GETTING AWAY FROM IT ALL!

Heading to the beautiful North Carolina mountains - a few more

 bends in the road before Asheville.

What more can I say!

We're westward bound to the North Carolina mountains this morning.  

Rain coming in, however should stop later.  Our couple of days in Asheville

 and surrounding areas should be bright, cold and dry - I'm happy in that

 weather, especially during the Christmas season.

More later....................

Revisting Cadiz, Spain---------------

October 7, 2019
Sunrise 8:25 am
Arrival 8:00 am
Temp. 80F

Cadiz, located on a peninsula jutting out into the bay, is almost entirely

 surrounded by water. It is said to be the oldest surviving city in Spain and

 was founded by the Phoenicians in 1100 BC and later occupied by the

 Carthaginians, Romans and the Moors. A fascinating old town with

 waterfront gardens, beaches and quaint open squares, it is a busy port and

shipyard today and, since ancient times, its natural harbor has attracted

 fishermen, merchants and ships trading along the Atlantic coast.

Early morning - always a great time to explore a city, especially one set 

on the water.

The Cathedral of Cadiz.

 Coffee morning with the Spanish ladies.

 Interesting apartment building lobby, with laundry drying above!

Quaint side streets.

Glimpses of old Cadiz, Spain.

Cadiz was somewhat quiet the day of our visit as it was a religious holiday.

That evening we set sail for Casablanca, Morocco, a distance of just

190 nautical miles.

A ship in the desert!

Some of you have asked where we are off to next.

I promised to share our upcoming trip so will do so now as time is getting short.

Leaving in early October for exotic places, some old and some new.

This will be another expedition on the Noble Caledonia ship, MS Hebridean Sky.

We were on this same ship last year when we traveled to Patagonia and the 

Chilean Fjords. Passengers usually number around 120 on these smaller

 expedition ships. Again, we'll be with our California friends, meeting up

 with them in London for the flight to Lisbon where the ship will be waiting.

Our itinerary will take us to Portugal, Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara

 the Cape Verde Islands, and then back to London.

Imperial City of Taroudant, Morocco - past capital of the Saadian dynasty

This trip will include adventures in the Western Sahara desert, one of the least

 populated regions of the world.

What on earth does one wear to tea time in the desert?

Shall I be practical in linen pants and breezy tunic top, or throw caution to the

 desert winds and wear the zebra print kaftan? 

Must throw in a broad-brimmed sun hat, sunglasses and sunscreen for certain.

A long, silky scarf perhaps, just in case there's a sandstorm brewing and I 

need to wind it around my head!

Laayoune Desert, Western Sahara

Afternoon tea in the desert with a nomadic tribe actually is part of the expedition

(and how I wish my very special 'tea friend' Marilyn in Portland, Oregon could be

 with me to enjoy that). 

Riding to the top of the sand dunes in 4X4 vehicles is also on the itinerary. . .

that long scarf may be required there.

MS Hebridean Sky

Photos via Noble Caledonia

I need help with packing for the Sahara Desert if you've ever been there - or at 
least some suggestions if you want to humor me. . . . . .please!

Pen and Ink. . . . . . .

This photo was taken from our table by the window on the upper floor of the little 
Dublin corner pub. It looked out toward the charming antiquated shop front. 
The rain had stopped, the early evening sun peeped out as it often does in Ireland, 
and, as we dined on very good fish 'n chips, I thought about writing.  

Writing with a very good fountain pen as I used to. 

On leaving the pub we crossed the street and peered in the windows at the 

displays. Beautiful writing instruments, boxes of note cards, papers and

 envelopes, I had to go back next morning when the shop was open.

The shop was quaint, pens and such upstairs with two knowledgeable 

young ladies behind the counter. Downstairs, a wonderful selection of 

greeting cards, writing papers, wrapping papers, note cards, notebooks

 and journals.

I could have spent an entire morning there just looking.

