There once was a trip quite sublime...

I'm still processing everything we experienced during our recent vacation in England, France and Iceland. But just to touch on some of the highlights, in England, thanks to Alex and Celena, we took a really nice day trip from London to Bournemouth and a lovely hike by the dramatic beach at the wonderfully named Durdle Door. That evening we enjoyed fish and chips at a restaurant patio overlooking the beach while Bournemouth celebrated a military air and sea festival around us.  The Eurostar from London to Avignon was fast and comfortable. (I wish Amtrak worked as well.)  In France, we had a great time with our friends Philippe and Micheline at their vacation home in the village of Gargas at the foot of the Luberon Mountains. Paris once again claimed the top spot on my list of favorite cities. Iceland was a brand new experience.  It is the most otherworldly place I've ever seen and the native language is incomprehensible. Thank goodness everyone speaks perfect English.

There's so much to describe but, mostly to amuse myself, I took a shot at offering some observations on our trip in limerick form.  See what you think.   

Our flat near the Shepherd’s Bush station

Was nearly the ideal location

To explore London’s pride

With an Underground ride

To a pub for some lukewarm libation.

*****

In England the fries are called chips.

With fried cod these we shoved past our lips.

At a great place to stay

Down in Bournemouth one day

Where we watched all the planes and the ships.

Our day trip to Durdle Door wrapped up with a nice fish and chips dinner in Bournemouth where we watched the military air and sea festival unfold around us.

*****

If enchantment and good food you seek

Try the south of France for a week.

When you get down that way

Drink the best vin rosé.

It’s a treat that is simply unique.

Toasting my birthday for the 5th consecutive day with Philippe and Micheline at their home in Gargas

*****

I reach a state of near Zen

When I sit by the banks of the Seine.

In a Paris café

I could spend the whole day.

We should all do that now and again.

Ah, Paris…!

*****

With English and French I can deal.

The words are familiar, I feel.

But in Iceland the prose

Had me curling my toes.

The whole place is completely unreal.

Iceland's volcanic "lunar" landscape.

*****

To Iceland we must go back soon

And chill out in the warm Blue Lagoon

And from there watch the sky

For the Northern Lights high

Perhaps on a dark afternoon.

Reykjavik's Hallgrimskirkja, a white concrete church that dominates the city.  We couldn't really ask anyone for directions because we never knew how to pronounce anything!

 *****

Travel can broaden the mind

But here’s something else that you’ll find.

When you’re taking long trips

It can broaden the hips.

For your souvenir just look behind.