I’m now at Domaine Les Ranchisses, where I’ll be living (and lawn bowling) for 13 days. It is actually a massive campground, with accommodation options ranging from campsites to “bungalows” (cabins) to a small hotel. It is rated as a 5-star campground, due in part to the many amenities on site.
My “bungalow” at Domaine Les Ranchisses
I’m staying in a bungalow with one of the Swiss bowlers. The bungalow has 2 small bedrooms, a living/dining area, a kitchen, and shower/bathroom facilities. So, we are not really roughing it too much. We just need to clean it up after our stay, so that “we leave it as we found it.” There is no daily cleaning, etc., as you would get in a hotel.
Our street (as viewed from our bungalow) at Domaine Les Ranchisses
The recreational facilities are immense. There is a spiffy rugby/football (soccer) facility and, of course, a world-standard lawn bowling green (see cover picture at very top of this post). There are about 6 large outdoor pools (of various types) near the large indoor/outdoor bar. There is a separate large indoor pool. There is a large spa. There are canoes, paddleball courts, pétanque areas, trails, and probably many more activity areas that I haven’t seen yet.
The restaurant (centre left) at Domaine Les Ranchisses
There is a nice restaurant on site. There are also conference facilities – and it seems to be very popular as a wedding venue. To help with self-catering, there is a small grocery store on-site…with fresh baked products every morning. However, my housemate has a car and we are going to the larger grocery store in Largentière (about 2 km away) for most purchases.
Spa at Domaine Les Ranchisses
As I brought two (heavy) sets of lawn bowls from Canada, I couldn’t bring too many clothes. But that is not really a problem, because Domaine Les Ranchisses also has a self-service laundromat that is available 24/7.
Paddling at Domaine Les Ranchisses
You can really have a self-contained vacation here. It is also extremely peaceful for a campground – although I suspect it is much busier in the summer high season. But even now, there are guests from various European countries. The majority seem to be from France, Switzerland, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
One of the many pools (bar and reception building in the background) at Domaine Les Ranchisses
Coming up: reports on Largentière and the surrounding area!
While I’ve indicated that the main reason for this trip is lawn bowling, I haven’t really explained the details. As I’ve got some interesting but unused pictures from Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, I will use them here and provide some background information about the lawn bowling competitions.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, as seen from the village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard
At present, lawn bowling in Switzerland is played entirely indoors. They play on large “carpets” in curling rinks that would otherwise be unused in the summer. When they want to select players for certain international competitions, however, they go to the nearest outdoor facility that is compliant with world standards. And that facility is in Largentière, France.
Chapelle Notre-Dame des Grâces (in the hamlet of Ramponnet, above Menthon-Saint-Bernard)
That’s why I’m going to Largentière: I am vying for a spot to represent Switzerland in two international lawn bowling competitions. One is the European Championships, for which 5-person teams will be selected for both men and women. The other is a Singles event known as the World “Champion of Champions”, for which each bowling nation sends their national Singles champion.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
This will play out over two weeks. For the first week, I’ll be mostly practicing. But I also will participate in some informal tournaments with Swiss bowlers and bowlers from the local French club. As we move into the second week, I will start to play my qualifying matches.
The larger chapel at Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
It’s going to be an interesting experience. In my competitive events, there are a couple of Swiss-Australian bowlers in addition to the players who live in Switzerland. But, so far, I’ve found that lawn bowling seems to translate fairly well all over the world.
The cosy library at Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Whatever happens, I’m going to have a fascinating visit to a part of the world that I had never really considered as a travel destination. And sometimes those trips can be the best ones. Stay tuned!
My big sightseeing adventure in Annecy was going to see the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard. I had never heard of it before planning this trip, although it inspired the castle in Walt Disney’s “Sleeping Beauty.” It turned out to be an interesting way to spend an afternoon.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, as seen from the trail through the vineyards
The castle itself is located about 25 minutes by bus from Annecy, above the village of Menthon-Saint-Bernard (and Lac Annecy). I confidently took local bus #20 and got out at the village. I had heard that it was a grinding 25-minute uphill walk, as the castle is perched high above the lake. But I neglected to check my map before going, so I had to do some spontaneous navigating to figure out how to get there. The castle was always visible, but a lack of signs meant that I took some perhaps unnecessary detours before finding the right path.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, as seen from the trail along the mountain ridge
After about half an hour, I arrived at the castle gate. I had time to take a few external pictures before the next guided tour (the only way to get inside the castle). Only a small portion of the 105 rooms can be seen on the tour, as the owners still live in the castle. The same family has lived here for close to 800 years…I believe the current owner represents the 23rd generation of the Menthon family.
Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard, from the back
The castle looks merely impressive from a distance, but it becomes daunting as you approach it. The walls are incredibly thick, and all the stone makes it feel quite cool inside. Many rooms do not have any windows. But those that have windows facing east have a spectacular view over Lac Annecy, the castle vineyards, mountains, and the various small villages dotting the lake.
The bedroom of the duchess in the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
The rooms we could see were quite dated. It almost felt like this was a “Clue” game, and we were seeing interpretations of stereotypical old-fashioned rooms. But this was not just a recreation of earlier days. The bedroom shown above still looked this way when it was being used in the 1980s. I guess it’s not easy to quickly overhaul the interior decorating in a 105-room castle.
Dining/living room at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
When you have 105 rooms, some of them can be quite specialized. This castle had two chapels (one very small, one slightly larger). It also had a large library, consisting of thousands of books from the Middle Ages. Some thought had gone into it: they were sorted by subject matter (albeit 16th-century subjects) so that it would be easier to look up things. However, most of the books would be a tough slog now: they were written either in Latin or in 16th-century French, which apparently is quite different from today’s French.
Library in the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Besides seeing several rooms, we climbed a very narrow spiral staircase to access a higher level. OK, perhaps it wasn’t the same as the endless stairway to the top of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. But it was a much more medieval atmosphere, and as a result even the climb itself was interesting.
Kitchen at the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
After the tour was over, I took more photographs and enjoyed the view over Lake Annecy. I then took a different route back to Menthon-Saint Bernard, winding my way through the castle’s vineyards. Their wine was for sale in the adjacent gift shop, but I need to travel light on this trip. Perhaps I would have bought some if I were staying in the area for more than two nights.
View of Lac Annecy, from the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard (soccer field visible)
I passed by a soccer match on my way back to the coastal road. I explored a little bit of the village whilst waiting for the next bus, taking some random paths and even getting asked for directions. I must have looked confident even though I had no idea where I was going.
Another approach to the Château de Menthon-Saint-Bernard
Tomorrow, I move on to the relatively unknown Ardèche region. There is no public transportation to the village of Largentière, where I’ll be spending two weeks. But I am fortunate enough to be getting a ride from a kind lawn bowler who is heading to the same place. More details on Largentiere soon!
My second day in Annecy was quite different from the first. At the end of the first day, I realized that the city was hosting a big marathon race…and well as some shorter races for those less inclined to run for 26 miles. One of the waterfront parks was completely closed off to handle the administration of all of those races.
Annecy, France – This reminded me of a similar clock in Reims, France
On top of that, all the street vendors from the first day’s antique market seem to have disappeared. So, while the main street was still rather busy, it wasn’t nearly as crowded as the first day. I did feel more relaxed downtown. Some of my technological issues resolved. And I also felt better after getting a full night’s sleep.
A store specializing in…Canada! Just a block from my hotel in Annecy, France
But the finishing touch to the second day turnaround came from an unlikely source. In my pre-trip research, I had learned that “The Little Italy” restaurant was ranked the highest of all 100+ pizzerias in Annecy. This surprised me for several reasons.
A hidden nook near my hotel in Annecy
Firstly, restaurants in France with English names attract suspicion from me. Were they just trying to lure homesick English-speaking tourists? Secondly, the restaurant was on Annecy’s busiest pedestrian street, with tables spilling out onto the sidewalk. This raised the risk that the location was taking a priority over quality. Thirdly, the pizza names were mostly based on “The Godfather”: the Corleone, the Cosa Nostra, etc. That didn’t seem too “authentic”.
Cool alpine light over one of Annecy’s canals
But even on a rainy Sunday evening, the place was nearly packed. I told myself to trust the experts and give it a try, despite the many red flags. I managed to secure the second-last available outdoor table, which was in the middle and very close to the street. I ordered a Pizza Sinatra, which is made up of tomato sauce, fior de latte mozzarella, fontina cheese, speck, oregano, and olives. And to drink, a glass of lambrusco, a glass of sparkling red wine.
The waiter has just cleared my table at “The Little Italy”, and is summoning the next guests
I was very happy with the meal. There was a *lot* of cheese, and the fontina worked well. It was a very substantial pizza, considering how thin the crust was. I was able to spice it up a little with some pepper-infused oil. And they did *not* charge for the bread sticks or the water that appeared on the table: some Italian restaurants levy a cover charge (coperto) for the bread and water if you touch them at all.
