From Monsieur to Señor ... France to Spain

Saturday, September 28th, 2019

It was rise and shine early today, these are our last early morning views from the main terrace and the  Juliette balcony ... 

We said au revoir, hopefully it will be just a bientôt to “La Belle France” and we were on our way! 

First stop was the airport in Barcelona for Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark’s return flight home. 
The run time to the Barcelona airport was about two hours if there wasn’t any issues on the road. 

Everything was going smoothly. 

A pit stop about 30 minutes or so from the airport to fuel the car. 

Normally not a problem, but today was difficult. 

No pay at the pump feature so Monsieur Mark & I went inside to pay. 

You’d think this should have been an easy task ... aha the customer in front of us was having problems getting his card to work. 

Twenty minutes later after trying several different credit/debit cards with no success and a long line up of other impatient clientele behind him, the cashier finally moved him aside. 

To avoid any problems I dug deep in my wallet for cash (euros) instead of using a card. 

We think it might have been the gas stations’ payment machine that wasn’t working properly. 

Finally, back on the road ... the last half hour of the drive was the busiest with traffic. 

We did a “Kiss ‘n’ Fly at the entrance to the Terminal.  

With Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark’s bags unloaded, we wished them “Bon Voyage” and safe travels. 

Hugs and kisses all around and there they go! 

Footnote: We are already talking about planning our next adventure together! 

Our friends realize now that they aren’t just on vacation any longer (since they’ve retired) ... they are travellers! 

Monsieur Honey & I ventured on to the Costa Brava for one more week in Europe. 


Thanks for coming along for the ride! I still have posts and photos to share about our week in Spain; so check back soon.

Amusement and Armadillos In Maureillas-las-Illas

Friday, 27th September 2019

Today was the our last full day in “la Belle France” ... tomorrow we head to Spain with a dual purpose.

Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark’s travel adventure with us is ending tomorrow with their return flight from Barcelona back to Canada. 

We are all sure it won’t be the last time we will be travellers together.

Monsieur Honey and I are staying on for an additional week in Spain.

Intentions were not to be too ambitious ... i.e. some packing, getting organized for the rest of the adventure. 

We planned on staying in the village of Maureillas-las-Illas that has been our home base for past couple of weeks.

As you can see it was another glorious day.

The early morning views from the Juliet balcony on the third floor. 

It was going to be an easy going day. 

Only a few steps from our home away from home in the square, we lunched at a local café /restaurant “66 Sur Vins”  ... 10 Place de la République. 

This restaurant is owned /operated by a husband & wife team ... chef and server!

The weather was perfect for our al fresco lunch.

It was a fixed menu today with no a la carte options.

There were two choices for each course. 

The starters were my favourite ... I chose the “ terrine de campagne de Mr Nou “. 

I knew it was some type of pate but didn’t know what “Nou” was.

My enquiring mind found out it was homemade by the local butcher “Nou” ... his shop was also in the square.

The other option was a salad with hot goat cheese, both were yummy! 

We had a leisurely lunch, chatting and watching the going ons in the square.

Here the children are heading back to school after their lunch ... no cars were allowed during this time, special flashing signs close the road off to vehicles.

Later in the afternoon after most of our packing was done, we wandered in the back garden and were treated to a tour of the landlords’ gardens. 

Our landlady, Hazel and her husband provided detailed names of the various plants and some history of the property.

Here’s a photo of the back of the house ... we stayed in the house on the left and the owners live in the house on the right.

Our evening included some card playing and finishing up the last of the tidying up to be ready for our departure in the morning. 

Just some of the corks ... from the delicious bottles of French wine we shared!

I’ll leave you with a collage of some the other plants ... 

I’ll be back with a few more posts! 

Friendships Around the World

#friendships#Ceret#Maureillas-las-Illas

Thursday September 26th, 2019

Today was another slow day which when you are travelling are great because it gives you a chance to catch your breath and reflect on your surroundings / experiences.

Madame Susan & Monsieur Mark opted to walk the cork forest trail from the opposite direction today.

Madame Susan says she remembers thinking that our landlady, Hazel was right to start from where she did the other day when she accompanied them. 

My interpretation/ translation : it was a more challenging, difficult walk today!

Monsieur Honey & I wandered in the village with a couple of quick pickups at the boulangerie for a freshly baked baguette and a stop at the Spar for some lunch items.

On our way back we had a cafe sit at the local bar/ restaurant “El Tap” in the square for some people watching while listening to the soft splashing of water in the fountain. 

Such blue, blue skies ...

Back at our home away from home with our shopping ...

”Nos amies” returned from their walk and we enjoyed our alfresco lunch in the lower garden under the shade of the lychee tree.

It was another beautiful, sunny day! 

The Monsieurs had a wander in the back yard ...

Only thing on our calendar today was a rendezvous with our Kiwi friends who split their time between Nelson, New Zealand and Céret, France.

We met Karen and John at le Comptoir des Arcades for drinks and a catch up! 

We missed seeing them the previous year (as our 2018 European travels only took us to Spain). 

We shared a pleasant couple of hours of friendship. 

The sun was shining brightly, so much so that hats were shared. 

The magical light was magnificent! 

We drove back to Maureillas-las-Illas from Céret along the mottled coloured plane tree lined road. 

When we arrived home, Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark we’re enjoying the early evening on the terrace ... we joined them for some chatter and planning for tomorrow ... our last day in France.