tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-27175610286808739352024-03-06T21:02:46.556+01:00Growing BerriesNicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.comBlogger143125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-2470533961152427882014-02-06T00:47:00.001+01:002014-11-07T03:59:52.397+01:00Wish You Were Here... Weeks 3 & 4<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12330318663" title="untitled-3.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7306/12330318663_80a83b8eb2_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="untitled-3.jpg"></a><br />
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A cold, grey day in early January is probably the only time you could hope to get a photograph of the front of the Château de Versailles with no one else around except your own friends. The relatively small number of visitors inside, made for a great tour and certainly made me appreciate being a local.<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12330321193" title="untitled-4.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7374/12330321193_d283c8c456_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="untitled-4.jpg"></a><br />
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Gallettes des Rois are our <a href="http://growingberries.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/our-twelve-days-of-christmas.html">favourite French tradition</a>. This year we had four - one of them baked by India. Florence was almost able to carry out her role, designated by her status as the youngest in the family, to call out who should get each slice. However, having crowned herself Queen before the cake was even cut into, she lost interest and it was left to Savannah to do the honours. <br />
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Don't forget to check out all the other virtual postcards in the <a href="http://www.wishyouwerehereinayear.com">Wish You Were Here...</a> project. Each week they get better and better!Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-60457597763242303612014-01-22T12:53:00.000+01:002014-11-07T03:58:52.323+01:00A New Arrival<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12059139626" title="untitled-2.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3806/12059139626_b153ecbf80_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="untitled-2.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12058654004/" title="_B5A0674.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7406/12058654004_7deab3c7ee_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0674.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12058267385/" title="_B5A0679.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3681/12058267385_9f714a3d0f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0679.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12058559113/" title="_B5A0687.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3793/12058559113_d570db6f16_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0687.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12058551723/" title="_B5A0659.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7373/12058551723_d91f6e506d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0659.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12059137376/" title="_B5A0688.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7418/12059137376_d99007704e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0688.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/12059141426/" title="_B5A0694.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5481/12059141426_ce431c5542_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="_B5A0694.jpg"></a><br />
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This week there was a new arrival chez Berries. Juliet the cat. India has been asking for a cat for some time and she finally persuaded us with a convincing power point presentation and a promise to take full charge of the litter box! She used her Christmas money to pay the adoption fees, so Juliet really is India's cat but we have all fallen for this sweet, dainty, affectionate cat.<br />
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You may have noticed that it's been more that a week since my last Wish You Were Here... post but there's a good reason for that. My little personal project has exploded into a full grown collaboration with an amazing and talented group of photographers from all around the world! <br />
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At the end of last year I took two inspirational photography workshops taught by <a href="http://www.debsphotographs.com/" target="_blank">Deb Schwedhelm</a>, Breaking the Mold and Continuing the Journey. They helped me focus on what I do and what I want to be as a photographer and she encouraged me to identify a personal project that would help me develop my photography. I came up with Wish You Were Here... and in an attempt to keep me motivated for the year, invited alumni from the Continuing the Journey workshop to join me. I expected one or two people to be interested. We are now a group of 23 with a waiting list!<br />
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We now have our own website, <a href="http://wishyouwerehereinayear.com/" target="_blank">www.wishyouwerehereinayear.com</a>, which I am curating and each week we will share virtual postcards from our lives. Please visit us and see how the year unfolds from Alaska all the way down to Australia.Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-10510691313198813532014-01-09T00:28:00.001+01:002014-11-07T03:58:23.297+01:00A New Start<b>Bonne Année!</b> I hope you all had a good Holiday Season. Ours was fun and action packed. That on top of the fact that the day after I wrote my last post here, our house was burgled again and my camera and computer were stolen, explains my long absence. My camera gear has now been replaced and improved so I am back in action and looking forward to photographing what will be a year of change for us, although exactly what form that change will take is still unknown!<br />
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I don't know how much time I will have for writing blog posts but I do want to keep a record of our life, so I have decided to start a weekly photographic project so that I will be sure to share something at least once a week. I'm calling it <b>Wish You Were Here...</b> and the photographs and message will be a weekly postcard from our life whatever it looks like!<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/11843758155" title="untitled.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7397/11843758155_6abf3e0746_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="untitled.jpg"></a><br />
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<i>We started the first week of the New Year skiing and eating cheese in the Alps with good friends from California. <br />
We ended it at the Christmas Fun Fair in the magnificent Grand Palais with our first Paris friends, back for a visit to the City of Light from their new home in the Netherlands. <br />
Such a treat to spend time with both families who we wish were here with us all the time!</i>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-91258837228623295952013-11-15T00:12:00.000+01:002014-11-07T03:56:48.231+01:00A walk in the park<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860128395/" title="walk-girls by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3784/10860128395_2c69cb5427_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-girls"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860629913/" title="Walk-1 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3768/10860629913_7337a4fcdf_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Walk-1"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10861142315/" title="walk-india by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3764/10861142315_4f39aa9505_o.jpg" width="640" height="959" alt="walk-india"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10861488003/" title="walk-park by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7355/10861488003_1909e6a4b2_o.jpg" width="640" height="960" alt="walk-park"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860184306/" title="walk-running by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/10860184306_041f45c1e8_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-running"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860135215/" title="walk-florence by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2881/10860135215_0bcc28b10d_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-florence"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860132395/" title="walk-georgia by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7353/10860132395_162466ed33_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-georgia"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860180066/" title="walk-savannah by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7289/10860180066_85ba8c66fa_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-savannah"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860137535/" title="walk-balance