My pizza at “The Little Italy”, Annecy, France
Best of all, I didn’t feel either ignored or “overserved” – they had found the perfect balance. And they were very helpful when I returned to the restaurant later looking for my lost electronic hotel card. They found it under my table and retrieved it with a minimum of fuss. So, despite all the red flags, “The Little Italy” turned out to be a satisfying final meal in Annecy. And, in turn, I ended up feeling a lot better about the town after the underwhelming first day. Maybe the problem that day was just a jetlagged and cranky me, rather than Annecy itself!
When I heard that Annecy was called “the Venice of the Alps”, I interpreted it to mean “the Venice of the Alps that only insiders know about.” And in the Canadian context, that is probably true.
One of many canals in Annecy, France, the “Venice of the Alps”
However, in Europe, Annecy seems to be quite well known indeed. And while I am glad that I’ve been to Venice, I also don’t think I will ever go again unless I need to fly into that airport for some other reason. The Venetian crowds, and the shrinking local population, can make it a daunting proposition except in the early morning and the late evening.
Busy times in the old town of Annecy, France
So, how does Annecy compare? Well, Annecy isn’t exclusively composed of canals, like much of Venice. And the smell of Annecy is much better. But, on the day I arrived, the crowds in Annecy were approaching Venetian levels. As were the number of souvenir shops, ice cream shops, and English-language menus. I love gelato as much as anyone, but still…
Lots of waterside dining in Annecy, France
Annecy *is* beautiful. And the mountains in the background make it even easier on the eyes. But after an hour or two downtown, I was tired. I wanted to go to a restaurant that only locals knew about, that didn’t have English menus, and were focused on serving (and retaining) their local clientele. My first impression was that I wasn’t going to find that in Annecy.
Château d’Annecy
It has a castle, of course. But it also has the Pont des Amours (“Lovers’ Bridge”, pictured below). This nicely located but fairly non-descript bridge reminded me of Juliet’s Balcony (as in Romeo & Juliet) in Verona, Italy. It seemed overtaken by what people wanted it to be. And just like Juliet’s Balcony (and house) may not even be the real thing, the name of the Lovers’ Bridge may in fact refer to paid love rather than romantic love.
The Pont des Amours near the lake in Annecy, France
So, as noted, my first impression of Annecy was not a particularly great one…at least, when compared to the “undiscovered gem” that I had envisioned. Such impressions can easily happen, especially when you arrive at a bad time. For example, there’s nothing worse than arriving the day before garbage day (especially when every business puts their garbage out early).
One of many ice cream/gelato places in the historic downtown of Annecy, France
And I guess it is important to remember that I formed this impression on the day I arrived from Canada. I was certainly jet-lagged. I also had some technological challenges. And then there was that substandard crêperie experience I wrote about in my previous post.
I was aware of these circumstances, and the biases such circumstances can create, but I still wondered how Annecy could triumph over my initial impression. Throngs of tourists really aren’t my thing (even though I may contribute to the problem).
I stayed in this hotel while in Annecy
Stay tuned to find out whether Annecy met the challenge!
Many months ago, I had it all planned out. I would arrive in Lyon, and then take a train directly from the Lyon airport to Annecy, my first destination on this (purportedly) France-only trip.
I knew that there was “dynamic pricing” for the train, meaning that a ticket bought far in advance is generally cheaper than one bought on the day of travel. But I didn’t quite trust the exact arrival time of my flight, especially as it had already been rescheduled (to 24 hours earlier!) a few months ago. So, I decided not to buy the Lyon-Annecy train ticket in advance.
A typical Swiss train station scene – at the Genève-Aéroport station
Sure enough, less than 10 hours before my flight left Montreal, I received what looked like another “we’re sorry…” e-mail from the airline. But this one was different. My flight will still leaving on time. Alas, the class of service I bought (usually, the three kinds are economy, premium economy, and business) had totally disappeared from the flight! So I had to travel in a lower class, but at the higher class price.
Migros supermarkets are commonly found near the train station in the big Swiss airports – this one is at Genève-Aéroport, and I bought a Ragusa Noir chocolate bar for old time’s sake
This certainly falls into the category of “first world problems.” But, nonetheless, I was unhappy that my careful planning and price-shopping was stymied mere hours before departure. And, for physical reasons, I cannot endure smaller seats for an overnight flight. It was going to be an extremely uncomfortable trip, right before an important sports competition. Not a good way to start!
