We're leaving this Thursday to spend 7+ weeks back in Europe-- most of the summer. We'll get home just two days before Kelly starts 8th grade. Until the last few days, this has seemed just like a "normal" vacation. But now our departure day is almost here, I realize we'll be away for quite a long time and there's a lot to be done in the next few days.
The potential for this trip developed while we were still in Provence in the spring of 2005. A family in Bonnieux who had become good friends suggested that we could housesit for them for a month during their annual trip home to the USA. Our friends' house is newly-renovated and absolutely beautiful... with a swimming pool and views across the vineyards and orchards toward Lacoste, Goult and Gordes. Their housekeeper will even come twice a week! We're thrilled to provide security, feed their cats, water their plants, and get their mail for the chance to spend a month back in the Luberon, especially in the summertime.
Here's a photo of our friends' house:
After we committed to the housesitting job (actually, we jumped at the opportunity), we decided that since we were making the investment in expensive airline tickets, we'd take a few extra weeks and see some more of Europe. We also wanted to continue our tradition of a summer walking trip. Kelly picked the walking trip we'll be doing in Ireland. This will be the fifth summer in a row that we've done a long distance walk in Europe.
Here's the itinerary for this summer's trip:
- Fly to Shannon, Ireland on June 22nd
- One night in Bunratty, Ireland (a jet-lag recovery day)
- A week-long walking trip on the "Kerry Way" in southwest Ireland (50 miles)
- A week in Honfleur, Normandy
- Three days to drive from Normandy to Provence, via Burgundy
- Five weeks in Bonnieux, Provence
- Fly home on August 14th
We've been doing some reading and research to prepare for our time in Ireland and Normandy, two places we haven't visited before. We'll visit the World War II sites in Normandy, and we just watched "Saving Private Ryan" to learn more about what happened in June 1944. We're also looking forward to a day at Chartres Cathedral with Slow Travel friends.
We're planning to venture farther afield in Provence this time to explore some areas we haven't visited much before: Cassis and the Calanques on the Mediterranean, the northern areas of Provence, and the villages of the Grand Luberon. Charley and I both plan to work on writing projects. A couple of Slow Travel friends will visit during our stay, and we'll also enjoy seeing local friends and visiting our favorite places in and around Bonnieux.
We'll be posting to this new blog periodically during our trip and sharing some photos. We'll also be checking e-mail at kdcwood@aol.com (Kathy), cewood45@yahoo.com (Charley) and spartangirl722@aol.com (Kelly). We hope you'll follow our travels and stay in touch with us!
