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Margaret Roberts enjoys Paris and the Heart of Normandy
From the moment artist Margaret Roberts stepped on board for her Paris and the Heart of Normandy river cruise, the watercolour enthusiast knew she would be inspired by breathtaking scenery that would get her creative juices flowing.
"I last visited Paris as a young girl," says Margaret. "I remember being impressed with the architecture and culture, but those memories have faded over the years. It was wonderful to return in style, with my paints, and be able to capture it all for myself."
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Margaret and partner Roy, a retired engineer, arrived on board to find yellow roses and a chilled bottle of champagne in their cabin. "From that moment I felt incredibly special and pampered. The trip felt like a real treat — and so many of the other passengers told me they felt the same.
"I loved the fact that each morning we would wake somewhere new, having quietly cruised along the river through the night. It was magical to open the curtains and look out at the mist hanging over the river, before the sun could burn it away."
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The highlight of Margaret's trip was a visit to Giverny where the artist Claude Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. There she was able to visit the beautiful gardens and charming stone farmhouse where he lived and worked. "Monet's garden was such a treat," she says. "The primulas, daffodils and primroses were a feast for the eyes, and the scent from the wallflowers was particularly lovely."
Giverny wasn't the only place that Margaret found inspiration. "Gazing at Paris from water level, out of our cabin window, was breathtaking," she says. "It was magical to glide along with lovely scenery gently passing by. It gave me a very new perspective and some wonderful scenes to paint."
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The couple also appreciated the themed meals on board. "The one that stood out was the French cuisine," says Margaret. "The food was fresh and authentic and no attention to detail was spared — the top deck was festooned with flags and a Frenchman played his accordion."
Each evening, after dinner, the couple enjoyed entertainment such as the on-board pianist or cheese- and wine-tasting, with the new friends they made on the trip — many of whom they count as friends for life. "We were surrounded by people who were as determined as we were to make the most of the experience," says Margaret. "I've never spent so much time with people in such good spirits. It was a wonderful escape from reality."
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The couple found their excursion to the Normandy beaches both moving and
thought-provoking. "It was good to be able to share our thoughts with other people who felt as touched as we did," says Margaret. "People were used to seeing me about the boat with my paints and brushes, and I gave many paintings from the trip to my new friends."
Margaret also took 500 photographs on her river cruise "I snapped the scenery, the architecture and the people, so that I could gaze upon it again once I got home."
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Margaret also appreciated some quiet time alone. "My life is normally so frantic, it was lovely to be able to just sit quietly and take it all in. The pace of the holiday was whatever we wanted it to be — busy and exciting or quiet and relaxing.
"Margaret and Roy are now looking forward to their next river cruise. "We're thinking about the Rhine," she says. "But at some point I am determined we will return to Paris. I have left a small piece of my heart on that river, and one day I'd like to return and bring it back."
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