Did you see the eclipse?

I did!

We found a very quiet spot in Fredericksburg, Texas – please note that we did not disturb the residents, we stayed on the roadway.

I tried to see better from the tripod, but it didn’t help

I had a nice spot with the rest of the family. The camper chair has an AC holder – who would have thought.

Just look at the amazing pictures that Andy took:

Note that if you follow Andy on FaceBook, these are the same pictures posted there.

Here we go, the eclipse is starting!

It started to get dark, cold, and windy.

Look! It’s Baily’s Beads! https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baily%27s_beads

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.

They say that once you’ve seen one total eclipse, you will want to see another. The next one over the US won’t be until 2044, that’s a long time in AC years; but I think I heard Linda and Andy saying something about Spain. https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/04/09/next-total-solar-eclipse/

Happy trails, ya’ll

When they opened the backpack – I was in Portugal!

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
Ah, the Seven Hanging Valley’s of the Algarve.
Linda and Andy particularly wanted to see this section of the Algarve, so we started there.
All AC’s, and AP’s (Adventure People), might want to see this too.
https://www.walkalgarve.com/algarve-walking-sightseeing-birding-routes/seven-hanging-valleys-trail-lagoa-western-algarve
Yes, it is beautiful! But, look at all those steps.
Pay no attention to the sharp rocks below – the views are amazing
It was windy! I got caught in a tree.
Isn’t it beautiful?
Whoooo! Look how high up I am! This is fun.
As we reach the west Atlantic coast, there are not as many trees, and the ocean is very rough.
Rough, I tell you.
The rocks are huge! Can you see me on Selema Beach?
I’m ready for my close up now. But, the rocks are still really big!
The rocks are sharp, but it is worth the walk to see the sunset at the Sagres Lighthouse https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lighthouse_of_Ponta_de_Sagres
As we walk our way north to Pedralva, the topography becomes very flat, with very few trees. https://www.aldeiadapedralva.com/en/
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.
Who can resist a bookstore? The owners of this one in Porto, Livreria Lello, say it may be the most beautiful bookshop in the world. Maybe… https://www.amazingplaces.com/portugal/livraria-lello/
We know for sure that it has a wonderful staircase and a lot of people who want to see it.
Porto is also home to one of the most beautiful train stations, Sao Bento. The pictures on the walls are tile! https://www.europeanbestdestinations.com/travel-guide/porto/sao-bento-train-station/
You can take the train from Sao Bento to Pinhao in the Duoro Valley – that’s what we did anyway.
The hills are steep – nonetheless, the Portuguese have been growing grapes and making wine here for hundreds of years. https://www.visitportugal.com/en/content/douro-valley
It is not easy, but you can climb up the ancient steps to reach the vineyards.
From the Douro Valley the train took us south to Coimbra. It is an old university town on the Mondego River. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coimbra
Coimbra was occupied by the Romans for hundreds of years. The remnants of a Roman palace are the foundation of the Coimbra National museum.
https://www.centerofportugal.com/entity/machado-de-castro-national-museum
Back on the train again. This time we stopped in Sintra. https://www.sintra-portugal.com/index.html
Andy and Linda took me to the top of the Moorish castle there.
On a clear day you can see all the way to Lisbon – it was not a clear day. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Castle_of_the_Moors
The next day in Sintra we went to Parque de Monseratte. It has a wonderful waterfall that you can walk right into. https://www.parquesdesintra.pt/en/parks-monuments/park-and-palace-of-monserrate/
After the Monseratte they took me too the well at Regaleira Quinta da Anazade. We had to wait in line to see it. https://www.regaleira.pt/pt/
Careful! Do not drop me down the Regaleira well. I just wanted a good look at it.
After visiting the palaces and castles of Sintra, we were off to Lisbon.
Here we are climbing the steps of the Alfama, the oldest part of the city.
https://lisbonlisboaportugal.com/Alfama-Lisbon/Alfama-district-lisbon.html
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.

Happy Adventuring, AP’s!

We had the Cafe Gourmond, now where are the famous lavender fields of Provence?

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.

