Our Grande Année

It started in 2018 with the Bull’s first Grande Année, the One Family, One World, One Year tour and now here we are in 2024 with our second Grande Année, 5 Bulls, 6 Months, 7 Continents.

Those who know me well know there is a champagne for every occasion, be it my everyday champagne (Tarlant) or champagnes for stellar occasions. What better way to start these trips than with a bottle of La Grande Année, now our official travel champagne.

This trip is happening because of the “4 over 5” program that many employers have that allow an employee to  spread 4 years salary over 5 years and take the 5th year off. Matthew and Natalie are teachers with the Toronto District School Board and have availed themselves of this program. And me, I am finally and officially  retired. Sophia (15) and Mia (11) would rather stay at home with their friends but that is not an option. That sentiment will change.

The genesis for this trip grew out of our first Grande Année when Mia developed a passion for horses as a result of pony rides in Iceland and Paris and trail rides in New Zealand and Alberta. She has been riding ever since. While watching the (COVID)  Olympics from Tokyo in 2021 we thought wouldn’t it be fun to go watch the equestrian events in the next Olympics in 2024. In Paris! At Versailles!

A trip was born.

Our good family friend Rita is with us in spirit on this trip. Rita , a seasoned traveller (who came and stayed with us in Nice on our last trip) and an accomplished horsewoman passed away in 2021 and left us some funds to continue our travels.

There will be some spectacular moments on this journey but many of the joys will be from what travel is supposed to do: it makes the mundane thrilling and enriches us because of that.

The Bulls are on the loose!