Some thoughts about the trip

 We had quite a few hours to wait in Singapore before our red-eye flight back to Brisbane, so we had a look at the famous 'Jewel' just near our terminal.

On our trip over to Europe, the waterfall was working where water cascades from the hole in the roof. It's a major Singapore attraction. We were there too early in the day to see it working this day.

It's very humid inside.

I have no idea why this was here.

We both enjoyed the trip but we have agreed this is our last hurrah in overseas trips, except for New Zealand. It’s getting too hard on our old bodies, particularly the walking involved in the huge airports. Singapore, Istanbul and Madrid airports are enormous. They all have huge duty-free areas with enormous shops, each of which is bigger than our local airport building. My step count was approximately 6K just to get from the gate to the exit or vice versa at most of the airports.

Although Turkish Air gets wonderful reviews, we enjoyed our Sri Lankan flights more last year. The attendants were much more friendly and attentive on SL, and they poured the champers more freely. I preferred the Turkish seats and M preferred SL and we both preferred the SL food.

We coped well once we reached our hotels and walked to the local attractions. But there is a limit to how much I can do, but it really helps if I can walk slowly and sit down often. It's wonderful to be able to stroll around these magnificent towns and villages which is why we go to Europe in the first place.

The Fiat 500 was such a great car to drive in Europe since it is so small and nimble. The boot (trunk) is just big enough for our luggage and there is the back seat for jackets. Fortunately, I can still drive a manual shift and it was easier driving this year than in Scotland with all the narrow roads and roundabouts. Driving for four or more hours was not a problem.

I hope you all enjoyed the food photos. It’s one of the great pleasures of travel and we both really looked forward to our dinners. I am now inspired to try some new dishes based on what we ate, possibly even the liver.

Yes, we missed out on the 50-year dinner at the same restaurant, but we still had wonderful wine conversations all through the trip. I think it is the key to our marriage, talking over dinner about all sorts of things with fun and laughter.

So expect more blogs about Australia. Although we enjoyed our overseas trips, it’s wonderful to be back in OZ.

A morning walk in Collioure

It promised to be a cold, windy day but we decided to visit the main beach.

The hills behind Collioure.

Anchovies are big business here.

Interesting railing beside some steps.

It looks so Mediterranean French.

We headed to the main beach at Plage de Port.

The ramparts of the Chateau.

The beach has very coarse sand.

It was windy and a bit chilly on the promenade.

Our neighbour, Mike, back in Urangan goes for a swim in the Bay each day. Here is his French counterpart. Both wear wet suits in Winter.

Windmill overlooking the town.

Marianne wanted to ride on the motor cycle.

Entrance to the harbour.

Many famous artists came to paint in Collioure.

The water was quite clear.

We sat on a ledge basking in the sun for a while. It's easy to understand why so many Europeans from the north come south in winter.

We were intrigued by the white building.

Our last French evening meal with a local wine. Outside, the wind was ferocious.

Rognons de veau for Marianne.

A pork shoulder for me.

A different take on creme brulee. We have had wonderful food while we were here and of course, each time we have been to France over the decades. We don't expect to return to Europe again and it has been wonderful to have been able to do the trip and eat such wonderful food.

A late afternoon stroll in Collieure

This little town, Collieure, is just north of the Spanish border on the coast of the Mediterranean. The late afternoon sunshine was beautiful so I took some photos while the going was good.

Across the street from our hotel.

Groyne protecting the harbour.

Everybody enjoying the winter sun.

Typically French Mediteranean.

Lighthouse.

Very course sand.

A small chapel.

Small waves crashing on the shore. The water was very blue.

I like these side streets.

It all looks so inviting.

The region is famous for anchovies. 

For Clare.

Our hotel is close by. Parking is very difficult here so the hotel directed us to a special garage about 200 yards away.

Dinner at a nearby Brasserie. Fish of the day and mussels, along with a pitcher of white wine. Some of the customers were obviously locals. The mussels were small but with plenty of flavour.