I picked out two boxes of exquisite note cards. Perhaps some day

you'll find one in your mailbox - would you like that?

I shared my fountain pen price point, not the cheapest but definitely not

the thousand Euros or more beauties! The clerk showed me several, dipped 

the ones I wanted to test, and showed me how modern pens are filled, 

cleaned etc. I chose a Parker fountain pen, very classic in design and

a brand I used for many years in a different time and place.

There are so many inks available now in every color imaginable.

I decided on a warm brown, choosing an ink from the French company

Herbin (depuis 1670) in Lie De Thé which translates to 'tea dregs'.

Marilyn, you will love that one!

Marilyn is my dear Oregon 'tea lady' friend and, if you want to 

know anything about that particular beverage, be sure to visit 

her always delightful blog, aptly named DELIGHTS OF THE HEART.

We met in person a few years back and shared some lovely cups

of tea together in special Portland places, including her lovely home.

My new pen and ink.

All photos via iPhone

Do you use a fountain pen?  If so, what color is your ink?

Are you interested in sharing the written word via snail mail - a note, 

a postcard with a stamp, handwritten of course - a surprise in your mailbox?

Let me know.

Dark Hedges. . . . and the Game of Thrones -

Flying into Dublin from Charlotte, North Carolina was a breeze - 7.5 hours overnight
 on a smooth flight - despite the usual tasteless airline food, bad wine in plastic cups, 
and somewhat dour-faced attendants. Thankfully, an unoccupied seat between us 
allowed us more room. As we who fly coach class know, there is little remaining
 in the way of creature comforts showered on the occupants of the cheaper seats
 (which are no longer that) compared to the old days of passenger care.

We left home in 99F temps. and arrived in the expected cold, chilly rain, and 50F.

Clomping around our point of departure in winter booties, cashmere high-necked 
sweater and a hefty rain jacket brought side glances from the tank-topped, 
shorts and sandals set, but oh was I glad for thinking and planning ahead when
 it came to "there's no bad weather, just the wrong clothing" way of travel.

From the wet Dublin airport we were whisked by a comfortable, clean train through
 the beautiful countryside to Northern Ireland. Probably the best season to see fields

in all their glory, full of newborns - lambs, calves and foals by the hundreds visible
 in every direction, cavorting, curled up sleeping, or nursing from their proud mamas.

We had spent just one day in Belfast on our Irish trip 3 years ago, a rush visit with an 

overall view of the city via Hop On Hop Off bus. This time with 3 days planned 

we were able to relax, get out around the city, and to take a day trip by coach to 

the Giant's Causeway, Carrick-A-Rede and The Dark Hedges etc.

Of course it was raining - I'll be reiterating that statement in posts on Ireland often

 so don't be surprised.

If you were a Games of Thrones viewer you may well recall this beautiful, quite

mysterious place featured in the series as The Kings Road.

More posts to come on beautiful Northern Ireland.

Day trip to beautiful Cornwall. . . . . . . .

When we meet up with long time blog friends gifts are not required.

Smiles, warm hugs, non-stop chatter is always lovely.

Reading a menu, choosing a wine, toasting to happiness,

good health and friendship . . . . . . . . and a ton of thanks for making time

 in one's day, perhaps traveling some distance, to get to a meeting point is

 what long distance friendship is about.

I've done it often around the world, and many of my blog friends 

have gone out of their way to meet up with me - and usually Bob is

there too!  It's always so exciting, and I have to say it has never been 

disappointing. 

We took the train from Devon to Cornwall to meet up with Barbara

 (also known as Elizabethd) of the lovely blog Small Moments.
Barbara and I met via our blogs many, many years ago when she and her
 husband were living in France. They returned to the UK a few years ago and have

 made their home in a small Cornish village. She took a train also and we met

 just about halfway.

I must admit Barbara really spoiled me. Such lovely gifts, and all from Cornwall. 

