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Just a few days ago I returned from a magical holiday in Portugal. I will be writing more about my travels over the coming days, as well as my latest book reads, but, for now, let me share an overview with you.

My mum is not getting any younger, so it is a priority for me to spend more time with her. I therefore made ​​arrangements to spend a whole month of holidays with her. During my stay we were fortunate enough to receive visits from long standing close friends.

We followed simple, nice and relaxed programmes. Long days spent at the beach with a homemade picnic

Visited the 86th Lisbon Book Fair “Feira do Livro”

Enjoyed the full month of popular festivities celebrating the people's saints, “Festa dos Santos Populares”

Dining out at our favourite “Tascas”, typical Portuguese restaurants, which are very simple and cheap with exquisite food.

Shopping: we got lovely swimming costumes and I bought a couple of things for sweetheart.

We also celebrated mum's birthday. A delicious cake from the pastry shop El Corte Inglés could not be missed.

...And lots of laughter and conversation throughout! All in all, I was happy to be with those I love and I feel grateful for everything.

I wish you all a great week!!

The park behind the station...

Has it ever happened to you that you pass by a place many times and never take the time to linger? To me, yes, and very often, unfortunately!!

One evening after dinner at Jiawei Chinese restaurant, we decided to take a walk in the urban park behind Cornavin train station.

I liked it so much that I returned the following day at noon and, as luck was on my side, the weather was super nice… So I took some photos with my smartphone and then I sent them to some of my friends. To my surprise, they did not know this little park either. We called it “The park behind the station”… actually its real name is Parc des Cropettes.

I wish you a sunny and relaxed Thursday, my dear readers!

A visit to the world's most famous tramp

On a recent bank holiday in Geneva, we went to Vevey to spend a day and pay a visit to “an old friend”, Charlie Chaplin (known as Charlot in French).

I have deeply loved this funny, sad and touching clown/tramp ever since my childhood. The first time I saw a Chaplin film, I was seven years old and it was on New Year's Eve. It was “The Kid”. I laughed and cried. Since then, he has remained my favourite artist.

So, we went to Vevey, a peaceful and charming town about a 75-minute drive from Geneva. It is known as Mr Chaplin's town since he established himself there in 1952 with his fourth wife Oona and their 8 children in the picturesque Manoir de Ban, which has spectacular views of the Alps.

The attractions we visited included The Studio, presenting the cinematographic world of the artist and filmmaker and Charles Chaplin's Manoir de Ban.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here is my photo gallery. 

Manoir de Ban

View over the Mont-Blanc from Manoir de Ban

Promenade

Studio Interiors

The Tramp Café-Restaurant

Once we had left the museum, we went for a stroll along the Vevey waterfront, where there is a statue of Charlie Chaplin.

Lakeside promenade that extends for 10Km along the shore of Lake Geneva

La Fourchette (the fork)

As for my look, it was simple, basic and without make-up for a very pleasant outing on this relaxed long weekend.

CHAPLIN'S WORLD

Route du Fenil 2

Corsier Sur Vevey

Tél.: +41 21 903 0130

Open daily from 10h00 to19h00

A charming village named Rolle

On the last Saturday in April, we escaped to Rolle: a grey and rainy, yet well filled day!!

We had a light lunch at Le Léman Restaurant by the lake in Nyon: perch fillets, a traditional and simple Swiss dish of which we are both particularly fond!!

Le Léman Restaurant, Rue de Rive 28, Nyon, tél. +4122 361 2241

For dessert, Sweetheart ordered Tarte Tatin and I had Tiramisu. Their homemade desserts are a must.

After our lunch, we headed to Rolle, a municipality in the Canton of Vaud located on the banks of Lac Léman between Geneva and Lausanne in the La Côte region.

This charming bourgeois village of about 6000 souls was established in the vicinity of a castle built in the 1260s.

I leave you with this suggestion for a nice stroll in the Geneva region, whether you are an expat or a visitor.

The Grand-Rue is the main street. A nice antique shop...

…selling old books at CHF 2 each, a real bargain, aren't they??

Château de Rolle

Rolle's waterfront

Charming houses along the waterfront

Île de la Harpe, an artificial island in the lake which measures 2'368 m2

Flowery and colourful fields near Rolle