Lovely during the day. https://www.caumont-centredart.com/fr
And very fun on Jazz night!
All Adventure Cows as well as actual people recommend
signing up for this event if you are in Aix en Provence.
https://www.caumont-centredart.com/fr/preparer-visite/cafe-caumont
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.
Have you seen the Pope’s Palace in Avignon?
Then you know that Avignon is a city – no lavender, just lots of old buildings.
The Pope’s palace was built in 1309 and
used until 1376 as the center of the Catholic Church.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon_Papacy
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avignon
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 of the art installations we did see was “Frauen der Antike (Women of Antiquity).”
by Anselm Kiefer.
A total of five female sculptures.
All reference specific women from ancient history and mythology
who were forceful, independent female characters.
https://ropac.net/news/1284-anselm-kiefer-five-outdoor-sculptures-at-chateau-la-coste/

It reminded Linda of a statue in Westerpark, Amsterdam which is bodyless bride turning in the pond, but they do not appear to be related. https://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bruidsjurk_%28Patchwork%29
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.

https://www.atelierdeschefs.fr/ateliers/40/aix-en-provence/
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
Built in the 1800’s the Palace Longchamp houses museums and is surrounded by gardens.
It is a must see when visiting Marseille. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palais_Longchamp
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.
Our last day trip in southern France; another van trip from the
Visitor’s Center to The Gorge of Verdon https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verdon_Gorge
We had many stops on our way to the Gorge.
Like this one; here I am at the Temple of Apollo in Riez.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Riez
And this stop. We had lunch and a good climb up the mountain at
Moustiers Sainte-Marie, another of the officially most beautiful villages of France. https://www.moustiers.fr/en/moustiers-sainte-marie
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.

Au revoir.

Who is Paul Cezanne? And, where are his footsteps?

Both Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso are said to have remarked that Cézanne “is the father of us all”. Wikipedia (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_C%C3%A9zanne)

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.

You can begin almost anywhere within the city of Aix, either following a guide, a map, a gps app, or medallions placed in the sidewalks. Here we go!
https://www.cirkwi.com/en/circuit/55225-in-the-steps-of-ce!zanne
Leaving the statue we cross the street to the large Fountain, Rotonde. Built in 1840 – 1850, Cezanne would have walked by this fountain too. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fontaine_de_la_Rotonde

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:

It is not an identified stop, but we know that his footsteps took him by this fountain too. https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/mazarin-district-and-fountain-of-the-four-dolphins-60875.html
Aix is known as the City of a Thousand fountains; to learn more about them, click this link: https://www.chateau-gassier.fr/en/aix-en-provence-the-town-of-a-thousand-fountains/

In a few more blocks we reach Cezanne’s art School, now The Granet Museum

A beautiful building with several of Cezanne’s paintings. I pushed really hard, but could not get this door open.
https://www.museegranet-aixenprovence.fr/en/homepage
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.

It is very hard to read, especially for Adventure Cows, but just over and between the first set of windows you can almost make out the French words: (chapellerie (hats), (gros et détail) wholesale and retail.

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.

To watch videos on this and some of his other paintings, or to learn more about Cezanne, please click this link: https://smarthistory.org/cezanne-mont-sainte-victoire/

I have to admit I had a little trouble following the maps and medallions. Why would Cezanne go to the GAP?

I couldn’t believe it. Had I only turned around this would be a picture of Madeleine Church where Paul Cezanne was christened and later married.

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 me? It is a very big building. I am here. Next to the gate on the left. It is a very serious building, no pictures of any kind, not even cows, are allowed inside.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palace_of_Justice_of_Aix-en-Provence

Do you see what I see?

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.

Like this one, The Mossy Fountain. It is the only fountain fed by the thermal baths. The water temperature is a constant 64 degrees, causing the moss to grow.
https://www.gpsmycity.com/attractions/fontaine-moussue-(mossy-fountain)-60858.html#:~:text=Mossy%20Fountain%20(Fontaine%20Moussue)%20is,on%20the%20landmark%20Mirabeau%20Boulevard.

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.

Au revior!

