FLOWER POWER

[1] THE TRAVELLERS RETURN:

We have been away in France and Germany for the last 10 days and have now safely returned.

Feeling rested, revived and refreshed from meeting old friends in Paris and then hiking in the Bavarian alps with our German friends we are now back home and preparing to return to our somewhat quiet domestic routine.

We are not hotel people and derive great pleasure from staying with friends as guests in their own home.

While the rest of London was gathering for the wedding of William and Kate we were moving through the Channel Tunnel on the Eurostar train to Paris ending up at our destination in the suburb of Suresnes. The day ended with C. and I raising a glass to the bride and groom while catching 5 minutes of BBC evening news headlines on the television.

Poppies in Rouen where we visited our host's daughter and family.

Geraniums in our host's house in Oberstdorf (Bavaria)

[2] BLOG ANNIVERSARY:

Time to raise another glass (champagne in Paris)

Today is May 10th. I suddenly remembered firstly, my advancing age as another year rolls over but also the fact that I launched this blog 3 years ago [here]!

So ... why not some flowers? Both photos were taken in our respective hosts' gardens.

These are C's glorious irises which were in profusion in her garden upon our arrival April 29th in Paris.

I took a photo of D's lilacs in the early morning sun today as we departed for the drive to Frankfurt-Hahn airport and our flight to Edinburgh. That clear alpine blue sky is what it was like for most of the days during our stay. Then add to that the fragrance of the lilac ... quite memorable!