A memorable weekend...

We heard the noises as soon as we got up. A big group, chatting and just enjoying being together. Kids playing,  parents talking, dogs running around. We had to find out more. What a delightful choice! For the next  3 days- a long weekend- we shared our adventure with 7 Spanish families who got together via ACPasion. Absolutely loved their company, their laughs, the paella "competition", the very long table with so much yummy food, their generosity, their openness , the very cold night at the markets, the furious bike ride, the gym in the morning, the uphill walk to the church.  Not enough time to get to know each one of them and their stories. Just a glimpse, sufficient to want more . They fed our bodies and lift our spirits. They reminded us of another time, when we holidayed with our kids. It was great to be part of a "family" again. They asked " do you open up to different people when you know you will lose them straight away?" The answer: absolutely! We value these moments so much. They are precious to us. We grab them with gusto.  We are getting better at the "after they leave" (not really!!) It is not easy but it is totally worthy.. Perhaps we can get lucky again and meet them another time, another place?

Spain
28 November

Tossa del Mar is  a very cute little town with a great castle on the cliff was our first place in the costa brava. But all is shut down so half of the fun is not there....

We weren't going to go to Barcelona; we had been there before and we knew it wasn't going to be a nice place to go with SalSolcito. But we were so close! We took the opportunity of a Sunday free parking and we walked though the old city on a heavy rain....and we even managed to get into the Picasso museum!

We promised to come back here- by train- and staying in a city hotel for 3 days next time

Love coastal drives!!

1 and 2 December

Sitges is a another one of my "two months" place to live. A gorgeous promenade, a church on a cliff by the sea, a "happening" place even though it is very off season. We slept looking at the beach and the only difficult has been- once again!- dealing with the telephone companies....I said to Hector that I could write a "horror story" book with all the experiences (all terrible!) that we had in each country about this issue. And the weather which is not helping at all. It was the first really cold night and it has been raining for days now....

4 December:

I am writing this entry on our home, parked on the beach, near Tarragona. As I always wanted, on the sand. I am looking at a green/brown ocean. While la costa brava reminded us to Sydney- rocky, uneven and wild; this cost (which I think is called " costa blanca"  reminds us of the Atlantic coast in  Argentina; flat- long and open space

                                                       

5 December
On our route to Valencia, we spotted this neat place for a great bike ride- from Benicasim to  the port of Castellon. The promenade deserves a double tick  for a great, safe and fun ride along the beach- including some boardwalks.

And we slept in a beautiful park along the beach!

27 November

After 2 weeks in Fontes- including back and forward to Lyon to do minor repairs in Sal Solcito- we are ready to continue our journey.

Second leg: crossing through the south of Spain to Morocco! We have mixed feelings about this. We had been in Morocco 5 years ago- in Marrakech- and it did blow us away. But we were staying in riads (very exquisite french houses made into hotels) and it was wonderful. The colours, the weather, the culture- so so different. This time it is with our motorhome and issues such as safety and services for our motor  living has become a priority.


I like surprises and Collioure  was certainly one. A beautiful  castle/forte on the water and the yellow and oranges houses made a very impressive view.

 The water was furious! A pity that the whole village is "close"; there are plenty of restaurants/shops/coffee houses. I  have a clear sense of a busting and thriving town in summer. They told me that 3.000 people live here but 15.000 come down  in summer! What was so pretty was all the little ins and outs inside the castle used  as artisanal shops....and they were decorated in Christmas theme!

Bye Bye France!!!

November 10

Back in Fontes after 7 months on the road. A home away from home, where our big dream started to become reality....

We wanted so much to see our friends before they were going back to Aus. Absolutely great times! They spoiled us with food, laughs, stories, wine. Great bed and even better shower!  A few bike rides, a hilly hike (or in Isi' words a soft, easy and flat hike!)
We love them and love being here; basically we can relax and be who we are: with all our triumphs and disappointments, our highs and our fears.
                

October 29 to November 8, Cote D'Azure

The Cote D'Azur was waiting for us. Crossing to France again, we had a breath. Wide streets, organised traffic, but sadly the "attitude". The first town we stayed and I loved is Menton. We found parking just on the beach and sleeping to the sound of waves I had the best slept in ages... until 6:00 am when the police knocked at the door and asked us to move!

In Nice we saw the nicest city open space, a garden walk with playground, dancing waters, statues. Interactive and fun. There is an impressive view from the castle- the sunset on the sea and the old town that has lots of character; very artsy. The inviting promenade with the blue chairs and stony beach.

We took the train to go to Monaco; the exuberant and gigantic yachts! For me, the whole place smells like "old glamour". However, the "old city" is as cute as a doll city! It reminded me of being teenagers going to "the children's city" in La Plata. All very small and pristine buildings and oh so clean! And I loved the cathedral and a hollywood moment when I saw Prince Rainier and Grace Kelly's tombs.
A moment of fun: getting into the casino, paying 10 euros the entrance, being totally disappointed that there was no one- really no one there; couldn't even play as the tables were empty; ready to leave Hector put a 5 note on a poker machine (a symbolic gesture, really) and bing bing.... 50 euro!!! We bought salad in the supermarket and we laugh all the way back on the train.

