TRAVELLING VIA MORGAN OR MINIVAN

Upon reflection of  "how much I liked" Provence, much of my answer comes down to "I haven't had a true comparison", as my mode of travel was so very different than that of my major areas of comparison, the California wine areas- Napa, Sonoma, Anderson Valley, Central Coast, and much more. 

Provence has beautiful scenic vistas and rolling hills with vines, and old interesting buildings, as do the California areas mentioned . The buildings are older in Provence and towns more quaint, and in areas there were the beautiful colors of sunflowers, lavender and some red flowers (unknown).

In California, there are California poppies, mustard, roses and other flowers, as well as many quaint towns, although not so old. The weather is similar- a warm/hot and  dry Mediterranean climate. Wine is plentiful in both places. California is much easier to visit wineries- generally no appointments are needed. Food is wonderful in both places.

Yes, we have spent many hours driving though and visiting California wine country, unlike many of the other guests on our tour. So Provence isn't very different to me, except people speak French.

The significant difference was that I was traveling in Provence in a minivan rather than a Morgan, which is a huge difference in the experience.  When in a Morgan with the top down,

 ALL  your senses experience the trip, rather than just sight.

 The view is 200 degrees in a Morgan, all odors- good and bad- are experienced, the temperature  is the real air temperature- hot or cold as it may be, and the wind is felt on your skin. To me, the memories are far greater,  and generally more pleasant in a Morgan than in a minivan. 

Will I return to Provence? Yes, but next time it will be in a Morgan. 

Days 18-19 Brugge- Happy Anniversary

It must be somewhere around Day 18 or 19 of our trip, and it will be our anniversary here in Brugge. It seems we have been married somewhere around 42 years. Last year we celebrated # 41 on Morgans Over America V on Victoria Island, with a wonderful brunch at our hotel, although I don't seem to have written about it in my MOA blog to help me remember it completely.

Being as we are not traveling with others, we did manage to get the above very informal shot taken of us by a kind person on the canal boat in Amsterdam yesterday.

This morning we headed out to Starbuck's for  large coffees and muffins for breakfast. After the chateau in Provence where taking a full cup of coffee filled me with guilt, european size (small) cups of coffee in Brussels,  and 6,50e for a pot of coffee  (almost $10) for 1 at our hotel, it was wonderful to have that Starbuck's grande coffee at a reasonable price. However, there was the price to pay when we were travelling to Brugge. Thankfully Mc Donalds can be found  with Garmin, which saved the day on our 4 hour trip from Amsterdam to Brugge.

Travel weather today was varied, with some sprinkles, some sun, some gray, and some clear skies. In a Morgan, that can mean dressing and undressing frequently- at least some removal of outer garments.

Days 1,2 & 3 GETTING TO MARSEILLE, FRANCE

Sister and I flew to Marseille on the new 380, which had only been flying a couple of weeks before we flew. Much of our planning is already described on her blog, so I will refer you to her blog avelingsardineclass.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html  or for more on this day see, http://travelingsardineclass.blogspot.com/2011/07/close-plays-on-opening-day.html     for full detail. However, she did not include pictures of the A380,

nor of us landing in CDG airport in Paris. This is the picture for which I had my hand slapped (not literally) by the flight attendant. Who knew that using a camera was an electronic device, for which one is not supposed to use during landing? Takeoff and landing is shown upon a screen at the front of each cabin, from a camera on the plane's tail. It is pretty awesome.

Our impression of the A380 (we were in the upper cabin), is that is is QUIET and just seemed to float up on takeoff. For such a big plane, it was surprising. Naturally there is no extra leg space nor do the seats seem wider, although I think they are by 1 inch or so.

We stayed in Sabine's  B&B in Marseille, which was located downtown, behind a door which did not appear to contain several houses. Amazingly quiet considering that a busy street was not far away.


Sister at door to Sabines

Upon our arrival, the other early arrivees were ready for dinner, so we quickly changed our clothes and walked to a lebanese restaurant where we had a fine dinner with the new friends.

The next morning after breakfast,the other early arrivees took off for St. Cecile des Vignes, but we stayed behind with Beth to pick up Andrea that evening.

As sister as frequently taken "the little tourist trains" in visiting towns, we decided to head for the Marseille port to catch the little train.

While standing in line, all of a sudden, I turned around, and saw my wallet on the ground with sister's foot on it. A gypsy lady had pickpocketed me, and fortunately dropped my oversized wallet on the ground, a sister saw her do it. The woman had such gaul, that she continued to beg for money, even after having been caught stealing. After that incident, no more wallet and no more money in the purse.. We enjoyed the little train tour, had lunch at a great fish place, picked up Andrea and headed off to St. Cecile in time for a late dinner.



Early arrivees