So Linda said: “Eurostar goes to Lille, France from London”

And then Andy said: “Let’s go

So, here I am, on the train again. Only that is France outside the window, not the UK

And then Linda said: “Let’s go for a walk in Lille now that we are here for a few days

The Grand Place (the square of General Charles De Gaulle, central square of Lille)
Learn more here: https://en.lilletourism.com/la-grand-place.html

And then I said: “Adventure Cows need to see too

Here I am. Right in front of the Bourse (stock exchange) from the 1600’s
Learn more by clicking here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vieille_Bourse

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.

Isn’t it beautiful? For information and reservations:
https://www.bigmammagroup.com/fr/trattorias/la-bellezza
Just look at this bookcase, with room for an Adventure Cow – in the restaurant.

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!

Yes, I am definitely in London

Just look at the view from the London Eye

No doubt it would be a better view if it wasn’t raining; but it’s London!
Click here for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/London_Eyem

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

And, of course, theres drinks!

And the annual beer festival at Ealing Common
The breweries under the train arches. https://distortionbrewing.co.uk/
And, look: it is a beautiful bar in the brand new Chiswick Cinema! The theater was under construction during our time in Chiswick. https://chiswickcalendar.co.uk/the-chiswick-cinema/
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/

And there are shows, lots of shows

Like a Midsomer Night’s Dream at The Globe
https://www.shakespearesglobe.com/
Or, Lightroom’s immersive Hockney exhibit.
https://lightroom.uk/whats-on/david-hockney/

And, the London presentation of the musical, Cabaret. The theater was transformed into the Kit Kat Club.

Once we were past this gate, no pictures allowed.
The performance is immersive, as if you are actually entering the club.
https://www.theplayhousetheatre.co.uk/cabaret

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 Wicked https://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:

To learn more about the transformation of the Battersea Power Station, click here: https://batterseapowerstation.co.uk/

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/
Do they have lavender fields in France?
Only time will tell

Cheers!

How do I know if I’m in London?

Maybe you can tell by breakfast:

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?


Like a Swiss Raclette served at the Spitalfields Market?
More information on Raclette: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raclette
More information on Spitalfields Market: https://www.spitalfields.co.uk/spitalfields-history/

Or, places to eat and drink that we don’t see in Texas?

Such as the Cafe at the Le Cordon Bleu cooking school, found in a relatively quiet square one block from the insanely crowded British Museum.
More information: https://www.cordonbleu.edu/london/cafe-le-cordon-bleu/en

Or, another favorite spot away from the crowds (mostly), like a crypt?

St. Martins in the Field on Trafalgar Square – The Crypt Cafe.
More information: https://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org/visit/cafe-in-the-crypt/

Are there palaces and gardens?

Such as Eltham Palace? A surprising combination of a Tudor Great Hall and gardens updated in the 1930’s with an Art Deco addition. https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/eltham-palace-and-gardens/?utm_campaign=aka_eltham_palace_23
The gate next to the bridge is easy for an Adventure Cow to get through.
Or, the Lily House at Kew Gardens. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kew_Gardens
Kew’s garden Pagoda is beautiful too.
Best known for the time Henry VIII and Anne Boylyn spent here, Adventure Cow plays in the fields of Hampton Court. More about Hampton Court: https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/#gs.3gs2kz
The Hampton Court palace maze was fun too
But watch out for the kitchens of Hampton Court. A busy place that had to feed members of the court numbering in the hundreds – they cook all meats within range. https://www.hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace/whats-on/henry-viiis-kitchens/#gs.3gpdyt
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.

Cheers!

This isn’t London, This is Asteroid City!

How did I end up here?

I thought we were going for a walk.



Or a ride on another train.
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.

Wales was beautiful, but then they put me on a train to the Cotswolds

Learn more about this Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, click here: https://www.cotswolds.com/

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.
AC joined the other tourists looking at the River Windrush as it winds through the village of Bourton on the Water.
A lovely village with small canals, small bridges, small shops, and a multitude of vendors selling ice cream. A tourist haven. https://www.cotswolds.com/plan-your-trip/towns-and-villages/bourton-on-the-water-p670103#:~:text=About,crossed%20by%20attractive%20little%20bridges.
In Chipping Campden AC peaks into the Harts Silversmiths workroom. They have been crafting both beautiful and practical items here since 1902. https://www.chippingcampden.com/business/hart-silversmiths/
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.

