Gracie's Cousin

        Gracie is a 3 year old giraffe. This week she walked away from the ranch where she lived in Texas. The owner put up $5,000 for her safe return. She weighs 1,200 pounds and stands 10 feet tall. Not easy to hide. She was not hiding, just away from home.

         When I was in the savanna in Southern Africa, I saw large groups of giraffes.  This one, in the photo, saw me. As this guy was in a reserve he was accustomed to Americans in Range Rovers taking his picture. In groups called "Towers" these tall animals. are in herds, and as safe as Gracie. 

 

Looking at the Neighbors From The Rock of Cashel Ireland

        The Rock of Cashel is a major landmark and visitor stop for people driving through Central Ireland. It is a chapel, a cathedral, an abbey, vicars' house and a Tower House. You will pay for a guide in the cathedral but the rest is walking around. Of note: the auto park is at the base of the hill and it is somewhat of a hike.  Rather than give you  photo I have taken of the ruins, I thought I give you an idea of what you can see from the top of the rock. Indeed there is another church in ruins, but look at the green and the lush fields.

Scotland Surprize

Cafe on the Royal Mile in Edinburgh

I had ordered fish'n chips and was waiting for my order.

I did not realize I looked so American.

A young man in a wheelchair started a political dialogue.

He knew more about us than I did.

This is not uncommon in Europe.

 

Simple Pleasure

In a small town in Austria there exists a small walkway to the river.

I am sure there are other such walkways in other towns and other countries.

The special feeling, however, is that the traveler has discovered it

for the first time

 

In Prague: Macarons

When we took our granddaughter to Paris, she fell in love with macarons. The French style are different from those in the US.

In other trips to Paris we were tempted to bring some home to her.

They  likely would not make it.

So, we took this photo of a shop in Prague

It would have to do as a reminder our our trip together.

Better than bringing home snails.

 

A common problem with rental cars

This is a Mercedes B Class on Lake Como early in the dew of the morning..

I like to drive and go seeking surprises. This means renting a  car.

I have driven in 14 different countries three of which drive on the left. My wife, and navigator, takes credit for us being alive.

        We use Auto Europe to rent our cars. Auto Europe is a consolidator which means you may get a car from any manufacturer. The list of various vehicles I have driven is long. However, Auto Europe has always found a fairly new car which fits our needs that we have outlined as to where we want to go. This is to say, you would not likely want a Cadillac Coverable to drive the beach dunes. You need a Land Rover.

        The biggest hint I can give you is, besides the language difference, have the rental agent tell you what the switches mean. They always give the traffic laws of their country, but how do you turn on the windshield wipers? In the Alps I had to have some not-so-hell's angels help me open the gas filter.

            Also a car may be just different. The Mercedes above was a diesel and I understand that, but to conserve fuel the engine goes off when stopped. This should be explained to the driver before he is in stop-and-go in Innsbruck Austria. Don't tell me to read the manual. 

 

Thanks to the pilot

 I have a nephew who is a Captain with United Airlines.

We are all pretty proud of him.

I was particularly proud when we flew our last flight to New York JFK.

I looked down and wondered where the heck was the airport?

You must have more skill than I to find it.

(They did find it.)