By Gabrielle Bremer – Through the Lens Photography The monkeys of Gibraltar had to be the cutest things ever! While on the coast of Spain we had to make a trip to Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a U.K. colony that is Read more
By Gabrielle Bremer – Through the Lens Photography
Public transportation is stunning in Europe. Everything is fast, clean, and comfortable. It was only a 40-minute train ride to Toledo from Madrid. From the station, we walked into town. Up the huge hill, we sorta climbed, thank God for (more…)
3 April 2016
Our “driver” brought Little Polo around and points us in the right direction to exit Segovia. We almost drove to the hotel but those sharp turns, driving left to get right, one ways, and narrow streets that look like an alley waiting to rip a mirror off, cause the bravest driver to just park the damn car, walk to the hotel and get a driver to maneuver the maze and park the car. Leaving town seems so much more direct. We are off in light rain and drive the short distance into the Sierra de Guadarrama to The Valley of the Fallen. (more…)
2 April 2016
Plaza Mayor, Segovia
Gusts have decreased from howling to just brisk as we flee Zaragoza. I’m afraid the winds have done their damage as Gabrielle has struck this city from her places to revisit. Sadly, so have I. Though weather is crisp, dry and sunny, winds associated with the term “anticyclone” distract from our enjoyment. We pack up, drive our little Polo up the rat hole, use the Gabrielle Positioning System to exit town, and we are on our way to Segovia.
“Bet that train looks a whole lot better now,” mi sobrina inteligente says to me. After the struggle of exiting the rat hole garage, I agree with her. (more…)
31 March – 1 April 2016
Osborne Bull
We drive west into the Les Guilleries mountain range with the bare rugged peaks of Massis del Montseny on our left, the snowy Pyrenees to our right, elusive Andorra in the distance. Temperatures have dropped several degrees and fierce winds buffet our car as we drop out of the mountain passes onto the flat plains of Aragón.
Once again, we are seeing the impressive silhouette of a 46′ black bull along the highway, usually atop a hill. He looks majestic, but his purpose is rather mundane. Called the Osborne Bulls, they were originally billboard advertisements for brandy. Around since the 50s, in 1994 the EU passed a law prohibiting roadside advertising of alcoholic beverages. Public opinion was on the side of the Bulls so they were painted black and remain an icon of Spain. They point our way to Zaragoza. (more…)
By Gabrielle Bremer – Through the Lens Photography
Girona’s Cases de l’Onyar
As told by Joelle of Girona
Because of Catalonia’s different way of life, the province wants to succeed from Spain. They even have their own flag that separatists fly proudly from their balconies. (more…)