Author Archives: tbavendam

KJ is the woman who got me started cycling and introduced me to many wonderful people on a 9 day bike ride down the Natchez Trace (444 miles) to celebrate her 80th birthday. The year prior to this 80th birthday ride, she had broken both of her legs skiing. She returned to skiing and cycling.Continue reading “Resiliency on steroids”

Kay lives down the street from Willy Tacos. A understated exterior with great food and outdoor seating. I had wanted to go there to eat before we went to Provence but that didn’t work out so I thought we would go there today for lunch before I left Spartanburg. Well, Willy Tacos is closed onContinue reading “Mexican Food for Memorial Day”

We got up at 230 AM with plan to leave at 330 AM with goal of being at Marseilles Airport at 430 AM for 645 AM flight. We successfully drove our SUV onto the narrow street for easy loading of luggage. While we were very quiet, a neighbor woman seemed disturbed that we had theContinue reading “An uneventful return to US”

Alarm is set for 230 AM so se can be on there road by 339 AM for an hour drive to Marseilles for a 645 AM flight. I will be driving. I have taken a small amount of sleeping pill as it is not yet sunset to help be get to sleep. I enjoyed someContinue reading “A wonderful last day in Provence”

Yesterday was a beautiful day. We thought we had signed up for a bike/wine tour, but we signed up to rent e-bikes for the day and a self-guided tour (it was in the small print). I downloaded their app with the map of our 30 mile course and hoped my phone battery would last. FortunatelyContinue reading “Cycling in Provence – the absolute BEST”

My loyal readers know that I am interested in public toilets. Today in Cassis, a lovely coastal village south of Marseilles I discovered a public toilet that disinfected itself between every user. It was a bit confusing for those of us who didn’t understand the concept. Our initial encounter with one, we held the doorContinue reading “Advances in Public Toilet Cleanliness”

Today was a laid-back quiet day in St. Remy. There did not seem to be too many of the same vendors as the weekend market. There was on that was the same and it still didn’t have the jacket in the right size for me – too bad because I would have bought it. ThereContinue reading “Market Day in St. Remy”

We left at 830 AM for an all day Wine Tasting with Francois, the owner of Avignon Wine Tour. We drove an hour or so to tour 4 wineries north of Avignon. We had lunch and he drove us through a few of the old villages. Francois wore a bright orange/red suit and had aContinue reading “Wine tasting ala Francois”

I was unleashed on this market today. Two of my fellow travelers are shoppers and love to buy things. I generally get a bit bored with their back and forth about whether they should get this or that. Of course they don’t NEED anything. So today I announced I did not thing I would buyContinue reading “Market at ISLE SUR LA SORGUE”

My friends who did NOT sleep on the plane across the Atlantic slept until 1230 today. I was awake at 6 for a few hours and went back to sleep for a couple of hours. The first task was to move the car before the time expired. We easily found the free public parking. AtContinue reading “Cultural confusion”