Going to catch up with news going from current date, Sunday July 17 to my last entry

July 15 to July 17 BARCELONA, SPAIN

On July 15 left London on the 7.10 am flight to Barcelona. Diane & Nigel were kind enough to drive us from Wales - we were up at 1.30 am as it is at least at 21/2 hour drive. We did not sleep on the flight - we changed planes in Milan - but at least they fed us on both flights - London to Milan & Milan to Barcelona! We went to the hotel near the airport - had a meal delivered - went to bed and slept. Next morning Continental breakfast - and then to the pool, several times. 17th checked out of the hotel - Jose's mother picked us up and drove us to their apartment. We started our sight-seeing adventure!

Further News

Hi keep close to Villa over weekend - roads and parking impossible!!! Beaches extremely busy - and July & August yet to come!!! Weather remains warm and sunny = we eat (Peter is our chef!); read, sleep and swim and read!!!

Momday - Wednesday, June 22-24

Went grocery shopping - big supermarket - a challange to compare prices - so I just double the euro and hope for the best!!! We went to Nice and Tyson loves the little tourist trains - so off we went on a 45 minute trip around Nice - they had a more individual way to listen to the narration - individual ear phones complete with a choice of languages.   Great way to be introduced to a city.   We also rented a two seater self pedelled "byke" and rode along the board walk for an hour - great way to see the ships and beaches. We drove to Monte Carlo/Monaco but unfortunately the traffic was terrible - traffic jams and absolutely no where to park!    Interesting to be able to further visit - will probably organize a quided tour of the Cote dAzur for myself as Tyson needs his nap and it makes it hard on him if we deveate too far from his routine.  On Wednesday we spent the day at the Villa relaxing!   

Catching up with the events happening during my trip

 Friday June 19

Day trip to Antibes, a large open air market covering several blocks open morning (open 10am to 12/1pm) 7 days a week during the summer months and everything imaginable is sold there - cobble streets, French only - beautiful flowers for which the region is well known - fresh fish, baking etc.  we walked around and there are many interesting small streets with small individual shops.  I always hope to find a small artists gallery or an artist painting in a square and then I like to buy a small painting of the area I am visiting.    I was very fortunate to find a very small gallery located in one of the narrow streets when we were doing our walk about - and was able to purchase two small paintings of Antibes - talked to the wife, her and her husband own the art gallery and are also the artists - so I had her sign the painting she did and her husband was not there to sign the picture he painted so she stamped it with his name.   We chatted for awhile, Me no French her limited English!!!! We then had lunch - outside on a patio, of course!!  So had a tour of the City - they have a small "train" with a narration regarding the history of the area - in French & English.   And then back to our Villa!!  

further news

A week of total relaxation - beutiful warm weather with a hot weekend predicated - (at the moment). We drove into Nice - long beach, several miles with a coast line of about 40 miles long - Nice is France's fifth largest city. We drove east of Nice to a picturesque port of Villeframcje - huge yachts are moored in its harbour as well as cruise ships & fishing boats. We had dinner in a restraunt overlooking the harbour. Its history goes back to at least the 14th Century - we are planning on returning to the area for sight seeing - an interesting Fort and Chapel. There is a playgound near we are staying so Tyson had an opportunity to play with other children. Our days are very flexible and most enjoyable. We did find that going into the towns on a week-end is impossible - no parking & lots of people enjoying the various beachs. So this weekend we will stay home! (this covers up to & including Wednesday June 17) Betty

Antibes, Provence

Today is Saturday evening and we are gradually recovering from the 9 hour difference! We are staying in a delightful house with a swimming pool which we are using!!! We haven't attempted any sightseeing yet but will start tomorrow. The view from the house if lovely - sea, blue sky, tile roof tops and sun, sun, sun!!! We are in a large housing development and there is a security guard plus gate - feel safe. The house is ranch style with lots of windows opening up to a large colorful garden. Tyson travelled very well and is gradually adjusting to the time difference. Will add more as we have more adventures! We were quite late arriving because the airline lost my luggage & then the rented car had to be retrieved - we were very fortunate as the owners of the house Oga & Peter rented met us out at the airport and came to the house to show us how everything worked. Then we had dinner so it was gone 11pm before we started settling in for the night! My luggage was found & delivered to the house the next day after our arrival. Bye for now - love from us all, Betty