In the Winter We dream about our visit to Provence in October 2010 – Toulon etc

It’s extrodinary cold to be in November here in Oslo, Norway.
About –12 to – 14 C or around 10 F.
Bright Blue Sky – Sunny.
But it’s dark when we leave for work and it’s dark when we returns to home. 
All Photos are clickable, so you can dispose your own time…
 
Hence, it’s a pleasure to present and think about our visit to the dearest couple Claudie and Pierre first week of October this year.
Here  they are on a Bandol Beach.
 
And Anna? In the Sea you see..
You know, when we were there, they were both at Work. Exceptions posted earlier. So this is Anna and me in Toulon.  Some Photos. Let’s get started.

Wednesday we went to Mount Faron, and watched down on Toulon.
I said: Let’s go down there on Friday (I got my hair cut – last time was in Istanbul in July).
 
Said and done. Here from the Harbour of Toulon.

I like the name of this tiny Fishing Vessel – The Small Sardine -Sardinette. 
More local Fishing Boats
 
Going to Corsica with your Car? Here is one of the Ferries.

Tribute to Sailors – Toulon has been a mayor French Naval Port since long time…
 
We went up to the old part of Toulon.
Here you see the Theatre Building.
I got my Hair cut, classical short I ordered. €12.

After a Sightseeing using our own feets, we needed a nice meal 
Pierre worked very late, so we started with a traditional Tomatoe salad, Provence style, prepared by Claudie. So simple and delicious 
Then Pierre arrived and served Fish Soup.
He should open a Restaurant. Really a great Cook, he is.
 
Here you see Master Chief Pierre as well around the Table.
Seafood and testing Crémant de Bourgogne.
 
We had an excellent dinner, and had to take care when climbing up the Stairs.
 
Cheers to you all for a great Future.

More to come…

PS. We will be in Texas next Week

Christmas Market in Frankfurt 24 November – 22 December 2010 –Views from the preparation

 
 
The two above Photos ©Tourismus+Congress GmbH Frankfurt am Main
As my regular readers may recall, we was in Franfurt, Germany last weekend. And on Saturday, we went to the Old Town – Alt Stadt.
 
Here people were very busy preparing for the traditional Christmas Market, one of the best and largest in Germany
. 
Something for the Kids

Something for the grown ups like Glühwein will be served here.
More scenes from the preparations. Click to enlarge.
 
The Official Opening Ceremony was hostet by Frankfurt's Lord Mayor Petra Roth
Wed., 24.11., 17:00 hrs, Römerberg stage
 
It was a chilly Saturday, so we ended up in a traditional German restaurant, Adolf Wagner. And had local seasonal traditional Geese for dinner. Here we are before the Dinner was served.
 
In this famous establishment they make their own appel wine.
Which is as well a local tradition in this part of Germany (Hessen).
It’s 85% appelwein and the rest is Selters (Sparkling Water). If you will go to this place in the evenings, you have to reserve. It’s very popular.
 
Young Metin Leander had a Cold. Look at his Nose.
 
We went home to our dear family and guess what?  Have a great time.

Please read this, and you will really understand the meaning of Carpe Diem. 15 Months – and then… Please send your thoughts via my daughter.


More to come…

A Weekend with Grandpa at the local Playground – A report from Metin Leander

PROLOG
Last weekend we went from Oslo down south to Frankfurt in Germany.
Less than 2 hours Flight.
 
We both went directly from work and took the Airport Express Train from Oslo Central.
Only 19 minutes.
The Train you see on the Photo takes some minutes more.
Lower price, but the Airport Express leaves every 10 minutes.
 
My Daughter and her Family just moved here a couple of weeks ago.
The first report is of course focused on grandson, Metin Leander.
Here you see the backyard as is in November.

Now, this is Metin Leanders own story  - A Sunday Walk Part 1
 
We have not seen each other since August. So here I come.  But where is the Red Carpet?  Have you ever seen me running Grandpa?

OK, let’s start with Brunch. 
Brunch?
– I respect elderly people during Weekends.
They need to sleep…
I wake up at 4 AM. 
Can't sleep away the Day. That's my simple rule.
 
So, what’s on the menu?
I’ll have a taste – gosh I love this smoothie
 
Brötchen – Ja danke – yes please
 
Let’s go for a Sunday Walk
– See I’m dressed for the Season. Baba as well.

Here I am at the local Playground with Mother and Father. They love to play with me.
 
I loved this huge swing. Very comfy and secure
 
I felt secure in this swing as well.
Papa is there to swing me and take care of my safety.  
This one is to speedy for me, my age.
Even Grandpa did agree.

We did some crazy horse riding too.
But only for a short time.
Mama is to heavy for this one - kids only;)

I liked this one.
With mum and dad while Anna did enjoy our ride.

See – we had fun
 
Have you ever played with the Autumn Leafs?
I like it. So natural.
And what a crammy noise
…  And I had to look at details as well..
 
Next Grandpa forced me into this slide…

I think Grandpa do know me. I did really like the Slide.
I did go down for – well I can only count to the number of my fingers
– my age you know.

This playground is only 2 minutes walk away from my home. I’m so lucky to have such a ground nearby.
And this was only the first Playground we did visit last Sunday.

…..more to come  
- if you want to play with me one more time?
I like;) 


Hugs to all of you from Metin Leander

On a cloudy day in Provence – what to do?

It was Monday, October 4, 2010. Claudie and Pierre had left the House and gone to work.
We wake up late and had some breakfast, prepared by Pierre before he left.
As allways very good.
 
We could not sit just here all day. Besides, heavy clouds were on it’s way.
And it was blowing. Click on the Photo and watch the Trees.
 
So what to do? We went South.
To the peninsula of Giens.
The southern part of Hyères, which I did visit first time in 1967.
As a student. We slept on the Beach at that time;).
Time changes.
 
Here is from the south west side of the peninsula, at the marina.
I f you love the famouse french fish pot, you can have it here. But keep in mind the serving hours. We arrived 5 minutes too late for Lunch and the Bouillabaisse. 

So we went to the other side of this tiny, charming peninsula, to La Tour Fondue.

And had a local tradtion for Lunch: Moules aux Frites. 
Here you see the fortresse – settled on a very tiny Island.
 
La Tour de Fondue is the main port to visit L’îles d’Or – the Golden Islands of  The  3 Hyères Islands. Recommended when you are in the Area.
On our way back to Claudie and Pierre we thought about to give them a surprise during their working week days – some delicious cakes for dessert.
 
After the cakes, we had fun watching photos of ourselfs and even manipulated the Photos.

Afterwards we was introduced to some extrodinary video-clips with famous french singer Serge Gainsbourg.
He is without no doubt one of a kind.

Take a minute and watch when he met Whitney Houston on Direct TV.
You must watch the Clip to believe it. What he said to her is not suitable on this blog.

He is most known for: Je t’aime  moi non plus, with Jane Birkin

Visit Claudie’s Blog

More to come.... so stay tuned