On the Road Again

21.5.17: Chugging and Strutting

Breakfast was another buffet with everything you could possibly imagine on offer but there wasn't time to induge for too long as we were off down to the Ebre Delta, a nature reserve, for a boat trip. It was on the boat that the "update" post photo was taken. The trip was something of a disappointment as there wasn't really anything to see. We just chugged up to where the river meets the sea and then chugged back again. In fact the peacock at one of the café/bars was the most interesting bit of wildlife that I saw. Pity that such a splendid creature has to spend its life in a pen.
Back at the hotel there was a buffet lunch and with the luggage already loaded it was a quick turnaround for the trip home. Luckily, I had two seats to myself as Nicole had found two seats for herself so I wasn't obliged to talk to anyone and could watch a couple of films on my tablet. Arrived home at 18h30. What bliss it was being able to slump on the settee and just relax.
Weather:
28°, sunny

20.5.17: A Fitting Name

It was an 8am start for 45 of us to journey to Barcelona by coach. We visited the Museum of Catalunya and the Palau de Música http://www.palaumusica.cat/en/the-art-nouveau-building_23602 an absolutely fabulous Art Nouveau building. Follow the link to see the photos and you'll know that I'm not enthusing for nothing. In between the two we had lunch at "Quatre Gats" (4 cats) a restaurant that's been in operation for120 years. http://www.4gats.com/en/ Lots of atmosphere with plenty more Art Nouveau touches, including sanitary ware made by Thomas Crapper!
At the end of the afternoon, our bus took us on to Salou on the Costa Dorada where we were booked in to the hotel H10 Vintage for the night. https://www.h10hotels.com/en/salou-hotels/h10-vintage-salou
There was a huge buffet meal as part of the deal and entertainment (Brasilian dancers) laid on. Feeling tired and as my throat was even sorer, I was in bed for 21h; well before Nicole S with whom I was sharing the room.
Weather:
Very warm and sunny

19.5.17: Let Us Eat Cake!

Had a coffee at the bar before Sauveur arrived to sort out the light switch that wouldn't switch off. Left him to it as I went to get the bus to go and have lunch with Eamon and Liz. As often happens, I was given a lift which meant that I could take my time buying dessert and walking up to their holiday rental. Golly, it was hot and there was little shade.
My friends kindly gave me a lift back and once at home, it felt chilly enough to light a fire. What a contrast to the morning.
Weather:
21° sun, rain in evening

18.5.17: Duty Calls
Straight back into routine. Well, having missed several language exchanges recently, it didn't seem fair on Maggie to skive. Of course we all went to the bar afterwards for a drink in the shade. Spent the afternoon in front of the computer while it rained outside. A sore throat is hatching; no doubt the result of the AC on the plane.
Weather:
24°, sun with rain later

Happy Tourists

7.5.17: A Castle, a Cruise and Plenty of Good Cheer

It was a glorious if early start to the day and being Sunday, I allowed myself the luxury of a full Scottish breakfast; as of course, did many of the others.
The first visit this morning took us along Loch Fyne bringing back memories of the times that Christian and I took visitors to the "Loch Fyne Oyster Bar". In those days it was a little known, simple affair which quickly became one of the places to say that you'd been to. Nowadays while this restaurant remains independent and supplies seafood and smoked fish all over, the name has been sold to a chain of restaurants throughout the UK.
Our destination was Inverary, a pretty town on the shores of the loch which attracts many a tourist. The main attraction is the 18th century castle that's home to the Duke of Argyll, head of the Clan Campbell, which was used for a Christmas edition of "Downton Abbey".
http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/inveraray/inveraray/index.html
There's also a "double" church originally built (1792 - 1802) to allow one half to  worship in Gaelic while the other half worshipped in Scots. The jail and courthouse were built to replace the existing but inadequate buildings between 1816 and 1820 and shows visitors the harsh reality of the penal system of the time. History aside, there are a number of shops fulfilling every tourist's wish for tartan, whisky and other souvenirs. My "lot" were no exception. They were straight off the bus into the "Edinburgh Wollen Mill" in search of a bargain. Looking at the bags that were taken back on the bus, they were successful.
Nicole S had given the excursion a miss as she didn't feel up to it, so Nicole P and I went up to the castle to enjoy the views, the gardens and a cup of tea. Nicole had her first experience of scones and Tunnocks tea cakes; soft marshmallow on a biscuit base, covered in milk chocolate and wrapped in red and silver foil. Only 106 calories a go!. Mmmmm! They brought back memories of my own initiation into the world of Tunnock's teacakes by breaking and picking off the chocolate, bit by bit to prolong the pleasure. I gleaned from the Tunnock's website that the father of the company founder, who was born in 1865, had been a joiner and coffin maker from Uddingston, Glasgow. Mr Tunnock Snr advertised his wares as follows “Why live a miserable life when for 30 bob you can be buried comfortably”. http://www.tunnock.co.uk/about-us/
I kid you not; have a look see for yourself and for those of you who are too young to remember or are among my non British followers, a "bob" was a "shilling" which was 12 pence before decimalisation.

