Tuesday, September 24, 2019
Time is flying by ... we have three weeks with our dear friends Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark in France.
We are into week number 3.
You always think you have lots of time but it goes so quickly.
Today it’s “Collioure” ... it was a must on our itinerary.
You can’t be this close and not visit .
In 2003 on our very first trip to France, Monsieur Honey & I first discovered Collioure by accident.
We were travelling for a month on a 10-day Eurail Pass that was good for 30 days in any 3 adjoining countries.
As our guide, we had a copy of Rick Steves’ 2001 book about France, Belgium and the Netherlands ... after our travels in France we were heading to Belgium for 10 days so Monsieur could become familiar with my family roots.
As we were waiting at the Arles train station to catch a TGV (the fast train) to Bordeaux (don’t ask where we had come from ... my memory is good but not that good, and my photos from that time are on SD cards / memory sticks, not as easy to access as «my photos» in the cloud); Monsieur was checking out the departures and saw that the next train out was to Collioure.
This train was leaving an hour earlier than the TGV to Bordeaux.
We had never heard of or knew anything about Collioure.
He quickly checked the guide book and Rick Steves’ description convinced us that we should head there ... to the Mediterranean coast.
Rick Steve’s comments stated everyone needs to take a vacation from their vacation ... and Collioure is the place.
“Henri Matisse arrived in Collioure in May 1905 at the age of 36, depressed, full of self doubts and very short of money. As soon as he got off the train he was struck by the vitality of the little Catalan fishing port. His depression lifted.” *
*A snippet from an article by P-O Life ...
if interested you can read more here ...
Www. Anglophone-direct.com/matisse-derain-and-collioure
I believe once you’ve visited Collioure, you will see that the vivid colours and luminous light can cure many ailments.
It was love at first sight on our first visit with this town when we first met over sixteen years ago and we are still enamoured.
It was here in September 2003 (it was the year of the severe heat wave) that my younger self first dipped my toe in the cooling waters of the Mediterranean!
It is a picture - postcard town with pastel, coloured fishermen cottages, unique boutiques, art galleries and many restaurants /cafes lining the narrow cobble stoned streets that change colour with the magnificent Mediterranean light.
Our first stop was a drink at the sea front.
We then parted ways leaving each couple to wander throughout Collioure.
We agreed upon a time & place to rendezvous.
We had a perfect weather day for our wanderings in Collioure, so much so that Monsieur Honey was dancing in the streets.
Here you can see the beautiful pastel colours ...
Soon it was time for some lunch ; Monsieur Honey and I found a a little wine/tapas café « Chez Syl Vins » with views of the Royal Chateau.
We were enjoying our glass of rosé and cheese/charcuterie platter when we spotted Madame Susan and Monsieur Mark in the distance sitting on a shaded bench by the Chateau enjoying their picnic.
Can you see them?
Only thing missing from their sumptuous repas was « un verre de rose » ... we quickly remedied that.
We asked Sylvain for some traveller glasses and I delivered them each a glass of rosé to enjoy with their picnic.
Madame Susan messaged me when I told her I was writing the post about our day in Collioure she wrote ...
“Don't forget to talk about waiting on us hand and foot!” ... it was our pleasure and so easy to do for appreciative friends!
A neat cork stool at the café ...
The Ancient Mairie ... the Old Townhall
Back at our home away from home in Maureillas-las-Illas ... for an evening of great company, great wine and great views from the upper terrace.
Come back soon ... I’m still catching up with my posts.
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