Our first impression of the Isle of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides of Scotland was of a barren, rocky, treeless, remote Island. Very quickly this changed and we soon fell in love with the warm, friendly, laid back island culture, the standard cheerful waves as we pulled over on the narrow roads to let another car pass, the waits for the sheep to stubbornly nibble on grass on the edges of the road, and the visits to many of the beautiful, sandy, sun and wind swept beaches. The kayaking was magical with innumerable rocky coves to poke in and out of, clear warm water (surprisingly warm due to the Gulf Stream), and lots of birdlife and seals. Great visits with Phil and Louise and Stephan during walks along the beaches, picnics by the ocean, barbeques at sunset or over a wee dram of Oban Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Sienna even managed an afternoon of surfing. Then back on the ferry and 2 nights exploring the streets of Glasgow. After putting Sienna on her flight home, we are now in Edinburgh celebrating our 29th anniversary, then on to two final days in London before flying home later in the week.

Met up with Sienna in London and drove out to Atlantic College in South Wales for Doug's 30th reunion. Joined many classmates with their families including Doug's college roommates Rafa from Venezuela and Juergen from Germany. 3 great days at the college visiting, exploring the beautiful college grounds and castle, playing kayak polo in the pool and capture the flag on the field, kayaking along the cliffs of the Bristol Channel, and reconnecting with old friends.



After leaving the college we drove to a beautiful english cottage on the Severn River, the Ferryman's Cottage, with Rafa, Juergen and their families where Smita (wife of our roommate, Gary, who died in 2002) and her two children joined us to spend a wonderful week together. Activities included visits to Stonehenge, the Longleat Wildlife Safari Preserve, Stratford Upon Avon, the Cadbury Chocolate Factory, and towns of Tewkesbury and Malvern. Many nights playing games, Kick the Can, laughing and enjoying each other's company.



After tearful goodbyes we are now en route to Scotland, where we will meet friends Phil and Louise and Stephan on the Isle of Tiree.

An apartment of golds and blues with a ladybug-shaped pool nestled outside its doors was where we began our journey of Turkey. Many mornings were spent having brunch on the patio before lounging, swimming and chatting with Jeanette and Doug. We went for some traditional Turkish breakfasts as well with some wonderful eats although the coffee was described as a warm gritty mud. A call to prayer would catch our attention each day. Turquoise has been named from the colors of the waters in Turkey. We made our way to some wonderful beaches over winding rocky mountain roads, through marshes aboard a canopied delta tour boat, and on double-decker touring boat on a twelve island tour. We played in warm bays, snorkelled and swam with a sea turtle. Doug and Doug would manage to find a hike nearby and became known as those Canadian mountain men. As we drove to our destinations we passed mounds of roadside watermelon stands, dried-out corn and sunflower fields, and trees of pomegranate, orange, lemon, peaches and palm. A familiar sight became storks nesting upon poles, goats, sheep and donkeys. Open-air restaurants welcomed us many days where we sat in gazebos, orchards, tree forts, rooftops, riverside looking at ancient tombs in the rock and beside gentle waterfalls. We were treated to oven to hand bread each time, cold mezes, wines and syrups made from pomegranate and fish caught that day. Shopping until midnight whether in a small town, city or Turkish bazaar would bring us back to the apartment ready for our nightly ritual of Turkish tea and baklava. It has been an exquisite time with Jeanette and Doug.

From Paris we rented a car and drove west and south. The first stop, the Palais de Versailles, we found to be almost overly grandiose. The opulence of the Palace with its luxurious furnishings and numerous portraits and tapestries was offset somewhat by the natural beauty of the gardens with their lakes and fountains.
The city of Chartres displayed her spectacular cathedral which emanates amazing reverence and beauty through her antique stained glass and the intricate labyrinth in her stone floor. Then on to the Loire Valley where Christine’s father’s roots originate. We spent Bastille Day in Ambroise with a visit to a chateau and spectacular fireworks display. The Loire Valley brought us through fields of wheat, corn, sunflowers and vineyards before we headed north to Mont Saint Michel and then to the D-Day beaches of Normandy. Finally, we strolled through Monet’s gardens in Giverny enjoying the flowers, orchards and water lilies which are seen in his paintings.
Back in Paris we said goodbye to Coll and Gary before moving on to Dalaman in Turkey where we were welcomed by Christine’s sister, Jeanette and her husband, Doug.

