Baynes Family

MSB Christmas lunch

2012-01-09T10:57:00.004+01:00

We were finally able to have our company's Christmas lunch. We went to a beautiful restaurant in Bordeaux built 1869 called Dubern.

One of our lawyers

Michael making a speech

The whole gang, in three years our company has really grown

This is a amuse bouche which means "fun for the mouth"

Our dessert, I forgot to take a picture of our beautifully presented fois gras and my sea bass.

I was too busy eating it :)

Happy 2012

2012-01-01T15:33:00.000+01:00

Happy New Year!!

We had a quiet dinner with the Maxwells and Storries

Christmas 2011

2012-01-01T11:05:00.000+01:00

This year was a quiet Christmas, due to Michael's surgery

Tati got a Wii!!

ready to open presents

our Christmas lunch with the Apelbaums

a scarf made by her aunt chacha

a tee shirt given to her by her uncle victor

Michael in the hospital

New car

2011-12-05T14:43:00.001+01:00

We went to London to pick up our new car, it was our first time to drive across on the Eurotrain.

In Guildford, lots of Christmas shopping happening

a live manger

in line waiting to get on the train

the entrance

very cool

30 minutes later we are in France

In France, now a 10 hour drive home

Dinner with a princess

2011-11-09T15:43:00.003+01:00

Dinner with a princess..

We were invited to a gala event. It was to help bring medical supplies to a village in Lebanon.

It is a charity the princess is very involved with.

We ate at a beautiful chateau in the tasting room

Sat next to an Australian, we chatted all night.

The princess of Bourbon, who wears her crown when she leaves the country. The French

still have a thing against royalty. She sat at the table next to us.

the wine cellar

London Birthday

2011-10-28T10:48:00.000+02:00

In honor of my birthday and the fact that I LOVE to taste food. Michael took me on

a taste of London tour.

We started at the Savoy for breakfast and what a treat!

the Savoy hotel

a tati breakfast

my healthy choice

michaels choice

We were lucky enough to be sat in the River room with the best view

yup, on the phone

gorgeous lobby

I love the orchids

chocolate pops

the creator, she gave me a couple of tips

the bathroom, oh la la

looks just like my bathroom :)

next stop the market

lots of stuff to taste

so many things to taste, I will have to run 8k when I get home

the most beautiful MAC store!

Tatiana was fooled by this guy

taxi

tea at the Wolseley

cute little tea thing

clotted cream...yummy!

a bit of shopping

This was a Les Miserable year. Tatiana read the book, then we went

to Paris to walk some of the streets in the book.

We watched two different versions of the movie.

Now we are finishing it off with the musical.

at Les Miserable

it was an awesome show!

Thank you Michael for making my birthday such a special one :)

Thank you everyone for all my birthday wishes and all the love that was sent to me

xxoxooxoxoxo

Alpha course #3

2011-10-08T11:25:00.002+02:00

We started a new Alpha course its our 3rd one. There is a dinner then a discussion time

Troplong Mondot lunch

2011-10-08T11:24:00.004+02:00

We had the privilege of being invited to Troplong Mondot for lunch. Troplong is one of

Saint Emilions top wines

the offices and the tasting room on the right with the salmon shutters

the beautiful tasting room

amazing oak fireplace

beautiful barrels

a chinese silk screen painting

the yummy menu

there will be lots of drinking, nap after

Xavier the owner and genius is to my right

I want this kitchen!!

2011-09-30T15:46:00.000+02:00

I did an 8k run, it was called La Bordelaise. A fundraiser to help

families with handicapped kids. Its for women only.

my french teacher to my right, who challenged me to do it

almost there!

Michael's brother was here to cheer me on

some people walked

this girl ran the 8k in 20 min

how I felt

a smurf

some guys will stop at nothing

I did it, couldn't walk the next day but I did it :)

bye, bye trampoline

2011-09-11T20:15:00.003+02:00

There was a huge storm, windy, tons of hail. The wind blew the trampoline into the trees!!

it was pretty much destroyed ;(

Summer 2011

2011-08-25T14:57:00.000+02:00

Our summer started off with Tatiana going off to girl scout camp, while Michael and I went to London for Henley. When we got back we picked up Tatiana from camp and went to Paris to meet Erica, Carol & John. When we got back we headed up to Normandy to meet Michael's friend Richard. We spent a couple of fun filled days there then drove back and went to Cap Ferret to meet our French friends Mapi and Stephan. We came back just in time to welcome my mom, Martha and Rosy. We did a girls road trip to Spain and Portugal, which included lots of wine tasting and food testing :)) Then back for Tatiana's Baptism. In August Michael took a week off and we went to the Costa Brava in Spain for some sun and more wine tasting and food sampling. It has been an awesome summer!!!

night jumping

2011-08-24T17:23:00.000+02:00

Girls Road Trip

2011-08-24T14:00:00.002+02:00

Our story begins at BEDAT, we loaded up the car and drove to our first stop, Biarritz....

first requirement....comfy shoes :)

great beach scene in Biarritz

water was cold

After lunch we headed off to San Sebastián
in Spain

San Sebastián

2011-08-24T13:10:00.022+02:00

San Sebastián
is located in the Basque region of Spain, this town is known for its

Tapas bars so of course we set off to find a bar.

beautiful streets

loads of places to have Tapas, how do you choose?

typical tapas bar, it was crowed so we figured it was good

it was VERY good :)

our hotel breakfast room

Next stop ...Salamanca...