by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3680/10860137535_631af0cb5e_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-balance"></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfkRSkB8_RMEkpt88m-YaJhyphenhyphenRUDTSVA3QAgblrlfeHTD4b1xgXqNSCvvV4JU63LTt0Vy6qj2HltgHqh8hyphenhyphenLCYtHaSkNPCVOhomSW1fUHL-DkKb_PYvWa6X1iW_3ppJpHEJjKgsZuUvXk/s1600/Green-Park.gif" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNfkRSkB8_RMEkpt88m-YaJhyphenhyphenRUDTSVA3QAgblrlfeHTD4b1xgXqNSCvvV4JU63LTt0Vy6qj2HltgHqh8hyphenhyphenLCYtHaSkNPCVOhomSW1fUHL-DkKb_PYvWa6X1iW_3ppJpHEJjKgsZuUvXk/s1600/Green-Park.gif" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860296704/" title="walk-net by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7302/10860296704_d70065e0cd_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-net"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10861187106/" title="park-swing by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2883/10861187106_9a79ce693d_o.jpg" width="640" height="960" alt="park-swing"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860139575/" title="walk-jake by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2835/10860139575_23594b024a_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-jake"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860339896/" title="Walk-2 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5516/10860339896_7080ba87a6_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Walk-2"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10860126425/" title="walk-road by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/10860126425_91d87c3714_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="walk-road"></a><br />
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We spent this Autumn's half term on a much overdue trip to England. We started off in London to celebrate fortieths with our college friends and to take the girls to museums and a show. We made it to the Science Museum and Madame Tussauds but despite promising ourselves that we would make our first ever visit to the Tower of London, we never did get there! Although Keith spent five years in London working in an office right next door to that most famous of London landmarks none of us have ever visited. When you live in a city you mostly don't see it with tourist's eyes and even though it's over a decade since we lived in London, we feel like locals as soon as we return. This also explains why I hardly picked up my camera while we were there. That and the incessant rain!<br />
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After a fun few days in London we headed up to the North East to visit Keith's family and celebrate a special birthday for his Mum. The girls were thrilled to spend time at Grandma's and meet her new dog Jake for the first time. After a wet time in London we were pleasantly surprised with some beautiful fall days and made the most of the chance to get outside and enjoy them. These photographs are from a walk from Grandma's house to the park where Daddy used to play. The play structure has been upgraded but the sledging hill is just the same, although at this time of year it was covered with leaves not snow!<br />
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Happy memories from our visit to one of the many places we call home!<br />
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Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-66906358416606853912013-11-02T01:48:00.000+01:002013-11-02T01:48:26.635+01:00Climbing TreesA flashback post for you today - the story of what we did on this day last year whilst we were on holiday in Provence. It has been sitting in my drafts folder ever since and as it was one of our favourite French experiences it doesn't deserve to stay forgotten.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414009197/" title="Provence parcours 1 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8466/8414009197_fd4f66ab0c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 1"></a><br />
We spent the 2012 Toussaint school holidays staying in an absolutely charming converted farmhouse just outside Apt which is right in the heart of the Luberon Valley and an easy drive from all the hill top towns that the area is so well known for. While we were there we visited Gordes, Lourmarin, Rousillon and the ultimate hill top town Les Baux de Provence (not actually in the Luberon but close enough). <br />
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I think it's safe to say that the enthusiasm for visiting all these hill top towns was mostly mine, the girls tolerated them, but Savannah, in particular, kept asking when we were going to do something fun for kids! Once she found a brochure for <a href="http://www.colorado-aventures.fr/accueil.php">Colorado Aventures</a> she was determined that we should go.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414015393/" title="Provence parcours 2 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8376/8414015393_f4f642e653_o.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Provence parcours 2"></a></center>Keith had some work to do that day so he stayed in the house with Florence and I went on my own with the girls. The location wasn't that far from where we were staying but it took some finding. Even after we finally found the car park there was a long trek up through the ochre hills with limited signage to indicate that there would indeed be a fun activity at the end of the hike. Hikes through beautiful national parks, not necessarily being considered fun in themselves by certain members of the family!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8415112468/" title="Provence parcours 3 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8415112468_2c1b57f7bd_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Provence parcours 3"></a></center>Eventually we turned one more corner and found ourselves in the middle of the activity centre and the girls were kitted out in their gear ready to go tree climbing.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414016647/" title="Provence parcours 4 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8509/8414016647_479abc8c12_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Provence parcours 4"></a></center>Although these parcours - forrest obstacle courses - are everywhere in France this was the first time the girls had ever tried it so they took the easy route...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8415310042/" title="Provence parcours 6 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8506/8415310042_5bbcf0a6d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 6"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414211707/" title="Provence parcours 5 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8504/8414211707_c06c9a7454_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 5"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414212897/" title="Provence parcours 7 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8371/8414212897_3f254e3cd7_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 7"></a><br />
...and quickly got the hang of it!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8415311282/" title="Provence parcours 8 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8508/8415311282_d78e3bc6f7_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 8"></a><br />
What I hadn't expected when we set out was that I would have to climb the trees too seeing as I was the only responsible adult with them! After a nervous start I actually really loved it and the views were well worth the potential humiliation in front of my children.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414214041/" title="Provence parcours 9 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8045/8414214041_4a48e593bc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 9"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8414270419/" title="Provence parcours 10 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8088/8414270419_8f9ed2f07d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 10"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8415369340/" title="Provence parcours 12 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8368/8415369340_e82ec0e3d0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Provence parcours 12"></a><br />
This place is a hidden gem and if you are lucky enough to be visiting the area, I would highly recommend a break from climbing hill towns to go climb these trees!<br />
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Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-28209983265114770332013-10-04T00:18:00.000+02:002013-10-04T00:19:59.528+02:00My Wild Berries. Ten<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/10075827885/" title="untitled-84.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7444/10075827885_f55507cebc_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="untitled-84.jpg"></a><br />
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<center><i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a><br />
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<b>Florence</b></center><br />
<center>She was helping me tidy up after the birthday party wearing her sister's ballet leotard. <br />
I spotted the pretty light shining through the trees and asked if I could take her picture. <br />
Unexpectedly, she said yes. <br />
