Our last stop in the journey was France in gorgeous Dordogne, back to the heavenly house where we spent a family vacation in 2016.
It was an emotional trip, a very slow pace from multiple perspectives. This trip was organized by my sister in law and luckily our travels were flexible to ensure we joined them. Originally this was just a vacation to relax, enjoy the scenery, and while we still did that, it was also a trip to take it easy and support each other.

We left Bucharest very early in the morning and landed in Lyon where we picked up a car in a very timely fashion, unlike our Gatwick experience. We were hopeful we can stop to pick up some sweets from legendary Bernachon. Little son cooperated and slept so we inhaled chocolate eclairs and bought some chocolates to have with family.

It is hard to predict certain things such as how Husband being away from Cillian for 5 weeks would turn out. Cillian didn’t show direct signs of anything being different while we were just the two of us, he was also quite busy with so many changes. But when Chris came back it took a bit of time of getting used to. And having fewer inputs, helped Cillian get back into the routine he had with his Tata. We spent time eating food from markets, going to markets, going for little walks, eating lots of figs from the tree right in front of the house. There were a couple of pool sessions, but the water was quite cold. My sister in law was recovering from a health rollercoaster and it was a blessing to be together for a short period of time. We had one outing for a fancy lunch at Chez Julien’s in Paunat where monsieur had a chocolate mousse dessert as one should have when in France.

I am sure there are so many places in the world idyllic and peaceful where it would be wonderful to spend a long period of time. Tourache is definitely one of them. Currently, we are in isolation during the Covid Pandemic and our trip there seems absolutely heavenly.

It was a painful journey back because we had a 5-hour wait in Montreal after the long flight from Bordeaux. We were tired and really just wanted to get home. I guess psychologically was harder to get motivated, knowing we were so close to home. But Cillian filled the time as he always does, busy screaming up a storm (chat screaming not yelling) in an airport restaurant. It was amusing in some sick twisted way to see the gentleman next to us rolling his eyes at him thinking look yet another uncontrolled brat.

We got home where my mom was waiting for us with food and a clean house, happy for us to park our suitcases for the year. And with Cillian’s traveling year ended after USA, Australia, UK, Germany, Italy, Romania, and France. Well, kid just so you know my first out of country travel was when I was 19 so I guess we did manage to give you something different from our experience. You loved it and you had a blast most of the time, so hopefully, your sense of curiosity will take you to many rich adventures.

We made it to our new home base for 5 weeks on August 4th. Cillian and I ventured for a two-hour train ride from Ulm to Frankfurt, a long wait in the airport but hey it had a play area so that ate about 40 minutes and a pretty ok flight.

We stayed with my Dad. It was emotional to come to the apartment. I was prepared for it to be strange and indeed it was very hard to come back to a place which was usually loud, animated by Marina and my grandmother talking, watching TV, bickering, vacuuming and now they are both spirits somewhere else. It was a tiring sleeping arrangement, we basically slept on a one-person mattress on the floor during quite a hot time of the year. Tata gave us the choice of his bedroom but it is easier to avoid Cillian falling out of bed to have something on the floor. Cornelia helped us settle in, cooked and took very good care of us.

Cillian was the main attraction and we were yet again surrounded by love and family members who spoiled him. My aunt, my mom’s sister was one of them. She loved every minute spent with him. By the end, I would even leave him with her for a couple of hours here and there so they can enjoy some time without me and I could have a couple of little escapades.

We pretty much set our routine like any other place: eat, nap, socialize, park. Unlike other times I did not get a chance to see my friends as often as I used to. I did spend quality time with Oana, which was indeed a big luxury after years of not seeing each other. She has been a rock for me for so long and our times together feel special both to honor our past together but as we support each other in the present and knowing our future is forever connected. Her book recommendations are always fantastic and Cillian is benefiting from each one of them.

