Where the Heart is

A 253-day adventure by Geezers in Paradise Read more

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Where the Heart is Traveler
A wonderful old farmhouse
April 6, 2017 in Italy ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Our 5 day hiatus while we dashed to Milan to renew our car was marked by fatigue and a wee bout of tummy troubles. However we don't want to forget the two big old farmhouses we stayed at on the way in and out of the city. The second was especially worth remembering as our host, Emanuela, treated us like Royalty. She met us with tea and sweets, offered us dinner, and fixed us a HUGE breakfast before we left. She spoke excellent English so we had a great time sharing stories and getting to know one another.Read more
Annanaomi SamsI hope you are jotting down, or otherwise keeping track of all these lovely places so your friends could stay there too! Sometime in the future...
4/10/17Reply
TravelerAirbnb keeps them all. We really haven't had a bad experience yet.
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Back in France: Food!
April 7, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 54 °F
We were invited to a feast! Our hostess' 19 year old son is taking chef classes and we joined her and her sister at a dinner prepared by her son's school. Her son acted as the lead chef for the meal!

Gordon commented that our hostess, Nathalie (on the right) and her sister Emanuela reminded him of me with my sisters. The minute Emanuela showed up the two of them were a non-stop gab and belly laugh fest. We laughed our way through a truly stunning 4 course meal. Sorry we only got a photo of the dessert.Read more
Karen AndersonWow.... now that is a quick turn around time!! France hath cast a spell on you! How wonderful to return to such an invitation as a feast!
4/9/17Reply
TravelerIt was an evening to remember. You just never know when the really great times will manifest. We were just passing through and expected only a pillow to lay our heads on.
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Driving to Rieux-Minervous
April 8, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Country scenery. We drove west from Lyon, crossing two mountain ranges and then headed south. Much of the way south was at 3000 feet elevation in forested land.
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Rieux-Minervous
April 8, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Which we like to call Rieux-Marvelous. A lovely private apartment! They have thought of everything to make us comfortable!
Annanaomi Sams Lovely patio too!
4/10/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams Do you know what kind of tree this is? I like the he clusters of flowers.
4/10/17Reply
Traveler You've no idea! If I could share the heady scent of the wisteria and the buzzing of a thousand bees, I would.
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Photos coming
April 8, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Such as they are. We've been driving for 5 days to take care of renewing the car. We're pretty tired. We'll try to expand on our recent posts while we are here in Rieux Minervois for 2 days.
Annanaomi SamsWe're just glad to be along for the ride!
4/8/17Reply
Traveler😊
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Flea Marche
April 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Heather had a grand time looking for a new sweater. Gordon had a grand time watching Heather and the world go by.