Five minutes later this is what we got!</center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-72945542715230376412013-09-27T22:45:00.000+02:002013-09-27T22:45:51.260+02:00My Wild Berries. Nine<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9971384073/" title="2013Sep09_2458.jpg by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9971384073_b969f8a374_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Sep09_2458.jpg"></a><br />
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<center><i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a><br />
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<b>Oldest and Youngest</b></center><br />
India has been away for ten days on an Outward Bound school trip in the Lake District. We really missed her. When she got home tonight Florence flew into her arms, overjoyed! This photo was taken last week before she left. India isn't always thrilled to have a baby sister around but she loves her really!Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-32019380950997615692013-09-19T01:48:00.000+02:002014-05-26T22:40:26.229+02:00My Wild Berries. Eight<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9808131315" title="2013Sep10_2579.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm4.staticflickr.com/3798/9808131315_1a64bafaf0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Sep10_2579.jpg"></a><br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9808158876" title="2013Sep10_2586.jpg by Nicola Berry, on Flickr"><img src="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/9808158876_6491529489_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Sep10_2586.jpg"></a><br />
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<center><i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a><br />
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<b>10 plus 10</b></center><br />
Last week, Georgia and Savannah celebrated their tenth birthdays. They asked for a lemon seed poppy cake because "a birthday's not a birthday without a lemon seed poppy cake"! Over the past ten years they have learnt to take turns blowing out the candles. This year it was Georgia's turn to go first.<br />
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I love how the two photos reflect the differences in their personalities. Georgia captured contemplating her wish for the year ahead and Savannah caught up in the excitement of the day that, despite reaching double figures, she had been counting down toward for weeks before!<br />
Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-75070339863738091022013-09-06T22:54:00.000+02:002013-09-06T22:54:28.429+02:00My Wild Berries. Seven<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9689642404/" title="First-day-of-school by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3732/9689642404_2d6224bd7b_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="First-day-of-school"></a><br />
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<center><i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a><br />
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<b>La Rentrée</b></center><br />
This has been our life for the last two weeks. Back to school, reuniting with friends we haven't seen all summer, homework and early bedtimes again. Florence started her first day of 'real' school. French school! So far she loves it. First day of school portraits have become an accidental tradition in our house and I love to look back on the photos from past years now. This year's made me smile. A sweet Daddy Daughter portrait for Florence's first day of Petite Section and a silly portrait (the only kind I got) of Georgia & Savannah's start to fourth grade and India's start to seventh grade.<br />
Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-3858736387131393932013-08-29T00:08:00.000+02:002013-08-29T00:08:27.311+02:00My Wild Berries. Six<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9618832806/" title="Georgia-sleeping by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7368/9618832806_c188983b33_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Georgia-sleeping"></a><br />
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<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a><br />
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Jet Lag<br />
This time last week. Luckily the girls recovered in time to start school today.</center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-56010076752003441102013-08-27T23:41:00.000+02:002013-08-27T23:45:11.857+02:00The America's Cup<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603565596/" title="2013Aug18_1721 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2888/9603565596_b2fdaa36c1_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1721"></a><br />
We are back from our trip 'home' to California and school starts tomorrow. There are lots of lovely summer memories for us to look back on and absorb but today I want to tell you about our day out in San Francisco to watch the <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/about">America's Cup</a>.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9600326529/" title="2013Aug18_1653 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5506/9600326529_1808bb445a_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1653"></a><br />
We actually got to see one of the final races in the <a href="http://www.americascup.com/en/events/louis-vuitton-cup/san-francisco-us-jul-04-aug-30">Louis Vuitton Cup</a>, the challenger series, that determines which boat races the defender (USA) in the America’s Cup Finals. After a month of races the last two in the race were the boats from New Zealand and Italy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9600335371/" title="2013Aug18_1693 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/9600335371_26cd147819_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1693"></a><br />
The America's Cup has been contested since 1851 making it the oldest trophy in international sport. Having grown up as the daughter of a passionate yacht racer, I've known of it's existence for as long as I could remember. We knew the 2013 race would be coming to San Francisco before we even left to live in France but it was a lucky coincidence that we happened to be back there at just the right time. Rather like cycling, yacht racing is a better participation sport than spectator sport, but this year for the first time the organizers have tried to make it more spectator friendly with a grandstand overlooking the picturesque race course.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603573170/" title="2013Aug18_1650 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7452/9603573170_502daf9199_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1650"></a><br />
We paid for the seats, but we could just have easily watched for free from the shore as all these people in front of us were doing. However, the thrill of being in attendance at a major sporting event and access to the beer tent just about made the seats worthwhile. I got better photos too!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603571384/" title="2013Aug18_1654 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/9603571384_835c699808_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1654"></a><br />
Racing yachts have come a long way since 1851. The boats in this year's race are more like space ships than sailing boats and literally fly when they really get going. This is not the racing I grew up doing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603570494/" title="2013Aug18_1666 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2829/9603570494_0dc6f45fe4_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1666"></a><br />
The trouble with sailing is not only is it difficult to watch, but it is also incredibly weather dependent and these super hi-tech boats are prone to breaking. A lot. Team New Zealand was way out in the lead when their dagger board became jammed and they had to abandon the race...<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9600327191/" title="2013Aug18_1663 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3756/9600327191_debe4ebd37_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1663"></a><br />
...leaving the Italian boat to sail home uncontested. A bit of an anti-climax for what was already a short race but that's sailing!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9600327505/" title="2013Aug18_1670 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3753/9600327505_d04ce6e379_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1670"></a><br />
The New Zealand boat was soon fixed and graciously sailed in close to the grandstand so that the crowd could see better which made for much better pictures than if they had actually been racing! The crowd clicked away while the race committee decided whether the wind conditions would permit the second race of the day to go ahead.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603564122/" title="2013Aug18_1717 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2834/9603564122_284cf7506f_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1717"></a><br />
While they deliberated, we checked out the America's Cup Village where you can see an AC45 catamaran up close. That's the angle the boats are at when they are going at high speed!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603568108/" title="2013Aug18_1711 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2823/9603568108_bbb3fea0b5_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1711"></a><br />