Salamanca

2011-08-24T13:07:00.067+02:00

Salamanca a university town and also a UNESCO world heritage site.

Some of the best meals we had were here. It was in the 90's when we

were here, we looked for shade when we could

the conch building

going inside

any money in there?

fine details every where you look

had claras here (beer and lemonade)

yummy ham

samples

beautiful sky

the town square around 10pm, sun is setting Spaniards are just coming out for dinner

Tatiana thought it was funny that she was taller than the nuns

stork nest

tapas bar

yup, he better make the best of it, he is getting married

incredible Zara store

we found some amazing deals

we arrived just after the bride..who needs confetti when you have post-its

didnt take pictures of the bridal party, I was too busy looking

the students are suppose to find the skull with the frog on it for good luck.... can yo find it?

found it, took a while

Valor, best chocolate in all of Spain

Tatiana could only eat one bite...sugar belly

two 3 star Michelin restaurants right across from each other...maybe next time

sangria and Spanish ham...the good life

please, can I have it?

Next up...Cáceres!

Cáceres

2011-08-23T12:00:00.019+02:00

Cáceres is another UNESCO world heritage site. The walls contain a medieval town setting with no outward signs of modernity, which is why many films have been shot there

the girls

a peek inside someone's home

which way now

Castelo de vide

2011-08-22T12:00:00.035+02:00

Castello de vide

The pretty town of Castelo de Vide is of Roman origin with cobbled streets and whitewashed houses (most of them with Gothic doorways and potted plants on the doorsteps). Here is also the oldest synagogue in the country.

I sure hope this is their back up washer

the castle walls with rooms built into them

looks like old market stalls

a very peaceful life

Marvão

2011-08-21T20:53:00.030+02:00

The greatest attraction is the unspoiled medieval atmosphere in its steep and narrow lanes with immaculately whitewashed houses, leading to a magnificent 13th century castle rising from the rock. It contains a huge water cistern and nearby is a 13th century church

reminded me a bit of Greece with the whitewashed houses

great place for a drink

360-degree panorama alone would be reason enough to visit the medieval mountaintop village of Marvão

a water cistern

local market

done on the honor system

martha buys a crochet hat

I bet they have known each other all their lives

Évora

2011-08-21T18:28:00.091+02:00

Évora is located in the Alentejo

Due to its well-preserved old town centre, still partially enclosed by medieval walls, and a large number of monuments dating from various historical periods (57AD) including a Roman Temple,

Évora is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city was the Jewel of our trip.

our hotel which was walking distance to the center

the pool backed on to the aqueduct

snazzy bar

tati goes for a swim

the lobby

tati made a friend, her mom was our waitress

a roman temple

lets go inside

sneak pass the lobby

very nice

like the contrast

great hardware (this is what happens when your married to a builder, you notice hardware)

plastic flowers

love the textures

a fixer upper for sale

its raining!

the feeling is magical

the Chinese are here too

one mans treasure is another mans junk :)

bye, bye, I will definitely come back

cork

2011-08-21T12:43:00.018+02:00

Portugal supplies most of the worlds cork. We were fascinated by these trees

Martha trying to get a souvenir

she isnt leaving here without a piece!

We found a very friendly driver who was so kind as to give us a piece each

my piece sits nicely on my coffee table

Elvas

2011-08-19T16:14:00.032+02:00

As we drove through Portugal we stopped at different towns. We loved the yellow in this town and had to stop...Elvas dates back to 1100

I could imagine the solders at their post

the town greeter

LOVED this wall

someone lived in the wall

one of the biggest aqueducts in Europe

driving and photographing, dont try this at home

Border crossing

last days

2011-08-19T12:43:00.010+02:00

So sad to say goodbye to everyone after such a wonderful summer,

as you can see we went through A LOT of wine!!

Giverola

2011-08-17T16:04:00.000+02:00

Michael got a week off, we went to our favorite Costa Brava retreat! Tatiana being the social butterfly that she is met a lot of people. One of those had a speed boat and invited us for a spin.