The departure/destination board at Genève-Aéroport train station
I then called the airline to express my concern. I told them that, for physical reasons, I had to fly the same class that I had paid for. But I also gave them a way out: if they could get me to Geneva (Switzerland) instead of Lyon, on the same day, and non-stop, we could make a deal. Lo and behold: there was a non-stop flight to Geneva, that evening (one hour earlier), and it still had seats in my chosen class.
Typical interior of a Swiss train, 2nd class car.
They were happy to comply, and at no increased cost. The ironic thing is that I had wanted to travel to Geneva all along, but it was far more expensive than flying to nearby Lyon. In fact, Annecy is a little bit closer to Geneva than it is to Lyon. So it all worked out for the best, and I even got to spend a couple of hours in Switzerland (which I commemorated with the workaday train station photos you see here).
I wanted this “chèvre chaud” galette to be better than it was. The chèvre is hiding under the salad.
But I would have been less pleased if I had bought that (expensive and ultimately useless) Lyon Airport-Annecy train ticket in advance. My only travel error of the day was a relatively small one: I spontaneously went to a different Annecy crêperie than the one I had carefully researched. And the replacement crêperie did not live up to my expectations. I was deceived by an appealing sign and entrance.
There is more to come from Annecy. The photo at the very top of the post is an amuse-bouche!
As much as I like to travel, it is not feasible to go everywhere I want to go. But I can still enjoy things from other countries in the comfort of my own home. Today’s post features food and music from countries that I have never visited.
The Ukrainian “Prague” cake, right before we started to eat it.
The vivid cover photo at the very top of this post is the packaging for a “Prague” chocolate cake. While Prague is of course in Czechia, the cake itself is from Ukraine. And the photo right above this paragraph is the cake you see when you take the lid off the packaging. The cake is now gone, but it definitely tasted like Europe! It’s always fun to try new products like this.
Ukrainian sour cherry jam
Speaking of new Ukrainian products, we’re trying the above cherry jam. We wanted to replace the cherry jam we previously used. This Ukrainian one tastes better, and sour cherries are actually the first ingredient! This is a big win because most jams have sugar as the first ingredient. As a bonus, this jam was also less expensive than the one we previously used.
Smoky salsa from Mexico
While I have visited a number of Latin American countries, I have never made it to Mexico. I love very spicy food, but it is sometimes a challenge to find a spicy salsa that has no garlic. This spicy Mexican salsa is packed with smoky flavour and isn’t runny. The regular price is “above average”, so I bought four jars the last time it went on sale.
I’m looking forward to trying this snack from India
Speaking of spicy food…that’s one of the reasons I like Indian cuisine. This snack from India is a little different, as it is a sweet and sour mix. I wasn’t sure that sour would work in a dry snack, but I tried some khatta meetha recently and was pleasantly surprised. India is a very long way to go, but I am sure that I will find plenty to like if I’m ever able to visit there.
Side 2 of Bob Marley’s classic “Exodus” album. One of my favourite sides of music.
To accompany all this tasty food, I turn to my (vinyl) record collection. When I’m in a more meditative mood, Bob Marley’s “Exodus” album hits the spot. While I have never made it to Jamaica, my luggage has! When I was returning from a business trip to San Antonio many year ago, the airline messed up my luggage and sent it to Kingston, Jamaica, rather than “my” Kingston.
Side 1 of Jorge Ben’s “África Brasil” album. Nice gold vinyl too.
A little more adventurous is Jorge Ben’s “África Brasil” album. This 1976 album is a fusion of various types of music, but still very Brazilian. I have a lot of Brazilian music in my collection, and this is one of the best. Even if you think you don’t know this music, you probably will recognize at least one song. Rod Stewart had a hit in the late 1970s that lifted the melody from “Taj Mahal”. Ben successfully sued Stewart, and the royalties went to Unicef instead.
“The Indestructible Beat of Soweto” – a 1985 compilation from South Africa
Long-time readers know that I really enjoy a lot of South African music. It’s another faraway place that I’ve never visited. The above compilation album (“The Indestructible Beat of Soweto”) features mostly mbaqanga music, which is what formed the basis of Paul Simon’s very successful 1986 “Graceland” album. But this album was released the year before Graceland. It was one of the first albums of contemporary South African music to be widely available outside the country.
The title of today’s post is from “The Inner Light”, by the Beatles. It is a George Harrison composition that uses Indian instrumentation, while the lyrics are based on the Tao Te Ching. Another good line from the song: “The farther one travels, the less one knows.” Maybe that will be the title of a blog post some day!