There were some fun games for little kids which kept Florence entertained.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9600328877/" title="2013Aug18_1705 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7313/9600328877_40e3602746_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1705"></a><br />
She took a while to master the catamaran trampoline, but was so pleased with herself once she finally figured how to climb to the top. It might be a while before she's ready to take to the high seas though.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9603568760/" title="2013Aug18_1716 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7395/9603568760_f85c19aac7_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Aug18_1716"></a><br />
Eventually it was decided that the wind was too strong for the second race to start. However, the conditions were fine for a junior regatta of much more stable boats. Although the super yachts are amazing to watch, it was in some ways more fascinating to watch these simple races close to shore and the girls got quite into what was going on.<br />
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It is ten years this week since my Dad's premature death from cancer. He taught me to sail and he taught Keith to sail. I wish he could have taught his granddaughters to sail too. He would have absolutely loved the chance to watch the America's Cup live so I am so glad we took the opportunity to go and see it.<br />
Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-17823279157391350572013-08-20T09:00:00.000+02:002013-08-20T09:00:01.125+02:00My Wild Berries. Five<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9553602102/" title="20130626_0868 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3769/9553602102_5547886dae_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130626_0868"></a><br />
<br />
<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a></center><br />
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It's been a busy week. Our last week in California visiting our home and friends before we return to Paris and start school. Not much time for writing blogposts or working on photos. While you wait for more reports from our trip to Crete, here's a fun portrait of all four girls on a windy visit to Heraklion, Crete's capital city. The more I look at this photo,the more I love it. It's the way they are!Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-85133777710685167542013-08-13T20:46:00.000+02:002013-08-13T20:46:22.481+02:00My Wild Berries. Four<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9502231871/" title="Georgia-in-Crete by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5341/9502231871_2c249fc78f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Georgia-in-Crete"></a><br />
<br />
<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a></center><br />
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<center>Georgia and I went for a walk in a village in Crete <br />
and found the perfect door and the perfect light to pose for a pretty portrait.</center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-74500965037773523122013-08-08T09:43:00.000+02:002013-08-08T09:43:19.527+02:00Crete: The Water Post<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371402687/" title="20130623_0897 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7356/9371402687_6cc26c3476_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130623_0897"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374190744/" title="2013Jul06_0967 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7358/9374190744_6134e66a25_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul06_0967"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374182610/" title="20130630_0738 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2825/9374182610_05325359c0_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130630_0738"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374182098/" title="20130628_0826 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/9374182098_7b2c5978c2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130628_0826"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374184818/" title="20130630_0773 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3788/9374184818_174e15ec0b_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130630_0773"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371407539/" title="20130630_0752 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3803/9371407539_96269ccf19_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130630_0752"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374186798/" title="20130704_0728 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/9374186798_ec35e5d3ec_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130704_0728"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374188504/" title="20130704_0729 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2864/9374188504_c80c1050f4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130704_0729"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371414295/" title="20130704_0732 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2892/9371414295_a6d40645dc_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130704_0732"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9374185602/" title="20130704_0718 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9374185602_be484e49e8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130704_0718"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371413753/" title="20130704_0731 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3752/9371413753_5b7b1b7d57_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130704_0731"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371403903/" title="20130625_0886 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7413/9371403903_98c5b1c82c_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130625_0886"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371404437/" title="20130625_0889 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5338/9371404437_fe5135fbc9_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130625_0889"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371403241/" title="20130625_0881 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3736/9371403241_9631769b7d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130625_0881"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9371405743/" title="20130626_0854 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7310/9371405743_494493ed94_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130626_0854"></a><br />
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Finally, a mere month after we returned from Crete, some photos of our holiday there. We went to find some sun and relax. It didn't feel like I was taking that many photos, but once they were downloaded it turned out I did! This is the first of four posts I have planned for you.<br />
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We arrived at our villa on the night of the <a href="http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2013/06/pictures/130624-supermoon-2013-pictures-biggest-full-moon-science-space/#/more-supermoon-your-shot-pictures-2013-tower_68792_600x450.jpg">supermoon</a> and woke up to blue skies and a view of the sea. We spent our mornings by the pool reading and swimming and the afternoons at the beach. After trying a few different ones, we settled on a favourite and went back every day. Most evenings we ate at the villa but on a few nights we watched the sun set over the sea while we enjoyed the local seafood.<br />
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Somedays we did summon up the energy to do some sightseeing. Next up: The City.<br />
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Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-72867007360199341282013-08-07T07:06:00.001+02:002013-08-14T09:06:01.787+02:00My Wild Berries. Three<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9456991282/" title="My Wild Berries - three by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5531/9456991282_7b2003ab27_o.jpg" width="680" height="1020" alt="My Wild Berries - three"></a><br />
<br />
<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a></center><br />
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We are just back from a wild and wonderful weekend on the Northern California coast filled with simple pleasures and best friends. I will share more about the trip soon but for now here is a portrait of Savannah enjoying the rope swing on the property where we stayed. Coincidentally, the third portrait in a row taken while the subject is moving. I'm sensing a theme in this kid photography!Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-48821426259395833722013-08-01T06:45:00.001+02:002013-08-14T09:05:35.126+02:00My Wild Berries. Two<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9413816054/" title="2013Jul23_1266 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3718/9413816054_8f57860320_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul23_1266"></a><br />
<br />
<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a></center><br />
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<center><b>Sunshine at Bedtime</b>*</center><br />
