuse to butt the cart up against the carousel &#8211; like the rest of the herd.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">Had a bit of a scare, my luggage didn\u2019t come, didn\u2019t come, didn\u2019t come and the airline baggage attendant was recommending that we go to the office. Fortunately, just at that moment, my bag came. I wasn\u2019t looking forward to traipsing around in the cool Parisian evening in my shorts. It\u2019s about 60 degrees here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">The older couples are so funny to watch. We&#8217;re in the hotel now. Yet again I\u2019ve sent the commando &#8211; Bob the Brute &#8211; in to tangle with the crowd trying to all check in at once. The older couples both try to crowd up against the desk, the man tries to negotiate with the receptionist and the wife furtively holds onto her husband and the cart that has their baggage. They act as if they are surrounded by terrorists and that all are waiting to prey on just them. We\u2019re in a hotel lobby, for God\u2019s sake!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"jackie\">I guess they have been watching too much TV and reading newspapers that are filled with the violence of the city. I truly hope that I don\u2019t succumb to that warped view of the world as I approach senility<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Paris at night, in a light mist, was very nice. We took the bus from the hotel to the train station and rode Metro in to Notre Dame. We had a very French dinner of lamb chops at the \u201cjardin de Notre Dame\u201d and were ready to walk the city. Notre Dame at night Walking up the Seine was very beautiful with all of the lights and spectacular buildings. I correctly guessed the Louve, despite there being no signs. Everywhere there are magnificent statues and monuments. Bob had his camera apparatus along so he took some \u201cguess\u201d shots of some of the sights. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight-1024x713.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5217 lazyload\" width=\"512\" height=\"357\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight-1024x713.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight-300x209.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight-768x535.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight-1536x1069.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/notredamenight.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 512px) 100vw, 512px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 512px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 512\/357;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Notre Dame at night<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We walked along the Seine, across to the Louve, up to the Place de Concorde where we could see the Tour Eiffel, and then up the Champs-Elys\u00e9es towards the Arc de Triumph. Then back to the metro again. It was a beautiful walk but by this time it was about 11:30. Ah Paris &#8211; City of light, city of lovers. Its been many years since I was last in the city. I forgot how beautiful the city can be. There was a light mist falling and the lights of the city were reflected in the streets. I regret that we are so rushed. We had arrived at the airport around 5:30 and by the time we had checked into the hotel and took the train in to the city it was Close to 8:30. We ate diner in a small restaurant near Notre Dame. It wasn&#8217;t anything special &#8211; other than having dinner in Paris with Jackie. I had brought a camera and tripod so I would try and capture some of the feeling of the city for Jackie. We walked from Notre Dame up close to the Arc De Triumph. The Tour Eiffel was lit up against the gray sky. The Champs- Elys\u00e9es was alive with people, even at eleven o\u2019clock.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight.jpg\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"710\" data-src=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight-1024x710.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-5219 lazyload\" data-srcset=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight-1024x710.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight-300x208.jpg 300w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight-768x533.jpg 768w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight-1536x1065.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/02\/parisnight.jpg 2000w\" data-sizes=\"(max-width: 767px) 89vw, (max-width: 1000px) 54vw, (max-width: 1071px) 543px, 580px\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" style=\"--smush-placeholder-width: 1024px; --smush-placeholder-aspect-ratio: 1024\/710;\" \/><\/a><figcaption>Paris at night<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>We will have to plan a vacation just in Paris when we can enjoy moonlight walks up  the boulevards. We called it a night and caught the metro back to Roissy and bed. Bed was a a wonderful experience, in part because it had been a very long day with a lot of waiking, and in part because for the first time in two weeks Jackie and I had both privacy and a double bed:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This morning it was up and off to the airport. I did my famous imitation of a pack mule. Getting checked in wasn\u2019t to painful considering we were in Paris. . <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We spent our last Francs in the duty free shops and boarded the plane at 11:00. I trounced Jackie in two more cribbage games. I figure in an 11 hour flight I should be ahead by about fifteen games when we land. A pleasant surprise was getting seated at an exit aisle with only a window and aisle seat. It\u2019s \u201calmost\u201d as good as first class. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>What struck me most about Paris was that it was orderly and planned. The design, years ago, for the wide boulevards and the beautiful buildings along the river really has paid off. Comparing it to London, London didn\u2019t have much forethought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It definately gives Paris the edge on most other cities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">SAN FRANCISCO <\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>We&#8217;re again at the carousel awaiting our bags &#8211; same story of fretful old people pressed against the luggage carousel and one hand on their cart behind them. No one else can get near it. I was going to try this time but was bumped out of the way by two old biddies &#8211; what\u2019s worse is that they are French and were unable to understand my friendly slang I murmured in their ears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apparently this is a group of 36 some odd French that are on a tour to Vancouver B.C. I think they should have to earn their wings before being able to buy a ticket!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">PORTLAND<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It was an uneventful trip from SFO to PDX. We stayed awake playing cribbage. The landing at PDX was unusual. The plane took a long, wide loop to the north and came in on a very long glide path. I was beginning to wonder if they were having any problems, but finally we touched down.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We got our bags and took a cab home. Made it to Jackie\u2019s house &#8211; dead tired. Total flight time etc. was about 16 hours. It is now 4 AM on our biological clocks, we were up about 7:30 AM so that\u2019s just a few hours shy of 24. We&#8217;re going to try to stay up a little longer (it is 7:00 PM local time) so we don\u2019t wake up a 2 in the morning. We will probably wake up at two anyway. Jackie unpacked the pottery and it all came through fine. She\u2019s now making her obligatory phone calls to family to let them know she is home. I called my Mom.  As soon as Jackie is off the phone we will try to stay up by watching television and then crash and burn. Tomorrow I will re-read this and see if it is at all coherent\u2026<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Read part one here. NICE We arrive in Nice about 3:00 and got a car. Drove up to Michel\u2019s around 5:00 PM, just in time for Pastis. Le pere du Vinyette est ici avec his girlfriend. Her father is wonderful. He is seventy three and going strong. He is building a rock wall in the &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/3-2\/travel\/les-vacances-du-deux-personnes-jackie-et-robert-part-two\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continuar leyendo<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Les Vacances du Deux Personnes, Jackie et Robert &#8211; Part two&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3654,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-5176","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"featured_image_src":null,"featured_image_src_square":null,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5176","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5176"}],"version-history":[{"count":11,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5176\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5259,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/5176\/revisions\/5259"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3654"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/robertjwallace.com\/es\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5176"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}