Our friends Susie and Rose from Marietta, Georgia

They ventured across the pond, landed in Manchester, then took the train to the medieval city of York. Our first day we took them to our favorite pizza joint, which is located in a grand old building from the 1700’s, and then by our local - the Maltings. Pictures were taken and pints of ale & cider drank.

After a day of sightseeing in York, the girls headed to Scotland on the train - Betty, Susie and Rose embarked on the train trip to Edinburgh and then through the Scottish highlands to Fort William. I missed them on their weekend trip. They played hard in Edinburgh: took in the Benson photography exhibit at the Royal Portrait gallery, toured Edinburgh castle, walked the Royal Mile, and had a great dinner at The Creel restaurant.
A highlight of the train trip from Edinburgh to Ft William was when they passed the Mallaig steam train on its last run of the season. At Fort William they walked the town and, in honor of Rose’s birthday, dined at the number one hotel in Europe, Castle Interlochy Hotel. I’ve never been to such. A good time was had by all even though the birthday girl Rose could not attend the b’day dinner, too much fun the night before? Of course, this was made up for later on return to York ....
see ya,

j'bu

Musicmen’s bench of fame in Spain

While wandering around Vitoria Spain, we found ourselves in a beautiful park. There were so many enjoyable sights about but I enjoyed these the best.

It was warm and sunny; it reminded me of a fall day in the redclay state but without the footballs in the air. There in the park for everyone’s enjoyment was a couple slated benches with the names of many noted music men. I captured a small view of a couple of my favorites’ names. While I sat on those benches, I thought of all those times, music, joints and venues from growing up in the south. The UK and evidently Spain have a great appreciation for these blues and jazzmen.

Speaking of footballs, my bad doggies won a game number two. I listened to my internet link at “State”. This ability makes the world so much smaller. They deserved the win. Our boys have been playing very hard this year and needed some payback for their efforts. Well we got there work cut out for us this weekend when these State bulldogs meet those other bulldogs from the redclay state. It’s only been a half a hundred years since we wiped up on those dogs in Athens, Ga. My good buddy judge jim says this may be our best chance. That’s why they play the games. That’s what I always say. Hopefully I’ll be a happy puppy come Saturday night. Go dawgs!!!! ....
see ya,

j'bu

Northern Spain - Basque country .... we love it!

Life in the north of Spain seemed luscious. We left Laguardia and drove across the mountain range north. We snaked around for sixty miles or so. The roads were great almost like new. It took a couple of hours to get to San Sebastian where we stayed for a couple of nights before heading for Bilboa.

San Sebastian and playa de la Concha, that’s the ticket. We stayed right at the midway point of this half moon bay at the Hotel Niza. The perimeter of the bay was bordered by a huge pedestrian and bike path. I was about four miles end to end. The weather consisted of intermittent bursts of rain and sun shine. The sun, blue sky and clouds dominated the day. None of this seems to bother the locals. They walked, ran, surfed, and played on the beaches day and nights. Late September was a good time for us and the locals it seemed.

At the eastern end of the bay, old town laid. Wow what a great place, the atmosphere was alive with easy going people of all ages. Everyone stayed up later than we could. We had a unforgettable time. We’ll probably make a trip back too.

Bilboa, Spain is a big sprawling city. It seemed grey and industrial. Although parts of it were spectacular, the city fathers have made the effort in it’s makeover. We stayed at the reasonable Hotel Arriaga, located in the center of the old city by the river. The Guggenheim Museum has been the catalyst for the renovation for the central area.

The area around our hotel was jammed with people, all enjoying themselves. At least this area was alive with activity all day long. When we headed out for the return trip at 6am people were still in some of the cafes. Viva la basques! . . . .
see ya,

j'bu

Haro a small city in Riojo region, seems like a normal place in Spain

Haro was a very short drive from LaGuardia maybe 20 minutes southwest. The newness and shine was off the city but the people were very down to earth and pleasant. We liked it a lot. We walked, shopped and eased around the parks and narrow streets. Betty bought shoes and picked out the lunch spot of the day. See how our travel always involves eating and drinking. Our sinful behavior occurred at the Mesan Martin café hidden down and around from the city’s main square.

Like most cafés we’ve been to Spain, you enter through the bar area. Mesan Martin café was special. We were the first and it was after 2pm. We ordered from the menu of the day. It’s a two course meal with bottle of wine and desert. We paid about 15 bucks for each of our meals. Each course is a meal in it’s own then you top it off with a substantial desert. As our food was prepared the café filled with patrons and soon there was a buzz about. Service was great and the food was even better. The aromas and tastes of the place still occupy my little memory banks.

It lightly misted through out the day. We walked the old town section of the city. We hiked to the top of the hill for a view of the old church. Each town has one or more. There really were not many tourists in Haro. We spotted another couple. Recognized them by their maps in hand. We sat and waited the mist out while enjoying the regional wine and people . . . .
see ya,

j'bu

Biggest city in Riojo region, going to Logrono, Spain

Logrono is less than an hour away from LaGuardia our homebase. The biggest deal was finding maps, street signs and parking. Once this was accomplished, we spent about six hours shopping, eyeballing the architecture, buildings, churches and enjoying the old downtown.


While bet shopped, I sat having a beer at an outside café in a pedestrian area. Very enjoyable, the Spanish have a very easy going life style. The remaining time bet and I just eased around walking everywhere our feet would carry us. For once we didn’t eat, like we finally skipped a meal.


We returned to LaGuardia and dined on Serrano ham, machenogo and goat cheeses in the plaza of the small town. The plaza was filled with tables provided by the wine shop & corner bar. People of all ages, locals and tourist were gathered just enjoying the gorgeous weather, food and drink.

At dusk the plaza’s clock put on a show for the folks. This clock does a Glockenspiel thingie at 8 pm. The clocks doors swing open and three dancers come out and do some spins and turns.

With this we call it a night and retreat to our quarters at the Marixa and watch the night fall over the Rioja vineyards.

We sipped big red Rioja wine to warm us from the cool of the night .... see ya,

j'bu