Still, enough of all that; let's get back on the bus and head back to Loch Lomond for an hour's cruise. The weather unsurprisingly as the day was wearing on, was not quite as sunny as it had been in Inverary but it was as picturesque as you would imagine. The boat chugged up the loch with a live commentary in "English" that was completely lost on the French. The main feature was Tarbet Isle or as it is better known, "Honeymoon Isle", so named as newlyweds were left there for a week. If they were still on good terms at the end of the week, it was deemed that the marriage was a success and would last!
After a good dinner, it was off to the bar for coffee for most and a wee whisky for some. We were all soon singing and even had some requests. No, not to be quiet! Just to be sure, I went into the ballroom next door where a quiz about tv programmes was going on and asked a group of women who were sitting out if we were too noisy. They replied "not at all, it's great to see young folk enjoying themselves!". So, there!
Not to be out done, two Scottish women came through and sang too.
The quiz over, it was time to let our hair down and dance. What's more, we fair livened the place up!
Weather:
Warm and sunny. lots of people out getting very red!. Cloudy later
News:
Emanuel Macron won the French Presidential election ahead of Marine Le Pen. In the village he polled 813 to her 605

Lots of Bling

Another grey start to the day but we ventured forth to have a walk around the market and a coffee stop at the “Pause Café”. There was no lingering over lunch as the 8 of us were to meet up with the Valérie et al at the foot of the Eiffel Tower. They’d been in the queue for 45 mins already and were nowhere near the front so, a group decision was taken to take a trip on a “bateau mouche”. Even though it was chilly, we opted to stay outside as it gave the best photo opportunities. By the time that the trip was over, night was falling and by the time we’d climbed up to the Trocadéro, the tower was lit up in all its splendor.
Christophe et al arrived at the house a little after us so there were 18 to celebrate Emma’s birthday with an obligatory aperitif or two followed by a dinner of lasagne.  I have to say that it was good to be able to escape to our little haven of peace across the courtyard while the others continued late into the night!
 

All Aboard

What luck, the weather was good, everyone was on time and the association's trip for 50 of us on the Canal du Midi went without a hitch. No disappointed customers ... phew!
We had the whole boat for ourselves and marvelled at the feat of engineering that took us up 21m through seven locks. The scenes, as we chugged slowly along were from a tourist guide but it was sad to see the plane trees, which are classified by Unesco as a world heritage site, suffering from a fungus that means that they will have to come down. The cost in monetry terms will be enormous.
Lunch overlooking a former lake that has been drained in favour of agriculture was served efficiently and enjoyed by one and all, even though the starter was a chicken liver salad. Next came a short walking tour around Beziers for the more energetic and people-watching from a café for those who were not. The bus came back via some small villages and ended up at a vinyard where the owner had assembled the skeleton of a whale that had been beached a few years ago. Quite a character who told more than his fair share of non-pc jokes.
By the time we arrived home, it was too late for Christian to go to his meeting so we had some wine on the terrace of the bar. There we met Jean-Jacques who came back with us for some supper. Had a lot of laughs especially about having penguins for neighbours even if they are "evoluted" ones.

Full Steam Ahead!

Another early start for a visit to Stirling Castle which was good as we were there before most of the tourists. Had lunch in Callendar but with no time to look around as we were booked on the good ship "Sir Walter Scott" for a sail on Loch Katrine. On our travels we saw wallabies, yes, your eyes aren't deceiving you, even a white one, little lambs skipping around and highland cattle looking idly on at the world. There were regular requests to stop for photos and we all filled our eyes and memories with images of wonderful scenery. Scotland is just sooooo beautiful!
Came home tired but happy and ready for another of Bill's dinners in the clubhouse followed by a drink in the pub for a handful of us.