Today’s post is about ensuring that sports travel is as successful as it can be. My focus is on competitive sports, although some of these tips can be applied to recreational sports or even just regular leisure travel.
At the top of Klein Matterhorn, just before altitude sickness kicked in!
A. Know the Environment
It’s very easy to determine things like the altitude, average temperature, and humidity of your destination. All of these can play a huge role in dictating the types of conditions you’ll be facing. I can attest that altitude sickness is a real thing, and that overly dry climates can be just as challenging as very humid ones.
Talking about altitude…Hikers enjoying the view from the Sun Gate (Machu Picchu, Peru)
By researching this in advance, you can pack accordingly and minimize the risk of being completely unprepared for the weather or geography.
Phoenix, Arizona, is very dry. If I ever return, I’ll bring lots of lip balm.
B. Respect Jet Lag
A rule of thumb is that it takes one day to fully recover for each time zone. So, if you are travelling to central Europe, expect a full six days to pass before you are truly acclimated to your new location.
Looking intense against our very strong Czech opponents in Prague – or maybe it’s just fighting the jet lag after arriving the day before.
In practical terms, this means one thing: arrive early! For my upcoming trip, I will arrive in France more than a week before the serious competition starts. I will be practicing within two days of arrival, and playing in less competitive events soon afterward. However, I won’t have any truly intense matches until jet lag is but a memory.
Shocked and awed at Forcella Staunies (Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy) – save this type of piste for later in the week!
This leads to my next point…
C. Ease into the Intensity
Don’t go crazy over the first few days. Though it will be tempting to practice all day, in order to get used to the local conditions, it is best to gently increase the intensity. I do this for two reasons.
When you first arrive, limit your exertion to walking. That’s what I did on my first day in France in 2024 – here’s a fun record store in downtown Lyon.
Firstly, it reduces the risk of injury…particularly if you haven’t played for a while. Secondly, intensity uses up your mental and physical resources. You want to have something left in the tank for the final few matches…not just the first ones. Finally, including some leisure time also keeps everything in balance.
An easy, low altitude piste near Zweisimmen, Switzerland – ideal for the first day of skiing
D. In competition, stick with the familiar
The competitive surroundings will be new and interesting…maybe even challenging. The opponents will be different. The accommodations will be unfamiliar. The food will be different. Maybe the language is different too. All of those things use up mental energy and can take a toll on you, even if it seems fun at the time. So why would you want to experiment with a new technique or new equipment on top of that?
A local market in Santiago, Chile
I firmly believe that I play best when I am in a “flow” state – it’s almost unconscious. I don’t have to think about what I’m doing. All the hours of practice have led to that point. And it is much easier to be in a “flow” state if you are using familiar equipment and techniques.
More fun (with good equipment) at the Swiss-Italian border, high above Zermatt and Cervinia
E. Do the Hard Work Before the Trip
My goal is to have a completely unencumbered mind when the competition gets serious. That means it is much better to do the hard work before I go, so that I am not “cramming” upon arrival. It’s like preparing for an exam.
McGreer Hall at Bishop’s University (Lennoxville, Québec) – looks like a good place to study!
I don’t want to disclose too much about my pre-competition preparations here. But, in general, this would encompass things like developing game plans and doing my sports psychology reading. That last one is really important. I read a couple of special sports psychology books each winter so that I’m ready to hit the ground running in the spring. Even though the content is familiar by now, it still needs a bit of time to settle. If it has settled, I can then call on those resources easily if I suddenly need them in the midst of the competition.
Cambridge, England – Yes, this would be a good place to study too!
Bringing it all Together
I know that if I do all of the above things, I am maximizing my chances for success. I’ve done what I can to control what is truly within my control. Yes, luck plays a role. So do other external factors. But while I can’t control everything, I am increasing the odds that unforeseen situations end up in my favour. And in competitive sports, where there are no easy matches, it really is about improving the odds.
Delivering a bowl at the 2022 Canadian Lawn Bowling Championships
A final thought…some old clichés stick around because they’re true. Here is one of my favourites about sports competitions: “The harder I work, the luckier I get.” That is particularly true for competing in unfamiliar places.
[The photo at the very top of this post is from Madonna di Campiglio, Italy. I don’t think it is well known to Canadians, but it is justifiably popular among Italian skiers for an enjoyable week “away from it all.”]
