One final picture

The port of Nice. Just some tacky boats with some old Italianate buildings in the background.

All indications are this will be the last post from Europe. Our hotel at Heathrow charges £15 for internet access. I think I will go dark until Hood River.

Just another lousy day in paradise

La Mer Méditerranée from the Promenade des Anglais. The beauty is amazing!

A view of the port of Nice from atop a mountain Karla and I scaled. Okay, technically there was an elevator involved, but that is immaterial!

The steps down into Vieille Ville!

Let's face it, I am in love with the south of France!

Monaco

The change of the guard at the Palace, This was really one of the highlights of the trip.

L’église de Ste. Dévote. A cute little church that sadly, was at the foot of 14 billion stair steps that we had to take to get back to the train station in Monaco. (The elevator was out of order,)

All of Monaco was out of service, under construction, behind chain link fence or blocked off by bleachers for the Grand Prix de Monaco. (The Grand Prix is almost a month away.) The exception was the palace, but it was a mob scene - because all of the rest of Monaco was out of service, under construction, behind chain link fence or blocked off by bleachers

Waste of time, money, a beautiful day and positive vibes.

Il pleut

When it rains in the south of France, it doesn't just mess around. There was thunder and lightening and a torrential downpour.

Fortunately, Karla and I were safe in our little apartment.

Italia

The quaint little town of Ventimiglia, just over the border from Nice, a scant 45 minutes train ride. Karla got her first experience at trains in Europe... trip there was probably the worst I'd experienced (25 minutes late, very crowded and stood for most of the way), but the return trip was quite pleasant!

Vieille Ville Nice

Just a building and two streets I liked in Vieille Ville (Old Town) Nice

The Basilique-Cathédral Sainte-Réparate in the Vieille Ville.

A statue of Max in a cranky mood!

And, of course, the view from our deck.

Basilique Notre Dame!

Pictures from our first evening walk in Nice!

A building in the Masséna area of Nice, Don't worry, Karla and I will explore it more and find out what the Masséna is!

Le Promenade des Anglais on the banks of the Mer Méditerranée.

You will notice the four gentlemen in the lower right corner. They must be good friends of mine, as they appeared in all my pictures of the Promenade.

Pornography in the streets of Nice. Not to worry, I covered Karla's eyes!

Nous sommes dans le sud de France

The view from our balcony down ave. Jean Médecin toward the Mediterranean Sea!

Beautiful Bath

Bath Abbey: narrowly averted communion!

The Roman Baths: these are even older than I am!

Karla and I at the Royal Crescent; just hanging out waiting for someone royal to adopt us!

Ummm

Happy day-after Earth Day!

Brighton to Bath

It has not been a day without adventure. Americans in car: not a pretty sight.

My navigator has been less than stellar. She missed the left turn onto the A23 and then the next left onto the A27. To say in Karla's defense, I believe when we passed the A23 turn off was when she was screaming at the top of her lungs, "We're all going to die." It was not without merit. And when the turn to the A27 came, I'm sure she was singing hymns.

I hit no cars or pedestrians. Many curbs and a couple of bushes met an untimely demise, but it is all in a day in England.

But, we made it to Stonehenge. Totally Awesome!

We are staying in Limpley Stokes, just out of Bath. Sadly, the road from here to Bath is closed, so we will be taking a shuttle into Bath. (Which is really a good idea.) But the detour (unneeded) from Stonehenge to Limpley Stokes was hair raising.

Amazing place, Great Britain!

Car for hire: destination Brighton

It has not been a totally unsuccessful day. Yes, there were those few ill placed curbs as we left the rental agency at Heathrow. The British apparently are poor at designing curb assignations. But all was fine.

The highways (M25, M23 and A23) from Heathrow to Brighton were all adequate. Not superb, but adequate. But when the A23 disintegrated into city streets in Brighton all hell broke loose. More poorly placed curbs, and that car park along the side of the narrow street, what the hell was he thinking. He deserved to get his mirror winged.

But we are safe in the hotel, and there have been no fatalities. (And yes, I really hit a cars side mirror with mine, but there was no damage to either car. All witnesses agreed. At least those who survived.)

Brighton's East Pier. I can't explain, as I don't know!

The English Channel shimmers in the amazing sun of April. Warm and beautiful day!

The Brighton Dome and Royal Pavilion.

Amazing day in an amazing spot. 

Last full day in London

Karla met Tardis, and learned the meaning!

The Globe Theatre... you know who would roll over in his grave if he learned I went to London and didn't visit the Globe!

And we traveled to the beginning of the world, Greenwich!

Having an amazing tme!

Taking Max for a walk?

Or a statue at Buckingham Palace?

Only those in the know are sure!

Having a great time!

Our home away from home

Actually, quite nice!

Greetings from PDX!

As I prepare to travel

Another memory lay in the suitcase.

April 6th, 1951

Happy Birthday, Richard!

And, of course a happy birthday to Howard and Bob, too!

An early spring in the valley

Blossom Fest isn't for two more weeks. Someone forgot to tell the trees!