Why Do They Call Me a Water Buffalo?

Water buffaloes are the symbol of Vietnam. They represent prosperity, happiness, and bravery.

https://asiasociety.org/sites/default/files/inline-files/Day04_Vietnam%20Water%20Buffalo.pdf

Do we look the same to you?

Adventure Cows are Texas Longhorns.
Longhorns are sturdy, gentle, and smart.
https://longhornroundup.com/f/why-raise-texas-longhorn-cattle

Longhorns will take advantage of almost any food or forage. Here, AC takes part in a Food and Drinks Tour of Hanoi.

This is a lunch of Bun Cha. This is the same lunch
Barack Obama had when he
visited Hanoi – but he did not eat on a
little, plastic, stool on the sidewalk.
Obama went to the version that had sit-down tables.
https://jackytravel.com/bun-cha-obama/#:~:text=Bun%20Cha%20Vietnam%20with%20President%20Obama%3A&text=%E2%80%9CMr.,take%20away%20from%20the%20hotel.

It was still the Lunar New Year, year of the cat in Vietnam, when we arrived in Hanoi. Here, AC poses with handmade, wire, money trees. Sure to bring good fortune in the coming year. While the water buffalo is a symbol of prosperity, we did not see any displayed with the money trees.

Look how sturdy AC is as he climbs a tree hanging out over Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem Lake. https://vietnamdiscovery.com/hanoi/attractions/hoan-kiem-lake/ He does not see any water buffalo here.

Good Job! AC

While in Hanoi, AC quietly watched the Water Puppet show, before jumping up on stage for a quick photo.

You can watch a part of the show too in this promotional video:
https://youtu.be/XZy3q5-x03c?t=52
Did he see water buffalo here? Watch the sample video to see for yourself.

After the water puppet show, AC knows it is time to eat. A beautiful restaurant had been spotted during the food tour – back we went for dinner.

AC thinks this is a taco – but it is not. It is a crunchy, folded, rice paper filled with vegetables and meats. On the side there is a spicy sauce for dipping.
Maybe it is a taco.

On a tour at the Ha Long Whisper Nature Bungalow in the Viet Hai Village of Cat Ba National Park, AC is brave: with only a little help from our guide, Tra, he completed the “Monkey’s Bridge” over the small river. He does not see any water buffalo here.

What is a Monkey Bridge? https://incountrytours.com/monkey-bridge/#:~:text=A%20Monkey%20Bridge%20(‘c%E1%BA%A7u%20kh%E1%BB%89,either%20with%20or%20without%20handrails.

See our gentle AC admire the farmer’s work in Viet Hai Village in Vietnam’s Cat Ba National Park. He did see water buffalo here – but where?

The water buffalo are taking a break, right across the road from these fields.

AC is brave. He leads our small tour boat to the Cua Van Floating Village Museum as we take in the sites of this section of Ha Long Bay. This water is too deep for cows or buffalos.

Nose-2-nose at a roadside rest area.
Nose-2-nose with a souvenir water buffalo from the Cave on Hang Sung Sot in Ha Long Bay.

As our tour group travels from Vietnam to Siem Reap, Cambodia; we are welcomed to the country with tasty drinks and Apsara dancers.

You can learn more about this restaurant/theater and the folk dance we watched by clicking this link: https://apsaratheatre.asia/
During the Apsara show, a dancing monkey came to our table to see what exactly an
Adventure Cow might be about – is this a water buffalo?
The picture is not clear because AC is being banged on the table.
But, AC is sturdy and was not hurt by this attention.

Our next day in Siem Reap brought the Vespa Tour with a chance to see the Cambodian countryside and meet local families.

Here is AC being as helpful and patient as a longhorn can be. The group is eating traditional sticky rice in bamboo stalks. https://www.gnarfgnarf.com/cambodian-kralan-sticky-rice-stuffed-in-bamboo-sections/
The Vespa Tour took us to a family that makes baskets. We were all encouraged to try our hand at this ancient skill. You cannot tell from this picture, but AC is laughing, turns out basket weaving is a little tricky for some of us.