We have had the most amazing weather in Paris for the last three weeks. The best we have ever seen. We've spent as much time outside as possible, eating on the terrace and playing in the garden. It stays light so long at this time of year that bedtimes have been getting later and later. No point in worrying about it when there's no pressing need to get up early the next morning. This photo was taken after dinner one evening last week when Florence insisted on going back out to do 'jumpoling'. She bounced on the trampoline non stop for half an hour while I took photos and the light faded. Eventually she admitted she was tired and went to bed without a fuss even though it wasn't dark outside!<br />
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<i>*From a poem in one of Florence's favourite <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Things-I-Like-Shirley-Hughes/dp/0744581761">books</a> by Shirley Hughes that perfectly describes her summer; "Sunshine at bedtime, why isn't it dark?"</i>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-19171247147801749992013-07-29T10:22:00.000+02:002013-07-29T10:22:55.635+02:00Le Tour de France<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386099725/" title="Brits by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7433/9386099725_0eeb065570_o.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Brits"></a><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386102721/" title="Shoulders by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7402/9386102721_65104b4140_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="Shoulders"></a></center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386104697/" title="Team Froome by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7404/9386104697_4eaa392b97_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Team Froome"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386100799/" title="Big screen by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7370/9386100799_14b1d6f19e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Big screen"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386106943/" title="Peloton by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2869/9386106943_6f2bac850d_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="Peloton"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386109519/" title="Maillot Jaune by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7437/9386109519_2ef8b8ff87_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Maillot Jaune"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386111649/" title="Light show by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3669/9386111649_512b93cd0a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Light show"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9388953443/" title="2013Jul21_1388 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3834/9388953443_e24e1d5e20_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul21_1388"></a><br />
<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9386113141/" title="100 ans by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3747/9386113141_edbb7c05bd_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="100 ans"></a></center><br />
Last Sunday night the Brits took over the Champs Élysées. We were all there to watch Chris Froome win the Tour de France and it was amazing. It was the first time our family has been in the right place at the right time to watch any stage of the Tour and even though we knew it would be crazy we couldn't pass up the opportunity to experience this iconic French event. We arrived three hours before the riders were due to enter Paris, which was just in time to watch the caravan of promotional floats pass through, but not in time to get close enough for any good photos of it! After walking down the Champs for a while and soaking up the carnival atmosphere, we settled on a spot to watch the race where the crowd wasn't too deep and it wasn't long before the girls were able to wiggle to the front of the barrier and get a great view. They held their spot reasonably patiently for an hour while there was nothing to see and we kept track of the race from the big screen outside the Louis Vuitton building.<br />
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As the riders approached Paris and passed the Eiffel Tower, the excitement started to build, a flypast heralded their arrival on the Champs Élysées and then the race was on. The peloton passed by in a blur, riding so fast over the cobbles it took your breath away. 30 seconds and they were gone and if we had been watching any other stage of the race, that would have been it. Luckily for us, in celebration of the 100th Tour de France the race finished this year with ten laps of the Champs Élysées instead of just one, so we held our ground for another hour and watched the race go by nine more times hardly believing our eyes when for the last few laps, in order to pick up speed and avoid the cobbles, every rider in the pack came tearing down the gutter at over 40mph!<br />
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Even though cycling is one of those sports that you can definitely see better on TV, nothing beats the experience of watching the incredible speed and skill of the riders as they race past, even if it's so fast your eyes can't keep them in focus, let alone your camera! There was an exciting finish as all the British supporters screamed ourselves hoarse in the hopes of seeing a British winner of the Stage as well as the Tour, but sadly sprinter Mark Cavendish was just beaten on the line. It was a proud moment though to be present on a beautiful summer's night to watch a British rider climb to the top of the podium and hear the National Anthem on the Champs Élysées!<br />
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It was an experience not to be missed and well worth all the waiting, walking and the late night.<br />
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Congratulations Chris Froome and Team Sky - the first Stage next year starts in Yorkshire!<br />
Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-40186730125016814872013-07-23T17:08:00.000+02:002013-08-14T09:05:10.189+02:00My Wild Berries. One<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9349355745/" title="India-carousel by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3727/9349355745_d1ee5aea9b_o.jpg" width="680" height="1020" alt="India-carousel"></a><br />
<br />
<i>Weekly portraits of my children inspired by</i> <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a></center><br />
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Have you seen the <a href="http://youaremywild.wordpress.com/">You Are My Wild</a> photo project? A group of fourteen professional photographers have been taking weekly portraits of their own children, just as they are - no styling, once a week since the start of the year. Their blog is my favourite place to go and I never miss a post. Each portrait is gorgeous and stunning and unique and every week I wish I had a portrait like that of one of my children. The project just passed its halfway mark and so I have decided to follow along until the end of the year in the hopes of capturing a slice of our life and improving my photography along the way.<br />
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I'm going to start with India, partly because she's the oldest, partly because she's almost a teenager and she doesn't always want to be in front of the camera any more but also because the title of this project is taken from <a href="http://www.amazon.com/You-Are-Love-Little-Letters/dp/0448463075">You Are My I Love You</a> one of the first picture books I ever bought for her, now a family favourite that we are still reading to Florence.<br />
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I love this photo for the reminder of a perfect day out, the golden light and the meeting of teenage sophistication and childhood joy. Rocking my beach hat but endearingly still wearing the <a href="http://growingberries.blogspot.fr/2012/04/evolution-of-dress.html">dress</a> I made for her last year. This is the girl who took make up to the beach but jumped at the chance to ride a carousel pony with her sisters.<br />
Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-12590057160998096952013-07-22T14:28:00.001+02:002013-07-22T14:28:42.264+02:00Beach Day<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342360296/" title="Deauville by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7386/9342360296_f4d39c0895_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Deauville"></a><br />
Ever since we got back from Crete we've been having the most amazing weather right here in Paris. Such a welcome change from the miserable, cold Spring we had. The girls have been happy relaxing at home and playing in the garden, but the first good summer I've experienced in Northern Europe for years was making me nostalgic for the seaside of <a href="http://growingberries.blogspot.fr/2013/05/wish-you-were-here.html">home</a> and summer holidays in France. The closest beach to us is two hours away, but it's an easy drive so the girls and I decided to get up early on Friday and go for it. By 11 o'clock - the time when most days everyone has still been in their pyjamas - we were happily settled in under one of Deauville's famous beach umbrellas and pleasantly suprised to find we had the beach almost to ourselves!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342360946/" title="Sandcastle by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2817/9342360946_899216daec_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Sandcastle"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339567629/" title="Savannah and water by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2890/9339567629_048dce84aa_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Savannah and water"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342926150/" title="Splits by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3686/9342926150_793c0f824f_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Splits"></a><br />