My sweet Vero and her revelation of a son Alex, who took care of Cillian more than I could have imagined a 11-year-old boy would be interested in. Even if there were not as many meetups, I did get little moments with people dear to me who have shaped my youth. It is a lovely reconnection with my younger self.

We had a lovely coffee at M60, I again shopped at the Muzeul Taranului Roman, I bought books at Seneca Anticafe.

Costinesti
We spent some beautiful days in Costinesti where Cillian had some naked, fun-filled times by the beach and at the home of where Marina used to spend her summers. The little son had a series of amazing ladies looking out for him, with Rodica being such beautiful support. He went to the beach, he wasn’t too impressed with the nudist beach and he seemed a bit scared of the water. Awareness kicks in and it sure seems like a lot of water. We stayed at a pension with a big yard where mister walked around, mostly naked. He saw chickens, he climbed a ladder, he walked a fish up and down and was spoiled overall. We went to a concert and enjoyed Tapinarii and Ada Milea. It was a lovely time and hope we go back soon.

Runcu
We took poor Husband from the airport and put him in a car for a 6-hour journey to Runcu. It was a very short trip but fun-filled. We went to the pool for a day and had a blast, although I had my first Tiger Mom moment when a little boy out of the blue came and pushed Cillian under the water. He wasn’t even in his path. Luckily I was next to him and pulled him up but I did go and firstly accused the wrong boy of wrongdoing and once I found the correct boy I informed him that it is very dangerous to push babies under the water. He took it pretty well. We played badminton, walked, enjoyed good food and celebrated my birthday.

The Italian excursion was easily planned at home when 5 + 2 hours on a train didn’t sound too bad. After a week of solo traveling with Cillian, the prospect of getting in a train for a whole day from Ulm to Verona was very intimidating.

I was dreading it and thought I am crazy and should be slapped into reality. My fears were misplaced because between Dani and the distractions of everything new around, we were able to have a very decent trip. Tiring but very civilized. Little son enjoyed different activities, walks up and down the train with both of us, a nap and the views.

We arrived in Verona and my Dad and Cornelia met us. They had a child seat installed so for the next 3 days we enjoyed an Italian life that only in Italy can be found.

Verona
Day one in Verona was hot, animated and entertaining. Busy streets full of tourists, Juliett’s house and balcony, a lovely lunch, gelato at Grom, and a quick tour of the Verona Arena.

Limone del Sur and Sirmione
Dani suggested this was a location worth seeing and she was right. The drive there is spectacular in itself. The little town is very romantic with little streets, beautiful houses with flowers and hilly.

Peschiera del Garda
We spent the last day at a slow pace, we looked for a supermarket which was supposed to be within a 5-minute walk, we ended up walking outside our town to get to it. Gelateria Romana was excellent. Cillian loved playing in the fountain in the center. We walked to the lake and had a little splash, had a lovely dinner with a spectacular promenade and view and of course one gelato to wrap the season up.

We embarked on the way back for another long train ride but yet again to give credit to my little amazing travel companion, he cooperated and together we made some beautiful memories.

The adventure continued for Cillian and me. Husband had to return to work and we were apart for 5 weeks while we were visiting friends and family.

Cillian was an excellent travel companion, navigating train stations, airports, airplanes. It gave me great confidence these weeks we spent together. Also it reminded me how kind and thoughtful people can be, of course, family and friends but also complete strangers.

Cologne
Our first stop was with D. & F.. They picked us from the airport, after a gentleman mansplained to me how to navigate two suitcases, a backpack and a child. D & F spoiled us for a week. They basically set up their place so comfortably for a toddler we could have moved in. Everything from a car seat, eating chair, a play area with Lego just for Cillian, our own bedroom and bathroom. Cologne was a revelation in terms of their excellent parks for kids with a lot of sand and water castles with pumps allowing the kids to play beautifully. We spent our days taking small walks, day trips, a bit of shopping during record-breaking temperatures. We had an amazing day at the animal farm in Frechen, another at Phantasia Land and yet another visit to Postkarten on Breite Str.

