Average day in Amsterdam

Amsterdam: Canal, Boat, Bike

Sarah Boehringer learns to sheer sheep

Then Sarah makes friends with a sheep dog,

In the Scottish Highlands

Part of the railroad viaduct used by the trains in Harry Potter, Northern Highlands Scotland

ed

Fruit and vegetable sellers in Spain

Miro's tower, Barcelona

Photo from a tourist bus, Barcelona is a city of art, some very old and some modern. The emphasis is on finding places for tapas and pondering the creative process.

Through the fog: The amazing bridge at Bratislava, Slovakia

Lighthouse on point near Tillamook Oregon, USA

Cheetah, South Africa

Good camouflage and nice to have a fence...

Rose Window, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris

     My granddaughter took this photo not-long before the cathedral burned. One of two such windows, they serve as grand art at either end of the transept. It is called a rose window as the first such window at Chartres was pink and rose in color. Any round church window of this style is called a rose window.  

     During the bombing of Paris by the Germans, these windows were removed and the glass wrapped and the panes buried in the Seine. They have a long history of being saved.

Detail of courtyard at Mont St. Michele, Normandy, France

There are loads of photos of the island from distance, but few close up. The photos from a distance are dramatic as it is a dramatic place. Inside it is equally interesting. Up, up, up one walks toward the abbey at the top. Along the way, there are many places to ponder. We spent a day there and roamed as best we could. Touristy -you bet. Tourist go to interesting and beautiful places. If you wish to beat the crowds, try the Mexican desert.

What's Gnu?

An ad hoc meeting in Botswana

Bringing home taste

Colcannon from Ireland

     When taking my grandchildren to distant places, they tend to recognize MacDonald's right away. As a point of information, Subway has more outlets. But, we did not go to Zambia or Paris or even Edinburgh to sample hamburgers. Local food is a fun adventure.

      I have been able to introduce two granddaughters to escargot in France and a grandson to dried caterpillars in Zimbabwe.   One granddaughter liked haggis in Scotland and another became instantaneously fond of "steak and fries" in France. We do not go too exotic, but it is worth it.

      I make a point to choose things I have not had before and have only been surprised or disappointed a few times.  As I have said before, Donkey Meat Ragu (Verona, Italy) is not a new favorite.  But, I would not know that had I not ordered it. 

     

Dachau Prison Camp, Germany

Cemetoriam

Sculpture

Beds

There seems to be debate about taking down the statues from the a Civil War.The Germans have a better idea. They have left everything and demand that every high school senior visit an internment camp in order to graduate. In other areas, the statues are moved to a single park where people can see those who disgraced their country. Instead of forgetting they want to remember so it never happens again.

Central photo of the cobble stones of Temple Bar, Dublin

Europe and Africa, from hotel deck in Gibraltar

Air France dropping A380

I am not sure how many flights I have taken on an Air France A380. It is a favorite. Lots of room in Premium and with great food and service. Nothing like a glass of Champaign before take-off either. The Air France fleet is now changing away from this aircraft toward "smaller" planes which are not small at all. We flew a new 777 this fall in Business Class and it was great. Even so, there is a soft spot in my heart for the flights on these aircraft.

Connecticut last Fall

A quick photo of an average hillside near New Milford Connecticut.

Leaves are just beginning to change.

Passing a barge on the Danube at Melk

Disembarking for a walk through the Autumn woods,

Crown Jewels, Bavaria, Germany

In the museum in Munich.

Outside the Prado Museum in Madrid

Note the scale comparing with the people.

Pictures of Food

It is interesting to me to look at posts on Facebook and Instagram and see what people are eating. I rarely post photos of meals we are having. But, as I want to introduce you to places, I post the picture atop. It is Tapas. It is the late afternoon alcohol and light food break in Spain (and other places too). How civilized. This is a group of Tapas for two. A little more than needed. Coke for my wife. Beer for me. Olives to split. A small slider for her. Squid for me. Dinner is in six hours.
      All this is presented in an outdoor cafe only s few steps from the main street.

Paris from the Galleries Lafayette

     Take the escalator to the top of the department store. Buy wine if you wish, Great view of the city.

The British Museum: Admission free

Map

 Glass 

Mummie

Antiquities section British Museum 

View from the Rock Of Cashel, Ireland

Good visit and excellent lunch at cafe at the base of the hill.

Pretty little village around the rock too.

Castle in Liechtenstein

Small country, modest castle,

QUIZ: Spain or Central California East of Fresno

(Answer: 20 miles south of Toledo Spain)

Barcelona Street Lights

      Barcelona still has gaslights in parts of the city.  This brings a softer glow in the evening and fits with the style of the buildings. Little touches make Barcelona popular.

Travel after having Polio

  

   
     This is me at an abbey along the Danube, last October.
     I always warn folks that I am slow, and it is a little easier traveling with my spouse and a grandchild as they understand.  But, my disease slows me down.
     That is not my walker behind me. I use a cane or two walking sticks to help me get around. Sometimes the pain is hardly there and other times I just have to beg off a hike or visit.
     Mostly I have pain and muscle changes in my legs, but often my arms and hands hurt as they are called upon to make up for the weakness in my legs.
    Thankfully a group to which I belong is spending millions of dollars and countless hours so that no one else will ever get the disease. It is almost gone around the world. I may have been one of the last to get it.
     It has taught me a great deal and made me more sensitive to others.
     The older I get, the harder it is to fake being energetic. The COVID-19 virus has taken away the gym and physical therapy. I do my best. I have misplaced my smile sometimes.
      Blessing on all of you as you overcome barriers to travel,  And, while some folks do not look disabled, cut them some slack - thanks.

Visit to an African School (Zambia)

     We were invited to visit a school in Zambia so we could introduce our grandson and five other American young people to new friends. They did some pen-pal writing before the visit and we all spent the day with the student, faculty and administration. We learned that people are people everywhere. We found out that this school really needs more computers (three students to a computer at present).  We brought books and school supplies with us. All greatly appreciated. Books were in English - the shared language of us all visitors and locals alike. At the end of our visit, our students and the local students shared songs and talents. Proud of our group and their new friends.