My work is never done...

Sunday I had to go to 3 ceremonies and lay 3 wreaths.  I brought a guide with me so she could have the experience of what it felt like.  She loved it.  She said it gave her such an important feeling of representing Canada the Student Guide Program.  She did great and it was fun.  I will not post a picture of her in case she does not want me to, but........here's a picture of me.  Yup!  I wore my legs for the occasion.  It was 28 degres.  It was pretty hot.

 It is always such an honor to be part of the celebration.  My mother would be proud.

Monday, I had to go to Lille to finish the process of my Visa.  I now have my Carte de long séjour.  I had given myself one hour and 15 minutes once in Lille to find where I had to go.  I got to the train station in Arras and the train was late.  Tried to get on another train and they said, oh no, c'est avec reservation, it's with a reservation so everyone was turned away.  Another train arrived 10 minutes later and it wouldn't leave.  I ended up having just 15 minutes once I got there.  I ran for a taxi.  Yes you read right, RAN.  It wasn't exercising so it was OK.  I got in the taxi and gave him the address.  Well the meter starts at 6 euros 20 and it cost me 6 euros 70, so it wasn't that far.  I walked coming back.

So I get to the office where I was suppose to go and had to have a physical.  A physical, really.  Well I knew that but wasn't ready for this.  I go in and the lady says, everything off from the waist up.  I said, everything, oui madame Bourgeois.  They go by your maiden name.   I guess it is easier than pronouncing Webster.  After you're done, come into this room.  I'm not walking in any room with nothing on.  I was kind of looking for something to cover myself.  She opens the door and says, vous êtes prête.  Non, and she said, vous avez besoin de quoi.  You need what.  I said a robe.  Non, venez ici.  Well here I was, half in my birthday suit, and you all know if you're my age that certain body parts are not where they used to be.  And if you're not my age, just wait.  You will be some day.  So I picked them up, OK only kidding.  Then she says, put your hands on your waist.  Oh this was getting even worst.  Down they go.  Only kidding again.   I had my xray and then got dressed.  Fast.  Well I must have passed because I now have my Carte de long séjour.  My passport is pretty thick and impressive.

Here are a few pictures of Lille.  This man and horse must be important, so I took a picture.  Then below, the webs, spider webs.  All over.  I was shaking just taking the picture.

 One of the street piétonne in Lille.  Lots of stores.  It's a nice place to visit also. I had dinner at Les 3 Brasseurs which is a restaurant that also exists in Montreal but the original one is in Lille.  Joanne, myself and my aunt Pierrette had supper there when they visited me.

This person is not taking any chances.  Nice little chain.  Picture below is Palais de Justice.

Now I am back in Arras, walking to my place.  Funny I had never seen this before.  It is just at my corner, however, they supply poop bags but nobody seems to use them.  I took 2.  I was running out of garbage bags.

Today I decided to go to town, not that I live out of town.  So I'm walking and see this bus.  Oh, it says Centre Commercial Beaurains.  What!  a Centre Commercial that I didn't know about.  I didn't have any plans and I had all day so I hopped on.  Once there I remembered having been there but only because I got lost one day coming back from work and I ended there.  A few neat stores.  I had a good time.  Then I came home and went to visit Bob.  I had bought him a treat.  A nice can of tuna.  Ah did he ever like me.  He greeted me at the door as he always does and I showed him the can.  He was almost doing flips.  Well not really, Bob does not do much and if he did, flips wouldn't probably be it.  He ate that can and wasn't sharing.  I had to hide the can from his mother.  Bob deserved it.  He's a good cat.  We talked.  I told him I had a black cat called Minime.  He said that he didn't like black cats and I said, well Minime doesn't like orange cats that look like Garfield, except Zarabie.  And why am I having this conversation with a cat and why am I telling you.  I really need a life or good drugs.

Tomorrow it's back to work I go.  So have a great evening.  I'm getting ready for bed.  It's already night here.

Bisous,
Bird

Thelma and Louise... and other fun things

Monday I went to Canterbury.   I was picked up in a Jaguar, oh ya, in a JAG.  The funny thing is that the wheel is on the wrong side and it feels pretty creepy sitting where the wheel should be.  The rear view mirror was what was getting me.  I wanted to fix it so I could see.  Anyway, we drove to Calais and took the Channel.  You drive into this train and they pack you in like sardines and off you go.  You can feel it going fast.  35 minutes later, you're in England.  Then you really drive on the wrong side of the road.  Here I was sitting, with my new sunglasses on, looking like Pamela Anderson without the boobs, and the lips, and the hair.  OK, well we're both Canadians.