Usually, bath time was something Cillian shared with Husband and for the five weeks, we shared this experience as well. It was both exceptionally fun and exhausting at the same time. Cillian also found a first girlfriend in a mall, where a little girl grabbed him by the hand and wouldn’t let him go. He found it fun to start with, but not as much once she was ready to take him home.

D & F dropped us at the train station and we said a sad goodbye for now while we ventured on our first solo train ride for a couple of hours to sexy Ulm.

Ulm
Dani is a regular on this blog for visits she makes to Toronto but this time we made our way to her. We didn’t spend much time in Ulm as we thought might as well go spend 5 days in Italy. More about that in the following post.

The little time we spent here, was short and sweet with a trip to the Botanical Garden and a reunion with a dear friend from Manchester, a walk around the City Centre and home time dancing on latin music and watching Alta Mar once Cillian went to sleep.

Both trips were filled with beautiful memories and I was very happy we had a chance to spread some of Cillian’s energy around with such dear friends.

Travels were very different in 2018. Little son came on the scene and traveling with him has been a bit of a change, a lot more planning involved.

Haliburton
Our first trip was to Haliburton, to our friend’s cottage for only a night. I prepared as if we were moving house. The son travelled well for a little bub of 3 months and a bit. It was a very slow paced trip with another young family of a 10 month old boy at the time. We just chilled around and during the day Cillian decided to have a nap of 3 hours which never happens at home. At night, he slept like he did at home and seemed to enjoy cottage life. We tried to go for a walk but the mosquitos did not let us get very far.

New Jersey
Family weddings are very special considering we are not a huge bunch. We embarked on a 12 hour drive to go for a family reunion and the wedding of my counsin. The drive there was as good as it could be expected, we would drive for 2 and a bit hours then take a break, take the little son out, feed him and keep going. This cycle repeated for 4 times or so, but by the 5th time little son was not keen to feed at the pit stop and started getting very upset in the car. So upset that we had to pull over in the emergency shoulder take him out and feed him. It was a smelly pitstop with some unfortunate animal who went to the other side. We arrived at my aunt’s place and little son made the rounds meeting his family. This was his first marathon and I would say he pulled through quite nicely. We sighed happily once we arrived at the hotel and he was super happy and smiley to be free and with just us for a bit.

At the wedding, he enjoyed the cuddles and spending time with everyone, even dressed up for the wedding although he did not attend. I had a reading as part of the ceremony and I was very moved and nervous at the same time. It was a beautiful ceremony at the Shadowbrook in Shrewberry, New Jersey. It reminded me to enjoy some fun and dancing even with a little baby. We had plenty of help from my mom looking after him so it was an easy enough first long trip.

On the way back we left from New York city, where we attended the religious ceremony and a lovely lunch. We decided to leave a day early, late afternoon, we thought it may be easier for him to be in the car for such a long period if we drive more through the night. We left at 4:30 pm and Chris marathoned us home where we arrived around 1 or 2 am. It was definitely the easier choice for the little son but Husband needed some patch work.

Cushing, Maine
The son had his first plane ride trip during his first year when we went with our Australian family to Maine for five days. My sister in law has a special talent to pick gorgeous houses for us to stay in and this one was the most idyllic so far. Hard to compete with the one we were in France a couple of years ago but it had something. We will revisit France in September so I may change my mind.

The days were spent lounging on the grass, the true Australians jumped into the freezing water, while I made myself useful recording them, we would go for lunch at a lobster shack and have seafood everyday. Can’t really say that was not a spectacular trip for the son to start his touristic adventures.

To Eat
Some of the delicious lobster rolls we had were at: Sprague’s Lobster in Wiscasset, Miller’s Lobster Company, McLoons Lobster Shack, a delicious pie at Moody’s Diner.