Jos takes photos

 Yes, we did it again. Believe it or not but we’re on the road again. Going back, for some months, to the low lands. That’s where we belong, that’s our nationality, so that’s home. But if that’s what we like? Oh no! Never mind, after a few months we will go back to the sunny countries. At least that’s the plan, but we are lousy planners, so who knows what really will happen. Life is full of surprises, unfortunately not al of them are funny. We had a stop in Le Mans, there is a race circuit for car races, so many places have paintings, photos and of course real cars. In the hotel were where we found a room I saw these chairs, really like them.  I hope everything will come out okay because it was a long ride and I made this all with only my phone and the internet from the hotel. Stay happy and healthy and be patience even during a long ride with too much traffic including a lot of roadwork. And believe me, that’s not easy!

So many benches here and they get much use. Maybe it's because of the, mostly, nice weather, maybe because people walk here a lot, anyway that's my impression.  There are benches with a nice view, benches in the shade, benches in the sun, benches near artwork, near churches and in parks, so almost everywhere.  Stay happy, healthy and optimistic and take a seat every once in a while.

More or less by chance we saw that a cycling race was going to take place near where we live now, so why not, put on our walking shoes and hit the road. It turned out to be an individual time trial that was part of a multi-day race. Quite nice to see, especially when the sun shines and provides pleasantly warm weather. Supporters came from different countries but the enthusiasm was universal. Maybe it's true that sports unite! Stay happy, healthy and optimistic! We all need it!

While exploring our new surroundings we happened upon the market. Lots of textiles and souvenirs, little food, vegetables, fruit, fish, meat and so on. But despite or because of the warm weather, it is still nice to walk through the market. It sounds like there are many English speakers, few Portuguese. Many elderly people, few young people, but that fits in with this "hibernation" time. Stay safe, healthy and optimistic!

Is it me, is it the bright sun that I am not used to, the new surroundings, my state of mind, I don't know or maybe I should say I don't know yet. Who knows what insights are yet to come? I don't know why, but I think this photo looks like a painting. One of those paintings that you used to see a lot when a landscape painter was still a job. Maybe I should have made a frame for it, but it's not a painting, it's a photo. Therefore no list. I am happy that I can live here for a few months, perhaps I was only able to take this photo, or especially because my eyes still experience many things here as new. Stay happy, healthy and optimistic, the world needs it.

How long has it been since I saw someone outside reading their newspaper? Actually, it is always men who read the newspaper outside and often older men. Is that because of the way I look at things or is it that there are simply few women who read newspapers in public. Of course it is also due to the weather. Here in sunny countries there is of course a greater chance that someone will read outside. What may also play a role is that tourists are not yet there in large numbers. It is still too cold for them, or they are bound to the fixed summer months due to the schedule of their learning children. But that means there is now a lot of space left here that is being used by the men reading. As temperatures rise, along with tourist numbers, they will become less and less visible. They retreat to their homes to take their place again as temperatures drop and the number of tourists adjusts.  And keep reading if it's on your phone, tablet or laptop or even a book Stay optimistic, the worl