 I wish you could see the exquisite, delicate embroidery of the 'Cornish Lane' 
framed piece. The rose hand cream smells wonderful, the beeswax candles are lovely, 
and the tea is actually tea grown in Cornwall - the only true English tea - delicate and

 perfect for a summer afternoon. These lovely gifts were packed in the canvas bag

also made in Cornwall - I will find it useful toting items to my car.

Barbara also included a great book for Bob about unusual Cornish places -

he's busy reading it so I forgot to add it to the photos.

Thanks so much dear Barbara. It was so much fun meeting up at long last

 and spending time together over lunch. Hopefully we can do it again some day 
when we're able to return to the lovely southwest of England.

Today: We're in Belfast, Northern Ireland heading out early on a coach trip
to the Giant's Causeway etc.  Guess what, it's raining and chilly!

Sunday morning walk around the seafront. . . . . . . .

Our one Sunday morning in Torquay was cool and somewhat hazy across the

 bay, but with plenty of intermittent sunshine it was perfect for a leisurely early 

walk around the harbour and seafront.  Less exciting things awaited back at 

the flat. . . . . such as packing up to leave for London the next day! 

The tide was in so not much beach was visible, however there were other 

surprises awaiting.

Abbey Sands beach - tide in - and the Rock Walk.  Last visit we spent Christmas 

 in the condos on the far right of the cliff. Beautiful view but 277 slippery steps

 down and then back up was a bit much . . . . . . which is why we chose the much

 more convenient harbourside location this time! 

The cruise ship Artania had anchored in the bay!

In all my years of living in Torquay, then visiting so many times since leaving,

 this is the first I've ever seen. Some years back there was chatter about building

 a 'cruise port' here but apparently that didn't go over well. Ships come now and

 then I hear, anchor in the bay like this one, then ferry their passengers and crew

 into the harbour via their own tenders/lifeboats to enjoy some time ashore.

Passengers we chatted with during our walk were German and told us the call

 there was part of a world tour. . . . . . how nice.

As you can see we still required warm clothes - it was cool when the clouds came in.

The outer harbour and pier.

English dogs are very well behaved on the whole - rarely have I ever seen street

 fights between passing dogs. They walk politely on their leashes, sit quietly at

 outdoor cafés, sometimes indoors in pubs when permitted, and they like to

 pose for photos when requested by their person. . . . . . . and I can assure you 

this handsome pair did not try to bathe in the historic Victorian fountain!

Perhaps English dogs are well educated and can even read!

This sweet mix and matched pair had been for a swim and were drying off on
 the low sea wall - when their person told them to sit, smile and stick their 
tongues out for a photo shoot - they obeyed!

It just seems no matter where you decide to take a walk in England there are 

always really interesting dogs of every breed, color and size.

Yes, there are palm trees in Torquay!!!!

The Gulf Stream passes by the bay as it makes its way through the 

English Channel blessing the area with some type of micro-climate

in which the tropical palms do grow very well.

Corbyn Head and the historic Grand Hotel.

We walked as far as this little cove which holds many childhood memories for me.

When in elementary school - about a two mile walk from here - on warm June 

afternoons before school was out for the Summer hols, my neighbor, whose two

 children were in school with me (sadly all are gone now) would meet us at

 4 PM and walk us to the beach. She'd bring our swimsuits, towels, cheese

 and tomato sandwiches - delicious and soggy after an hour or so in the

 sun - and orangeade drinks, and we'd spend wonderful late afternoon hours

 swimming and hunting for hermit crabs in the rock pools when the tide went out.

Those are days I will always cherish.

Tide in, rock pools just visible. Wasn't until I looked at this photo whilst editing I

noticed the girl - could have been me as she even had pigtails as I did back then!!!!!

The café already busy, and sprucing up the beach huts at Corbyn Head ready for the summer season was in full swing.

I'd love to still be there - must plan to stay longer next visit!