Monday, October 21, 2013

October 19-21, 2013

Had a great weekend just relaxing and walking around the centre ville.  The weather has been fabulous.  Seventy degrees and mostly sunny. Visited a few of the local street markets.
The Meat Market

Mushrooms 

The Produce of Provence

Just Another Rue

The Flowers are Amazing!

Friday, October 18, 2013

Friday, October 18, 2013

Our first day in Aix.  Heavenly!  Slept late and then went grocery shopping at the Monoprix.  After putting away our supplies we decided to take a break fro lunch at one of our favorite restaurants:



For our "foody" friends (especially Nevin, Kelly and Chris) we have to include photos of our entrees.  You will love this!

A Simple Tomato/Mozzarella Salad

Green Salad Wrapped in Cucumber

Many more photos to come! Getting too old for wine at lunch.  Back to the apartment for a nap.


Thursday, October 17, 2013

Exchanging cold and damp London for sunny and warm Provence today.  Made it to the airport via tube and the flight to Marseille went remarkably well.  Way too warmly dressed for the south of France.  Shed our coats and scarves and took the bus to Aix.  The town has changed quite a bit from two tears ago.  The first change we encountered was that the bus from the airport no longer drops you conveniently at the foot of the Cours Mirabeau,rather at the police station on the outskirts of town.  After a little adjustment, arrived at the apartment just 10 minutes late and "voila!" all the trials and tribulations of the journey melted away.  What a great location!  Right at the head of the Cours with incredible views and all the sights and sounds of this remarkable town at our fingertips.
Our Building -We are right at the Tippy Top
The apartment is lovely and incredibly spacious compared with our close quarters in Paris.
Entryway

My Kitchen

View from the Master Bedroom

View of St. John de Malte from LR



October 16, 2013 (A Sad Day)

Can't believe the time has come for Max to return to the USA.  We have so much enjoyed our time together.  At twelve this might be the last time he enjoys spending any significant time with his grandparents (as it should be). We are just so grateful to have had this time to share with him and let him see the world beyond Lakewood, Colorado. Bon Voyage Max!
Going...

...going...

...gone!

They wouldn't let us go to the gate with him so he had to find his way on his own.  So proud he was able to navigate Heathrow (which isn't easy!).  He's a great great kid!  Many tears shed (shedding even now as I am writing this entry!).

October 15, 2013 (Late Evening)

Little surprise for Max AND John.  Was able to score reservations at L'Atelier de Joel Robuchon for after the theatre.  Check out the website.  It is fabulous!  Only counter seating, but very French and very chic.  Best meal I've EVER had in London!

John Reacting to Prices - and Max just having Fun

The Decor

The Entree

A wonderful evening!

October 15, 2013 (Evening)

After Buckingham Palace we found a wonderful little pub for lunch.  The boys decided to head for the Tower of London, and I chose to return to the flat for a little rest. It is very hard to surprise Max, but we had one more little one for him.  Over the summer his Honor Society Class read "And Then There Were None" by Agatha Christie and he was hooked.  We managed to get tickets to "The Mousetrap" and did our best to keep it a secret.  We told him we had reservations at a famous London restaurant and he was literally flabbergasted when we arrived at the theatre. It was such a thrill!

Crisps before the Show
St. Martin's Theatre is so small and so totally charming. John and I had seen the play about ten years ago, but this production was superb.  It has been running for 61 years and still draws the crowds.  Couldn't have asked for a better evening.
Mimi and Max

St, Martin's Theatre



October 15, 2013

Our last full day in London.  Max wanted to see the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace so off we went.  It was surprising to us that there were so many tourists in London in the middle of October.  We were able to view the spectacle from across the street, but Max's fantasy of making a guardsman laugh was unfulfilled.

Buckingham Palace

Max at Buckingham Palace