Thursday, July 22, 2010

FRANCE...A Dream Comes True!!



I have been to Paris thirty years ago but have dreamt for years and years about visiting the French countryside... Little did I know that my dream would come true in July 2010...! I have a very special friend that lives in the Loire Valley and great was my excitement when the opportunity arose for me to visit her. I flew to Paris on July 5th with a few butterflies in my stomach. I have been married for sixteen years and realised how dependant I became on my husband since being married. The idea to catch a train all by myself at Charles de Gaulle airport to the french countryside made me nervous and therefore I couldn't help to pray for an angel to assist me. The lady sitting next to me on the plane was very friendly and we immediately hit it off. She had to meet her friend who left the States a few weeks earlier at the train station at Charles de Gaulle. Great was my relief when she invited me to go with her to meet her friend at the train station. We laughed a lot at the airport looking for the right way to go...it was like the blind leading the blind! It didn't matter to me because just having my new friend Diane next to me was very comforting.....

Finally Diane found her friend Mary and when she asked Mary to what train station they were going to I couldn't believe my ears....St. Pierre-des-Corps....the exact same train station I was going to! Now I had two angels to assist me!

























My first angel Diane waiting for our train to St. Pierre-des-Corps on the platform.




























Myself and Mary, my second angel waiting for the train to St. Pierre-des-Corps.

























My first glimpse of the french countryside....























Another view from the train of the french countryside.

At St. Pierre-des-Corps I said goodbye to my two angels when I saw my friend R's smiling face amongst all the people. Everything was like a dream....

Arriving at her beautiful home with the prettiest garden we were greeted by three french ladies. They were friends of R and waited for an important package to arrive at R's home while she fetched me at the train station. I wish I had a video camera because these petite french ladies were laughing, smiling and talking in french to R while I stood there in total amazement, understanding nothing and enjoying the moment!

























R's pretty garden with birds singing and the soothing sound of water dripping from a fountain that greeted me upon arrival!


















































R and her husband's beautiful home in the middle to the right....

























What a lovely home....!

























....and what a warm welcome....a beautiful room, card, gifts, fresh white french linen and white towels awaiting me!





































The gorgeous view from my lovely bedroom onto the Loire river...


























My bathroom above....with the best bathroom view in the world below!!


























I have so much more to share with you but will have to leave it till the next few posts to be able to tell it all!

All images taken by me except image 3 taken by my friend Diane.

12 comments:

  1. Oh my...I am sitting here with teary eyes...you are so sweet to ask for angel help and it was answered so perfectly!
    I would so love to do this..to have a friend there to go visit...what a beautiful place and gardens, I could just hear the water and birds!
    I can hardly wait to hear and see the rest of this story! :D (PS. You are so pretty!)

    ReplyDelete
  2. O my....oh la la la France........so beautiful Paris.i was their two times..i love it !! and some day i go back !!.......amazing pictures!!...i am glad you are back !!! love Ria....

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am green with envy. Is it Ronelle with the blog?
    What a beautiful home and WHAT AN OPPORTUNITY! Great photos and I love your header shot. Thanks for visiting...how boring Skoog Farm is compared to your recent trip!!!

    ReplyDelete
  4. A touching tale with your two angels, Ingrid...and keep on dreaming about your Mediterranean home, which will come sooner than you think!
    bisous

    ReplyDelete
  5. Bonjour Ingrid! Welcome back!!
    La Francis est magnifique, n'est-ce que pas? Votre photos sont formidables!
    Looking forward to the rest of your gorgeous trip! Have a happy lovely sunny bon weekend! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Hi Ingrid,

    Welcome back to you as well! Your post sounds so happy. You must have had a great time! Just know what you mean about going away on your own. I had to travel to England on my own with two of my daughters, because my husbands passport was overdue....It was very exciting, but we got there in the end! My husband came four days later.

    You look lovely on the photo! I like the clothes your wearing. They really suit you.

    The house & gardens of your friend Ronelle look beautiful too. Thanks for sharing with us! Look forward to see the rest of your photo's. Did you make some of Holland as well?

    Enjoy your weekend!

    Lieve groet, Madelief

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carissima Ingrid..........

    Ohhhhhhh; I just love your fantastic writing about your adventure travelling to France.....hmmm; did you ever think about writing a book....?

    Elegant and smiling and not at all exhaustet after the long flight.....gorgeous!!!!

    What beautiful first pictures of your "voyage".....I am soooooo curious to see the second part.....!!!!!!!!

    ciao ciao ed un abbraccio elvira

    ReplyDelete
  8. This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Wishing you a most wonderful Sunday, Ingrid! Sending lots of Dutch JOY your way. xxx

    ReplyDelete
  10. Hello Ingrid,
    -oops I deleted the comment above by accident.
    I know you had a super special visit in France, and spoilt as only R can do it. I have known her for 20 years and her enthusiasm for all she has a passion for is inspiring. kind regards Col

    ReplyDelete
  11. Ingrid, thank you for sharing your journey to France. I enjoyed the images of the Loire Valley country side and the pictures of R's lovely home. France is at the top of my "next place to visit" list, especially Paris and the Dordogne region. Until then, I'll keep dreaming.

    I will be updating my blog soon. It's been a busy summer!

    ReplyDelete

LinkWithin

Related Posts with Thumbnails