Time Travel

Home Sweet Home ...

We arrived home safely after a long day of travel on Saturday, October 5th.

We weren’t too rushed in the morning and we were able to enjoy breakfast before checking out of the Hotel SAN Pol.

We said “Adios” to Sant Feliu De Guixols and headed to the Barcelona Airport.

Travel time was approximately one hour and a half, and we needed time to fill up the gas tank then return the rental car. 

The car return, checkin and security screening went smoothly leaving us with ample time to enjoy a light snack and make our way to the gate in time for boarding at 1:05PM ... our flight’s departure was right on time at 2:05PM.

Even better our flight time was shortened by over a half hour ... getting us into Toronto ahead of schedule! 

Better yet home two hours earlier than anticipated! 

Our last morning view ...

The coolest coffee shop at the Barcelona Airport 




A quick pickup for a few basic groceries, a little unpacking and we were under the covers in the comfort of our own bed by ten pm with the lights out. 

Sunday morning we woke rested to the beautiful changing autumnal colours of our garden, and ready to tackle the rest of the unpacking and oh yes the laundry! 

I still have many photos and travel stories to share ... I’ll be catching up with the rest of my posts over the next couple of weeks! 

Everything Cork!

#corkmuseum#marketday#museeduliege

We’ve been blessed with glorious weather so far, we only had a sprinkling of rain while we were in Saint-Remy de Provence, and today was no exception ... another glorious day! 

Our plans were to stay close to home and visit the cork museum this afternoon. 

Thursday is “Market day” in Maureillas-las-Illas. 

We weren’t sure what to expect for a small village .

We were on the hunt for some fruits that we could use to transform a bottle of sweet Bordeaux white wine (which our Monsieurs had bought in error) into a refreshing white Sangria. 

It had all we needed, fresh vegetables and sweet, delicious fruits. 

We also checked out the butcher shop.

Madame Susan and I discovered a little neighbourhood square full of beautiful, colourful flowers of every variety.

After our lunch we all wandered to the Cork Museum which was just down the street from where we were staying.

The Cork Museum was created in 1982, and later in 1991 moved to its existing location which is an old cellar.  

The self-guided tour was very informative, starting with a 20-minute video. 

There is a vast collection of tools and machinery. 

Displays made of cork ...



Art work made from cork ...

Furniture made from cork ...

A painting depicting how cork is removed from the trees. 

Displays inside wine barrels ...

Also on display “the biggest cork in the world” 

 ... 2.40 meters high and 1.30 meters wide 

Later in the week Madame Susan & Monsieur Mark walked through the cork forest with our landlady.

Beautiful views from high above in the Cork Forest ...

It was an interesting afternoon topped off with a cold, delicious glass of our homemade Sangria. 

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!