A Mystery Revealed

The Cascada Fountain in the Parc de la Ciutadella, Gaudi’s Parc Guell, and the Sagrada Familia 

My husband Danny, daughter Courtney and I survived the Wild European Ride! 3 countries in 17 days. Whew…

Courtney took her final exams in two business classes the day we arrived, then she toured us all over the Barcelona, Spain. I have never been to a place where one artist has made such an impact. Gaudi’s art was everywhere!

This was the first post of the Where in the World Contest. The winner of this leg went to the most specific answer. Jeremy de Laroche used Wikipedia to find the exact location  of the Park Guell and the Sagrada Familia. Way to go Jeremy!

Boulangerie Paul in Montpelier, ocean view from Eze Gardens, the entrance and bougainvillea growing on the side of a stone building in Saint Paul de Vence

Danny rented a car in Barcelona and we drove to the Cote d’Azur, France. To avoid the “hangries” (*hungry + angry) we stopped at Paul.  They are like Starbucks in number, but ooh la la delicious and a feast for the eyes.

*Note to self:
Pack a box of breakfast bars in your purse next time.

Yogaleigh guessed Eze and Saint Paul de Vence. Woohoo! You are the winner of this round.

The Hotel de Sens, Jardin des Tuileries, the lock bridge overlooking the Seine, the Tour de France, and an artist in Montmartre

After rocking out at a concert in Lyon, we drove to Paris. We discovered the Hotel de Sens in the Marais district down the street from our flat. The  Disney-like hotel originally housed an archbishop. Queen Margot lived there after her marriage to King Henry the IV was annulled. Don’t feel sorry for her. Apparently, she had some poor sot beheaded for giggling at one of her companions. She chopped down a beautiful fig tree because it was in her carriage’s way. A fig tree was planted in her memory. **snort** Now it is home to a library which hosts art exhibitions.

In the shadow of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, the Montmartre didn’t disappoint. Each artist captured the likeness of their subject. We escaped the stifling heat by walking in the shade of the Tuileries Gardens on the way to the Tour de France. I know! During our last night in the City of Lights, we took a bike tour. It was  Courtney’s second time. She left a lock on the same bridge when she visited Paris a few weeks earlier. She couldn’t find it…

Clay Watkins nailed this leg of the contest. Woohoo!

Clopton Farm Shop, Kensington Palace and Gardens, The London Underground, St. James Park, Hidcote Manor Garden

From Paris we took the train to London. After settling into our 6th floor flat (in Europe it is called the third floor – LIARS!), in Hyde Park, we cut through Kensington Gardens and Palace which is Kate and Wills’ pad. They had just returned home with their new baby, boy George. Tents filled with paparazzi from all over the world lined the park. My blogging friend Pegoleg was there at the very same time! We probably walked right by each other. Sheesh! She wrote about it here.

We rode The Tube after paying a king’s ransom for a cab ride to Picadilly Circus to avoid another bout of the “hangries.” I loved the sky light and interior gardens at the Bayswater Station.

The little cottage was situated in the middle of London in St. James Park. It was built for the Dutch bird keeper who tended the flock inhabiting the pond.

We found the maze-like hedge at Hidcote Gardens outside of Stratford-upon-Avon. Yes. Danny drove. On the wrong side of the road! I was in the suicide seat, but I lived to tell the tale.

Why include the obscure farm stand in the Cotswolds? I chose the picture with the huge clue, “Follow us on Twitter, @lowerclopton.” No one saw it.

Mary D. Pierce won the fabulous trinket bought at the tourist trap across from Tower of London. How did you ever guess Hidcote Gardens? That was the toughest photo of the whole series!

Jeremy, Yogaleigh, Clay and Mary, please email your addresses to me so I can send out these fabulous prizes. susielindau@gmail.com

Don’t get all excited. You each get one trinket, not the whole kit and kaboodle. Gee. I wonder if that expression hails from Jolly old England…

Grab your wig hats, the next USE ME AND ABUSE ME DAY will be Thursday, August 22nd. Be ready to dance! For all you new followers, it’s a virtual blog party where you can meet, mingle, and pick up some new followers!

On to the next adventure. Surgery on the 28th. Yeeeehaaaaa!

Are you skipping out-of-town during the waning days of summer?