Wednesdays they have a bubble party

The family Tatiana met

the night show

we found this restaurant, 30 euros for 2, sampling menu

the many uses of duct tape

laundry

figs stuffed with carmelized chorizo

duck

we are officially full

a tati dessert

some Argentine empanadas

the retired life

yup, bowling

so excited to go

we met another friend who had a yacht and invited us

our new friends

Giverola Videos

2011-08-17T08:55:00.000+02:00

Tatiana gets baptized!

2011-08-01T11:00:00.002+02:00

We waited a long time for this moment! We were so priveledged to have my

mother her friend Rosy (affectionately called aunt) and my good friend Elizabeth

who was her God-mother be here. We were sad that Tatiana's God-father Blake couldnt
make but they were able to ichat that eventing.

Tatiana in her blue dress

The big moment

Proud moment, she now wears her white dress

scout video

2011-07-24T16:37:00.001+02:00

Girl Scout Camp

2011-07-24T11:49:00.000+02:00

Tatiana spent one week at girl scout camp

The entrance

the campsite

toilets

the washing up area

taking her oath

dirty, smelly...had a blast

Paris

2011-07-13T10:29:00.000+02:00

Went to Paris to meet Carol, John and Erica.

on the Metro

beautiful candy shop

breakfast

a peek of Notre Dame

lots of Military police

the Seine

at the Luxemburg garden, Tatiana and Michael are reading Les Misérables we decided to follow some of Jean Valjean footsteps.

here at the garden is where Marius falls in love with Cosette

a very nice market

man with a vacuum

there it is!

ValJean carrying Marius in the sewer, it was very stinky down here

Went to the Pompidou museum

a very cool restaurant inside the museum

Tatiana trying to figure out the meaning of the art

very interesting....

a peek of Montmartre

yesterdays skyscrapers...todays skyscrapers

carol and john

had a great time

Hartwood

2011-07-05T14:57:00.001+02:00

We were at Hartwood celebrating many birthdays, but none more special than Meemas 98!!

the swan had babies!

Happy 98 Meema!

Henley

2011-07-05T14:40:00.001+02:00

We went to Michael's crew reunion. We got to see some of the Henley boat race.

We got lucky with the weather, it turned out to be a beautiful sunny day.

a beautiful house that is now the Reading business school

The starting of the boat race

stopped off for some lunch

my view

Some of the old crew members did a row-by, they were voted the best crew ever

not bad for old guys

a peek inside

Dance recital

2011-07-05T14:23:00.000+02:00

It was Tatiana's school recital

Last day of school

2011-07-05T13:55:00.000+02:00

It was Tatiana's last day of school, they all received a book

VinExpo

2011-06-29T17:57:00.002+02:00

The wine expo is every 2 years and by invitation only, next time it will be in Hong Kong. I was able to get in as a photographer. My French teacher Marie and I went. Wines, champagnes and top spirits from ALL over the world were there even countries you never hear of. The stands were very impressive, some of them with a second story. Did see Napa Valley but I must say their stand was not impressive so I didnt photograph it, now I wish I had so you can see how unimpressive it was. I was able to taste a lot of wines and right now wines from Chile are very popular, my favorite was from Antiyal.

That is my French teacher Marie, it was a lot of fun going with her

very creative

not quite sure what these were for but they were pretty

maybe one day I will get to try one of these

we sampled this 40 proof drink :)

for some people this was a work day

clever curtain chandelier

if his heart is in the right place its all that matters

Art Class exhibit

2011-06-15T16:39:00.001+02:00

Its was Tatiana's last day of art class

the old convent

OJ or wine

some interesting art

tatis art!

Baby Chicks

2011-06-15T16:25:00.002+02:00

It was a very exciting weekend, our chicks hatched!

Kermese 2011

2011-06-10T15:32:00.004+02:00

It was the school Kermese, which is the school fund raiser and lunch, last year the

menus were so bad that this year I decided to make them myself. I also

volunteered to do the face-painting and made chocolate popsicles to sell, which

came out really nice but I forgot to photograph them.

last years menu

this years

starter

The French like their meat raw, I have learned how to make the tomato farci

our friend Stefan who is an excellent wine maker

we sit in the church cloister and it is just a beautiful setting, dont know

if anyone else appreciates it but I do

Tatiana and Lola

I did the face-painting, I am getting better at it but do need more practice

school break in Spain

2011-06-06T20:55:00.004+02:00

Spain here we come.....

outside salsa lessons, taught in German

sunset at Tossa de mar

in Girona

in Barcelona, loved this Gaudi door

too lazy to walk to our restaurant

arc de triumph

a bit of shopping

this was the childs plate, beef from Argentina

dessert after dinner :))

hate to leave this place

sunset on the way home

Tatis first reading

2011-05-27T14:42:00.001+02:00

Tati was so nervous, she practiced all day

Tati's celebration

2011-05-23T21:25:00.002+02:00

We were not able to celebrate Tatiana's birthday in October and promised her

a party when the weather got nicer

I tried to do a rainbow cake

water balloon toss

step on each others balloon

piñata

opening gifts

Some bling :)

Happy 9 1/2 Tati!!