Heather adds: ok you see what happens when I don't censor Gordon's photos of me.
Bonnie BenedictI'm sure Gordon feels the pictures need no editing. Because, you're always beautiful to him!
4/10/17Reply
TravelerYes he is the sweetest fellow isn't he. But really, next time I'm censoring! And by the way, I did NOT buy any of the sweaters even if they WERE "only TWO EUROS!"
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Homps
April 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Homps is on a canal through the region. The barges were for rent and all of the people on the boats seemed to be British.
Annanaomi SamsI wouldn't mind barging on a river in France. Which reminds me....Sometime I'd like to go to Samois-sur-Seine for the Django Reinhardt Festival held the last week of June. Since I'm traveling vicariously this year, maybe you could go! Top off your trip to Europe!!! You DO like gypsy jazz, don't you?
4/10/17Reply
TravelerHeck no. No festivals for us even though I'm sure gypsy jazz is our favorite music if we'd ever heard it. Carcassonne put us over our limit for crowds.
4/10/17Reply
Annanaomi SamsMon dieu!
4/10/17Reply
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Le Church
April 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
The church is in the middle of a town with the surrounding houses only a few feet away.
Annanaomi Sams Looks like they carved away some if the stone so a truck or heavily laden wagon could get through the street. Don't tell me their did it to accommodate Panzer tanks. (Reading WWII historical fiction right now.)
4/10/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams The kitty is wearing the same colors as the buildings...
4/10/17Reply
Traveler It's a kamouflage kitty
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
And another church ...
April 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
Various photos
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Conversation with our hosts
April 9, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 63 °F
This is Cathy and Pierre, our hosts here. The are both chefs who retired a couple of years ago. We were out enjoying a bottle of chianti gifted to us by a previous host when they poked their heads out to make sue we were comfortable. We invited them to join us and the afternoon extended through a second bottle of regional wine, homemade Easter brioche, and other snacks. Pierre speaks almost no English and Gordon speaks almost no French so the conversation was a great mash-up of stories in both languages. They are a fascinating couple who have traveled a lot.Read more
Bonnie BenedictHis eye teeth are barely showing. Must've taking a photo before the second bottle of wine :-)
4/10/17Reply
TravelerYes, he feels he took one for the team. His eye teeth were prominently on display by the time we headed in.
4/10/17Reply
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Walking around Rieux
April 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Annanaomi Sams Beautiful wisteria!
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Driving to Carcassonne
April 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Carcassonne
April 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Forever known in our memories as DIsneyland In South of France. We think it was perhaps that this is Easter week and many people may be holidaying here. But gosh ... you could barely walk for the tourist multitudes. They even have a bas relief of Snow White! No kidding, the fortified town is a marvel, but come in winter!Read more
Bonnie BenedictIt was spring break in the states. That may be why they were more tourists.
4/10/17Reply
TravelerPossibly. But we didn't hear any English. I think the large majority were French.
4/10/17Reply
TravelerThey are looking more and more like Americans, both in clothing and body weight. A bit of a surprise.
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
But all is not lost ...
April 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 77 °F
Carcasonne is famous not just for its towers, but for inventing the rustic dish cassoulet. 'Nuff said.
Annanaomi SamsYum!!!!
4/10/17Reply
TravelerWaddle.
4/10/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams🐥🐥🐥
4/10/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
View from our bedroom window
April 10, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
Last day in Rieux-Minervois.
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Driving to the Pyrenees
April 11, 2017 in France ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
A low ceiling dampened colors and prevented our seeing the mountains til we were almost on top of them. It was a lovely drive nonetheless. Our biggest problem was finding diesel gas en route. We finally got on a freeway and found some at the service area. Along with a delicious quiche Lorraine and apple tarte Normande.Read more
Annanaomi Sams Very pastoral.
4/12/17Reply
Traveler Just about every inch is cultivated.
4/12/17Reply
Rosemary Engle Now THAT is totally awesome, but coming up on the mountains.
4/13/17Reply
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Lunch on the grand boulevard
April 12, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 66 °F
Woah! Now that's a steak! The accompanying frites were so good I had to ask about them. Hand cut with skins cooked in the Belgian way: first at low temperature, then again at high temp to finish and crisp. The ratatouille was also to die for.

Really, we are not eating out that much so those meals are special. Groceries have been surprisingly reasonably priced in both Italy and France. More than would be expected from the strong dollar. Gordon makes a mean cheese omelette! The bread is always good. Wine is excellent and rarely more than 4-5 dollars.Read more
Annanaomi Sams Wow!that looks good!
4/13/17Reply
Traveler It was VERY good.
4/13/17Reply
Donna GilmanWhat a deal on the prices!! And the meals are large enough to have leftovers so even more of a bargain !!! Besides, part of the experience is indulging, eh! DonnaG
4/13/17Reply
TravelerIt was delicious, but truly the atmosphere of sitting on the grand boulevard with the mountains in full view was what really filled me up.
4/16/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Bagnere-de-Luchon
April 12, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F
Our method of finding an area we want to visit and then selecting a specific place based on the offerings in Airbnb is yielding some spectacular results. Who ever heard of this little dot in the Pyrenees on the Spanish border? The approach touched off a case of nerves as the surrounding area had obviously seen better times. The southern end of town was likewise undistinguished. Then we reached the top.

Wow. This is a well preserved spa town from the 19th century. Our apartment is in a regal old hotel right on the square, and has been beautifully remodeled for comfort. The broad avenues are lined with trees, shops and restaurants ... even a salon de the. Our apartment overlooks the square with mountains in the background. Last evening it was full of children with their parents and retired couples strolling hand in hand.Read more
Annanaomi SamsBeautiful and luxurious! What a great find!
4/12/17Reply
Annanaomi SamsNot trip related... today is Aira's 41st birthday! Thank you for being there when she was born! She is an amazing woman! If I do say so myself...
4/12/17Reply
TravelerThey just keep getting better!
4/12/17Reply
TravelerI felt privileged to meet the adult version. She just radiates energy and life. And she's beautiful, too.
4/12/17Reply
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Drive in the Pyrennes
April 13, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 55 °F
We drove up in to the Pyrennes. Not a long drive, but enough to get some views. We saw bicyclists going up and down the hills. One of them passed me on a downhill slope. Our town was on the 2016 Tour de France route.

