An Afternoon at Chartres

Dawn split her visit this spring between her extended family in Paris and a week-long visit to Chartres Cathedral where she joined a group of like-minded souls in an exploration and meditation on Chartres. We were lucky enough to join her there at the end of the week and partake, if only briefly, in some of her energy and enthusiasm. It sounded like it was a wonderful experience.

For me it was the first time to the Cathedral and it is truly impressive. With the boys to goad me on, I climbed from the labyrinth to the spire and here are some of the photos I took -- none of which adequately capture the majesty and the mystery of the place, but nonetheless were my way of engaging with it as best I could.

View the slideshow or the photos.

The Roses of May

For the second year in a row, we have visited the rose and iris gardens of the Bagatelle. This year with Dawn during her visit to us -- and one month earlier than last year. And it was worth coming earlier! The roses were magnificent and the irises as well. These gardens were built by a Scot (of all things) named Thomas Blaikie, who began them during the reign of Louis XVI working closely with the Comte d'Artois (the funder), brother in law of Marie Antoinette.

The photos speak for themselves (view them or the slideshow).