Hill Top Farm

Earlier this week we visited Hill Top Farm, the summer home and working studio of Beatrix Potter. From the sale of her little books, Beatrix bought and donated a lot of land to the National Trust here in England. She also donated this property to the Trust with the instructions to leave it furnished as is and allow the people to visit.

If you've read any of her little books, you might recognize some of the scenery in my pictures. I felt like I was entering Peter Rabbit's garden as I stepped through the gate into the garden in this picture.

The things I am going to miss about France

Now that I've posted the things I'm not going to miss, I have a much longer list of things I will miss.

1. French wine - even the 3 euro priced bottles are good
2. French bread
3. French cheese - it's all stinky but ooohhh so good
4. French cities - one of our French friends calls it "le rythme de la vie" - the rhythm of life. There is always something going on in the city
5. The weather in the south of France - oh so mild and subzero free
6. The way the french dine - a social event that can include up to 5 courses and is not to be rushed (2 hours average)
7. The French language
8. The markets - everything here is fresh
9. Conservation measures - check out an earlier post
10. Red tile roofs
11. The proximity to the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and the Pyrenees
12. Les places - the city squares with green spaces and open air restaurants
13. Dining outside most of the year - in the city, no smog or loud traffic
14. Paris
15. French restaurants - Restaurants are small, cozy, and the food is delicious. And, there are many, many choices
16. The ability to be car free - I've driven very little this year - it's great to walk around town.
17. The sunsets from our 4th floor terrace
18. Being so close to such amazing places - the history here is incredible
19. Pastries - do I really need to say more?
20. Chocolate
21. Their love for dogs. Lady has gone with us just about everywhere
22. The carousels in every town
23. The rolling hills of vineyards, lavender or sunflowers
24. Canard - duck here is very tasty
25. The architecture

. . . and of course all my new friends

The things I won't miss about France

Our stay in France is almost over and I've compiled this list of things I'm not going to miss about the French way of doing things.

1. Public restrooms - most of them are without toilet paper. Many of them are without seats (I'm told those are Turkish toilets, supposedly more hygienic) and some are just holes in the ground
2. French motorcycle drivers - I swear they have a death wish. French laws don't prohibit them from passing cars in the same lane or on either side.
3. French drivers - they are never in a hurry unless you are in front of them
4. The conversion rate between euros and dollars
5. European Air traffic control - British Airways, volcanoes, and snow (they don't know what to do with even 1/2 inch)
6. Crowded, aromatic subways - I don't think they use deodorant
7. Small cars and small, bumpy roads
8. Apartment living - miss my home
9. Toll roads - you can't get anywhere without them and they cost more than gas
10. Having to watch where you walk - they don't clean up after their dogs
11. The cost of energy = no clothes dryer or air conditioner!

The Basque Region

When Nick and Katie were here last month we traveled to the "Pay Basque" which is an area in the southwest region of France and the northwest region of Spain along the Atlantic coast. The weather didn't cooperate, it was unusually cold for late April. So we didn't get to experience the "fun and sun play land" aspect of the region.

In France, the town we stopped in was St. Jean de Luz. It's a quieter little town compared to San Sebastian, but it's claim to fame is that the church where Louis the XIV (of France) and Maria Theresa (of Spain) were married. Supposedly, this town was chosen because it's halfway between Madrid and Paris. It was a lovely church.

Also, there was a delicious tarterie there (thanks Dinsmore's for the tip). We tasted several different pies before heading on to San Sebastian.

In San Sebastian, Spain,we enjoyed tapas. The four of us spent one night hopping from one tapas bar to another. The food was quite different from traditional French fare and very delicious.
The Santa Maria church in San Sebastian was interesting. Saint Sebastian was martyred and his statues usually have him depicted filled with arrows in his side. This church is no exception.
Nick and Katie spent a couple of hours climbing the hill to get a closer look of the statue of Christ.
We had a delightful lunch along the harbor. Katie had her first experience with fresh crab - delicious.