Going over the pass took us into Spain. We drove a kilometer in, saw that we were not going to have great views, and turned around. As the Garda had eyed me with suspicion when we had passed by 5 minutes earlier, Heather helped me learn to say innocently, "estamos perdidos," (we're lost), but this time they looked bored and impatient with our eager visages, explanation at the ready. Never mind, ever the Boy Scout, I was prepared.Read more
Annanaomi Sams Picturesque!
4/13/17Reply
Traveler Yeah, we liked this photo so much we let the traffic sign pass. You have no idea how many fantastic photos have been scrapped over power wires, traffic signs, and other artifacts of modern technology (on which e freely admit we depend). Oh yes, and we scrap a number because they show Heather's wrinkles, her burgeoning waistline, or just plain are not flattering.
4/13/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams OM goodness. What good photo curators you are! I actually think Heather looks thinner. I think you may be in trouble...!!!
4/13/17Reply
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The thermes
April 13, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
We poked our noses into the thermal baths building which was apparently built over some old Roman baths. It looked like it would be fabulous. There is a steady flow in and out of what look like locals.

Alas, in the last minute throwing-out frenzy, we eliminated our swim suits ... probably in favor of something geezerly like wraps for sore feet or sun screen. I should have predicted we would be channeling our inner 20-year-olds. We haven't touched most of the geezer-ready items.Read more
Annanaomi Sams Someone is giving those floors quite the shine! Lovely building!
4/13/17Reply
Traveler It is! I would love to have seen the baths themselves.
4/13/17Reply
Cherie Sohnen-MoeThat's too bad. Southern France is known for its thalassotherapy.
4/15/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
A few stray photos
April 13, 2017 in France ⋅ ☀️ 68 °F
The first two are inside our building. All the apartments have windows or doors onto this central 3-story high open area. Our window is first on the right. I believe that glass-windowed door at the end must have originally been the shared toilet for the floor. Immediately behind me is an ancient spigot which I think must have been the water supply for the floor.Read more
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Where the Heart is Traveler
La Rochelle
April 15, 2017 in France ⋅ ⛅ 55 °F
This morning we drove into La Rochelle prior to hitting the road. Little did we know that this city, selected because it was 5 hours north of where we were, is one of the most scenic and history-rich cities on the French Atlantic coast. We enjoyed a walk around, and a lovely breakfast in full view of the old port. Very old ... from the 11th century.Read more
Karen AndersonWow.... what incredible experience to be amongst this oldness! So interesting.
4/23/17Reply
TravelerIt's great to be in a car, too. There are historical remains around every corner. So many photos we've missed and so many others we've tossed because they just didn't come across on the camera.
4/23/17Reply
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On the way to Brittany
April 15, 2017 in France ⋅ ☁️ 55 °F
Along with a few additional pics from La Rochelle. A lot of the cows in France that we see are laying down. Are they lazy? Or perhaps the labor laws of France require rest times every day?
Annanaomi Sams A little wall between neighbors?
4/18/17Reply
Annanaomi Sams Could it be that the temps are cooler? Cows tend to stand when warm.
4/18/17Reply
Traveler Naah, probably just a convenient place to put the rocks they've dug up.
4/18/17Reply
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Just outside of Ruffiac
April 15, 2017 in France ⋅ ☁️ 54 °F
Boy, every place we stay we say, "This is the best place ever!" Out in the middle of nowhere this cottage is to be found on Airbnb. Once a combo living space and cider mill this renovated cottage has fireplace, beautiful garden, horses and chickens. We only planned to stay 2 nights but are working on extending our stay.Read more
Annanaomi Sams Marshmallows, anyone?
4/18/17Reply
Annanaomi SamsLovely!
4/18/17Reply
Traveler Hmmm...I wonder if they have them here.
4/18/17Reply
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Where the Heart is Traveler
Lazing around
April 17, 2017 in France ⋅ ☁️ 57 °F
The most we could manage for say one was photos out our bedroom window and the back door. The donkey with the dreds is named Cannabis.

Today we ventured out just to say we did. We missed the fleeting sunbeams on the mustard fields, but enjoyed the drive. No photos of the cute tourist town whose main virtue was some things were open. Everywhere else EVERYthing was closed the day after Easter (after being open on Easter itself).Read more
Annanaomi SamsYou all are country folk, aren't you?
4/18/17Reply
TravelerWell we're pretty sure we're not city folks.
4/18/17Reply
Donna GilmanPicture perfect. That would be a lovely painting.
4/19/17Reply
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