And then we hit Cannes. If all the other places were over the top, well, Cannes is over and over the top. I have never seen so many exclusive brands one next to the other. People just walk- window shopping like this is a museum of clothes! We saw the big stairs where the festival takes place and that was it pretty much.

We only brushed through St Tropez. The weather didn't help and the reality is that it is so no season that everything is deserted. It does take a bit of fun as the places we visit look a bit ghost, all shops closed, no lights at night and no people. The good bit is that we can stop basically everywhere and walk and cycle as we please.

At Plage de Saint-Claire (Le Lavandou) after a long and walk; looking at the beach, listening to the waves so softly crushing... we smiled and reflected: It is so wonderful, this is exactly what we have dreamt of all our life

As our Cote De Azur travel becomes to an end I reflect on how different we and the lives of some people seems to me....give me the Italian Riviera anytime...busy, imperfect, colorful, lots of character and children everywhere!

Grasse, November 4

A very exciting day. It was as special as I thought it was going to be. I couldn't sleep the night before just thinking about it. At Grasse, the perfume world capital, we designed a perfume for Nani for her wedding day! Absolute bliss of a day, mixing and smelling all kinds of oils; thinking about her and deciding which one and how much of it... we loved the result and it seems like we did a great job because in the other shop the "experts" were quite impressed with it. I can't wait to tell her and really hope she likes it!

October 27, Italian Riviera:

Hecti reminded me that last time we visit here I said that I wanted to come back, and I am so glad that we did! Santa Margherita is so exclusive and sophisticated and as pretty as my mum.


We took the ferry from Rapallo all the way to Portofino, which is so small and so cute with all the restaurants outside in the promenade, where the fishing boats dance on blue waters.

I still couldn't move my legs from Cinque Terre hike but I didn't want to miss the walk all the way back to Margherita on the boardwalk cliff  just in time to board our ferry back. Stunning views, stunning villages.

For every fastidious day there is Alassio. I asked Hecti to name this place anytime we have one of those days, futile, where we go around and around and never get anywhere... (trying to find a refill for our gas bottle for example)...

We continued our journey on the coastal drive from Italy to France... I could not resist stopping on what look like a very long promenade and take the bikes for a ride. What a beautiful surprise! Alassio, a  really big and great village with the cleanest and nicest sand we had seen in a long time... we bike around the little streets and along the sea, eat focaccia- the speciality of this region-  enjoying sun and just ride and ride going to the next town and the next one.






These places are great in this time of the year, all hotels shut down and most of the shops; so only the locals a few italians on holidays are still hanging around...it really feels like being one of them. Alassio definitely goes to my "places I can spend 2 months" list.

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October 23

I can't believe I wasn't going to come...it must be that idea that we have never to repeat a place. But, oh! if there is a place that deserves to be repeated is Cinque Terre. One of my very best favorites places in the world.

First day we slept half way between Riomaggiore and Manarola, on the halfway overlooking the ocean.









We hike down to Manarola and I was so emotional to see "her" again. As beautiful as I remember. This is the place to write a book, pinned that love song or be inspired to become a painter.
















We hike to Corniglia and it was so painful! the "normal" track being closed for renovation. I can't remember how many steps up but at one point we were at 450 metres above sea level!.




Stubborn as I am, the day after, we hike between Vernazza and Monterosso.

The reward being laying on a rock- on the edge of the ocean, watching the sunset.

October 24.

It was funny to said that we wanted a "family ticket" to do the hike and the woman in the "billeteria"looked very strange at us. And just for a moment, it was about having the kids again- and being young :)

They made our massive hike so much interesting and light!...we laughed and chatted all the way, politics, race, sharing personal stories and the nuisances of our countries; finding commonalities and differences but  really enjoying each others company and the magnificent scenery

I was moved by her joyfulness and strength; looking at all with such innocent eyes. She is going back home (Singapore) to change her "clothes suitcase" and  continue her journey- of growth.

I was impressed by his experiences, tenderness and quick thinking.  He is going back to his home (US) to a new corporate and married life.
They were days filled with nature, steps, and food. The italian way: the menu of the day: pasta, bruschetta, gelato and pizza!.....and in a hurry, a run to the train station - afraid to miss their train....a sincere hug, a quick kiss and a big goodbye!

October 15 to 18. A few more days in Tuscany...

....and so this time after enjoying Florence again we explored the "little" villages in Tuscany:  San Casciano in Val de Pescia, Rapolano Terme, Sienna, Volterra, San Gimignano.

 I am taken by the shape of the houses, they mesh into the landscape with such  grace. I have a sense of peace when I am in Tuscany...is the colors, the pace, is like the world have just stop; and I can just sit and see the sunset and being unhurried like the habitants of these places. We are loving gelatos in the late afternoons!