Alpha Retreat

2011-05-23T21:20:00.000+02:00

We took our Bible study to an Alpha retreat, it was held in a convent

entrance

the rope for the bell

lunch time

spectacular roses, they are ancient roses from Rome

the bedrooms

the bedrooms, the beds were too small for Michael, we had to go somewhere else

prayer time

teaching time

We had a mass here

dressing rooms

a very old building with stones from the river

Trampoline!

2011-05-03T14:36:00.000+02:00

Tatiana got a trampoline!!

Lots of jumping going on here :)

Easter break

2011-05-02T19:35:00.004+02:00

Went to Spain for Easter break, stayed at Club Giverola which is in the Costa Brava. It had every activity you can think of. Tatiana loved the kids club.

We took a day trip to Tossa de mar and Girona

Tatiana plays on my phone during the drive

Michael had to stop and read his blackberry

view of Tossa

we stayed in one of these apartments

view from our balcony

all kinds of activities, even pilates

I took a pottery lesson

attempted to make a vase

amazing pool area

kids pool

tossa castle

tossa town

A very tired Tatiana, Spaniards eat very late, here it was 7:30 and no one was in the restaurant

the childs plate

door from 1886

Girona

Girona church

it was valentines day, girls get flowers boys get books

old cobblestone streets

guy doing flips

streets were packed

Tati got a rose

beautiful archways

stopping for a drink

restaurants everywhere

going over the bridge

books for the men

an Italian gelato place, had to try some

Clos du Roy

2011-04-15T09:38:00.005+02:00

Clos du Roy

I finally climbed to the top! It was built as a fortress in 1224 then in

the 1800 it was used as city hall

The entrance

beautiful door

the entrance hall

the dreaded spiral staircase

where arrows were shot through

amazing views

worth the climb

fantastic view of Saint Emilion

even an old door looks like art

view of the church

Carnival

2011-04-05T16:31:00.002+02:00

It was the annual carnival at the school, this years theme was Africa

Tatiana with the zebra

at the Mayor's for some candy

this little girl didnt want to be African she wanted to be a fairy

Tatiana with Antoine who was dressed as an African soccer player

this man told a story to all the kids

having some fun

walking around the village

Tati wins!

2011-04-05T15:55:00.001+02:00

Tati wins a gold medal in her swim competition

Proud moment

Isabelles' dinner party

2011-03-27T16:03:00.006+02:00

Our friend Isabelle had a dinner party for 30 people. It was all

our church friends. I think I have maximum plates and silverware for 12 people.

I wouldnt even know what to cook!

We started with an aperitif in the other room, then we picked a number. Your

number told you where you sat.

French etiquette is very different from American etiquette. Here you sit

boy, girl, boy girl. I was sitting between two men. The reason is so they take care of

you all night like proper gentlemen. They pour your water, your wine, pass the plates to you.

We were here till midnight and not one person got up to use the bathroom but me.

Another etiquette, you dont borrow the bathrooms, unless you are from America :))

Beautiful table setting

they opened a double magnum bottle of Chateau Canon which Isabelle and her husband use to own.
It is one of the best wineries in Saint Emilion

my glass :)

everyone chit chatting

there is a secret spot where you can keep plates warm

the men in the kitchen finishing off the bottle

a bottle from 1975

Thank you Isabelle for a wonderful dinner party

Abbe's Birthday

2011-03-27T15:28:00.005+02:00

It was Abbe Emeric's birthday, the church community got together

and bought him another black outfit. It was a potluck dinner. Every one

brought a bottle of wine.

everyone arriving

lots of yummy local food

the birthday boy

Abbe had several cakes

the kids brought out his cakes and sang to him

opening his present

having a bit of fun

another black outfit, I was shocked at how much this cost, about 800 euros
($950) how do they expect a priest to pay for that. Which is why we all
chipped in and bought it for him.

reading his cards

Happy Birthday Abbe!

Our Chickens

2011-03-17T12:16:00.005+01:00

We have chickens now!

These are aracaunas which have a tusk and lay blue eggs

Beautiful blue eggs

We have a pheasant who comes to visit

the girls dont seem to like him

definitely range free

This is Lincoln our aracauna

Here are their eggs

The chicken run Michael put together

Swim meet

2011-02-11T21:07:00.001+01:00

Tatiana had a swim competition this weekend

Tatiana placed second in the competition

2011-01-24T13:32:00.001+01:00

Went to Bordeaux to celebrate Michael

They spun the sugar all the way up!

Happy Bday my love