"Slow Down -- You Move Too Fast"

 While dressing for dinner one evening on our cruise we looked out on our balcony and saw these rainbows. I have to wonder how many rainbows have I missed in my hurried life?

Rouen

On our way to Rouen we had a fun lunch at

Our time in Rouen was a delight.  Our tour guide kept informing us that we would enjoy some time in the "Casino".  PJ and I glanced at each other and our eyes communicated -- I don't Think so. 
Later we found out that she was saying Cathedral with her french accent.  Big difference.  But believe me when I say -- her English is way better than our stammering French!
Entering the city we realized that it was the weekend of the city's hydro boat races.  It's like Daytona Bike Week only with speed boats.  So exciting to see those boats fly down the river from the vantage point of the bridge!

 Next we made our way to the famous Notre Dame Cathedral.  This is the Notra Dame that Monet painted a study of in each light of the day from sun rise to sun set.  I had always believed it was the one in Paris?

This cathedral has the highest spire in France.

Good question.  Your answer can be slipped into this:

Although Rouen is also famous for the place where Joan of Ark was burned at the stake I think my lasting impression is the question -- What is essential?

What is essential for you?

At the end of the day we tucked ourselves back into our cozy cabin and bid France 'au revoir!

Oui Oui - France

Back to our travelogue...  The next stop after Lisbon was Le Havre France.  Our day trip was  Giverny to visit Monet's home and gardens.

He planted the gardens in order to capture the vibrant colors for his paintings.This is the peak time of year to visit because the iris were his favorite  flower. Unfortunately the winter refuses to let go of it's grip on Europe so the iris' are  late on arrival but we hardly missed them.  You know what they say about a picture is worth a 1000 posts?

Here goes:.

So you get the idea.  You might not want to invite us over to see our trip pics.  There were a lot more to choose from.

Thanks for coming along.

Marking My Territory

The best way I know to make a temporary home "mine" is to cook and welcome guests.  That is just what I did last night at our home in London.

We met the most amazing family from London last year as they were receiving medical treatment for their son in Jacksonville.

He's cool,

 she's beautiful

 the kids are darling

 and I needed to see them again.

I ran here to pick up a bottle of wine

I guess the Brits call it like it is?

We used mismatched silver and plates, served right out of the pot and caught up on our lives.

Kath brought a dessert from a Turkish bakery that almost was too much temptation to wait until the end of the meal.

We said  - grace and

We felt -- grace.

What people are craving isn’t perfection.  People aren’t longing to be impressed; they’re longing to feel like they’re home.  If you create a space full of love and character and creativity and soul, they’ll take off their shoes and curl up with gratitude and rest, no matter how small, no matter how undone, no matter how odd.  From the Author of "Bread and Chocolate"

Good night -- London.

Lisbon!

I was so excited to arrive in Lisbon. And look Who greets us...

A monument of Christ that welcomes and graces the city.  You know it's going to be a good day.

It was my third visit and now I have my favorite places where I always have to say "Hello" to begin.
Lisbon is older than Rome and it is also built up around seven hills.
First stop always -- Pastis De Belem

A bakery almost 200 years old that rolls out the most divine little custard tarts.  Nothing else like it.
Couldn't wait to show PJ the Coach Museum.  At the turn of the 1900s the queen of Portugal realized that as the automobile was coming into it's own -- royalty was discarding their extravagant coaches.  She bought them up and stored them until now they are antiques.  Don't you wish you'd done that with your first mode of transportation?

The one below belonged to the Pope and he only used it for deliveries to the Vatican. 

When I ask myself "What would Jesus drive?""  This is not what comes to mind.
Next off to Jeronimo's Monastery.

Finally some candid shots of a lovely day - albeit a cold and windy one:

Old facade on a bright shiny new building.

A monument by the river dedicated to Saints and Explorers.

We were sad to say good bye too.

Land Ho

 We landed in Funchal Portugal after our six sea days.  It happened to be in the midst of their annual Flower Festival.  Joe and I have tagged this trip "The Follow the Pollen Tour".  The pollen had just gotten better at home and sure enough -- we went north to follow the pollen.  But, so worth it.  The plot above is of the Funchal Botanical Gardens as well as the garden photos below........... 

In Funchal they have big wicker baskets that give you a "sleigh ride" down to the bottom of the hill.  I guess that is what you do if you don't get snow.  Too bad Florida is so dang flat.  I think this could really catch on. 

 Reid's Palace is an old proper hotel where Winston Churchill and his wife ( you've got to love a hefty gal who wears a belt -- see below)  escaped the dreary London weather to relax.  It has the vibe of elegance and history.  Below is the entrance and inside the lobby:

 The streets downtown were lined with flowers.  We enjoyed a sidewalk cafe and tasted some Madeira (the name of the island)  wine.  Not a fan.

A fishing village away from the crowds.

A day to be grateful for and to bid us on our way..........