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The fountain at Place des voges. A real breezy fall day for a picnic of baguettes and badois. Now to visit our favourite gallery and shop our way back to the hotel. All good things must come to an end. Can't wait to see the family and the pets.

A magical night

Full moon over the Eiffel tower.

On September 11th, the French will never forget. Unbelievably moving.

Montmartre

On Montartre. I can't believe how many oeiole there are up here. Had onion soup, goat cheese salad, coq au vin and crepes plus half bottle of St. Emilion 2009 we shared with a corporate pilot at the next table. Good thing my dress doesn't have a waist.

After a scorching day its lovely and cool. Ditching the group for the last few days. Our extra bag is already full of wine, olive oil, lavender honey and chestnut paste so we may have to buy another!

Love to all.

We are in Lyon. Cooking demonstration and then the train to Paris. Yesterday the great synagogue was pointed out when we were on our tour but we couldn't get in. Today there were services. We went through a door flush with the street into an inner courtyard to see the building in the picture. The interior was gorgeous. Freeda our Mexican Jewish friend and I went upstairs and the men of course sat downstairs. Found a mephisto store on the way back and Joel and i got shoes. Didn't buy much overall but I'm sure we'll need another bag.

Love to all

Bridge at Lyon night

Last night on the cruise. We've made some wonderful new friends and lots of great memories. On to Paris tomorrow.

I'm the judge

Me presiding in Magistrates Court in Trevoux, formerly the Parliament of Dombes.

More food

Lunch on the boat today among other things, was roast veal, sweet and sour red cabbage and unbelievable potato parsley dumplings.

Joel found the dumpling recipe online in two seconds. Guess I know what we"re having for yom tov.

Cruising to Truvous this PM. Several lovely people are watercolour artists are on the trip and it is wonderful to see the scenery through their eyes.

Spend a few hours in the shops today but didn't buy anything. Everything is too small, including shoes but it was fun to look.

Love to all.

Viennes

Sitting in a cafe on Place de Gaulle in the town of Vienne. Old Roman temple behind me (see attached). Hard to believe tomorrow is the last full day of the cruise but we still have Paris.

Gorgeous blue sky. Lots of nice shops but more for looking than buying. Actually the most stunning stores are the patisseries and candy stores. I don't know how the French stay so thin.

Love to all.

Truffles

Emy the Mercedes of truffle dogs and Joel with a fortune in truffles. He bought a nugget for 5 Euros.

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Last night we went on an evening walk in the ancient town of Viviers. In the courtyard we were met by two flautists.

it was cool out and except for a few stray cats, almost deserted. Our guide was a Trinidadian girl who came on an exchange and married a local boy.

Part of the trip included entrance to a private home in a 14th century home.

On to Grignan where there is a castle and a market. My knee is telling me to focus on the latter :)

Love to all.

Leaving Avignon

Sitting on the upper deck of the Swiss Pearl as we sail out of Avignon.

Avignon

It's a gorgeous day in Avignon. Blue sky and cool breeze. After a walking tour of the Pope's palace we are sitting in an outdoor cafe with free wifi so I'm catching up on email and FB.

We're going to check out the shops then have lunch. The boat sails for Vivier at 1:45.

Having a great time. Love to all.

Re: [Barcelona to Paris] On the road

We are still on our way to the boat. Only 120 passengers. Stomach started acting up after all the rich Barcelona food. Not serious but I'll be happy to get off the bus.

Rest of trip really exciting. Haven't bought anything yet except 2 fans for Mom, flamenco dresses for Naomi, Liora and Aleeza -- great Purim costumes. Also got a miniature hand made guitar music box in a case with a stand for Chanukah for Ira.

It's going to be pretty hard to resist some of the gorgeous stuff in Provence but I may be carrying it as we can only check one bag on the TGV and of course we'll have to pay for another bag on AC.

Love to all.

On the road

Today we left Barcelona by bys to meet up with our cruise in Airles France.

It took about 3 hrs to get to the town of Perpignon where we swapped a Spanish bus for a French one. Fortunately we didn't have to move the luggage.

We had an hour and a half break where we bought baguettes in a lovely park with a canopy of trees, a fountain and a local art show. Very nice after the bustle of Barcelona.

The French sure know how to do fast food. You could buy a hot foie gras and breast of duck sandwich made to order in the park for 6.5 €

Beautiful day. 25 degrees and sunny. Very much looking forward to the rest of the trip.

El Cangrego Loco

Our last dinner in Barcelona is at El Cangregi Loco or "The Crazy Crab" beside the Olympic basin.

Gazpacho, goat cheese salad with honey and walnuts, sea bass with carmelized onions potatoes and tomatoes and honey almond ice cream.

Roll me on to the bus tomorrow.

View from Monserrat

We took a bus and a train to the Monastery at Monserrat. Unbelievable view plus fabulous community. I can't get over how Barcelona. And surrounding Catalan area so beautifully melds the old with the new.

City tour, Spanish Village

We were finally over our jetlag yesterday and had an amazing day.

After the excellent city tour we collapsed for the afternoon. In the evening we went to the Spanish Village built for the 1929 Exposition with buildings each representing a different form of architecture.

There are dozens of artists and artisan shops
plus restaurants. We had a tasting menu for 1 plus wine and water for 43 euros (9 courses).

Then we went to see the magic fountain, a water and music show that was unbelievable. There were 1000s of people of every shape and size.

This morning we were up early to go to a monastry called Monserrat. Should be a great day!

Today

Fabulous city tour in Barcelona. Ended at the most gorgeous market and took pictures of food. Bought yummy peaches.