Sharing some of the experiences encountered moving to and living in London … and then moving to Amsterdam! And then, moving to Austin, Texas where Adventure Cow has taken over this blog!
Four and a half minutes goes by quickly when you are trying to take in something so rare and exciting.
While we (and everyone else in the path of the totality) were still cheering, the sky started to lighten, and clouds began to completely cover Fredericksburg.
Andy got a new backpack too. It’s not flowered, it doesn’t fold up small; but it does have room for all of his camera gear and me too! If I stick my head out.
Why would they take me, Adventure Cow, to Portugal?
Austin is ok. They took me to the Paramount Theater to see Whose Live Anyway and that was fun, but it did not have a good picture opportunity. I think we are going to another show next week, maybe then I can come out again.
Whew! We did a lot, saw a lot, and learned a lot in Provence. The art, the architecture, the history, the food, the wine – the shopping! It was not possible for one Adventure Cow to document and share all of it. So now, this particular adventure has come to an end.
Linda is smooshing me into the backpack again. Ouch! I never know where I will be when she takes me out. It is always a surprise Adventure. It’s good to be her cow.
More specifically he is an artist born in the town of Aix en Provence, France, where the three of us (Andy, Linda and myself; AC) spent three weeks in an immersion program under Smithsonian tours.
The “In the Steps of Cezanne” is a walking tour put together by the Aix en Provence Office of Tourism – it takes a walker to many of the key locations in the Artist’s life.
We walk east from the fountain, on the (central avenue) Cours Mirabeau and across Rue Laroque to reach Mignet High School
Walking east down the street Rue Cardinale, we circle the Fountain of the Four Dolphins:
In a few more blocks we reach Cezanne’s art School, now The Granet Museum
Not far from the church, following the medallions, I found a statue of Cezanne’s friend, Emile Zola. He was a very influential man. Please read more about him: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%89mile_Zola
Turning around, and going back down the central avenue, Cours Mirabeau, we see the CIC bank
What is hard to see, is that the building was the location of Paul Cezanne’s father’s, Louis-Auguste Cezanne, shop where he began practicing his new trade of hat making in 1825. Paul’s mother, Anne-Elisabeth Aubert, was also a hatmaker.
The City of a Thousand Fountains (Aix en Provence) was founded by Romans in 122 BCE. Romans loved water and Aix had water. As a Roman town it included a thermal spa which is still visible today. (It is part of a Spa and Hotel complex now) Cezanne would not have visited the old Roman baths, but he would have walked past this complex. https://www.josetteking.com/blog/from-roman-spa-to-contemporary-cultural-center-aix-en-provence/
The Thermal Spa backs up to a remaining section of the original city walls and the only tower that remains.
Away from the center of town is Cezanne’s Atelier des Lauves (workshop).
Cezanne also painted landscapes. He was particularly drawn to his local landscape which was dominated by Mont Sainte-Victoire. The mountain is captured in picture after picture. Below is the view as it is today from his favorite outdoor painting spot on the Lauves Hill.
Here is the mountain in his 1902 – 1904 version of Mont Sainte-Victoire.
I have to admit I had a little trouble following the maps and medallions. Why would Cezanne go to the GAP?
We do know he went to the Palace of Justice. He studied law at the insistence of his father, but gave it up to pursue his interest in art.
Do you see what I see?
Whew! We have followed a lot of steps, and taken a lot of pictures, trying to explore Cezanne’s Provence. There is so much to see. So many fountains.
We need a coffee. For this occasion (being in Provence) a Cafe Gourmand is appropriate. A relatively new coupling, we get espresso and several tiny desserts all at one time. Yum! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caf%C3%A9_gourmand
I will return with more pictures and information about Provence – but first it is time to enjoy this coffee.
And then Linda said: “Let’s go for a walk in Lille now that we are here for a few days“
And then I said: “Adventure Cows need to see too“
And then Andy said: “We need to see the Beaux Arts Museum“
And then Linda said: “We need to find some food”
Then the next day, Andy said: “Let’s take the tram to the La Piscine (The Swimming Pool)”
They were actually working on the pool part while we were there. Please click here to learn about this 1930’s swimming pool which has been turned into an amazing museum: https://www.roubaix-lapiscine.com/en/home/
And then I said: “How does Linda always find a fabric exhibit in every museum we go to?”
And then Linda said: “I’m Hungry. Let’s go to this really good Italian restaurant in Lille, La Bellezza.
