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!
Oh, no, this is not Texas. This is the three of us returning to our ship after a fun day in Funchal, Maderia, Spain.
AC’s pictures below aren’t from Texas either – well most of them aren’t.
AC had a wonderful time hanging out with us to see more of the world last year. He did things in Austin, attending events at several local venues, where he enjoyed live music and met countless new friends who shared his passion for culture and creativity. He also went to Dallas to see Aj and Aaron, indulging in delicious local foods and attending vibrant events there, like the Octoberfest, which was filled with laughter, music, and traditional foods that captured the spirit of the celebration.
In addition to the travels within the United States, we ventured to several other countries; Canada offered AC cooler weather with baseball, arts, music, and wineries, the Canary Islands provided a moon-scaped escape with picturesque beaches and amazing vineyards growing right out of the lava rocks, while Morocco mesmerized him with its rich history and vibrant souks. The adventures continued in Spain, where he explored the lively streets of Barcelona, roamed the stunning Swiss Alps, and marveled at the historical sites in Germany. Finally, he made it to the Netherlands, where he found himself enamored by the charm and beauty of Amsterdam, which we all know is the prettiest city ever, with its iconic canals, colorful tulips, and welcoming atmosphere that left an unforgettable impression on his heart. (writing expanded with AI assistance)
Note: It seems to be a difficult task to post almost a year’s worth of travel pictures. Below you will find several galleries in random groupings of 4, 40 pictures in total. You may need to use the side arrows to navigate, or you may not. It depends on how your computer/ phone presents them.
Look at the lights in Vetruvian Park, Addison, TX
I got to go to the Beyonce Bowl (AKA Ravens v Texans game)
Making friends with Hannukkah Dog!
Eclipse Day! Fredericksburg, TX, April 8, 2024
I’m ready for my camel ride! Lanzarote, Spain
Do you know the Louise Penney stories about Three Pines? Knowlton, Canada
Seeing the band Dawes, The Stable, Pearl District, San Antonio
The gardens of Joe T’s, Mexican Restaurant, Dallas
Can you see Mt. Eiger? Just behind those clouds.
Can you see the Matterhorn? Just behind those clouds.
Can you see the Lady in the Lake? Not quite in the clouds. Mummelsee, Germany
The view from Cabo Girao Skywalk, Medeira
AC is amazed by the Roman ruins, in Barcelona
Making friends, La Gomera
Shopping in Casablanca
You cannot find AC in this picture. You cannot touch the wild Bluebonnets in Texas.
Why are these adventure pals on the other side of their Amsterdam window?
Whooo, hooo, Octoberfest, Dallas
Look! I’m in the ship’s final night show!
Playing on Myrtle Beach with my fellow Adventure Cows!
Making friends with The Lone Bellow, at Paramount
Toledo Mudhens! But, no Klinger!
Making friends in Cologne, Germany
Where’s AC? Hiding in Sutton, Canada
The murals of Sherbrooke, Canada
Hello Sherbrooke
Help, I’m up in the sky. Andy, catch me.
Mmmmm, tapas in Malaga
Mmmmmm, tapas in Teguise
Medemblik Steam Train ride, Netherlands
Yikes! It is a real cow! In the Alps of Switzerland
Cadiz, Spain
Shopping in Madeira, Spain
Hiking El Torcal de Antequera, Spain
El Grifo Winery, Lanzarote
Making friends in Mansonville, Canada
AC attending the Rockabilly Riot at The Paramount
Making Friends in Low Places, Nashville
Choose any path … Billings Farm, Woodstock, VT
AC wishes you many adventures in the coming year, no matter which path you choose.
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.
It holds hiking sticks, a water bottle, mini first aid kit, jacket, dry socks, snacks, and me: Adventure Cow! For me, I’m glad not to be smooshed anymore, for Linda it is very light weight and can fold up to about the size of a hand towel.
We decided to take the new backpack for a hike, or two; right here in Texas! Turns out, you don’t have to leave the country to have an adventure!
Garner had a great spot to take my picture at the top of their center mountain – Old Baldy.
Not far from the top of Old Baldy, we stopped for pictures of the Frio River.
I know, you can’t see me in this picture while I’m looking up; but you can see part of Old Baldy.
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?