Another day, AC was able to join the group for lunch. It was his job to collect the rice cones that came with our lunch.

Good job AC!

Our tour took us to several historical and religious sites. Neither Adventure Cows or Water Buffalo are allowed in most of these locations. Below, is a picture of AC on the causeway (entryway) to Angkor Thom, one of the significant religious areas in Cambodia. This bridge was the only place he could compare himself with the carvings.

You can learn more about Angkor Thom by clicking this link:
https://helloangkor.com/attractions/angkor-thom-thvear-tonle-om/

The next morning, we got up very early to join hundreds of other folks who come from all over to see the sunrise over Angkor Wat. Angkor Wat is the largest religious site in the world and dates back to the 1100’s. More information: https://helloangkor.com/attractions/angkor-wat/

At 5:30 in the morning, it was still very dark.

Another outing took us to Tonle Sap. The largest fresh water lake in Cambodia. It is in the middle of the lake that alligators are raised for export to China. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tonl%C3%A9_Sap

AC is brave when he meets the alligator.

This is a short video from our Tuk Tuk ride in Phnom Penh

AC is smart to be wedged in tight as he joins in the fun of the Tuk, Tuk ride too.
Again, there are no water buffaloes in sight.

Phnom Penh, the capital of Cambodia, during the day – a visit to the Royal Palace.

AC is looking from the Silver Pagoda to the Hor Samran Phirun. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Palace_of_Cambodia

While there were many other interesting sights to see in Cambodia, they were not appropriate for Adventure Cow. He learned nothing of the Khmer Rouge with it’s schools turned into prisons and cemeteries turned into killing fields. It is time for the river cruise ship and sights along the Mekong River. https://www.britannica.com/event/Cambodian-Genocide

One stop along the Mekong River was the weaving community of Long Khanh in the Dong Thap province. This village is a weaving center, turning out thousands of scarves for sale on the streets and towns of Vietnam – and to tourists who visit from cruise ships.

AC found the one weaving machine that was not currently being worked – so many threads. To learn more about this village click here: https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/lifestyle/20181109/weaving-village-in-vietnams-mekong-delta-stands-test-of-time/47616.html

And, it is so noisy. These machines still work, but they are old.

Next stop in the province was a coconut farm. Here, we enjoy fresh coconut milk straight from the trees.

AC cannot reach the straw made of bamboo – Andy and Linda have to drink it all.

On the way back to the ship – AC spots a chilli farm. What a fun place to hide.

As our ship gets closer to Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), we must pass through the Song Tra Canal. Today will be filled with things to do on the ship – no tours to the shore. https://heritagevietnamairlines.com/en/where-canals-run-through-the-countryside/

AC starts his day by looking out the cabin’s window
Later, he joins others for a tour of the ship’s kitchen. He sees fresh herbs drying under heat lamps.
After touring the kitchen, he goes to the front of the ship to help the Captain locate Saigon.
Look Captain! Go this way.

We finally reach Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon). Once there, AC joins local tours to get a bit of Vietnamese (war) history.

He joins the tour of the Cu Chi tunnels. He is waiting for Andy to return after he disappeared into the earth. During the Vietnamese war, these tunnels served as hiding and living spaces for the Viet Cong. You can read more here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/C%E1%BB%A7_Chi_tunnels

Leaving the Tunnels entrance area, AC is surprised to see Water Buffaloes as part of a depiction of more ordinary life and times.

They do look quite a bit alike, you hardly notice AC between the two statues.
Hearing about the war, and the end of it at the Independence Palace, AC is confused.
Such serious topics, but the gift shop had many fun toys.
More about the Palace and the role it played:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Independence_Palace

The trip is almost over. He is happy to spend some of his time in Saigon, taking part in another Food and Drinks tour.

Adventure Cow has come to learn why he may be called a Water Buffalo while in Vietnam – he has been brave and he has brought happiness to many people.

As he leaves his last restaurant in Vietnam,
he says goodbye to the Water Buffalo painted on a hallway wall.
They are not so different afterall.

Goodbye AC. See you on your next adventure!