Sometimes plans change

biaritzI have been in this movie with Fred more times than I’d care to admit.  Good thing is that I know how it ends.  I knew that Fred was not psyched about the last week of our journey.  As much as he had this romantic notion of driving through the countryside of Europe it is not always that romantic.  Sometimes there are beautiful sweeping views and other times it is merely a highway.  Some of the drives are long.  I saw this coming.

I got up the last morning of our time in San Sebastian all ready to pack it up and drive towards Portugal.  Here is the gist of the conversation.

F – I really do not want to drive anymore.  Well maybe we could regroup and fly?

Me – Fly?  We have a car that we have to drop off so how is that happening?

F- We would have to drive somewhere and drop it off and then get on a plane and then take two flights to get to Portugal.

Me – Not happening.

F -Oh look it is going to rain all week in Portugal.  How about we make a right instead of a left and drive up to Bordeaux, Loire Valley and then end in Paris by car.  Please.

Then I get on the phone and the computer and find places to stay.  We are booked in about 10 minutes in two hotels and I have extended our 2 day finale in Paris to four days.  Fred could not be happier.  I honestly could care less.

We drive up the coast towards Biarritz France.  An absolutely adorable beach town where surfing is abundant.  We pulled into the center of town, had lunch, and continued towards Bordeaux still listening to the Boys in The Boat and wondering if it will ever end.

rainbowBordeaux is wonderful.  The city is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  It is amazing that all the buildings are still intact from the 1700’s.  It is old, beautiful and happening.  We got into our room and it starts to pour outside.  Here is the aftermath.  Maybe it is a sign from the gods we made the right choice.

castle?We walked over to dinner at La Tupina.  Kind of love a town where you can check in and get into your restaurant of choice in under two hours.   Check out this amazing arc entering into one area of the city.

fountainA gorgeous fountain on our walk too.

latulipaLa Tupina was packed.  I kind of want to come back here in the winter.  Love the rotisserie fireplace.

chickenSupposedly this place is one of the best bistros in the world.  Not sure I believe it but the food was simple and just fine.  Had my rotisserie Brest chicken and that was all I needed.

Looking forward to exploring Bordeaux tomorrow.

Comments (Archived):

  1. Rohan

    The transcript of the conversation made me laugh! Hope you guys are enjoying the ‘right’ 😀

  2. awaldstein

    Big thanks for these posts.They’ve piqued my interest in getting over to Europe more often.We share interests but I travel so much differently. I tend to pick one spot, submerge myself, and go home.Short and intense is my antidote personally for sameness fatigue.Enjoy the rest of your vacation. And yes, love Bordeaux.

  3. CCjudy

    You are all about relationship judy

    1. Gotham Gal

      You have to be.

  4. Brandon Burns

    ” Fred could not be happier. I honestly could care less.”The comedy!

    1. Gotham Gal

      Lol

      1. Lock

        I’m literally LOLing at my desk.

        1. Lindseymgreen

          Favorite line ever.

  5. kirklove

    Ahh Buster is killing me. Was waiting on the reports from Portugal (want to get there). You’re a great “manager”. And here I thought you left all the kids at home 😉

    1. Gotham Gal

      Nope. Lol

  6. Yinka!

    Just went through your travel posts and:1) I am full; my eyes have eaten all the delicious food pictures.2) I’m miserable: I miss Nice horribly (lived there before) and need to visit Spain again.3) Love this quote: “It is old, beautiful and happening”.Thanks for posting!

  7. Gail Davis Silberman

    I just laughed out loud!! Perfect ending to a great trip!!!! Come home already !!

  8. Christine VanDeVelde

    Haha! I recognize that movie. My daughter and I usually have Fred’s role. I’m not sure my husband is as copacetic as you are, however!

    1. Gotham Gal

      after all these years you just pick your shots.

  9. pointsnfigures

    Who’s the co-pilot now?

    1. Gotham Gal

      nothing every changes. 🙂

  10. William Mougayar

    Interesting turn of events on the driving thing. Funny, when you first started, I thought to myself you were brave to drive so much. I think that wore you down a bit after 3 weeks, no? Then, I could tell you couldn’t wait to get to Paris!So, no Portugal? Hmm….the sardines aren’t happy there. They were waiting for Fred 🙂 Their cousins the Spanish Boquerones took the brunt of the eating.