Because Portugal is full of adventures! It wouldn’t have been right to leave this AC at home – Linda and Andy wanted to see and hike the Algarve. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Algarve
After a day hiking around Carrapateria, the hiking part of the Portugal trip was over. Ryanair took all of us up to Porto to begin our train journey to see other parts of Portugal.
After a day spent on a great walking tour of Lisbon, it was time to leave Portugal and it’s trains behind. Time to get back on the plane and return to the US.
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.
No lavender fields here; I went up this whole street in the small village of Lourmarin, at the foot of the Luberon mountains. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lourmarin
No lavender here either. This is the courtyard of the Hotel de Caumont in Aix en Provence. Note: This is not a hotel as Americans understand the word, it is an old mansion repurposed as a museum and cafe with courtyard.
Around the corner from The Hotel de Caumont, is the Hotel de Gallifet. It too is an art center. We saw a photography display here, Reflections. It even had a living room from the 1950’s set up downstairs. No one said I couldn’t get on the furniture. https://www.hoteldegallifet.com/fr
And, look what they had in their courtyard – a huge Red Man. He keeps swimming, just like Dory tells us to, but he is still in the same spot.
The Pope’s Palace was ok, but you can’t take pictures of an AC there. Lunch was much more fun! Hi Tom! Thanks for the ice buckets to cool my hooves in the hot weather.
Not far from Avignon is the Roman aqueduct, The Pont du Gard. It is famous because it is so large and so well preserved. No lavender on those hills. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pont_du_Gard
One day they took me to Chateau La Coste. This is a huge winery (again, no lavender) with several restaurants, art, and architecture. We spent the whole day and still did not see it all. https://chateau-la-coste.com/en/
One day our whole group (all 12 of us) went to the town of Arles. We started our day with a tour of the Museum of Antiquities. This is a Roman floor mosaic – thousands of years old! No one walks on it now. https://www.arlesantique.fr/le-musee
There is so much history in Arles! It is close to the Rhone river, so it has been inhabited for thousands of years; the Celts, the Phoenicians, and then the Romans who made it into a major city. Such a beautiful place that Vincent Van Gogh spent quite a bit of time painting here. We remember Arles as the place where he cut off his own ear. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_of_Vincent_van_Gogh https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arles
Help! I am trapped in a Roman Jail window!
We also went to the Roman amphitheater in Arles. Parts have been destroyed over the millenniums, but most of this structure is still standing; it is still in use today. https://www.arenes-arles.com/
I was captured in an actual holding cell where a variety of beasts would await meeting one or more gladiators! Yikes! They called that entertainment.
I’m looking from the rooftop viewing area of the Frank Gehry designed Luma Tower. From this very modern building it is possible to see the ancient landscape of Arles.
The Luma Art Center is worth a visit. In addition to the Gehry tower, the surrounding buildings have been remodeled into artist’s workshops and cafes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LUMA_Arles
Some of us did cooking classes in Aix. This is Linda’s presentation of goat cheese and zucchini cannelloni appetizers. I don’t think she meant to make a frowny face – but, she did. They tasted ok.
Linda made this too – I recognize the tomatoes, peas and beans, but who knows what that orange sauce is? Or, what it was poured over.
Ah dessert. This I recognize. It is lavender cake with raspberry sauce. Yummy. Very French, it starts with a pound of butter.
One day the same group that did cooking had a wine and cheese class. It all looked good to me, but Linda said the peppered goat cheese circles paired with the rose wine was the best – her new favorite.
How cool is this? It’s a water wheel in Isle sur la Sorgue. A beautiful town in Provence known for it’s art, antiques, and water wheels. Once used to power silk and then paper factories, they are now great places for Adventure Cows to explore. https://www.provenceweb.fr/e/vaucluse/islesorg/islesorg.htm
And, then the group went to Marseille. A whole, big, French, coastal town. We began at the top. The Notre-Dame de la Garde Basilica. Towering over the old town for centuries. This is the view from the roof, remember Adventure Cows are not allowed inside churches. Click this link to see how beautiful it is inside: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre-Dame_de_la_Garde
These bulls have been watching over the water fountains of Longchamp all those years. I helped for a little while. All tourists were well behaved while I was on watch.
