Faraway Places - Coming Home. . . . . . . .

Vibrant Barcelona!

The pond at Eastgate Park, Raleigh, on my quick walk yesterday.

It will never cease to amaze, this hefting of a giant aircraft into the blue above,

 crossing cities, countryside, mountain ranges, oceans. . . . . . . . transporting us to

 places often very unlike our home.

Fortunately these recent journeys went without any hitches - planes, boats, trains,

taxis all moved us safely and comfortably through two amazing European countries.

Being back has brought a plethora of stuff to do - ordinary life was on hold as it

 always is when you travel far and for a lengthy time. Now we need to get the proverbial

 ducks in a row, organize ourselves, our home, the garden, the season's necessities, life!

I'll be back here soon - I have much to share from three and a half weeks in beautiful

 France and Spain.

Leaving Spain for home. . . . . .

Photos taken yesterday of Basilica Sagrada Familia designed by Catalan 

architect Antoni Gaudi.

Started in 1880 and still unfinished.

Leaving beautiful Barcelona early tomorrow morning.

An amazing trip through France with this

exciting stop in Spain for a few days.

I'll have lots of travel stories and photos to share with you soon.

It's in the bag. . . . . . . . . . .

. . . . . . and these few items still on hangers that aren't packed will be 
keeping me comfy as once again I cross the pond tonight!
This is our third trip to Europe this year so will have spent time in Spring, Summer
 and now Autumn - each season bringing its particular beauty and weather. 

 BTW, the vintage blouse doesn't go - it's just the guest room window decoration.

Below is a map of the upcoming trip, We will be traveling the entire 
length of France with our usual group of wonderful friends
 Transportation will be on two river boats, the first one Paris and 
north to Normandy, second one from Dijon - mustard anyone? - then south to 
Provence. Connecting the two boat cruises we'll be taken by the high speed
TGV train from Paris to Dijon.
Sounds like rather a lot of unpacking and packing that bulging suitcase,
 but also some wonderful places to see along the waterways of the Seine,
 Saône and Rhône rivers.

Our trip doesn't end when we disembark in Arles. 
Bob and I will be taking a train westward to meet my brother and sister-in-law
who live in the vineyards corn merchant's house in a tiny Languedoc village 
near the historic walled city of Carcassonne. 

Early morning at my brother's house - Caunes Abbey in the background - 2008

Last there in Autumn 2008, we know what to expect. . . . . . all of it colorful,
 pastoral, historic and relaxing, with good food and excellent Languedoc wines.
 After visiting for a few days, the four of us take a train to Spain where we'll enjoy
 a few days in Barcelona, olé!

Will try to post along the way and share Autumn scenes from these lovely places.