Travel

Le Mont-Saint-Michel

19 March 2025

Caught up on blessed sleep. Weather is sunny and cool. With rain predicted for later in the week, we adjust plans accordingly.

After a coffee and biscuit, my niece Gabrielle and I returned to Rèn’s modern train station, maneuvering its many levels and services. Our destinations over the next few days seem best reached by automobile. Therefore, we retrieve our Peugeot rental car and drive the 45 miles to Mont-Saint-Michel along the western coast of France.

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By Pat, ago

Rennes, France

18 March 2025

Sometimes the most challenging part of visiting a foreign country is pronouncing your city of destination. One wrong inflection, and I would find myself hundreds of kilometers from my room for the night. Such is the case with our first stop: Rennes. I may think I correctly pronounce the city’s name, but the French say differently.

Checking available information represents a good idea.

For Americans, European train travel is so civilized and convenient. But then, we are not apt to discover big bombs, well, at least not WW2 ordinance!

Earlier this month while replacing a railway bridge just a few miles from here, construction workers  discovered what SNCF described as a “really huge” unexploded ordinance. The 1100 pound bomb dropped some 80 years ago, contained over 440 pounds of explosives. Enough to make a really, really big hole! 

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By Pat, ago

A Bumpy Start

17/18 March 2025

In the midst of movement and chaos, keep stillness inside you. – Deepak Chopra

Chaos is chaos no matter how you experience it. You either adapt or die. – Pat Bunyard

Always create a Plan B. Just in case, develop a Plan C. When traveling, it could be wise to have a Plan D at hand.

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By Pat, ago

Laid Back in Sante Fe

1 January 2025 Nancy and I enjoy a leisurely morning waiting for the sun and temperatures to rise above 40°. Our previous excursion found us in the north of Finland seeking the Northern Lights. I suggest, perhaps, next excursion we seek out a warmer climate. Santa Fe is a very pleasant Read more

By Pat, ago

Santa Fe, New Mexico

31 December 2024 We awake to a clear, crisp morning in Santa Fe. Skies are blue and cloudless.  Northwest winds bring the feel of snow in the air although snow has not fallen since November. I layer my sweaters, add my ski coat, cap and gloves, to set out and Read more

By Pat, ago