Heading into 2018

It seems only yesterday that we were starting the new Millennia. Much talk about computers shutting down, the world coming to an end, watching the first of the New Year in Australia on television, and here we are 18 years later. Although this is a time of reflection, I did write some of my thoughts […]

Summer In the City Part Two

When I first started writing Suddenly 70, I promised I would touch on many topics. You have shared my adventures around the world, and that will continue, but I will also talk about being a grand parent, facing old age, sickness, death and the big M- memory. This past summer in Toronto the weather was […]

Pilgrimage to France Part 3

When I left you last, Charles and I were heading in heavy rain along a super highway, from the Pas de Calais in the north of France to Normandy in the west. We had finished our marvellous lunch with French friends, the de Saulieus, see https://suddenly70.ca/2017/10/23/pilgrimage-to-france-part-2/, and were ready for new adventures. Chateau d’Audrieu in […]

Pilgrimage to France Part 2

When I last left you, Charles and I were just arriving at Chateau Grand- Rullecourt, in the Pas de Calais, France, the home of our friends Patrice and Chantal de Saulieu O’Toole de La Chamonerie. Quite a name! We hadn’t seen them for 28 years, and although we thought we were going to be staying […]

Pilgrimage to France: Part 1

When Charles and I travel there are certain parameters that must be met. Scenery should be compelling; there should be history, art and culture, and things to be learned, we need to walk, and I need a place, if at all possible, that has a pool so I can swim, and finally, the food should […]

Summer in the City

Every year we do our great migration north from Florida in late April. See https://suddenly70.ca/2016/11/14/the-great-migration/ (to read about our migration south). We pack up the dog, the glider, the car, clean up the condo, put our Florida cars on trickle chargers, fill the bird feeder, organize my lovely cleaner, Reitha to come in and vacuum […]

More Notes From the Sea: Vietnam

After our wonderful visit to Angkor Wat, see my previous blog, https://suddenly70.ca/2017/07/06/the-incredible-angkor-wat/,we flew into Saigon or Ho Chi Minh City as it is now called, and found ourselves in an extremely busy airport. This narrow country has a land area of 128,000 sq. miles, and a population of 90 million people. Canada for example, […]

The incredible Angkor Wat

Midway through our cruise in South East Asia we arrived in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, ready for our excursion to Angkor Wat. Overnight bags packed, and passport documents ready, we left the ship with 34 other passengers. We were immediately divided into two groups and boarded separate buses with a tour guide. Our itinerary had been given […]

Notes From The Sea

Years ago Charles and I, our three sons, and my father-in-law, sailed together on a rented bare boat in the Caribbean. We loved our adventure, and when we swiftly passed by a cruise ship we all said we would never travel that way. Never say never. Soon after that, one of our dearest friends was […]

Notes From the Road: Singapore Swing

Everyone I know who has been to Singapore has told me that they adore the city with its orderliness, it cleanliness, and its shear beauty. I was anticipating a wonderful visit, but I certainly wasn’t expecting a fabulous flight from Hong Kong to Singapore. I chose Singapore Airlines because they offered a better deal than […]