Theresa and I will rent a car and spend the weekend in Lourdes, followed by a trek up the west coast of France, a visit to Monte San Michael, Versailles, and two nights in Paris before we also fly back.
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| Leave at the crack of dawn! Yes, that's the moon near the center of the photo! We're off to Avignon where the papacy fled during turmoil in what is now Italy but was then small fiefdoms. |
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| A church steeple along the way |
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| The medieval walls . . . |
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| . . . with some modern art! |
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| France is trying to encourage bicycling by offering free bikes for several hours |
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| The gateway to the University of Avignon |
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| Imposing fortress walls typical of the time |
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| These tunnels are just big enough for the buses! |
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| Entry archway |
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| Small niches with religious statues are commonplace |
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| The basilica (left) and the medieval Papal palace/fortress (right) |
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| The Papal Palace |
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| Inside the basilica |
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| St Ann & St Mary - Mother and child |
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| Inside the Papal Palace |
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| Just your basic dining room! |
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| Papal Quarters |
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| We had audio guides to help us sort out what each site was |
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| St Catherine of Sienna was instrumental in getting the Papacy to return to Rome |
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| The entrance to the main chapel |
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| The main chapel |
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| Art depicting the visit of royalty to the Pope |
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| This walkway led to a nice little cafe and also a parapet from which we had a great view of the city. It was quite windy, a common occurrence in Avignon |
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| The view from the parapet |
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| The medieval bridge is visible |
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| As is the modern basilica |
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| At the exit (sortie) is a fine wine shop |
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| You descend into the wine shop |
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| And of course, they feature Chateuneuf-Du-Pape! |
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| A great gift shop! |
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| Outside, Bob;s heart skipped a beat as he beheld his dream car - a Jaguar XKE! |
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| Fr Mitch, Ann, Mike, & Veronique |
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| A carousel in city center |
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| The basilica and Papal Palace |
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| Star crossed lovers! |
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| Theresa, Bob, Veronique, & Fr Mitch. Bob is teasing Veronique about her diminutive stature |
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| A "choo-choo train" took us around the city - seemed like a good idea but it was tough shooting photos from a bouncing car. Below are some of the photos I grabbed |
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| After the train ride, we visited the public rest rooms and Bob noticed that someone had placed a wine bottle in the hand of the statue at teh left of the theater entrance |
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| Patricia & Luis, Bob & Theresa, & Fr Mitch at the farewell dinner |
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| The first course was as good as it was pretty! The relish was great on the egg plant and the toast points with spiced goat cheese was fabulous! |
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| Once again, we shared the "last supper" with Patricia & Luis, Mike & Ann, Deirdre & Judy |
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| Beef Bourguinon, corn meal cakes, and spiced carrots for our main course |
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| Deirdre & Judy - Mother & Daughter |
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| Patricia & Luis |
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| Ann & Mike |
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| Theresa & Bob |
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| Desert was a decadent chocolate cake filled with a rich hot chocolate pudding (Theresa, a true Chocoholic, grieved but kept silent when Deirdre sent hers back untouched!) |
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| After dinner, Deirdre acted as MC to help thank Fr Mitch & Veronique for making this pilgrimage so very special. Many people spoke of how the pilgrimage had touched them. Allison presented Fr Mitch with a collected donation to Ignatius Productions with which Fr Mitch is affiliated. Fr Mitch presented Veronique with a gift of gratitude as well. |
This ends the adventures with the Fr Mitch Pacwa pilgrimage group - but stay with us as we continue on and visit Lourdes, La Rochelle, Mont San Michael, D-Day beaches in Normandy, Rouen, Versailles, and Paris before flying home Friday 10/21!
For now, Au revoir
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