Sauzet, France——After a good deal of indecision we moved our return ferry reservations ahead by three days, and on July 4 said farewell to our gracious hosts on Evia (Greece). It was sad to say goodbye to John and Carolyn, but after nine months of traveling we were (are) ready to stop. To do that we had to get back to France and our "stuff," sell the car, and try to change our reservations.No sense in hurrying too much, however. First we drove northwest to Meteora, where old Orthodox monasteries perch atop high, rocky pinnacles. We found a downtown hotel with a view of the nearby peaks and spent two nights enjoying the cooler air and the unique setting.
On Friday we drove south to Delphi. We visited the museum and ruins late that day and the following morning. And since it was the 7th day of the month—a propitious day for questioning the oracle—we naturally asked for help deciding where we should live. No answer so far, but we live in hope.
After our visit to the oracle we drove along the Gulf of Corinth to Patra, stopping along the way for a last Greek meal in a little café over the water. The sun shone, the peaks of the Peloponnesus were layered blue and gray across the azure water, and we felt very sad to be leaving Greece.
The ferry ride on the Ionian Queen was uneventful but late departing, so we didn’t arrive in Bari, Italy until 10:30 the next morning, and by the time we found our way onto the motorway it was 11 a.m. We had been debating for days about whether to go north into Germany before heading back to Sauzet, but in the end we decided against it. So it was off on a day-long sprint to see if we could make France before stopping. We came close, traveling 983k and ending up at 9:30 p.m. in a four-star hotel outside of Torino; lovely, and we deserved it.
The next day we reached Montpellier, and on Tuesday we drove to Labastide for what turned out to be a much lengthier visit than planned; then on to Sauzet, arriving in time for dinner.
Tomorrow we go to Chartres for two nights, and then back here to ready ourselves for returning to the US. It seems crazy to be wanting to leave and in fact we don’t want to. We just want to stop moving—for a little while.
1 comment:
Think twice! We just watched Michael Moore's new flick, "Sicko" and he interviewed a group of expats in France. Their stories of free health care and worker's benefits (not that you'd be joining the working class) were pretty compelling!
All we need my dear friends is that boat!
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