And then I said: “Adventure Cow needs to go for a walk”
And then Andy said: “If we are going to see the Citadelle, we need to walk the other direction”
And then we all said: “It is time to go to Aix en Provence to join our group tour there”
And then Andy said: “But first, coffee”
So we all had coffee as we waited for the train – then on to Provence we went!
Lastly, Linda’s second favorite musical (you might know that Les Miz is, and always will be Linda’s first favorite); This is the London presentation of Wickedhttps://www.wickedthemusical.co.uk/
This is London: Gin and tonic – always appropriate before the show
Look at that dragon! Someone is going to need help during this show.
Big finale. It all turned out (mostly) ok in the end.
Are there canals? Like Regent’s canal?
Yes, there are canals. You can learn more about them, and take a canal ride if you visit The Canal Museum. https://www.canalmuseum.org.uk/
Are we leaving London?
Is it time to start walking again? This path is very confusing.
AC is very close to the ongoing construction site behind the Battersea Power Station. Behind him is the “hoarding” that is used to fence off, and hide, the construction. It is very decorative, in a very confusing way. To learn more about hoarding, click here: https://wallaceprint.com/
To see AC inside the mall section of the Power Station, look below:
Adventure Cow was in London; that is for sure, but then he was on the move again. Here are a few hints of where the next train took him:
Yes, AC and Linda are playing in Lavender fields – But, it is the Mayfield Lavender Farms in Banstead, Surrey, England. https://www.mayfieldlavender.com/
A proper, Full English, breakfast has eggs, tomatoes, potatoes, bacon, sausages, beans, and mushrooms. This is close – pancakes replaced the mushrooms and sausages. And, the Heinz beans are missing too. The toast is on the side and if black pudding was to be included – we said: “please don’t include it.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Full_breakfast
Certainly you can tell by Afternoon Tea:
Yum, yum. There are small sandwiches, small desserts, and a pot of tea for every person at the table. Always attractively presented with lots of special serving trays; it is a full and fancy meal. Learn more about Afternoon Tea here: https://afternoontea.co.uk/information/what-is-afternoon-tea/
Or, Sunday roast at the pub:
Roast beef, (Adventure Cows do have mixed feelings about this key ingredient,: but it could be chicken, pork, or even vegetarian) potatoes, Yorkshire pudding, stuffing, and gravy. Vegetables include carrots, parsnips, broccoli, and cauliflower. A side of gin and tonic is always appropriate. A large meal, it is best eaten in the early afternoon. https://www.thespruceeats.com/history-of-the-british-sunday-roast-4149600
Are there other foods and drinks we don’t usually see in Texas?
Whew! AC made it out of the pot and over the the seasoning table. He is safe for now.
Our Adventure Cow is out of the kitchens and back safe and sound from Hampton Court. He is sure now that he is in London, so no doubt there will be adventures to follow.
I did get to see the missile up close. It was safe – it says right on it not to detonate without presidential approval.
Next thing I know, I’m in a very strange downtown.
Of course, we were looking at real estate.
I like lot 4397, It is AC sized. About 3 feet by 3 feet.
The lot is just one of many things you can buy from a vending machine in Asteroid City.
But maybe the best part was the diner. It had lots of (pretend) food and drinks choices, but we settled on the oil can Gin and Tonics. We must be close to London after all.
A Wes Anderson movie is not for everyone; but Andy and I do like his quirky sensibilities. We had a great day combining seeing the movie Asteroid City at a lovely theater in Covent Gardens and then going over to the exhibition. It may look years and miles removed from London, but it was on The Strand, not far from St. Paul’s Cathedral.
The Cotswolds have lots of hiking trails just like Wales – which way shall we go? (FYI, we went the wrong way – a very long story could go here – but, it won’t)
Near Stow on the Wold, AC needed a rest along the thousands of miles of Cotswold fences that have been in place for over 400 years.
Here he is resting at one of the many pubs serving lunch to hungry explorers.
AC is looking at Arlington Row in Bibury. One of the most photographed sections of the Costwolds. The buildings are from 1380 when they were built as a wool store. Currently they are housing for folks in the village. https://www.bibury.com/arlington-row/
Linda and Andy had their picture taken close to Arlington Row also.
Away from the shops In Chipping Campden he even got to witness workers making a real thatched roof.
A visit to the Sezincote House and Gardens gave AC a chance to play in an India styled garden. The house is from 1805, we suspect the elephants to be a slightly newer addition; else we really should not have been touching them. https://www.sezincote.co.uk/
And, of course, everywhere he went there were flowers.
Ta Ta for now. The time in the Cotswolds’ went by quickly. Time to get back on the train.