In the 1990s, Aeroplan (Air Canada’s loyalty program) had some great deals. The cheapest reward level would let you fly from anywhere in Ontario to anywhere in Quebec. Well, I found a nifty itinerary: a five-flight (!) odyssey from Kingston, Ontario, to Harrington Harbour, Quebec.
The airport in Sept–Îles, Quebec
As one of my long-time friends had recently moved to Harrington Harbour, I took the opportunity to visit on the May 23 (Victoria Day) weekend. I flew from (1) Kingston to Toronto, (2) Toronto to Montreal, (3) Montreal to Sept-Iles, (4) Sept-Iles to Chevery (an 11-seat plane with a stop in Natashquan), and (5) Chevery to Harrington Harbour (by helicopter). Whew! I certainly maximized my frequent flyer reward on this trip.
This is how I arrived in Harrington Harbour! This helicopter travels to and from the mainland village of Chevery, Quebec
Harrington Harbour is a small fishing village (current population 205) on the remote North Shore of the St. Lawrence River. While it lies in Quebec, it is very close to the Labrador border…and it really felt like a Newfoundland outport. English is the spoken language, and the accent is similar to what you hear in rural Newfoundland.
View from the eastern edge of Harrington Harbour
While my itinerary was challenging, I did not have too much choice. Harrington Harbour is on an island near the mainland village of Chevery. But, even today, neither one is reachable by road. The only real choices are travelling by air or, between April and January, by boat. As you can see from the photos, there was still some snow on the ground even though summer was less than a month away.
The aptly-named Windbreaker Bridge in downtown Harrington Harbour. Notice the horizontal drawstrings.
As there are no roads to Harrington Harbour, there really isn’t a need for big cars and trucks. And there really aren’t streets either. Instead, there is a network of boardwalks upon which smaller vehicles (like ATVs) can navigate the rocky terrain. When the ships can’t access the town in the winter, neighbouring communities are accessible by snowmobile.
Looking east from Harrington Harbour
By 1999, I still hadn’t visited any of Canada’s northern territories. But when I look at the Harrington Harbour pictures now, I see a little bit of Nunavut in the rocky, treeless landscape. When you look at a map, this begins to make sense. Harrington Harbour is almost as far north as James Bay.
The wharf and fish plant in downtown Harrington Harbour
As a rare visitor from Ontario, I was welcomed into the community for a couple of special events. The first was a volleyball game. As with my high school exchange to Hinton, Alberta, this was a sport that everybody in Canada seemed to play.
The wind has calmed down a bit!
I also took part in the Victoria Day festivities. As you can see, a serious bonfire was built and it burned for quite a long time.
United Church in Harrington Harbour, Quebec.
While those activities were boisterous, it wasn’t hard to escape into complete silence. There aren’t any other communities on the island, so you can walk in pretty much any direction and be completely alone in the very northern landscape.
Victoria Day bonfire in Harrington Harbour
It is not easy for remote communities like Harrington Harbour to retain population. Having road access would likely create more opportunities and make it easier to keep people around. But, for now, there is still a 375 km gap east of Kegaska that is not accessible by road. I am not aware of a completion date for the extension of Route 138.
Stay tuned for more Canadian flashbacks…and, before too long, my spring trip to France!
A couple of posts ago, I said that I was in the process of confirming my plans for my spring trip. Today’s post reveals those details, as well as the other major trip I have planned for later this summer.
Downtown Rouen, France (but not the South) – July 2018
As has been the case for most of my recent major trips, lawn bowling competitions are “anchoring” each trip. But, especially for the first trip, there should be time for other activities as well. So, here we go…
Awkward intersection in Vitré, France (but not the South) – July 2018
My first trip is to southern France. I will be spending non-competition time in Lyon and Annecy, but also hope to explore some of the “off-the-beaten-path” Ardèche region. I wasn’t too far from this part of France in 2020, but once again it was for skiing purposes.
Bayeux’s Cathedral at 11:00 p.m. (not the South of France) -July 2018
The mighty Seine, from the Eiffel Tower, Paris, France (not the South) – July 2018
In addition to these trips, I will once again be crisscrossing Ontario in the summer months. And depending on how the season goes, maybe another (Canadian) trip will materialize. But even if that doesn’t happen, France and Alberta tick all the boxes for me this year. I put a lot of thought into selecting them, and I look forward to sharing them with you when the time comes!
Low tide at Saint-Servan, France (not the South) – July 2018
For fun, the photos for today’s post are all from my summer 2018 trip to (not southern) France. Except for the cover photo at the very top – that’s from Alberta!
