Category: Travel - A Cottage by the Sea

Travel vent~

9/21/2018

     The good thing about traveling alone is that you spend less time and energy venting about things that don’t go right. The bad thing about traveling alone is that you have no one to vent to when things don’t go right.
     Here’s my vent, to the computer, and to any of you readers who care to hear it. Of course by the time I post this I’ll be home, dealing in dollars not euros, and my vent will have lost its energy.
     But here it is. I had to pay 50 euro to check my suitcase from Florence to Paris. I assume that somewhere in the fine print on my ticket was the notification of this added expense but I was shocked, because up until now on overseas flights one bag flies for free. Evidently the rule has changed for inexpensive tickets, at least when the first leg of the flight is in Europe. (I wasn’t charge coming over here). I could have upgraded to business class for a mere $350.00 and then I assume my bag would have traveled free.
    Now that I’ve vented, let me confess that I am most fortunate and very grateful that I can afford a trip to Florence. And, let me admit that I’m glad to be home.

Solitude and community in Vermont

8/15/2018

Today I want to talk about solitude (not politics). To do this, however, I also must mention family and friends. You see, I can’t have my solitude unless I have other loving humans in my life. Without them, I would be lonely and loneliness isn’t included in my definition of solitude.
We spent last weekend with family at Lake Dunmore in Vermont—a flow of community was solitude. Take a look.

Life is good--Wheaties, Vermont and books

8/5/2018

      Oh, the lazy days of summer. A slow pace for this blog. Here’s a little catch up.
     Most important is Wheaties. Thank you thank you to the several friends who have bought me a box or two. For now, the shelves have been replenished, although with the old design. I have not idea what to expect when these are consumed. And, how long will that take? Which gets me wondering how long those little wheat flakes sit in a box—months? Years?
     Last week my husband and I spent two night in Vermont, and this weekend we return for a family reunion. Thankfully the three and a half hour drive is primarily along winding roads through idyllic New England towns.
     Some friends just sent me long lists of books they are reading, so tonight, as I listen to the Red Sox beat the Yankees for the fourth time in a row, I will go on line and see what books I can get from inter-library loan.
     Life is good and for that, I am very grateful.

Travel writing~

5/31/2018

Whew, finally I finished a travel article entitled “Free in Florence,” about the free things you can do in Florence for a week. I posted it on Thorn Tree, the travel bloggers section of Lonely Planet, where they have a monthly contest of what they consider the best blogs. Entering gives me impetus to get something written and the chance to see what other bloggers do.
      Very like all of the bloggers are younger than me. Many are young people who hope to write and travel for a living. They post from around the world, many from exotic place. They take physical risks and travel on a shoestring.
      I blog about Europe—Italy and Scotland; and closer to home—Boston. I’m not interested in making a living out of travel writing, nor do I want to visit exotic places or take any kind of physical risks. I don’t travel on a shoestring, but I do keep an eye my budget.
    To read my latest entry, go to “A Solitary Traveler” to this blog.
www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree/welcome

Anticipation is half the fun (almost)

3/28/2018

I fly to Italy a week from tonight. The week of getting has begun: delivering brownies, visiting, packing, and filling the freezer with 15 dinners for my husband, one for each night I’ll be away. This getting ready week speaks to the idea that “anticipation is half fun.” Although I don’t put any quantitative value on it, more than usual I find myself living in the moment as I go about these tasks, relishing what I do and why I do it. Brownie making, visiting, packing and cooking have a tad of spiritual practice to them.

A cottage by the sea, wherever you feel peace~

2/28/2018

   I am continually surprised that friends still think I am going to the cottage by the sea. Because I keep the title and picture for this blog, they assume I am still driving up to Maine and sitting on the deck looking out. Those days ended in 2015, but memories remain and as does my longing for silence, solitude and simplicity. Plus, I sometimes like to be alone.
     In place of this weekly cottage time, I have traveled more, and as I am confident to claim, I love traveling alone. This works out well because my husband loves staying home and working in the garden.
     When we went through our recent decision to move to a condo, I had to put off my usual spring trip to Italy. But when we came to our senses and decided to stay young in this old house for at least a few more years, I immediately got on the internet and arranged a trip to Italy with Monastery Stays. Usually I just go to Florence, but my April 4-19 itinerary is different: Rome (4 nights), Assisi (3), Cortona (1), and Florence (6). I’ll be staying at convents—guesthouses run by nuns. They are beautiful spaces, inexpensive, simple, and all ensuite.
     A cottage by the sea is wherever you feel at peace.

Rainbow sendoff~

12/19/2017

    I made it home Saturday with ease. Yes, a long day but what should I expect with such an itinerary: A rainbow sent me off from the Florence airport, to the Charles de Gaulle airport, to Boston, and then home. I’m back in the swing of life especially since I’ve been getting up at 4 AM to start my day with a couple of strong, black cups of American coffee.
    The other good news is that I haven’t turned on the TV, at least not for the news. The Patriots win, yes, the political soap opera, no.
    The best good news is last evening’s Christmas caroling with my church. We sang at a nursing home, two community living complexes, and a couple of individual homes. Although at each place we sang for a special member, many, many others enjoyed the festivities and sang right along.

A benefit of solitary travel~

12/13/2017

A benefit of solitary travel is that I have an extended period of time to consider things. Please, I don’t choose the word things lightly. I need a word that is unspecific and that covers myriad topics, ideas, dreams, subjects, themes, issues, events, passions, and obsessions—all those things. You can tell that I checkedmy computer thesaurus; the list could be longer.
One of the things I’ve been considering is this blog—ways to spruce it up, clean it up, add the new, get rid of the old—little things. It is the big things that I will keep: the name, acottagebythesea, and the purpose, A blog for those who are looking for silence, solitude and simplicity, and who sometimes want to be alone. These are my heart, my bliss. I’ll keep blogging and blabbing, and from time to time include a recipe, travel article, poem, and book review.

Taking only what I need to Florence~

9/9/2017

I’m ready. My rule for simple packing: Take only what I need. A good one for all of life.
10:45 PM flight from Boston, arrive Rome, 12:45. High speed train to Florence and I’m there for supper. Very grateful.

Scotland again!

5/23/2017

     I’m gearing up for Wednesday’s flight to Glasgow. It’s a simple flight with a plane change in Dublin. I’ll arrive in Glasgow in time to enjoy a Scottish breakfast at the airport before catching the bus to Oban. Then a short walk along the quay to Maridon House, my go-to bed and breakfast on my way to Iona. I’ll enjoy an early supper of fish and chips at my favorite seafood restaurant before an early sleep. In the morning there will be plenty of time for another Scottish breakfast before the forty-five minute ferry ride to the Isle of Mull, the hour and a half bus ride across Mull, the three minute ferry to Iona, and the two minute walk to the Argyll Hotel.
     Next Tuesday I'll make the reverse trip by train to Glasgow, and then travel on for a week in Edinburgh.
     A simple trip for one who has done it often; solitude since I’m traveling alone; silence inside my head.