Lion seen during game drive in South Africa

This was not taken with a long lens.

I was about 20 feet from this guy.

He seemed unimpressed by me.

 

Through the morning mist outside Vienna Austria

I have grown to love Austria and after their support of Ukraine even more.

 

Restful niche in a Scottish Manor House.

 

Made me want to get a Scotch and a good book and stay.

Wonderful Park in the Center of Madrid

Go for a walk and see the botanical gardens in Madrid Spain.

 

Enjoy Spain

      This is how we entered Segovia Spain. Going under the Roman-built aqueduct and up the hill into the old city on foot, ones sees life close up. The city is built high up and overlooks the land. It has a lovely alcazar and palace. It is one reason to visit Spain - there are very many.

Top of the tram at La Villa Italy

At the top of the tram there is a pleasant park with a playground and café. 

Hiking trails begin there. A big surprise was to find a BMW on display for sale.

 

Peyto Lake, Banff National Park, Canada

Peyto Lake is a glacier-fed lake in Banff National Park in the Canadian Rockies.

Driving the Ice Fields Parkway out of Banff, you have to stop for a photo!

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

At an outdoor café in Prague

I made my way around the tables in the street checking out what others were eating.

I suppose that is rude, but the young woman who talked me into this sausage

did not seem to think so. Notice that I had already taken a bite before this photo.

Note too that the cup contains lemonade.

 

Baptismal from Munich Church

Now in a museum, an outstanding baptismal font. 

 

Trafalgar Square, London

George Washington stands guard near Trafalgar Square.

 

Seville Spain

     When I started to post this photo of Seville, I was surprised to see the date. There have been several trips since then, but it seems only yesterday that we set aside a month to travel around Spain. I recommend, by the way, renting a car as the roads are good and the drivers are fairly courteous. 

      This photo is of a large building and circular canal in a park in Seville. Seville is well worth a visit.  We stayed there several days and from there drove into Portugal. While in Seville, we used trams and walking as transportation and got around easily. The central city has plenty to see and has great character. I recommend Seville, Granada and Barcelona as long stops. We also really enjoyed Segovia and its alcazar. 

     As a pair from California, we felt at home in Spain as the two places look much alike. However, I do warn folks that learning Spanish in California is learning Mexican and it doesn't work well in Spain. Besides, in Spanish cities loads of folks speak English.
 

The hills outside of Roseburg, Oregon

Green. Ireland green. Kentucky green. Oregon Green

 

Prague

Getting ready to have a regional meal in Prague in a small café in the old city center that specializes in traditional Czech food and beer. The setting is friendly on a rainy day.
 

Normandy Beaches: Then and Now

This photo was taken from the memorial for those who died on D-Day. It was an overcast day, but still serene. It is difficult to imagine what occurred long ago on this beach and beachhead. Some movies like "The Longest Day" and "Saving Private Ryan" attempt to show it as it was. As I stood there with a 12 year-old granddaughter, I hoped that there would never be another World War. As I write this I am not sure that there will never be one.
 

The Green Cross

(Stock photo from Internet)

     In Europe the green cross means a drugstore or pharmacy rather than a cannabis store like in my state. If you travel in Europe you may have need of one of these places. I needed foot power in Florence, cough syrup in London, Tylenol in Verona, and antibiotics in Munich. I got antiacids in Bratislava, and dental floss in Northern Italy.  I don't carry things like these with me. I do make sure I have my regular meds, but these are not Third World countries. They have what you may need.

    The pharmacists do most of the doctoring, but I did have to go to urgent care in Germany. Urgent care was a whole lot cheaper than in the USA.
 

Renting a car in Austria and more

     If you are like me, you like to rent a car and see the sights on your own. I have rented cars in Europe in several countries. When renting a car in Germany or Italy and driving into Austria, make sure that the rental car has an Austrian sticker in the lower right corner of the windshield.  Otherwise, you will be fined or have to pay for one. Most rental agencies will know what you need if you tell them where you are going. So far I have driven in Ireland, Scotland, England (not hard to drive on left), Italy, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Spain and Portugal. (Also Canada, Mexico, and the USA). Make sure you go on the internet and read up on the laws of where you are driving. It is expensive if you get a ticket and the rental agency bills you for it.

 

Scottish Castles and Manors

     There are many castles in Scotland. Some of the manor houses are called castles even at that. These homes are often open to visitors as the admission prices help to off-set the cost of upkeep.

    The photo at top is one that we visited in the Northern Highlands with the photo below being an attached bungalow likely for the gardener. Beautiful gardens all around. 

      A suggestion that we often make is slow down and see fewer places and really see them well. When we are done with a trip, we have not seen everything. By seeing everything we believe we see nothing. We sat is this garden for a long time taking in the colors and smells. It was lovely.

 

Everyone needs to take this photo in Paris

Just because.

(Photo by Marietta McLellan)

 

Parish Church at La Villa, Italy

While traveling in the Dolomites of Northern Italy, we stayed a week in La Villa.

Just down from the B&B was a lovely church and churchyard.

Obviously an important center of life and community, it was well kept.

The Dolomites are a favorite place for me.

 

The Charles Bridge, Prague

We went over the Charles Bridge in Prague during the day and again at night.

It is a big attraction with its wonderful sculptures and pretty views of the city.

You have to walk as no cars are allowed.

 

Monte Gordo Portugal

Lovely white sand punctuated by bright yellow chairs, the beach at Monte Gordo is amazing. Also note that on this weekday in summer it is not packed with people. We were here for lunch and it was a good experience from every aspect. This beach is a short day trip from Seville Spain.
 

Refugees Welcome - Madrid City Hall

The sign said "Refugees Welcome" when we were there.

Here is hoping the sign is back up for the people fleeing Ukraine.

The Russians have done unspeakable things to civilians in the name of their leader.

The rest of the world knows it.

 

 

Wall Art In An Edinburgh Hotel

In one of the hotels in which we stayed last time in Edinburgh there was this art in the lobby.

We all sat around it to watch football and have a beer.

It is a symbol of Scotland.

Today is Tartan Day 2022.

Leader of worship wearing the clergy tartan of Scotland.

 

Formal Garden: Vaduz Liechtenstein

     Liechtenstein is an interesting place with a strong economy. They are famous in some circles for their postage stamps. You can buy them there an have your letter mailed. If you want a passport stamp (a different kind) you need to head to the post office or a government building and pay to have it placed in your little book. I did not know there was more than one city in Liechtenstein. It is small for one thing. Alas, I got lost in one of the smallest countries in the world. In trying to get help, I discovered more people who do not speak English than do. My German, French and even Italian was not enough. Nevertheless, I did eventually make it out of the country and into Switzerland. The garden above is a symbol of the tidiness of  Liechtenstein. 

 

Statue on the riverfront at Bratislava, Slovakia

Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia, is set along the Danube River by the border with Austria and Hungary. It is a modern city filled with public art. At the place where we docked was a large new mall and several statues and memorials. I would admit ignorance about this interesting city before our visit. 
 

Ferry from Bellagio on Lake Como.

Lake Como is one of the loveliest lakes in the world. 

 

I love Paris in the springtime...

The gardens of Paris are beautiful.

 

The Pacific Ocean at an Oregon (USA) beach

 

A view of the ocean along the Oregon Coast