The first view, the first steps, into the Magic Garden
The beating sun on the patio
The swish of the pool filter
The “chuk-chuk-chuk-chuckAH!” of the hens next door when they laid an egg
The incessant birdsong with no break for lunch
The skitter of the lizards from beneath-the-bergenia-and-up-the-wall
The humming bird moths in the lavender bushes
The red squirrel – dropping his nuts!
The walnut tree, the walnut tree, the spreading, verdant walnut tree
The soft patter of rain on the terracotta tiles
Ancient churches on a route to Santiago
Wall paintings discovered – and washed away
Cross-legs, fork-beards, musician-figures... on the western arch at Avy – who are they?
Ceramic flowers on marble tombs
The bedroom in a cupboard!
Poterie de Baignes on windowsill and wall
Baby hedgehog on an evening ramble
Elaine and her sister on a wineglass perambulation of Bran
Crumbling old buildings - dreams and fantasies – buyable for 10,000 Euros?
The dog, the sun, a ramshackle shelter and more than one tear in my eye
Sweltering lunch in the shadow of the Donjon in Pons
Precarious descent to the Lower Square in St Emilion
The tiny-train tour of the Vineyards and Chateaux
Roses planted at the end of vine rows- “to give warning of diseases”
Downloading David by his desk at dawn!
Vin rouge Lestac in a box
Fine wines in many bottles
Accordion music floating through the garden on Sunday morning
Croustade - Gascon filo and apple pudding splashed with Armagnac
Eroding limestone everywhere
Chateau de Clerbise
A chateau lost in time
Sunlight filtering through muslin-hung windows
Leather embossed walls
A huge ceramic stove
A ruined chapel still hiding many mysteries
Sarcophagi and graffiti
Lavender and Roses
Oleander and Wisteria
A swan gliding beneath us as we dined at the Moulin de Sorgues
Glassy surfaced, lily-studded river, reflecting golden lamps on the walls above
A goat being chased by a pony, a bunny and a goose – all on the other bank!
Naughty Elaine, Camp Christophe and far too much XO Cognac!
Rain coming down, a pile of books and my journal – another sort of bliss.
Last-night -leftovers-supper – good bread, good wines, great cheese
Mist-covered vineyards, aquamarine sky at dawn departure
Strutting Norman soldiers along the Bayeux “tapestry”
Thomas a Becket being beheaded - again - in the cathedral
A heavy heart for the boys who landed on Sword Beach, Gold Beach, Juno Beach
Millpond calm English Channel crossing
The winking Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, to welcome us
back home.
For Good food, Good wine and Good Company – Godde be Thanked!
The well is well and truly filled - for now.
(Each one of these lines holds a story - a List of Memories is a great way to capture your holiday if you don't have time to write much when travelling...I'll be expanding each of these, along with more of the 700 photographs, over the next few weeks).
Looks like a wonderful travel - enjoy!
Posted by: Bernideen's Tea Time Blog | Thursday, June 18, 2009 at 22:14
How I wish I could have been there, too. It sounds glorious. It's so wonderful to have a friend to share these travels with.
I also like the memories for later writing. I used to do that exercise in travel journals but I called them snapshots. Now I'm out of creativity.
You look wonderful, Roz--rested, fit, and very beautiful. I know this hasn't been the easiest set of months in your life so I'm glad you got away.
When you mentioned Portsmouth my own memory of the Mary Rose Museum and the hulk of that ancient wreck came to mind. Of everything I saw in England in 1989, for some reason that sticks in my mind.
Have a good summer. You started yours early.
Posted by: Fran aka Redondowriter | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 02:17
I can't wait to see and read more. I know France pretty well, being there many times travelling around, so I'm curious to know what impressed you the most.
A bientot Roz.....
Posted by: Gracie | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 07:48
What a wonderful travel and (like Fran said) you look great!I love also your list of memories, an inspiring idea in many aspects. Not only as notes for later writing, but it's in itself great. It's a poem, catching for you your whole journey and giving us snapshots of it. A wonderful idea!
Posted by: Brigitte | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 09:42
Such a lovely entry! Looking forward to more pictures and stories.
Posted by: Joan | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 14:24
You have certainly whetted my appetite for more of your pictures and stories! Lovely photos and the little snippets of things you saw/did/thought are just tantalizing. You look very smart in the photo with Elaine - cheers, indeed.
Posted by: Ardi | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 14:45
hey ros
nice pics
i'm spending a lot of time in france too right now.
indeed, i moved here 4 weeks ago;-) got a 1 year contract at a uni in grenoble. all change. photos etc. on my new blog;
hxx
Posted by: hannah d. | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 15:40
Roz, your words and pictures make an arresting combination. I'm glad you had a great time.
Posted by: Gina | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 17:56
Divine, utterly divine. What I wouldn't give to have been there with you making some of those memories together! One day, my dear, before either of us in wheelchairs ... one day!
Posted by: Boyd | Friday, June 19, 2009 at 21:21
Roz,
Lovely overview sharing of your recent trip. I'm so glad it was a good one.
Betsy
Posted by: Betsy | Saturday, June 20, 2009 at 05:06