Dinner in the Vineyard.... Kirsten nudges me gently, not tonight honey I’m tired. Wake up its time to take Bea to the airport. Bea who? It’s 4:30 am and I’m using toothpicks under my eye lids to keep them open. Kirsten and I are driving Bea to the airport, remember she’s catching a flight today to Amsterdam to meet up with the Jarrett’s. I load Bea’s suitcase into the car and enter our destination into the Navi. It’s a 30-minute drive, Kirsten, Bea and I are off to the airport. I fell asleep last night thinking what is Bea’s plan “B”. I’m not asking, I look at Kirsten and she reads my mind. I get the “shut up” look, I return the “What” look, she returns the “If I have to” look. I sink into my ... read more

We’ve got the breakfast routine down pat. We have what I would call the perfect German breakfast. Cheeses, meats, bread, coffee and yes, soft-boiled eggs. Today’s agenda ... Chateaus. Bea requested seeing some Chateau’s before leaving us to be with the Jarrett’s. So last night after dinner, Kirsten put together an agenda that included three chateaus. We all pile in the car and make our way to Angers. I’ve got the Navi loaded. I have Google Maps loaded and I have Apple Maps as my backup. I’m barking instructions along with Helga (our Navi) telling Kirsten when and where to turn. Yes, I have made the transition to the digital maps. Now, if I can get Kirsten to listen to me. We pull into Angers and Helga puts us right into the center of town. The ... read more

Everyone had a great night sleep, we’re all up and sitting around the patio table enjoying breakfast and listening to Kirsten give us todays agenda. She has today outlined, including bathroom breaks. We’re all loaded in the car and ready to go. Stop, I need to go to the bathroom, Sorry. Ok, now that I’m back into the car we’re off and heading to our first stop. Vertou, is having a market day, so we are stopping here first and getting some items for picnic lunch. We arrive quickly and are walking and enjoying the market. Me, I’m looking for the chicken man. The market is surrounding the cathedral. Mass is going on inside, I slip in and listen to the music and readings. It’s meditating and after 15 minutes, I wander back outside looking for ... read more

Again, another great night of sleep. Had I known this vacation would be this restful, I’d been here earlier. Kirsten and Omi are up showered and dressed before me. I’m moving as fast as I can through the bathroom knowing Kirsten has the car keys this morning. We are out of the hotel, loaded into the car and looking for a café for our first French breakfast. Kirsten finds a cute café close to the cathedral. We’re having coffee with croissants sitting on a bench in the cathedral courtyard listening to the bells. Once were done, we go into the cathedral for our blessings. Now this cathedral was built for one purpose. And you ask why did they built this cathedral? Because someone brought the head of John the Baptist back from the crusades. I can ... read more

I wake up after a great sleep, it’s up there with the top 3 best nights. They have these shutters; all European houses have these nifty shutters. They totally block out the sun. I mean it’s Mammoth Cave dark and if you don’t know what that means... then talk to someone from Kentucky. I wake up, Kirsten is still passed out. I get up and make all kinds of noise, she doesn’t move. I grab my stuff, PC, Hearing Aids, clothes .... you know, stuff. I drop half of it while trying to get through the door. Kirsten is still OUT! I go down stairs and check my emails and start blogging. In about an hour, Uli comes down and asked if I slept well. Yes, I did thank you. In the next hour, Kirsten and ... read more