Traveling Fool

I love London and manage to do something different and stay in different locations every time I visit. I do love it here. The purpose of this visit was to see Phil Collins in Paris and then maximize my time across the Atlantic. I only have two full days left, and I think I can say "mission accomplished": 6 countries in 17 days, four concerts by two of my favorite performers (more on the Adele concerts in another post), visits with old friends, mostly gorgeous weather, tried some new foods. Seriously, what more could I ask for? Anyway, my stop in London was too short, but packed with walking, tube rides, theater, and traipses across the city looking for quirky things. I have been on a steady diet of Agatha Christie of a while, and wanted to make this a trip to see Christie-related things, like the play "The Mousetrap" and the Art Deco style building that was used as Poirot's flat. There was more, but I ran out of time. I went to The Cabinet War Rooms/C...

I must apologize, I feel like I've been away for a while, but it's not because I've been shirking my responsibilities. I left beautiful, but windy, Scotland to head to the Thames Valley, and my friends in Bracknell. I was looking forward to some down time for this day and a half, and our traditional Indian meal. On Sunday, we went to see my friend's daughter, and my friend as well, and her family for a fish and chips dinner. We had enough chips to feed an army, or Bob's chickens. Yes, I found out my friend started keeping chickens in the back garden. I never officially met the girls. But I did hear the, quite loudly one morning. I didn't have anything planned, but my friend and I went into Windsor on Monday, and watched the guards march to the castle. We also took a brief river cruise on the Thames. That night we ate too much at our Indian dinner, but it's so hard to choose between rices and naan bread options, and then of course, you have to have a pudding....

I'm writing this from Coach K, a quiet coach, on Virgin Trains. It's lovely, but I don't know if I want to sleep, watch a movie, or look out the window at the scenery. It's very comfortable. Zzzzz. The weather has been much cooler than Paris and Barcelona, reminds me of Minnesota. On my last full day in Scotland we went looking for hairy coos. We were somewhat successful, although we didn't get as close as I would have liked. Next time. Later in the morning, we headed to East Lothian, to the Firth of Forth and Tantallon (tan-TAL-lon) Castle, which was built in the mid 14th century by William Douglas. It's in a semi-ruined state, but you can still climb up into the towers and down into the dungeon. As you can imagine with a building over 600 years old, the steps can be uneven and quite steep and twisty, but there handrails, or hand ropes as the case may be, and it's worth the climb. On this day, we had our choice of views out toward Bass Rock, the big...

I have been to Edinburgh before, many, many years ago, and I saw Edinburgh castle, walked the Royal Mile, a few museums, so I didn't want to do that this time. Not because I didn't enjoy it, I did, and if I had a few more days, I probably would have done those things and more. Edinburgh is a beautiful city, with an architecture that just speaks to me somehow, I love it. It's also a city for walking, but it's very hilly, "seven hills". But my time in Edinburgh was meant to be a break from running around from tour to tour or attraction to attraction; I was staying with a friend from college and her family, and was looking forward to a slower pace. I did want to walk up Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park, the main peak in a group of hills (I think in Minnesota we might consider them mountains) and I thought I would be able. I quickly found out that walking up steps is NOT the same as climbing up a rocky, craggy path, or walking down a scree-like trail. That...

Have I mentioned it was hot in Paris? Have I mentioned, since we're friends, that I sweated in places I didn't know could sweat? I didn't know my knuckles could sweat, yet they did. Aside from the heat, which was a dry heat, so, you know, hot, but not humid, I really enjoyed my time in Paris, but I did feel rushed, my three days weren't enough. I did not consume nearly enough delicious croissants or other pastries, or crepes...oh, I could go on. My one set thing I really had to do, stop me if I told you already, but I wanted to climb to the top of Notre Dame; in fact, I trained for it. I booked a tour of Ile de Cite and Notre Dame so I could ensure getting the chance without spending hours in line. It was totally worth it; the guide for the tour was excellent, actually an Englishman, with a great background in medieval French history and iconography, and full of fabulous information about France through the centuries. We went into Notre Dame, which is magnificent, and l...

AHHH, I'm so behind. I thought I would be blogging my head off, and instead I've been out actually doing things. So, that's great, right, because otherwise, this would be boring as hell. Speaking of hell, it has been ridiculously hot here; so hot and bright I am rocking the Rocky Raccoon look. So cool. Anyway, I would also like to apologize for the lack of photos. Blogging using my iPad mini has been less than smooth, and it's been hard getting the pictures where I want them. I am posting sort of regularly on Instagram if you'd like to follow there. OK, so, I loved Barcelona; I thought the people were wonderful and friendly, and even when they didn't speak English, we mostly understood each other. I took a few organized tours, otherwise, I just wandered around (I say that like I planned it, but you know I didn't). I had a morning tour of La Sagrada Familia, designed mainly by Antonio Gaudi, and went up in one of the towers, Normally I don't do tours li...

Day two of Mr. Magoo Does Europe, and it's been pretty awesome so far. But one of these days, I am going to get where I'm going on the first or second try. Maybe even the third. Honestly though, I'm so used to it, I don't even know what I would do if it happened. I walked around Barcelona yesterday, just trying to get my bearings (insert belly laugh), but I did eat some pretty amazing food, like chocolate filled churro (omg), and seafood paella, which I'm not sure how authentic it was, but I liked it; and I got in over 17,000 steps, not bad for getting here around noon and taking a siesta later in the day. Today was my big day, meaning I got up at 7:00 am to take a three country tour that lasted until 7:30 in the evening. For me the focus was getting to Andorra, a tiny country in the Pyrenees surrounded by Spain and France, and in fact, co-ruled by the two countries. First stop was Baga, in Spain, where I had the most delicious chocolate filled pastry that was was n...

Oh my gosh. It's a straight shot from my office to the Stone Arch Bridge, and I made it into some kind of Mr. Magoo-like journey, taking twice as long as it should have. BUT, I found the piano. I'm not sure I will get to the rest (I went by the Milwaukee Depot on Friday and couldn't find it, and I went by 250 Nicollet today and could not reach the piano via outside access, but I'm counting them as done). Tuesday is my last chance unless they keep the pianos through July 3. American Academy of Neurology (the long way) Some additional success on Tuesday, and I didn't even get lost (well, that's not entirely true, but let's pretend that I didn't). YMCA - one of my favorites this year, I think Orpheum Theater, Hennepin Brave New Workshop

It was a hot one today. I had over 18,000 steps as I walked past Target Field and back to Marquette and 3rd to catch pianos and then my bus. By my very rough reckoning, I have about 10 pianos left to find by Tuesday. I have hope. The Fulton Taproom                                                                                   The Bachelor Farmer 5th & Hennepin, near the light rail The IDS Happy Pride - 10th & Hennepin

While I do enjoy the hunt for the pianos, it has been made extremely challenging with all of the construction projects going on, especially Nicollet Mall. The good news is, I had 12,000 steps in by 12:30. City Center Capella Tower, 2nd Avenue Hennepin County Government Center First Ave/The Depot Thrivent Financial

I was thrilled to find out that Pianos on Parade would be back this June. Like most things in my life, it was accidental. The goal is to get them all before next Wednesday, when the next journey begins. Lakes & Legends, LaSalle Convention Center  YWCA Peavey Plaza Nicollet Mall - near Marshall's AT&T Building 10th St.