Can you read the French? If not, here is the translation: Cosquer : the Prehistoric Cave Under the Sea. France is home to several caves with cave paintings that are tens of thousands of years old. None are open to the public. All are threatened by climate change. However you can go to the Cosquer : the Prehistoric Cave Under the Sea Museum which is an exact replica of one of the caves. I had to go – the caves are the same color as Adventure Cows. https://www.grotte-cosquer.com/en/visit-the-cosquer-cave/
One day Andy and Linda and I joined a tour out of the Visitor Center. Seven of us went on a wine tour to two different wineries in the Provencal countryside. The countryside was beautiful, but we did not see any purple lavender, only trees, vineyards, and Cezanne’s favorite mountain: Mont Sainte-Victiore
The tour guide let me climb on the wine barrels!
Turns out you can’t see in the window – what you see is the reflection of the vineyard and Cezanne’s mountain.
The gorge was amazing. Don’t drop me! It’s over 1,500 feet down to the water. Who would catch me?
Finally! Lavender! Baskets and baskets of lavender. The shop smelled wonderful. They even had lavender ice cream. More yummy stuff.
I finally got here. I finally got to see the lavender fields of Provence. But the fields of lavender, the fields were disappointing. We needed to visit in June or July. This summer was hot, the lavender was collected by the end of July. We missed it. It was all dried out. https://travelfrancebucketlist.com/lavender-fields-in-provence-france/
Lucky for me that we went to the lavender fields in Surrey, England.
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
Beautiful, but heavy doors keep tourists, and Adventure Cows alike, out of the still active school. Cezanne was a student here 1852 – 1858. It was at Mignet that he met his lifelong friends writer Émile Zola, the scientist Jean-Baptistin Baille and Louis Marguery (Court attorney). https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/college-mignet-(mignet-college)-60974.html
Walking east down the street Rue Cardinale, we circle the Fountain of the Four Dolphins:
Next door is the Saint Jean de Malte Church where the funeral for his wife was held in 1897. You know I am not allowed inside a church – but the fountain outside is a great place for AC’s. https://paroissesaintjeandemalte.fr/
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).
It was not easy to snoop around in this museum. I did find some nice steps in the side garden. This workshop is where Cezanne painted from 1902 until his death in 1906. Note that this website has a short video to introduce you to the atelier, it is worth the 45 seconds. https://www.cezanne-en-provence.com/en/the-cezanne-sites/atelier-de-cezanne/
Whooo, hooo! I did it. I got to see the actual items depicted in Cezanne’s still life paintings and watercolors.
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.
Can you see me, Adventure Cow, in this picture? No. I am on a rock just below this line.
Here is the mountain in his 1902 – 1904 version of Mont Sainte-Victoire.
This is a part of the original Roman Forum foundation that still remains under the Palace of Justice. Cezanne would not have seen this, it was only discovered in the 20th century as workers cleared the square for a parking lot.
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 Andy said: “We need to see the Beaux Arts Museum“
And, then I said: “Wow! that is beautiful” – I wish Adventure Cows could play in the museum, but they could not. You should click here to see the inside: https://pba.lille.fr/en/Information
And then Linda said: “We need to find some food”
And then I said: “How about this place? It is a very pretty garden with lots of places an AC can hang out.”
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?”
This is just one of many previous shower rooms that were displaying textiles from the early 1900’s
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”
The street is Rue Faidherbe. It runs from the Grand Place to the Lille Flanders Train Station. You can see the station at the end of the street. To learn more about the station, click here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lille-Flandres_station
And then Andy said: “If we are going to see the Citadelle, we need to walk the other direction”
And then I said: That is a very intimidating wall and mote. Note that the water is covered with a flowering plant, it is not yucky at all. https://parcdelacitadelle.lille.fr/
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!
Or the view from the top of St. Paul’s, on a sunny day.
Of note: This is the actual view from St. Paul’s and it really was a sunny day in London. However, AC did not get to come out at the top. (He is never out of the backpack at any sacred locations) He was added to this picture after the fact. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/St_Paul%27s_Cathedral
The location of our anniversary dinner in April 2020. The Tex-Mex restaurant, D Grande, had just opened. Eating at restaurants was not allowed during this time of the pandemic, so we ordered margaritas and tacos for takeaway, and went to the park down the high street to eat and drink. So happy to see they are doing well. https://dgrandetexmex.com/
A Strange LoopBack to the FutureBarbie, of courseBleak ExpectationsSpitting Image Union Chapel for Damian Lewis and Stand up Comedy for the Loss Foundation
And, the London presentation of the musical, Cabaret. The theater was transformed into the Kit Kat Club.
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.
