Lacoste

AB leaves for Paris today, she’s taking the TGV from Avignon at 14:15. We arrived Sunday and time has passed quickly. The Mistral was blowing when we arrived, but it apered off yesterday. Will experience the first day in the saddle after returning from the station. All supplies and crates have been unpacked. Pictures downloaded, AB is getting a set so she can post what she needs on Facebook.

Sunday we drove down from Annecy, took the scenic route and avoided the enormous tolls (peages) on the A(insert number here) highways for the most part. Drove past Grenoble, down past Gap, and stopped for a forgettable lunch in Sisteron. AB’s was worse than mine, but at least the café creme was good. The road was curvy at times but not too nauseating. It was a good choice. Went through Foucalquier and Apt before arriving in Lacoste. AB met Century Rider. He and J and A were nice enough to feed us. It was appreciated. Had dinner with the others at Flambee, and met CR, J, and A for drinks at the café in Bonnieaux. It was music night in France, every café and bar had music, mostly live, going on until the early morning. There was a traditional jazz band, older and unassuming, and the sound was good. AB and I had a Café Creme late night faux pas, but so what. It’s what we wanted.

Monday was morning meetings. AB enjoyed the apartment. It has a terrace with a view to the valley. Hopefully there will be a considerable amount of painting done there over the next eight weeks. We hiked to Bonnieaux to meet CR at the Terrace Café. A good walk, AB did not have the best footwear, but it was good enough. There was a moment when things were in doubt, but it all turned out well. Brambles plus sandals don’t mix. We got a ride back to Lacoste, and drove to Apt to purchase AB’s train ticket at the SCNF office (pleasant experience, much elementary French used), then we bought essentials at LeClerc (France’s answer to WalMart), and then stopped at the Bio store to get the essentials for cooking this quarter. I need options. Dinner at CR’s, assembled the ride, and ended with a Scott Walker listening party. Laughed until it hurt. Good times.

Tuesday was driving tests, AB once again made good use of the apartment. Drove to Aix after noon. Saw the Picasso/Cezanne show, heavy on Picasso, light on the Cezanne. Walked to Cezanne’s studio. Had a quiche epinard and a salade exotique on the way. Both good. The studio was a good walk, but a little overpriced. We were glad we did it though. Stopped for fresh juice on the way back. AB had Poire, Fraise, and Citron. I had Pomplemouse Rose and Menthe. Just what we needed. Checked the wifi when we returned. Wifi problems in the apartment, hopefully they will be resolved. Dinner in Menerbes with the team. AB and I spilt the Salmon with salad, etc. and a crème brulee. It was good.

Today taking pictures for the portraits. Driving to Avignon. Vacation officially over. On the clock.

Annecy

This will be a great town to take the whole family. Outdoor activities for all.
AB just fell asleep reading her book. She has been halfway through for a couple of days now. It was raining last night when we arrived, but it's a glorious day today. The hotel is right across from the train station but that doesn't do us any good as we have the car. The website said free parking available, and the man at the desk kept telling us there was but we'd have to pay very little for it. Interesting. The meters run until 7:00pm so we parked in front of the hotel for the evening and then did a drive around the lake this morning to get our bearings. We ended up parking in free lot east of town conveniently located near a mini golf/bike rental place. We opted for the bikes.

Yesterday was a driving day, rainy and or cloudy the whole way. Made good time on the La Comtoise, and then A39. We got of the exit at Belfort to see if wee could find the Le Corbusier chapel that we saw on the highway, unfortunately there we're no signs after the exit, and we couldn't remember the town it was in (Ronchamps)...next time. We stopped at the Aire De Jura on the A39 and had some odd sandwiches, Orangina, and AB had a crappy coffee. AB left her umbrella in the restroom, but when she went to look it was gone. There was an info desk and I urged her to ask them, it's a good thing because the car keys were with the umbrella. That would have been fun. All the information regarding the car was listed on the keyring. Would have been a long day at the rest stop.

My navigator was asleep most of the way, and to counteract this I had planned to take back roads to alleviate the boredom of driving with out the radio, which was not good, or conversation. Unfortunately we had passed the exit I had all my directions based on. Missed it by three exits. We got off at Exit 10 and after a few false starts found our way, not without numerous switchbacks over fairly narrow roads, (no worse than Lacoste). The upside was I had company that was awake, the down side was she was not happy. We went through a variety of towns and worked hard to get to Coligny and from there we went through Saint Jean D'etreux, Nantey, Florentia, St. Julian, Lains, Les Grange De Dessia, Arinthod, Vescles, around Lac de Cioselet and into Dortan, this led out to the A404 as originally planned. Good times. The breaking point for AB was when we dropped down to Lac de Cioselet and had to follow a deviation. I think she felt we would never find our way. The ride in to Annecy on the Autoroute Blanc was quick and beautiful.

