Showing posts with label Maureillas-las-Illas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Maureillas-las-Illas. Show all posts

Thursday, January 23, 2020

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.





Saturday, November 30, 2019

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. 


Wednesday, October 2, 2019

Life is Good at the Beach ... “la vie est belle à la plage”.



Wednesday, 18th of September 2019
We awoke to clear blue skies which was a positive sign that we should head to the beach.
The information booklet provided in our rental suggested that the best beach nearest to us was about a half hour drive to Le Racou just south of Argeles-sur-Mer. 
It’s actually our landlords’ favourite one in France.



My feet dipped in the Mediterranean ...

Oh come on Monsieur, I know you want to jump in! 
It was a hot and sunny day!

Of course, we didn’t have an umbrella with us ... it wasn’t until we returned home that we saw the beach umbrella in the storage room! 


Some sunbathing, reading and relaxation on the beach ... a walk to checkout the area. 
Soon it was time for some lunch and refreshments ...

And of course what’s a day at the beach without ice cream?
Today for me it was guilt free after our starters of the freshest salads. 

Here’s a couple pics for my foodie friends ...


You know the saying “when in Rome” ... 

Monsieur Mark was following the same thinking “when in Catalonia do as the Catalans” he chose Creme Catalan for his dessert. 



Late afternoon and evening views ...



Some card playing and laughs rounded out our day!