Olives

I have an olive tree in my yard. Right now there are little baby olives growing. These are about the size of a tic-tac. You can't eat them right off the tree because they're very bitter. They have to be cured. How, you ask? Here's a good website about curing OLIVES.
Personally, I like to mix a solution of vodka and vermouth, then skewer two or three olives onto a small wooden or plastic stick (toothpick works great.) and soak the olives in the solution. Gradually decrease the amount of solution over a short period of time. When solution is gone, the olives are done! :-)

Montpellier , A heck of a town.

We went up to the center of Montpellier today. I never grow tired of going up there. This is just Europe in it's natural beauty. My wife and I kid each other, we say every now and then it catches up to us that we are in the South of France and we have a moment. Between work and stopping at the market for food our lives have stabilized into a comfortable existence. When we take little weekend trips like this, it reminds us of what a beautiful experience this is .

This statue is called the three graces ( "Trois Graces" ) which I googled and found that they are Beauty, Mirth and Good Cheer . A perfect statue for this places as there are ample examples of all three.

Life is beautiful.

Lifeguard Training

We took a walk on the beach this overcast morning. Because it was early, the only other people there were the fishermen and a group of lifeguards in training.

The training was similar to what I've seen down in Cape May New Jersey. I guess there's not too many different ways to pull a saturated tourist out of the drink.

Escargot anyone?

If I were a snail I would add another growth ring to my shell today. 46 years ago I was born all pink and wrinkly. For the most part I have enjoyed the ride so it is a celebration. Thanks Mom for having me.

We mowed the lawn and weed whacked. . .We're such party animals.

A day at the plage (beach)

The bateaux (boats) on the sea. There's nothing sadder than a landlocked pirate . . .Actually this was a lady out for a stroll on the beach. I liked her outfit. It stands out in front of the blue Mediterranean sea.

This dog was a riot. His supreme goal in life was to get somebody to throw something for him into the water, then he would splash in and get it (or try.) He just patroled up and down the coast canvassing people to do his deed. Many people obliged him. The French are very dog friendly.

Cathedral of Maguelone

This is a beautiful Cathedral by my house. It is older than the city of Montpellier . It has a pretty interesting past that you can read here - - - > Cathedral of Maguelone

Our Trip To Barcelona

OUR TRIP TO BARCELONA SPAIN 04/11/07

My wife and I went down to Barcelona for a few days.
Its a four hour drive from Montpellier and a world of difference.
The sleepy Pyrenees met us at the France/Spain border with lazy clouds napping in the valleys.

Barcelona City

The weather was not great but we made the best of our trip. We toured the city and went to the Joan Miro museum and had some great meals.

















































Christopher Columbus was there to meet us. When we told him we were from the U.S. he went on and on about about how there is a city named after him in Ohio. We finally had to ditch him in the crowd.

Barcelona Market

Off of La Rambla street there was a market. We had to explore it since we are fans of the markets back up in France.
This market had everything. By everything, I mean everything. This one meat counter looked like a build your own sheep kit. (assembly required.)
This next photo is pretty graphic. Please view at your own risk and stomach strength.

The living Statues of La Rambla Street.

We strolled down the famous La Ramblas street. What a blast. All along the street there were these living statues. This guy caught my eye. Aside from his Atlas costume you have to give the guy credit. Would you like to stay frozen in this position for hours?. . . Me neither.However, this guy wins for sheer originality of costume.
Note the skeleton in the side car. I had to drop a eruo in his bucket.This pleased him.

Barcelona Marina Documentary

We stopped and sat at the marina for a while to look at all the boats. I had the Gilligans Island theme going through my head. . .When I got to the 'three hour tour' part I noticed these women filming from the end of a dock.
Word must have leaked out about our Barcelona trip and these women were here to document our visit. Please allow us our privacy ladies.













Alright, I guess they weren't filming me.

Barcelona Aquarium

There I was, about ten feet from the surface and life sustaining air. Unfortunately there was a threatening peril between it and me. If I was to make it to the surface I would have to fight. My adversary awaited the confrontation with a confidence that I found distressing. This was going to get ugly. . . . . . . . What?. . .Well, yea, I was inside a glass tunnel. .whats your point?













We saw many things that we later probably had for dinner.














I love Aquariums. I never grew up.

Coming home from Barcelona

We had a great time despite the weather.

The drive from Barcelona to Montpellier was long and arduous. It pretty much poured the whole way. There was a long traffic jam across the France/Spain border and it seemed like there was about three trucks for every car on the road. Thats a dangerous ratio.

Flamingo

Flamingo in flight.

Flowers

It was a beautiful day and I was just itching to take a picture. These are flowers (irises I think) that are growing in our side yard.

Rue De La Monnaie

This was a little side street in the town of Sommieres. When I walk around these little towns I am always intrigued by the little side streets that steer off in different directions and angles. This photo seemed (to me) to catch the atmosphere of one such street.

Post Note: I am told that in very old towns "rue de la monnaie" is where the ancient roman road entered the village.

(Thanks Peter)

Gorges De L'Herault

My cousin and his wife came to visit me from the states. We took a ride down this beautiful gorge . I have been here 7 months and still marvel at the ancient structures. Enjoy the next 3 pictures.

Pic St Loup

This is Pic St Loup. A mountain that has it all. Great trails, great castles, great views and it's surrounded by vineyards that produces excellent local wine.