Brunch with Cheryl and Chris

What fun!  We had a wonderful brunch/lunch with our friends Cheryl and Chris today at our central meeting spot in Greensboro (between their home in Durham and ours in Cornelius).  The Green Valley Grill at the O'Henry Hotel.

Chris and Cheryl were our 'advance team' to Paris and are now our resident experts in all things Parisian.  We had a delightful time hearing about their trip in July/Aug, asked lots of questions and got lots of good information including some booklets/flyers that they brought back for us and suggestions about restaurants and things that they enjoyed the most.  What's not to like about Paris?

Chris showed us a photo show of their trip on his Mac (clearly, we took up space for a lengthy lunch); we are so jealous of his gorgeous pictures from warm, sunny Paris and of their river cruise from Paris to Normandy and back.  Not at all the weather we are expecting in November.  Currently it's in the 50s, cloudy on good days and raining on others.  But we've never let weather dictate how we travel...we will be well prepared with sweaters, umbrellas, water-proof jackets, gloves and lots of layers for quick weather changes.  The trip seems very real now.  Only a little more than 3 weeks until we leave.  My packing list is complete, suitcases are ready to be filled, and, thanks to Ellen and Mike, transportation to the airport ensured.

Pre-trip planning

Paris, Barcelona, and Oceania's Riviera, oh, my!

Less than 1 month!and we are heading to Paris for the very first time.  Hotels in Paris and Barcelona booked thanks to hoarding Marriott points...5 nights in the city of lights and 2 nights in Art's favorite city, Barcelona.  Airline tickets bought, itinerary in progress, lots of good info printed from the Web and helpful friends.  All we have to do is pack - a real challenge since we have strict weight limitations on our flight from Paris to BCN but  a 14 night cruise home following our week in Europe AND we will be taking clothes for cool to cold weather!  

The days are now flying by with several 'mini-trips' and other obligations along the way.  I've given up on reading weather forecasts...very changeable and lots of rain.  We will just plan on layers, umbrellas and indoor activities when the weather is uncooperative :).

 

Posted with Blogsy