The last time I was in Deauville, aged about six, I was miserably sick with tonsillitis and didn't enjoy myself at all. I had a much better day this time and so did the girls. The soft sand of the beaches in the English Channel makes such a good playground.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342362484/" title="Fish by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5331/9342362484_366b08c4d4_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Fish"></a><br />
The beach is huge and it's a long walk out to the sea when the tide is out. These colourful markers placed all along the beach help finding your way back to your towel so much easier. I thought that was such a great idea.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342362052/" title="Beach by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3809/9342362052_d70aa955f6_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Beach"></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339577477/" title="Honfleur by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7336/9339577477_0fb7e6e570_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Honfleur"></a><br />
We spent all day on the beach, but once tummies started rumbling, we set off for the neighbouring town of Honfleur for dinner. The GPS took me through the country roads to get there and it was such a pretty drive to an incredibly pretty town.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342353842/" title="Honfleur shop fronts by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5501/9342353842_1cd64e0ab6_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Honfleur shop fronts"></a><br />
We didn't have time to explore, but a quick stroll around the old harbour gave us plenty to enjoy.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342363738/" title="La terrasse by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2821/9342363738_ce193ea0c8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="La terrasse"></a><br />
We ate at one of the restaurants on the busy harbour front. Crêpes for the girls and seafood for me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339575971/" title="Rides by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7282/9339575971_0d94439438_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Rides"></a><br />
This was the view from our table. Florence just about sat through dinner with the promise of a ride on the carousel!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339578859/" title="Carousel by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5518/9339578859_9a86abb217_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Carousel"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339578047/" title="Red car by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/9339578047_f103319dcb_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Red car"></a><br />
She has only just started to really enjoy carousel rides and she always chooses the car. Less scary than the horses!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339579219/" title="Spinning by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3665/9339579219_f1786e1ae2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Spinning"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9339579613/" title="Fun by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3754/9339579613_0d47cd6e59_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Fun"></a><br />
Her sisters, however still love the horses.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9342354108/" title="Honfleur sunset by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5477/9342354108_3e4f328642_z.jpg" width="640" height="480" alt="Honfleur sunset"></a><br />
We had a wonderful day out at the seaside. All the better for being completely spontaneous. I hope we get to go back again soon.Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-12584599888397648082013-07-17T09:11:00.003+02:002013-07-17T09:11:38.311+02:00Our Bastille Day<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297461673/" title="2013Jul14_1061 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3670/9297461673_b7f36ff5ef_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1061"></a></center>Do you want to see some photos of the Bastille Day Fireworks at the Eiffel Tower? I have a few!<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9300245322/" title="2013Jul14_1033 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3767/9300245322_5cf1e545d8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1033"></a><br />
It doesn't get dark here until 11pm at the moment though so we had to find something else to fill the rest of the day. After having had the peace of our country breakfast shattered by the sound of the French Air Force jets flying over on their way to the parade at the Champs Elysées, I walked down to our Sunday market to buy fruit, cheese and bread. Essential ingredients for a French picnic.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297459163/" title="2013Jul14_1027 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7428/9297459163_94f939606d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1027"></a><br />
I had wanted to go to the Bastille Day picnic beside the canal at Versailles, ever since I read <a href="http://ohhappyday.com/2011/07/vive-la-france/">this post</a> when we first moved to France two years ago. This 14th July looked set to be one of the hottest days of the year so even though Keith was away on a work trip, I decided we couldn't miss the opportunity to participate in a celebration so close to home.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9300244932/" title="2013Jul14_1031 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9300244932_aee9d134ee_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1031"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297460493/" title="2013Jul14_1056 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7459/9297460493_d65fe7cc72_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1056"></a><br />
After enjoying our food there was time to relax in the much sought after shady spots under the trees. Florence also <strike>took the opportunity</strike> insisted on going for her first ever pony ride. There are no good photos of that as it was beyond me to manage a three year old, a grumpy pony and a camera (mums and dads get to lead the ponies themselves, so French!) but you can see evidence of this event on <a href="http://instagram.com/p/bwEXfRmL2G/">Instagram.</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9300246378/" title="2013Jul14_1057 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7326/9300246378_2365dbb5e3_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="2013Jul14_1057"></a><br />
The picnic was a very relaxed event. Locals, dressed in white, and tourists just out enjoying the Sunday sunshine.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297462081/" title="2013Jul14_1062 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3688/9297462081_2311e8c71a_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1062"></a><br />
I think the Palace of Versailles is best enjoyed from the back garden! We don't go often enough, but I never get over how easy it is to drive into the park through the back gate and enjoy this view for free.<br />
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We went to see the fireworks with friends from the girls' school. After dinner at their apartment we left our two toddlers with the babysitter and set out to find the best place to watch the fireworks that wouldn't be too crowded or too noisy. My girls have an unreasonable fear of firework noise, but they still wanted to see the show!<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9300248572/" title="2013Jul14_1084 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2848/9300248572_50edfa6482_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1084"></a></center><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9300249916/" title="2013Jul14_1099 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5458/9300249916_303eed73a8_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1099"></a><br />
Having walked from one end of the 16th arrondissement to the other we finally settled on the Place de Mexico which is one of those spots in Paris that offers up an unexpected view of the Eiffel Tower and it turned out to be the perfect choice.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297462695/" title="2013Jul14_1077 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2861/9297462695_89f5c1a80d_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="2013Jul14_1077"></a><br />
