SHERWOOD INN, MUSKOKA

Not more than about two hours away from here in Port Carling tucked in amongst huge pines on Lake Joseph is Sherwood Inn. Port Carling is just starting to wake up from winter, so you won't find a lot of restaurants open yet. In fact, most shops don't open until May. But that didn't matter to me because I was going to snowshoe and ski on Lake Joseph, hit the hot tub, go to the spa, and relax overlooking the beautiful lake with a glass of wine and the fireplace going.

NOT....For the middle of March, it was the hottest weather ever for this time of year and the lake was not safe to go on. If I did, you would have found me at the bottom. It won't be long before you can swim in the lake instead of skiing on it. Sherwood Inn has a main lodge or Inn but it also has lodges and rooms across the property with a fitness centre, tennis courts, spa, restaurant, lounge, hot tub and many activities for all seasons. I have seen weddings taking place here, both in the winter and summer. It feels like a home away from home. Staff are very friendly and helpful and I always find it so peaceful just sitting outside in the muskoka chairs with a fire burning. So I did relax, enjoy some wonderful food, and have that glass of wine and for a bit forget about everything else.

EIFFEL TOWER

You aren't in Paris if you don't see the Eiffel Tower. That is what Paris is to me. I got home from my trip and realized that I had taken more pictures of the Eiffel Tower than anything else in Paris. Now that's fine for me but not so good when you are trying to show your family and have to keep pressing the "next" button because they're just not feeling the thrill of seeing so many pictures of the Eiffel Tower as you did.

There's the tower at night all lit up and then there is the tower during the day. I don't know what I expected the first time I saw it up close, but just the structure and the way it is built out of wrought iron amazed me. I have waited until now to actually get to see it that when I did, it was quite surreal. The tower stands 324 metres (1,063 ft) and is the tallest tower in Paris.  Quite a beautiful sight if you ever get the chance to see it.

THANKS TO ALL

It's so good to see the snow starting to melt. With hopefully our last big storm of the winter out of the way, I will soon be able to put my snowblower away too. I really think that machine has it out for me...we just do not get along. I swear it just fights back.

So it has been back to the grind the past couple of weeks. Was I not just on holiday? It seems so long ago. Time to plan again. I have to thank all the people we met on our trip who made it such an enjoyable time. From the couple in Paris who owned a bagel shop, our server each morning as we had our cappuccinos and chocolate croissants, the staff at Devillas Hotel in Paris (who treated us royally), our travelling companion on the train who we later met again in the streets of Venice of all places, Fabrizio and his companions in St. Mark's Square (yes next time we are in Venice we will email and meet you guys for espresso), the "nuns" who gave us laughs for the evening, the staff at Ca Pisani  Hotel in Venice (you were the best and we will be back), our guide for the ball, Elena, for getting us home in one piece, Bob, our friendly boat driver, the San Francisco couple and his mother, the couple from Netherlands, and Lilly, Allison, Rose and my cousin Lucy who the next time I get a call from that starts, "do you know what I am thinking?....." really has much more meaning in those words than you know.

MURANO

Off the coast of Venice you'll find the island of Murano where their biggest export is Murano glass. There are no patterns for this art. It is done free hand and is another tradition passed down amongst families. We watch a demonstration of the glass blowing technique as the artisan takes glass and with high heat molds it into vases, glasses, and miniature horses.  I of course bring a few pieces back with me. I am always intrigued with the colours and the uniqueness of every piece as not two are the same with each piece having its own irregularities.