PARIS
I can only call this place enchanted. As we visit Musee D’Orsay, Musee De L’Orangerie, and The Louvre I come out feeling like the structure of my cells has changed from the satiation of beauty of viewing the masters’ artworks. Especially loved are Monet, Degas, Renoir, Da Vinci and Van Gogh. Striding the streets of Paris, the stairs of L’Arc D‘Triomphe or strolling Pont Alexandre the Third and the Champs Elysee, we are strengthened, body and mind. Experiencing the cathedrals Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur at Montmartre slows our pace with reverence. As we picnic by the Eiffel Tower and on the Seine with our friends, Colleen and Gary we feel very blessed to be sharing all these experiences with them. Atop the Arc D’Triomphe, cruising along the Seine and in the hustle of the metro or streets our eyes are shifting. They take in the pleasures of colourful produce markets, patisseries and choclatiers. I felt dipped into chocolate heaven and left to sit there with a smile on my face from having the best of ice-cream on the Champs Elysee. Pedestrians weave through bustling traffic, a lady begs, a couple is kissing, and friends chat. So much movement of body, mind and heart.

Drove from Ennis to Tralee, famous for ‘the Rose of Tralee’, then over the mountains to Dingle. Two nights in this whimsical town with a sheltered bay. Long walks along the water’s edge, watching the playful antics of Fungie, the resident wild dolphin. Then further exploration of the rugged and historic Dingle Peninsula to Slea Head and the westernmost point in Europe, and fog shrouded views over the Blasket Islands. Onward through Killarney to Kenmare, which marks the start of the ‘Ring of Kerry’ and the location of Druid stone circles which date back 3000 years. A drive to Cork, big and cosmopolitan and lacking the Irish charm, bringing us quickly on to Kilkenny where the Irish spirit and beauty is abundant. Lovely walks in the forested grounds of Kilkenny Castle, enjoying the forty shades of green along the River Nore. We felt drawn to time spent in the mysticism of the Kyteler Inn, the old home of Kilkenny’s renowned witch from the 14th century. We were intrigued by the Wiccan stories and the beautiful stone architecture dating back 700 years. Two more days in Kilkenny, will bring us to Dublin to fly to Paris to meet our good friends Colleen and Gary. In 1981, Colleen and Christine backpacked through Europe and said “One day we will meet on the Champs Elysees with our husbands.”

Drove the North Coast of Northern Ireland, arriving in Londonderry. Can you say “lost in Derry?“ Within it’s walled city we walked and were moved by the many sites of the more recent conflicts in Northern Ireland (“the troubles”). A side trip was had to the Bushmills distillery, the oldest licensed distillery in the world, making Whiskey continuously for 400 years. Had a nice sample of the ‘water of life’. Wonderful hike along the Giants Causeway, beautiful cliff trail, in the sun no less!
Then on to Galway Bay with a beautiful drive through County Donegal and down the west coast of Ireland. Stumbled upon the magical Shrine of Knock which was the site where 15 people shared a vision of the Virgin Mary, Joseph and St John the Baptist, in1879. Today one and a half million people make a pilgrimage here every year. A Prayer for Lynda.
Galway was beautiful; oceanside walks, strolls by the River Corrig, a boat on the shore named ‘Annie’, and wonderful food and Irish music everywhere, including the divine experience of a harpist.
Doug did a side trip to the Aran Islands to explore the amazing cliff top rock fortress Dun Aonghasa.
Next we drove through the scenic County Clare and on to the mystical Cliffs of Moher, towering 214 meters above the Atlantic Ocean.
Then on to the market town of Ennis, where within ten minutes of arriving we had rounded up a stay at a wonderful hotel called the Old Ground Hotel. Not long after we were sitting in The Poet’s Corner enjoying our dinner.

Double-carriage ways took us north on the M1 to Belfast. We saw lush Irish land beautified by animals grazing. Belfast surprised us with its vibrancy, friendliness and prosperity. We looked upon its high-end shopping districts and old century architecture from the Belfast Wheel which took us two hundred feet in the air. We continue to experience fantastic meals. Our spirits were lifted higher with Irish music played in the famous Europa Hotel. We walked across the Lagan River, saw the cranes that symbolized the ships that were built in Belfast, including the Titanic. Reminders of the violent past were evident throughout the city, with now at last a seemingly comfortable peace.
After Belfast we drove north and west to County Tyrone, where Christine’s family roots lie. We connected with her Irish relatives and were treated with great hospitality. Then on to Londonderry to walk in the Irish mist through ‘the walled city‘ arriving back to our hotel soaking wet with smiles on our faces.

We soared through a stunning sunrise to find ourselves drifting amongst a cover of cumulus viewing a patchwork quilt of greens and browns. A magical beginning to our visit to the isle of Ireland.
Stopped in for Doug’s first pint of Guinness.
Strolled the pedestrian streets of Dublin with people-watching and meals in Irish pubs. On to St. Patrick’s Cathedral to light a candle and give prayer for Lynda. Happily found delicious organic chocolate at Butler’s. Irish rain has turned on and off like a gentle sprinkler on a summer’s day. Journeyed further on the Hop On Hop Off Bus to see the city with a front row seat.
Toured Trinity College Dublin and viewed the 9th century ‘Book of Kells’.
Also visited the Guinness Storehouse and learned the secrets of a perfect brew (before sampling of course).