We arrived with an hour to go before the fireworks started and bagged a spot at the side of the street and I got my camera out to practice my night time exposures. By the time the fireworks started the whole road was packed.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9297464015/" title="2013Jul14_1088 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5487/9297464015_53c12179cf_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1088"></a></center>Not long after we arrived another photographer came and started setting up his tripod right next to us ready to take some serious firework pictures. We started chatting and found out he was also American and that after having scouted out shooting locations on the Champs de Mars and Trocadero, which were apparently way too crowded, he had settled on the exact same spot we had found! It was a great experience to be shooting the same scene right next to someone who really knows what they are doing and Albert was very generous with his tips and advice. You can see his amazing photograph from the night <a href="http://www.albertesther.com/p401594978/h6348300f#h6348300f">here</a>.<br />
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So, after all that waiting here are my fireworks photos. This <a href="http://nicolesclasses.com/how-to-shoot-fireworks/">tutorial</a> was a big help in ensuring I succeeded in getting some good hand held shots. Enjoy and Happy Bastille Day! Which, by the way, only Anglophones say. For the French, the day is <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bastille_Day">La Fête Nationale</a> or Le quatorze juillet.<br />
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<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296814801/" title="2013Jul14_1086 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3785/9296814801_9cd16c1582_z.jpg" width="426" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1086"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296815503/" title="2013Jul14_1091 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7309/9296815503_d05867a578_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1091"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296816191/" title="2013Jul14_1094 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3721/9296816191_8ac38636d8_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1094"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296816773/" title="2013Jul14_1096 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5328/9296816773_a53df51cd4_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1096"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299599260/" title="2013Jul14_1104 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/9299599260_8ea3ff97b3_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1104"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299599928/" title="2013Jul14_1114 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5547/9299599928_9bc535ef3b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1114"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299600798/" title="2013Jul14_1116 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5473/9299600798_5e1af86277_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1116"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296819785/" title="2013Jul14_1119 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3728/9296819785_7e3373359b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1119"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299602172/" title="2013Jul14_1126 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3761/9299602172_4a75c4998b_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1126"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299602894/" title="2013Jul14_1127 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5443/9299602894_5a9df84220_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1127"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296821759/" title="2013Jul14_1131 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7412/9296821759_7f42c757de_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1131"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9296822505/" title="2013Jul14_1133 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5510/9296822505_8882142a2d_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1133"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299605094/" title="2013Jul14_1135 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5343/9299605094_7a52cd0254_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1135"></a><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9299605894/" title="2013Jul14_1138 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3704/9299605894_891759aeea_z.jpg" width="427" height="640" alt="2013Jul14_1138"></a></center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-60983254163229309222013-07-11T00:39:00.000+02:002013-07-11T00:39:17.348+02:00Summer<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9256049853/" title="Florence and her shadow by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/9256049853_3f28946ff2_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Florence and her shadow"></a><br />
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We're back from a wonderful two week vacation in warm and sunny Crete. The plan was to relax and read, swim and build sandcastles. We did all that with a lot of good meals and a bit of culture thrown in. There's plenty more to share about our trip, but while I sort through all the photos, here's my favourite to keep you going.Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-29299249529956483882013-06-18T22:26:00.000+02:002013-06-18T22:26:35.759+02:00Two Years<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9071591440/" title="20130604_0599 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7308/9071591440_e8bd020774_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130604_0599"></a><br />
Two years ago last week, we came to Paris for our 'look see'. To look for a house to rent and to see what the school we had chosen and the new life we had committed to from the other side of the world would be like. We ended up choosing the very first house we were shown, although not before viewing quite a few more in ever decreasing states of repair! I wish I could say that I remember this rhododendron bush from that first visit. It must have been in full bloom, but I do know that we would have passed it as soon as we walked through the gates to explore this house's amazing garden.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9076961049/" title="diptich by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7322/9076961049_1dd7958403_o.jpg" width="643" height="480" alt="diptich"></a><br />
This year it was at its most spectacular as we hosted a farewell party for three of the closest friends we have made in the past two years. The high price we pay for this expat life that we are so fortunate to live is the sad goodbyes we have to say every year as families are relocated somewhere else in the world.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9076960457/" title="20130604_bee by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7284/9076960457_322bf8b2f8_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130604_bee"></a><br />
I have found it much harder to deal with the farewells this year, partly I think, because after two years we have got to know the people who are leaving so much better and also because as each of the friends we are close to moves onto different and far flung parts of the world, I am realizing that it could be a very long time before we are able to see them all again in person. I am learning from experience, that it is even hard to keep in contact through emails and phone calls with all the friends we have around the world, so that is why I am so happy that two years ago I also started this blog. It is a way for me to remember the wonderful experiences we have had as well as sharing bits of our lives with everyone we know. Together with Instagram (you can follow me @growingberries) and Facebook there is a chance I will be able to keep all these wonderful people in my life.<br />
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/9079185654/" title="20130604_balustrade by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7380/9079185654_ab6b6ce0a6_o.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130604_balustrade"></a><br />
