Autumn in the South of France

Autumn in the south of France.

The wine harvesting machinery is quiet. 

The fields are turning red and golden.

Our village of Poilhes. Between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

The boats are slower.
They take their time.

Most of the tourists have gone home. 

And yet - it's probably the most beautiful time of the year. 

The light is low.
The shadows are long.

The days are growing shorter.

Friends Chris and Tim from New Mexico stop by.

Chris picks up a fresh baguette from our local shop, ordered the day before.

Wine and evenings with friends on the aft deck.

A little exploring.

We may look like a bunch of 'greys', but - these are ALL surprisingly cool people.

French kids are all back in school now.

So - we head down to the coast with fellow boaters Fiona and Ron.
The beach is beautiful - and almost empty.

The Mediterranean is a totally different atmosphere from canal life. 

- Even though we're only a few miles from the coast!

In between, a short trip up to Berlin.
Visit son Mikey and Iris.

See how Noah is growing.

Great fall weather in Berlin, too!

Stan gives Noah his first ukulele lesson.

(He's 10 months old now, obviously ready to start serious training-)

I visit Mikey's "Funkhaus".
He runs a film school there.

The city of Berlin even has islands.
Which we explore.

Back in France, we explore Avignon.
The summer crowds have gone.

 Aigues-Mortes.

Both incredibly cool and impressive.

It's a totally walled city - and what amazing architecture!

You always wonder - what was the rest of the story?

Then - it's back to Maggie May.
Late autumn.

That's Maggie May, with the dark blue hull. In the village of Poilhes.

With the days getting shorter and cooler, it's time for longer walks. 

From a hill above our village, we can see both the Mediterranean - and - the Pyrenees. 

The vineyards are colorful.
The light - the air - just right.

I enjoy seeing the "baguette bags" on people's doorways.

I had fun drawing a series of these.

The bread van delivers fresh baguettes.

Directly to your house each morning.
On your front door.

Of course.

(He'd probably deliver them to the boat.
If we asked.)

Details of a life - thoroughly enjoyed.

Bikes in Berlin and a Brandenburg Weekend

 The entrance to our rental apt in Berlin is NOT promising! 

Inside, the apartment is fine. It's okay.
It's in Prenzlauerberg, where we want to be.

 Mikey and Iris are living nearby. 

(And there's a baby on the way-!)

Your own fault for making that face, Mikey! Nice Itchy Feet t-shirt, though.

We borrow their bikes and terrorize the city streets.
Not intentionally.

People actually follow the Rules of the Road here.
Not like New Mexico. 

We're used to riding where and how we want.

It's hard to remember to obey traffic rules.


And: we're NOT the only ones on bikes!

Everyone's on a bike!

So - when we stop suddenly to check the map:
Everyone behind us nearly crashes into us.

You can IMAGINE the chaos we create.

The downside to living on the 5th floor.

Café lifestyle.

Berlin is flat. 

Bikes are a great way to enjoy the city.

Lakeside in Berlin. Summertime! Last time we were here, it was bitter cold and snow.

And then? 

What else to do in Berlin in July?

(We save the many museums for our winter visits.)

Head to the country!

We rent a small house somewhere in the lake country of Brandenburg.

The flowers! The fruits!
Everything so ripe. Lush.

There are 12 different types of fruit growing in the garden.

Things would NEVER look this juicy in New Mexico.

So what do you do with ALL that extra fruit?

- Make schnapps.

Good coffee - and homemade schnapps!

The owner, Lore, has 7 different types of homemade fruit schnapps.
Each type is in a different, old-fashioned bottle.

We promise her we'll try at least a few.

(We did - I think the raspberry won.)

We're REALLY in the country here. 

It's the "back of beyond" to those living in Berlin.

 Corn fields. Wheat. Chickens. Jam.

They sell blueberries, cherries, eggs, and chanterelle mushrooms by the side of the road.

It's an honor system. 

With a box for you to leave your money.

It's VERY rural. 

We explore. We read. Draw.

Mostly, we just chill.

Then - Stan makes a salad for dinner. 

Afterwards - a small glass of homemade schnapps as a "digestive".

See? Our life isn't always high adventure.