It was raining fairly steadily when we arrived yesterday, and continued to rain throughout the evening. We scrapped an ideas of going up to Chaminix-Mont-Blanc as we would be woefully unprepared for the cold. Ab only has sandals and no coat. Ate early on the Le Thiou Canal, AB had a great salad with chevre chaud, and I ordered from Les Viandes, but vegetarian...go figure. It was cold and damp on the canal, and we were lucky enough to hear the entire life story of a fine American lad talking to his possible date. Went back to the hotel after dinner so AB could warm up as her toes were losing color. Went back out to look to get some coffee and strolled the old town after the rain let up. We walked by our restaurant from the other side of the canal and the young man was still adding nuances to his life story. Since it was cold and all the cafes were closed we opted for gelato.

Today has been exceptional. The hotel breakfast was adequate at best so we're opting out for tomorrow. Biking in this town and on the west side of the lake is a treat. We had momentarily considered renting a motor boat but next time. We really wanted some exercise and biking seemed better to me than hiking. We rode down past Duignt, and stopped for sandwiches on the lake. Sunny with a breeze to our back on the way down. Wind in the face on the way back, a more leisurely pace. The were countless riders out, in all shapes, ages, and sizes. I continue to plot to find a way to live in a place that is more bike friendly. Savannah could do it if they had the will. We walked back to the hotel after the ride and finally had the opportunity to video chat with the family. It was nice to see them all . The grandparents are doing an outstanding job, over and above. I miss the children terribly but at least I'll be able to see them often via the Internet. I think AB is up, perhaps it's time for dinner.

Driving Day

It's raining this morning as we prepare to drive to Annecy.
Depending on the weather we may or may not take the scenic route.

Already put 200km on the car. Drove back up to Strasbourg for the afternoon yesterday, after going to see the Schongauer Alterpiece in the Dominican church. AB preferred the Dominican church to the very depressing dark sadness of the Cathedral 100 meters away. It really was a drag. AB says for the record she does not want to be a monk. Good cafe and treats after, we skipped the overpriced hotel breakfast. We went to take the train to Strasbourg to avoid parking issues, but it was trop cher, so we drove, and it all worked out fine. Had some delicious gnocchi with pesto sauce, and AB had the four cheese tortalini with curry sauce at a take out pasta place. We need that in Savannah. The exterior of the Strasbourg Cathedral was the best part of the structure. It was a nice stroll in Strasbourg, Belgian Chocolates, and a drive back to Colmar on the Wine road. Reminded me of the north side of the Luberon, perhaps a little more green.

AB did laundry last night, we were running low, I answered my work email. Had dinner at the Schwendi for the second night in a row. Tarte Flambee's. The first night is was all lardons, and we ordered two, one for each, which was filling. Last night it was the vegetarian, no lardons, and the pomme flambee. A large Alt beer and espresso at the end pulled it all together. Interesting Kareoke going on at the "Romantic Pizza" accross from Schwendi's. The entire square was not enjoying the man on the microphone. They eventually turned it down. One last stroll through Colmar before going to the room.

AB's eye and jaw are fine, no indication of what was wrong. She is all healed except, as she puts it, "for the crick in her neck". Eating Bastogne and a peach for breakfast.

Day 7: Bacharach to Colmar

Truly outstanding walk last night. Went down to the river and watched the world economy in action. It was revealing and appreciated. The plan for future family trips with bikes and daily mileage is in the initial stages.
Had to work to make our train connections this morning. Could only buy tickets as far as Mainz at the station. I had a Bahn schedule we could make if everything went right and the ticket machine was cooperative. Not to be. Still got into Strasbourg by 1:30. A slight glitch in the card at the eurocar and there's a 900 euro freeze on the checking account. It'll be clear on the 24th. We were grateful for the help. Regardless of the problems it helped refocus.

Other then that, AB's eye (which was swollen this morning) is no langer swollen, and her mysterious jaw issue has resolved itself. We worked hard today to arrive in Colmar in order to have enough time to go to the Unterlinden Museum, which was just what we wanted and needed at this point in the trip. Aside from the difficulties with the card, and the multiple transfers we still had a great time. Still deciding on tomorrow's action. Dinner was better then expected. One more good dining experience.

The hotel is really nice, it makes things easier. AB wants me to say "she thinks the hotel staff is nice".

Bacharach

Day six already, but only the fourth in Europe.
The food has been the most pleasant experience, very few disappointments. Yesterday, Monday, was a travel day. AB was not happy with the room change in Haarlem. Worried about ghosts, etc., and had an issue with the smell, neither of which were a concern for me. As a result her sleep was shortened, and I was woken on a regular basis. Something about plastic on the matress?

Transportation connections and concerns have been resolved fairly easily. The DB train schedule and purchasing option online is outstanding. Going to see if we can print ours out tomorrow to avoid problems. Will pick up the car in Strasbourg. Last train for me for a while.

