"Quatre Putains En France" Blog

With Mandy getting two weeks off in November we decided that we should take advantage and get away somewhere. At first we were considering a trip to Vietnam. Amanda had been doing some research and it looks like a spectacular place to visit - history, food, culture, geography, and cost were all favourable. In the process of looking at flights we noticed that there were direct flights available to France from Calgary, for the same time we were available to travel, and for only $550/person return... After some quick discussion we decided to jump on these tickets, and put Vietnam on our list of trips to do.

Shortly after we did this we had our good friends Audrey and Gerry over to the house for a visit.  One thing led to another and we convinced them to join us.  They booked flights right there and then without hesitating and we are now a gang of four on our way to beautiful France for two weeks of world history, family history, food, Tour de France route seeing, and maybe even a hike or two!

Our rough itinerary is as follows:

• Normandy/Brittany to retrace some of JM's grandfathers first steps during WWII
• South through Bordeaux to Carcassonne, the namesake of one of our favourite board games
• East to the French Alps where we will stay near a ski town/hang-gliding Mecca in the mountains
• North to visit JM's dad's family home towns
• Back to Paris for three days of touring and sight-seeing

It promises to be a great trip with great friends, full of history, nature, good food, arts, and culture.  We are really looking forward to it, and hope to document most of it in a blog that you can find here or in the sidebar under "Previous Adventures".

Mont Saint-Michel - We Plan On Stopping Here While In Brittany

TGOC 2024 Blog

Mandy had wanted to try do a TGOC crossing with the whole family this year, before the boys finish school and all go their separate ways.  By the time registration came around, Mandy had started a new full-time job 😢, and Ty was planning some summer races😭 - so that left Ben, Sam and I.  I am sad that Mandy and Ty won't be there, but I am excited I will get to share the experience with Sam and Ben.

We have submitted an ambitious route planned, but I know the boys are up to the task - as long as they wait up for their old man!  Highlights will include:

• Loch Morar and the Sgurr na h-Aide ridge
• Glen Finnan Viaduct (from the Harry Potter movies)
• Seeing and walking around Ben Nevis (tallest mountain in the UK)
• The bridge at Corrour Station (from the Trainspotting movie)
• Camping near Falls of Tarff, and walking up Glen Tilt again
• Climbing Lochnagar
• Experiencing Tarfside for the first time
• Finishing on the beach at St. Cyrus again

I am on the mend from a pretty serious back issue that had me off my feet for the better part of two months, but my recovery has been progressing, and I will try to do all the right things to make sure I am ready in time.  Fingers crossed, and please send any positive vibes you can!

If you feel like following along you can access our blog here.

We Plan On Camping Near Here On Our First Night...🤞