What a beautiful place Canterbury is (as I say this with a British accent).  You are going to Canterbury you say.  Ah, I really do have the accent.  Must be all the British school groups we get on site.  We went shopping.  Bought some shoes (flats, now I have 2 pairs), pants, Christmas gifts for people that I can't say what it is, a book.  I can say that one because he doesn't read my blog, a few groceries.  I know, who goes to England to do groceries............me.  We visited the cathedral and burnt candles.  It is such a beautiful place.  I am going back for sure because I know that Allen would love it and I like the shopping.  I kind of got mixed up with the money when we crossed the border.  I had euros with pounds.  I think the lady figured that I didn't go out much.  Who makes money that looks the same.

It was such a great time.  There we were just like Thelma and Louise, driving in that Jag.  Did I tell you it's a Jag.  It's a nice one.  Smooth ride, as if I know what I'm talking about.  Very happy that I was asked to go.  It was pretty well, shop until you drop or have no more money.  Here are a few pictures.

 This picture is for Jean.  Only kidding.

 The Canterbury Cathedral.  It's a piece of art.  It is worth googling.

Ah, the proof that I was in a Jaguar.  I just don't hang around anybody.  She's a somebody.

Also on the agenda for tonight's blog is last week's bowling night.  Christi was leaving so some of us went bowling.  Those are big balls, but for big balls, I did pretty good.  I WON.  The secret is in the way, ok never mind.  You never know who reads this.  We had a great time.  Thank you Christi for inviting me.

Then on Saturday, Christi's last day here, André and her invited me to go out for supper with them.  The last night that they could be alone and they chose it to have me around.  Those are real pals.  I miss you Christi but will see you soon.

See the size of those balls.  Christi always looking so sweet and André admiring her.

I must say André, you have style.  And then me with more style.  This is how it's done.

And the winner is............................Aurel was really Aurélie but we didn't dare tell the girl that was writing it.

The happy couple, my saviors.  Who could not love those faces.

Sunday at work, this butterfly was flying in the Accueil at Beaumont-Hamel.  I was lucky enough to catch a picture.

I will end my blog with this picture.  I think it speaks for itself.

Road Trip....Part 2

Well my trip continued for a few more hours.  I stopped for supper and on my way to the restaurant, there on the ground was this maple leaf.  It always feels home when you see them and it reminds you to never forget where you're from.

In France, everyone is allowed in restaurants.  This little jack russel was so cute and believe it or not, was in fact eating from the plate.  I asked the lady if I could take a picture and she was so proud of her little dog.  I didn't dare tell her that in Canada, you can't bring your dog in restaurants.  Well you can't on PEI.  I think France is known for the Jack Russels because at that same restaurant, the guy behind the bar had one there too, just lying on the floor.  When I went to pay, she came right to me. Again today, walking in Arras, I saw a Jack Russel.

I know you're not suppose to drink and drive or talk on the cell phone but I never saw where it said you can't drive and take pictures.  I had to take this one from the mirror.  I crossed it.  I took a deep breath and just stayed on the road.  It's the Pont de Normandie or Bridge of Normandy and it's a cable road bridge.  It goes over the Seine and links Le Havre to Honfleur in Normandy.  Google it.  It is quite amazing.



I can't believe I crossed it.  What a thrill.  Can you see up ahead the curve I had to go on.  Oh ya, I did it.  Me and Tom Tom.

And because I was so important, I had my own pay toll thingy.  I would get close to the toll booth and get in line and just pick that thing and made sure everyone else saw me.  I felt like Mr. Bean, flashing this thing around.  Hey, look at me.  I'm a somebody.  I did however drop it on the floor on the passenger's side and couldn't get it in time to flash it and I had to get a ticket and pay at the other end.  No big deal, it was fun just having it.  I really didn't know where I had to point it, so I had it all over the windshield.

I made it home before dark so that was a bonus.  I can't see at night anyway so it was better for everyone that I make it home when it was still light out.  What a great road trip.  I hope they ask me again.  I feel like I accomplished something that I never thought I would.  I guess you can still show an old dog new tricks.  People have confidance in me and I surpass myself.   It is quite an adventure that I am living and so grateful for the opportunity.  I'm living the life that many would want.

Last Monday, I went to Cantebury.  You have to say it the British way.  Went through the Channel and went shopping.  Pictures will be on the next blog.  I had a great time and I thank Arlene for taking me with her.  

Well time for bed.  I'm back to work tomorrow.  Have a great evening and thanks for reading.  Hope Mirjam, Claudia, Johannes and Werner had a great trip.  I'll be talking to you soon.

