Road Trip
Earlier this month we spontaneously decided to hit the road and check out some medieval hilltop villages within a few hours of our place. So, we took a road trip for a few days and visited 9 of them. Some more interesting than others, they all had something great to offer.
One of them was 'Tourtour' that was first populated in the Neolithic period (3,600 BC). Known by a different name in the 9th century, the two large trees on the left seen on the town square below were first planted in 1638 in honor of the birth of King Louis XIV. A great place to hang out and have lunch.
Moving on to 'Flayosk', we visited the Troglodyte caves seen below. Similar to the Mesa cave dwellings in Colorado, they offer few modern amenities. The fountain on the town square dates back to the 1300's when water was piped into the town to run the 11 grist mills and 3 olive presses simultaneously.
Then, to keep the theme going, we spent the night at a 200 year old grist mill
In the town of 'Mons' we came across something we have seen in many old villages that is typical and quaint. They are signs that identify the business that are far more original (and I think classier) than ours. Here is a sample below.
The barber
The coffee shop (Starbucks?)
A small hotel
A hostel
A seamstress
The blacksmith, who probably made all the signs
The dressmaker /tailor
OK, to be fair, I have to point out other unique differences, including some of the occasional less desirable aspects of life here also. In a number of places (restaurants, stores, gas stations, highway rest stops) you can come across bathrooms in conditions we are not familiar with. Some, but not all, simply don't have a toilet seat. The porcelain appliance is there but nothing else. It is wise if on the road to carry a little travel kit with some toilet paper and sanitary wipes. Then again, some bathrooms (mostly but not only on the freeways) have Turkish toilets. I don't want to become a potty mouth here so I will let you figure out how you would use one. Squatting would probably be a good skill set to have.
Time
Once again, we are sad to report that we have lost another family member this month when a wonderful uncle of mine passed. Dave was a high-faluting lawyer who represented the Canadian government in the 20 years of negotiations with the Nisga'a nation people in settling their territorial claim, 111 years after they first requested it. I know, I know, what is a Nisga'a and where is Canada, right?
Google it and you will see that Nisga is in British Columbia and the treaty provides constitutional certainty in respect to the Aboriginal people's right to self government on 772 sq miles (2000 sq km) a mere 500 miles (800 KM) north of Vancouver BC. Don't worry, many Canadians couldn't point to it on a map either. In any case, he was a big time lawyer and a very cool guy who will be dearly missed.
Dave, helping me install the windshield on my plane
OK, slowly but surely folks around us are dropping like flies. Some are age related but some are not. Although I chose not to participate in the getting older thing, I still have to be realistic. At 72, I figure I have at least 28 more good years ahead of me. 'De Nile' is not just a river in Egypt. I know that at that time its possible I could be getting seriously older and might even be getting closer to circling the drain. Who knows, I might even be nearing check out status. If I do, I will want them to freeze me so I can get another crack at finishing all my projects later. I know, you think I am kidding.
Deployment withdrawal
Ok, I was warned about this. Its been months since I have deployed anywhere, although I get calls almost weekly to go help with flood damage all over California and tornado damage in both Mississippi, Arkansas and wherever. Problem is, they won't fly me from Europe. Meanwhile, my skill sets in destruction and mayhem are withering and I am getting rusty. So I decided to take matters in my own hands and get busy.
Much like my convicts used to tell me "some people just need killing", one look at the laundry room wall and window below I could just tell that they just needed smashing!
Outside view
So I reached for my tools of the trade (jackhammer and sledge) and did Team Rubicon proud, even from 6,000 miles away.
YEA! That's what I'm taking about!
Hey wait! Now what am I going to do...?
Little ducks in a row
Every spring when we are here, we see the latest crop of wanna-be-sailors. These are kids who are getting their feet wet, so to speak, in the world of sailing. They are set adrift in mini sailboats with instructors in motorised zodiacs zipping around them shouting instructions and ready to corral them back to the fold if necessary. Really cute.
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