We were originally moved to France for just two years, but I am pleased to say that we are now staying on for another year. We're not ready to go. We still haven't hung all our pictures, some of our belongings haven't made it out of the moving boxes and there is still so much to see and do in Paris. Not to mention Keith's work which of course is what really keeps us here, not luck or my desire to stay put. I've decided to start taking more photographs of this house I love so that when we finally do have to leave I will have created a portrait of it. So, from now on, every week or so I will share a little detail. Remind me if I forget!Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-18084173222852565452013-06-07T13:52:00.000+02:002013-06-07T13:52:20.876+02:00La Belle au Bois Dormant<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975791709/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_032 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2837/8975791709_f6c4faeb11_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_032"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975791397/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_029 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8413/8975791397_75aca2f0d2_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_029"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8972749383/" title="Lilac-Fairy by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2893/8972749383_6a3a3bcb93_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Lilac-Fairy"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975790313/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_014 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7343/8975790313_abfdcc5f53_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_014"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975791013/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_021 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3825/8975791013_1c51dc7f19_z.jpg" width="640" height="426" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_021"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975790581/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_020 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2879/8975790581_fd7c7f1c61_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_020"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975794201/" title="Aurora by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3827/8975794201_93db8d05bc_z.jpg" width="640" height="478" alt="Aurora"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975883541/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_037 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7384/8975883541_fb3ec96b48_o.jpg" width="640" height="957" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_037"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975792583/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_049 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7416/8975792583_655bb17813_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_049"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975792859/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_051 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8119/8975792859_d9aa2a71fb_z.jpg" width="640" height="429" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_051"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8976984060/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_056 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7430/8976984060_79e4229104_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_056"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8977168650/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_033 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3703/8977168650_9e71246117_o.jpg" width="640" height="896" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_033"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8975793843/" title="20130421_SleepingBeauty_060 by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm3.staticflickr.com/2849/8975793843_4c54ccda6e_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="20130421_SleepingBeauty_060"></a><br />
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All the Saturdays spent rehearsing (since September), all the driving, all the blisters, all the tears over stuck bobby pins, all the hard work was worth it to see Georgia and India perform in their <a href="http://www.ballets-artemis.com/">ballet school's</a> mesmerizing production of Sleeping Beauty last weekend. The standard of dancing was so good, you quickly forgot you were watching students rather than professionals and the audience, who bought their tickets before the show sold out in December, cannot have been disappointed, whether they knew any of the performers or not. The standing ovation showed they weren't!<br />
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Our girls are so fortunate to have the opportunity to be part of this experience. It is amazing to see what comes out of this small ballet school that I found by chance through a Google search. Their teacher, <a href="http://www.sophie-ponthier.com/">Sophie Ponthier</a> demands and gets high standards, but always with a smile and perfect English! Her mother makes all the exquisite costumes (and I can tell you they look just as good inside as out). The student who danced the role of the Lilac Fairy has a place at the Paris Opéra School next year and Mme Ponthier's own ballet mistress, former Opéra star <a href="http://www.britishpathe.com/video/liane-dayde">Liane Daydé</a> came backstage after the performance to tell all the dancers that they deserved to be on stage at the Opéra! A polite gesture, maybe, but the star quality rubs off.<br />
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It is not always easy to get the girls out the door to ballet class three times a week and the language barrier makes it hard for them sometimes, but I think the memory of this show will be one of the best souvenirs of our time in France.Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-2284898929804467822013-05-25T01:03:00.000+02:002013-05-25T01:13:19.590+02:00Les cousines<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8807478797/" title="F&E_diptich by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8255/8807478797_8e40ce919b_o.jpg" width="643" height="480" alt="F&E_diptich"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8818370722/" title="Eva_climbing by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8534/8818370722_cef03f3343_o.jpg" width="640" height="960" alt="Eva_climbing"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8818372564/" title="Eva_head by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5336/8818372564_e208d10f0f_o.jpg" width="643" height="428" alt="Eva_head"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8818372034/" title="Eva_hands by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7403/8818372034_f0afb0a947_o.jpg" width="643" height="429" alt="Eva_hands"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8818371252/" title="Eva_feet by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8136/8818371252_c1b5deb740_o.jpg" width="643" height="429" alt="Eva_feet"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8807787535/" title="tent_diptich by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5462/8807787535_731a7b5a0c_o.jpg" width="643" height="480" alt="tent_diptich"></a><br />
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8807945347/" title="Eva-&-Florence by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm6.staticflickr.com/5327/8807945347_5bb708c517_o.jpg" width="643" height="429" alt="Eva-&-Florence"></a><br />
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The Berry girls had to wait a long time for a cousin, but my sister found out she was pregnant the same month that she came to help us look for a house in France and it is one of the greatest joys of living here that we have been able to visit with each other far more often than if we had been thousands of miles away in California. Now we are just a car ride and a short ferry sailing apart. All my girls love baby Eva, but Florence has adored her from the first time they met when Eva was just six weeks old. So much younger than everyone else in our family, when Florence is with Eva she gets to be the big sister. Someone to play with, someone to look out for and someone to boss around. Now that Eva is walking they had more fun together than ever before. If Florence was in charge here we would be getting in the car every day to go and play with 'Baby', never mind the five hour journey there!<br />
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A photograph with all five cousins together in it still doesn't exist despite our best efforts, but one sunny afternoon during our week in Jersey I did manage a spontaneous portrait session with Florence and Eva. They both know what to do in front of a camera and Eva's daddy brought out the smiles from both girls (although I think Eva's cheeky grin steals the show!). These are the sweet results of seizing that moment. It wasn't planned, it wasn't styled, but Eva is even wearing a hand me down from Florence that was one of my favourite outfits for her and the first thing I bought when we moved to France two years ago!<br />
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It is Mother's Day in France this Sunday so this post is for my sister Pip and the girls' grandmothers, Nana, Grandma and Nanny my most faithful readers!<br />
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<center>Happy Mother's Day - again! Or as they say in France, Bonne Fête des Mamans!</center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2717561028680873935.post-65657124857105794522013-05-12T21:55:00.000+02:002013-05-12T21:55:28.057+02:00With love...<center><a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/berries/8731932243/" title="Beach Mommy by The Berries, on Flickr"><img src="http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7291/8731932243_a479db6f70_z.jpg" width="640" height="427" alt="Beach Mommy"></a><br />
<i>A sweet message in the sand made for me on my favourite beach by Savannah.</i><br />
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A very Happy Mothers Day to all the awesome American and Australian Mommies I know!</center>Nicolahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09768547917630050424noreply@blogger.com1