June 6th(D-Day Remembered)- Honfleur, France

   Much like the day in January when we first boarded the ship, today was cool and rainy  in Le Havre. All packed and ready to disembark early tomorrow morning in Southampton, UK, we decided to "waste" the midday hours in the tiny neighboring town of Honfleur, where the tides had kept us from docking. It ended up being one of the most enjoyable excursions of our trip. Our shipmate friends, Lily & George had the same idea and we met on the shuttle bus to town.



Art appreciation 101





The Cidrerie


   A walk in the mist, a quick bite to eat at a "Cidrerie" where hot spiced cider warmed our day and we shared the "Gastronomie du ville".... little fat crepe/pancakes...one savory...with shredded goose and pickles on tender butter lettuces with lemon oil, and one sweet, with bittersweet chocolate and creme fraishe....c'est magnifique!!

What a unexpectedly wonderful way to end an amazing journey.

June 3rd-4th Bordeaux, France

     How many times can you say "Je suis un grandpere por quatre jours!"?....I think at least half the Bordeaux parents of young babies now know that George is a G-Pa.  Bordeaux is incredibly charming. Life along the river Garonne is now pulsing. A new mayor 15 years ago had a vision and has implemented a fantastic plan of rejuvenation and reclamation. Underground electric  powers trams noiselessly around the quay area and into the pedestrian centers of the inner city. The modernization has not disturbed the medieval buildings.   

   Though there is evidence of Roman influence from the time they inhabited "Gaul", the bulk of Bordeaux's history revolves around the time of Eleanor of Aquitaine in about the 11th century. Her marriage with the British King Henry II put this area of France under British control for 300 years. Bordeaux enjoyed special tax treatment and commerce flourished with the draw of exporting the great wines of the Dardogne region.



Entrance to St. Emilion Vinyard Town

The first French Pope Clements II moved the papacy to Avignon in the 13th century and the golden age of spired cathedrals flourished in France. We visited one in Bordeaux that took over 300 years to build, the work of generations of craftsmen.

 Immigrants from around Europe built exporting businesses along the Garonne River and their homes in Gothic style still stand in grandeur. The current mayor has given all home owners 10 years to clean "sand-blast" their buildings or face a stiff fine...the result is a beautiful series of Limestone gems strug together by several original 10th-16th century City gates. Some of the old Roman central area buildings were torn down when Louis XIV wrested  Aquitane  from the British and reunited it with the rest of France. The winding "rues" and smaller "calles" with outdoor brasseries and minstrels and mimes just make this place more inviting.

Louis XIV commissioned Building of the Arts ..with the 12 Greek "muses" built in the original Roman City Circus

   According to one of our guides, this area has put a great deal of effort into "mixology." Every wealthy housing area must accommodate a certain amount of low income housing. Step-into ponds are placed in accessible areas to draw rich and poor and middle class children to enjoy together....and it seems to be working....at least on the surface.

and a reflecting pool at night......

May 31st-Brennan Charles Neville Arrives!!!!! We Celebrate in Lisbon,Portugal



Brennan Charles 05/31/2011-  7 lbs 15 Oz



HOORAY!



And a prayer of thanks at an old cathedral



Seville, Andalusia, Espagna

Gold Chapel in Seville Cathedral....one of three reputed burial places of Christopher Columbus



Ceramic wall detail

    Seville has the most wonderful mix of architectural styles It's old buildings reflect it's Moorish heritage, like Alhambra, but with the Christian overlay of the aftermath of the crusades and Charles V's influence. The lace-like wall carvings are interspersed with symbolic royal lions. Seville's 20th century buildings, many of them built for the 1929 world exposition have been converted to government and university properties. Most notably,  the integrated use of ceramics with brick and stucco...sustainable in this climate, captures the love of color of this area.


1929 Spanish Pavilion of the 1929 World Exposition



Alcazar-14th century central castle



Ceramic details at the Spanish Pavilion



A wood doorway in the Jewish quarter




An unemployed Torredor doing Sudoku




Alcazar inner courtyard




Little courtyard in Jewish quarter



Random Peacock





Seville Bullring



Tapas and Sangria with Dorit & Dror



Andalusia

   Alhambra.....the vestiges of 14th century Moorish rule in southern Spain. The intricately carved arabic verses incorporated into the fabric of the walls, the inner courtyards with delicate fountains and cooling atriums...It's all preserved in Alhambra.

May 26th-30th-Espagna

    Some things in Barcelona never change....work on Gaudi's Sagrada Famglia continues as it has for the last 150 years.

Christopher Columbus still stands at the harbor pointing towards his home in Genoa, Italy.

The Spanish people are still passionate about their social issues. Being caught in the middle of their demonstrations at the top of La Rambla brought back memories of the sixties...dummy bullets and police helicopters overhead a little frightening, but invigorating at the same time!

There's still room for plenty of color and whimsy at the other end of La Rambla.