France, Look Out

2:49 PM, Suzy and I are readying ourselves for our bike/barge trip in Provence.  By readying ourselves, I mean that we are trying to make sure our debit cards work overseas, that we have global data on our cell phones, and that we have boarding passes.  For the young people who read this blog (if any) this would take maybe ten minutes, 15 if they are slow.  We've been at this for a good hour.

Who knew you could print from your Kindle using Bluetooth?  By "you" I mean the rest of the world.  For us, it has taken three calls to the Kindle gurus for explanation.  We resorted to printing from my laptop because I think Suzy was too embarrassed to call them again.

Anyway, we've gone from travelling with very small suitcases (a badge of honor) to our current state where we have pretty large rolling duffel bags (the boat instructions for this trip said to bring soft sided luggage because of space).  Because they are large, obviously, we had to bring just about everything in our closets.  I'm hoping that we won't be lifting them very much.

Suzy, Pam and I leave tomorrow for Paris, then a flight to Montpelier, then a train to Avignon.  All in all I believe we will reach our final destination in about 20 hours.  Friends from California will join us in Avignon.  From there, we board out barge for a seven day trip of biking and I guess "barging."

 All is well in the world, the weather is supposed to be beautiful, BUT 20-27 mph winds.  I'm just hoping they are tailwinds.  Otherwise, we may be doing a lot more "barging" than "biking".  With that good French wine it shouldn't be a big problem.

We are hoping that on the round trip around Avignon (see itinerary below), we can visit LeFiguieres, a fig farm owned by the in-laws of our friend, Beverly.  That would be a great adventure.

Wish us well.  If we have good wifi, I'll be sending our own photos and bits about the trip.

OUR ITINERARY:  Avignon to Aigues Mortes

Day 1: Arrival in Avignon
Day 2: Avignon, round tour, 28 mi. (45 km)
Day 3: Avignon - Aramon, 26 mi. (40 km)
Day 4: Aramon - Vallabrègues, 22 mi. (35 km)
Day 5: Vallabrègues - Arles, 37 mi. (60 km)
Day 6: Arles - Aigues Mortes, 15 mi. (25 km)
Day 7: Aigues Mortes, round tour, 34 mi. (55 km)
Day 8: Departure from Aigues Mortes

I'm retired. I need my sleep, Bird Brain.

4:13 in the morning.  I'm asking myself what I've done to contribute to this situation.  I can't sleep any longer since I woke up, or should I say "was awakened," 30 minutes ago.  I feed them, give them a place to drink and to bathe, and my reward is being awakened at least two hours before I want to get up.  Birds.  Yes, birds.

They seem to be everywhere right now and acting crazy.  I know it is mating season, but really, Mr. Robin, can't you give it a break?

 Or move it down the road a bit?  Why do you insist on sitting outside my window when you are strutting your stuff?  Why are you singing your little heart out at 3:43 AM!?  I doubt that Ms. Robin is even awake, and if she isn't, I don't see how she can appreciate your song WHEN YOU WAKE HER UP.

The House Wrens are building a nest in the nest box in the garden, but they have the decency to keep down the noise at least until after I wake up, or maybe I just can't hear them as loudly since they are IN THE GARDEN, not outside my window.

 The Chickadees, who seem to be making a home for themselves in the little green roofed house on the fence, KEEP TO THEMSELVES.

Is it the worms that you eat?  Maybe digging up all of the moss I am trying to grow between my garden stepping stones is just too much for you.

Sleep a little longer and eat the nice seeds I leave for the other birds.  This is a deal you can't refuse.  Capisce?