Monday:
Cloudy, windy, rainy at times. The train we were supposed to catch in Amsterdam was in Utrecht...fun, had to really pay attention to the platform changes. Cologne was wet and since it was Monday nothing was open museum-wise. The Cathedral is still big. Decent lunch, found some sandals for the summer. AB almost got a bag, but settled for an umbrella, red with white polka dots. Train from Koblenz to Bacharach was delayed, but had a Weiss beer in the station which was tasty. Train down the east side of the Rhine was pretty, so says AB. I agree. Armin from Pension im Malerwinkel was there to pick us up in the rain. Great place. Too late to get dinner anywhere except a pizza and kabob joint which turned out to be very satisfying.

Tuesday:
Bikes for 6 euro a day. Road to St. Goar (14 km), thought about a trip to Burg Eltz, but too far to ride on those seats, the bus wasn't running, and the train was not an option. Went to plan C, which worked out for the best, ferry to St. Goarshausen, a frustrating time trying to buy a ticket at the station which was unmanned. We squared it away with the conductor who was kind enough to sell us a ticket for five personnes to Braubach, or so we think. Regardless, it was cheap and we hiked up to Marksburg Castle where we did a tour with the first half in German (w/ a book in English we couldn't follow), and then the second half was in English as our guide switched people from our group. Truth be told I liked not knowing what was being said. AB says she liked learning. I do too, but it was nice being a stranger in a strange land, if only for a moment. The tour was great, reversed the trip, ate some street meat before making the ride back to Bacharach. Good meal tonight, again. Going to look at the church ruins, and perhaps the castle which is now a youth hostel.

Colmar/Strasbourg tomorrow. Isenheim here we come.

AB hurt her jaw, finger, and sits bones today. We can't really figure out the jaw thing.
I'm fine.

ooo

Two nights in Haarlem, the summit is off to a good start. A good amount of walking and eating. Easing into the trip after the long but not completely forgotten flight. Two movies, two Dramamine, and no sleep. A little rough. Well past that.

The Department store in Haarlem, and the square in front of it is worth the visit. Good food eaten, everything is fairly consistent. The beach was typical but different too. It was also worth the trip. Gelato, AB mocha, avacado for myself. AB thinks we may have eaten hair that was cooked in the waffle. I'm dubious. The place we are staying is nice, and we welcome the steep stairs. Get's us off to the right start.


Saturday:
Train to Haarlem at 10:30. Checked in and was sleeping by 11:00. Two hour nap, very difficult to get up, but it was essential. Hat for the sun. Ate veggie street meat, not sure what was in it, but it was decent. Plenty of coffee, Indonesian food, gelato, appletart with slagroom. slagroom = whipped cream (we think).

Sunday:
Breakfast in Hotel Amadeus, (which we like, small but comfortable room), we were able to get a room for the night in the B&B next door, (space is better : see steep stairs). AB is wrestling with the shower at the moment. It was raining a little, and we almost debated whether to stay and watch the school band competition in Grote Market they were setting up for, but in the end we decided we needed to walk. The potential for rain kept us from going to the Hague, and we opted for Amsterdam. Brutal but fun walk. AB is freaked out by the shower which apparently sprays everywhere. The shower is the bathroom. The sun was burning me once the clouds left. Crispy outfit, for both. Good food all day, many desserts in a row. I ate this ice cream that tastes like a cookie. I had that around an appletart w/slagroom. AB shared all with me except for the second serving of the cookie ice cream. AB had stratchiatelli and mocha. She said mine was better. A cookie.

Cologne tomorrow, then Bacharach tomorrow night. Need to look up that hotel and let them know when we're coming in.

Delayed but on vacation

M 445
A 340

The quarter ended, things were ordered, items were packed and shipped, and the children were left with the grandparents. We missed our connection in Atlanta by about 10 minutes. No need to go over the painful details. We splurged on a lovely airport hotel since the airline was only going to give us a discount voucher for a Sleepinn in Fairborne, GA. I have no idea where that is, and we didn't want to find out.

Hotels were cancelled and rebooked for our first couple of days in Europe. Cutting out the leg to Bruges, deciding to stay around Haarlem and not push it. Hoping all goes well today.

loose ends

M 445
A 340

A and J had a cocktail party tonight, we got a sitter. AF came through like a champ. It's been nice being able to relax a little this week. It was also helpful to go over the Tyvek thing again. I need to order that for Lacoste.

The trip is fast approaching and the last day to paint for the September show is mere days away. Made progress on Penelope's face, and I think I can live with the paintings being up in their current, or at least future current, state. The extra work for the Ellis show is not necessarily good, but what the hell. I will be gone for two and a half months. That will be a considerable time. No excuse not getting work done. It'll be good to experiment.

Angela is mostly finished with her end of the volunteer work. I think we're both looking forward to our vacation. Two weeks, no kids, quite a treat. All hotels booked and the car is reserved. Winging it on the trains.

One more gig before we leave, it's difficult trying to cobble together a set list. They have to be appropriate enough for 2nd and 3rd graders. Not easy.

Finishing strong, but no saddle time. I'll be paying for that.