Road trip!
So, having wrapped up major projects here, there and everywhere, we have resumed our travel plans which were put on hold for several seasons while we concluded re-roofing two homes, having a pool built, landscaping and other substantial building projects. Now we will resume what we loved doing for the past two decades, travel, travel and more travel. First up, Scotland. We left two days ago for a two week visit so we are knee deep with more trips planned through the year.
We landed in Edinburgh and spent our first day visiting the Castle, St Giles Cathedral and the Scottish Parliament. First day observation was that Scotland in April is Canada level cold and eye watering expensive. As an example, gas is $13.57 /Gal US or $4.64 / Lt Canadian. Moving on, we visited more Palaces, Castles and historical chapels then you can shake a stick at. We have done so for the past 20 + years during our time all over Europe. It's interesting how many of these extraordinary structures were built and paid for by previous generations and today we are strapped to just maintain them...rather poorly in many cases. It's like if someone gave you a Ferrari and you can't afford to change the oil.
The Edinburgh Castle
The Castle's accomodations for prisoners of war
St Giles Cathedral 40' tall (17M) organ
An unusual 1884 clock tower
A real treat was to take a cruise on the world's only rotating boat lift. It replaces a lock system where it was impractical, and raises and lowers boats 80 feet (25 M) in as little as 4 minutes. As one goes up, the other comes down and they both continue on their way.
Not bad for the first two days
Meanwhile back in France before we left...
Operation Anvil Dragoon
Agreed, it does not look like our latest model. Yes, now that you mention it... it does look like it was 'rode hard and put away wet'.
The M45 Sherman amphibious tank above, stepped on a German mine as soon as it drove up on the beach near our villa here. The assault occurred on April 15, 1944, with the US 45th infantry division among others. This to liberate Provence on the French Riviera, then to link up in a pincer move with the troops that landed on the Normandy beaches in the D Day landing called operation Overlord.
No small operation on our shore, it consisted of 100,000 troops, 600 transport ships, 1270 barges, 250 warships and 2000 aircraft. The French resistance was warned of the assault by the code " Nance has a stiff neck".
Pope Leo XIV
This month, saw a visit by the Pope to our neck of the woods. (Monaco) This is his first visit here and if his predecessors are any indication, it might be a while before he returns. The last Pope to visit Monaco was 500 years ago. I waited all weekend, but he never called.
Bits and bobs
A Ledger stone in a church we visited. (An inscribed slab laid into the floor to commemorate or mark the burial of a person beneath.) At first, it looked like the year 1677, but on closer inspection it was a scratch in the stone. The date is actually 1077.
Visiting a nearby medieval village
On a clear day, we can see forever. Or at least to the French Alps
No explanation required
We built it, so they came
Friends Bobby and Maggie from our neighborhood in California recently bought a home in Florida. They were on a cruise in Bordeaux, France and tacked on a visit to the Riviera to spend some time with us. We wined and dined and visited the mandatory local sights.
The end