Bird  xoxoxoxox

Road Trip

First of all, this blog was suppose to be to who I was dedicating my second year to.  I have tried to write it at three different times and just couldn't finish it.  I was getting too emotional.  So I will eventually do it, when I feel stronger.  But just so you know, it will be to my sister Diane and my brother Philippe.  I just have to find the correct words to share with all of you how they have affected my life.

Anyhow, last week I had to go on a mission.  I'd like to call it my secret mission should I wished to accept it and I did.  Well I had the greatest time.  My mission was to pick up one of our cars and drive it back.  Ha, me, drive back on the highway.  Not in this life.  Did they really know who they were asking.  They trusted me.  However, I didn't want to disappoint anyone and I aim to please so I accepted.  Took the train from Arras to Paris and then Paris to Caen.  About a 2 hour trip from Paris.  Got to Caen and figured that it couldn't be too far from the train station to the hotel.  Oh yes, I was staying overnight.  Me, in a city I didn't know.  After someone telling me that it was only about a 20 minute walk to the hotel, 1 hour later, I finally found it.  I also found all the back, narrow streets that I'm not sure anyone should be on.  See the view I had from my hotel.

It is a beautiful city.  Philippe would love it because of all the sailboats.  I took a few other pictures while I was looking for my hotel.

This is the castle of Caen, now used as the Musée des Beaux Arts, (Museum of Fine Arts).  It is within walking distance from the hotel.

Then I had to find the reason I was there.  Can you see it.  It was like finding Waldo.   Nobody hides from the Bird girl.

I had a beautiful room.  They even left me a personal message.  I'm sure nobody else gets those.

I checked in then ventured about the city.  I found a pub.  It wasn't hard to find.  It said PUB.  Then I found a nice restaurant and had the best chicken ever.  Sorry, it was almost as good as Lise's chicken, just in case she is reading this.  Now I had to convince myself that I could drive back.  It is about a 4 - 5 hour drive.  I had Tom Tom with me and him and I got along great.   I left and went to visit the War Museum of Caen.

Ah, there we are.  Oh Canada, our Home and Native Land.....

After I left Caen, I thought well, I'll make the best of this road trip.  I'll stop wherever I want.  Nobody was waiting for me at home so I had all day to make it back....in one piece.....I was thinking more about the car.  I found a winery so the car automatically turned there.  It was the Chateau du Breuil.  Cute little place, very friendly and I bought Calvados.  Of course I had to taste it before but just a sip as I was driving.  It was really just a sip.  With only that sip, I knew that I would love Calvados.

The way in to the Chateau du Breuil to go taste the Calvados.

Don't know why they put a gate.  It still didn't keep me out.

I could see myself live there.

Where you tasted the calvados.

I tried to fit this in the car but there was not enough room.  I put it back.

The little bridge that you pass on going to the Chateau.

I continued my way.  I loved it when Tom Tom would say:  TAKE THE RIGHT EXIT AND TAKE THE MOTORWAY.  A nice British accent.  I was not on the highway or Trans Canada, I was on the Motorway.  Sounds pretty darn important.  I didn't even have to drive in the slow lane.  I was impressing myself.  I was driving in France, not on the little country roads like I use to go to Beaumont-Hamel, but the real deal with speed limit of 130 km and alot of other cars.  Ha, there I was wearing my new sunglasses, looking pretty cool.  A few cars honked at me but it's because of my new sunglasses.  They noticed me, I'm sure.

Then my other stop was in Lisieux which is where Sainte-Thérèse de l'Enfant-Jésus was born.  This was a highlight for me.  I had gone there last year with Diane but we had just stayed about 1/2 hour.  I stayed for about 2 hours.  I saw where Sainte-Thérèse lived, where she went to Convent and the Basilica.  My time there was special and peaceful and I wished that my good friend Thérèse was with me.  I have known Thérèse since I was 2 years old and she was named after Sainte-Thérèse, so I was taking everything in for her.

OK, I just noticed this as I am posting this, and it is a beautiful picture but just one thing wrong with it.  The thing over Jesus' head looks like a spider.  I'm sorry but it just kind of ruined it.  I must crop it.  Help us all when spider season arrives, which is in about a month.

And of course as always, I burn candles.  These 3 are burning for special people.  The middle one is for me, the one on the right is for Thérèse and the one on the left is for a special person.  She knows who she is.

Well my trip is not quite finished, but it's late so tomorrow I am off so I will continue with Road Trip, Part 2.

Sorry for not blogging sooner, I was going through a few rough patches but I'm doing better.  I'm still loving being here and living the life.