TRAVEL THE WORLD - NIMES, FRANCE

This 1999 photo is a good example of the effort that is made in France to beautify public spaces like this area in Nimes that is called the Quay de Fontaine.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - ANNECY, FRANCE

When you are in Annecy you are in tall mountains by a most beautiful lake. This combination gives a wonderful feeling of peace and contentment. Because we had a long drive from our hotel in Villard-de-Lans, our time in Annecy in 2008 was limited. We left regretfully, making a promise to return some day.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - NEW YORK CITY

In 1999, Paul took me to New York City for our 10th wedding anniversary. We had a wonderful time, walking through various parts of the city and enjoying good restaurants. In many ways, New York seemed like a much larger version of our own city, Toronto. Crime had dropped significantly, so we had no worries about safety, and there were many interesting things to see and do. Central Park, planned in 1858 by Frederick Law Olmsted, an American landscape designer, and Calvert Vaux, a British architect, was my one of my favourite places in the city.

TRAVEL THE WORLD - CHATSWORTH HOUSE, UK

In 1998 we visited Chatsworth with an old friend who I met while living in Birmingham in the 1970's. It was lovely to see her again. The house itself failed to make a very deep impression, but we thoroughly enjoyed strolling through the beautiful grounds. Chatsworth House, in Derbyshire, has been the home of the Dukes of Devonshire since 1549.