If it’s Friday, it must be France …
Even though January is only half through, my thoughts keep floating ahead to June when we will head back to France. Here are a few things I’m dreaming about:
The jacaranda trees will be in bloom and so will the fields of sunflowers,
and the lavender … I can smell it now! My shutter finger is already beginning to twitch …
There will be two glorious weeks back in Arles, following the footsteps of Van Gogh and being a flâneur … making notes … taking photos …
And then … be still my heart … back to Antibes to discover more about Katherine and Philippe and Simone and Nick … and who knows what else …
And Nice … oh yes, Nice … days in Nice with friends and French lessons and the turquoise waters of the Med … and more notes for stories …
Yup, dreaming … I’m always dreaming …
Have you begun dreaming about how 2016 will be for you? Even if it’s not going to happen, it never hurts to dream. Dream along with me! I’ll take you with me on the blog and bring you to the south of France in another new novel. Avec plaisir …
Bon weekend, everyone!
Okay, I have to admit something now. From the minute I wrote the title for this post, a song has been playing over and over in my head. You know how that happens sometimes? It has absolutely nothing to do with France … and comes from waaaaaaay back in the day for me. Probably before your time! So I had to find it and share it … ah, yes, memories of the Friday night Teen Town dances … a great jive song too! Excusez-moi while I have a little burst of melancholy!
Hi Patricia, even though 2016 is already on speed dial, seeing your photos and reading some of what you have planned for your adventure in June, our time in France in August can’t come quickly enough! Particularly southern France! Also we must be of a similar era. I remember “Dreamin'” well.
Hi Rhonda ~ I’m still humming that song this evening! August will be here before you know it. Too bad we will just miss each other. I had lunch today with Debbie Ross, the owner of the Womens Travel Network and there definitely will be one of my women’s tours of the south of France in 2017, probably June. I’ll have the details in a month or so, but certainly do tell your friends if you think they may be interested.
I certainly will be mentioning theproposed 2017 adventure to my friends! I have mentioned to my husband that I would love to go……..
I’ll be looking forward to seeing the itinerary. ?
I’ll post the information here as soon as it is settled. 🙂
Bonjour Patricia,
You have great plans for June !
I would like to make a suggestion. you probably already the place but just in case.
Near Arles, in the Baux de Provence there are the ” Carrieres de lumière “. Old caves that I are now used as projection of photography, huge photos ! It covers the walls, the floors, roof, etc.
The program for 2016 is ” Chagall and the midsummer dreams “.
I always like the time before a trip, the planning, the anticipation of wonderful pictures !
Céline
Great suggestion, Céline, thanks for thinking of it. I’ve been to the Carrières twice but my husband has not. I’ve already planned to take him there and did see the promo for the Chagall show. The shows are magic, aren’t they? And I agree that the anticipation and planning are a delicious part of travel. I’m already counting the days!
Oh, great blast from the past! Dreamy! And yes, take me away to France, I’m so overdue. Welcome 2016!
LOL ~ the only problem is I still can’t get that song out of my head! I had lunch today with Debbie Ross, the owner of the Womens Travel Network and we are definitely going ahead with another tour in 2017. Details to follow. Come along! Happy 2016 to you too!
Oh where, oh where is that first picture of the jacaranda tree taken from…I am simply mesmerized by that photo. Have you ever considered a photo book? I just love the way you take your pics! Thank you so much for sharing them. I dream often of being where you take your readers and so am waiting patiently for Book 3.
I walked past that tree every day on Rue de France (near Sacré Coeur) for the past two summers, as it was near the apartment we had in Nice. With the pastel shades of the buildings around it, the visual was so beautiful. Thanks for your kind words about my photos. I have thought about a photo book but they are pricey to produce. We had a good time putting together a calendar (for limited giveaways) this year and readers indicated they would like to buy one. So we are going to start working on that in the summer and figure out the logistics of how people can get them. I love sharing them here and on Instagram. I’m waiting patiently too … for Amazon to publish on May 17th!
I am always dreaming , too, and it’s what makes me go on. And I remember the jacaranda trees blooming in my native Buenos Aires. Good memories, especially since we have no family here in this country (except for our daughters)…
Thanks for the memories. I do need to go over the photos of my travels, but I look at the boxes and stop there. Too much for me now that I am weaker. My daughters are too busy to help, so I’ll have to do something about it. Maybe you could come here, Patricia, and help? 😉
Keep on dreaming, dear Martha. Take a few photos out of those boxes every day and before you know it the job will be done. I’ve got boxes of photos of my own to sort … some day …
That song sure takes me back! Perhaps that´s how I got the idea for my tag line, dreamer of dreams, teller of tales. I plan to go to Holland in the spring and Provence in the summer!! I hope my dreams come true. Oh yes, they have, I´m living in Spain!!
Um, yes … I would say living in Spain is a dream come true! I’m going to be in the south of France for June and July. When will you be there? Let me know if you would like any travel tips … love to talk about all the fabulous places to go and things to see. No surprise there!
I am meeting a friend in August in Avignon. I´ll contact you if I need some info. You would be the best person to talk to about that! Thanks.
Wonderful! Avignon is a lovely town with many fabulous places nearby to visit. Here’s some unsolicited advice, if you do go a little farther afield to visit the Luberon … St. Remy, Roussillon, Gordes are just a few of my top faves and this is a MUST ~ Les Carrières de Lumières in Les Baux (you should see the town too but this art show is a spectacular and unique experience). If you don’t want to drive, I’ll bet there will be bus trips from Avignon and you probably will need tickets in advance for the show. This year it is Chagall they are featuring. Trust me! http://carrieres-lumieres.com/en/home
What a great place to research a novel. Loved your books, by the way!
Thanks, Anneli! Well, you know yourself about researching from some of the beautiful locations you have included in your books. It’s inspiring and motivating to be able to write in the actual surroundings.
Patricia, you are such a tease. Look at you with all of those amazing photos and cute little captions. Like I’m going to get any editing done this afternoon now.
I look forward to my virtual visit to France with you this summer.
Patricia Rickrode
w/a Jansen Schmidt
Glad you enjoyed them and I’ll gladly take you along virtually any time. I know you are busy with your wonderful new undertaking … but I will be leading a womens’ tour in the south of France again in 2017. Just sayin’!
That’s a lovely photo of you in the sunflower field, Patricia.
Thanks! Honestly, it seemed a little cheesy to take that photo and yet at the same time it seemed absolutely right. There was something rather thrilling about being in the midst of that field and I may just do it again! 🙂