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Bill Pearse publishes memoir, travel journals, poetry and prose, and lives in the Pacific Northwest.

  • Le Relais des 3 Mas

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    For our second visit to Collioure, Dawn and I did not make hotel reservations in advance. All week, we’ve been without internet or phone. While that may sound relaxing it’s really not. We got into Collioure around 3:30, and I… Read More ›

  • Collioure

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    We did get to Collioure twice this week: once, with the whole caravan (two moms, two daughters, husband/wife), and twice, with just husband/wife. On the first trip we had a two-hour lunch in Port-Vendres at a sidewalk café: most everyone… Read More ›

  • Saint Pierre des-Champs

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    We knew this was a small village before we got here, but assumed there would be more to do. You know it’s small when everyone looks surprised to see you, when you drive into town. They all kind of look… Read More ›

  • Meltdown at Peyrepertuse

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    We’ve pulled some rookie moves as parents, with the kids. For starters, this is not what you would call a kid-friendly destination. The other day, we drove to the nearest supermarket and it took half an hour to get there…. Read More ›

  • Gas Cap

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    I don’t know how to say this word in any other language, but yesterday the gas cap on our rental car nearly brought me to my knees. It must sound like I am making this up, but the first two… Read More ›

  • Déviation

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    The French have a way of taking English words and making them sound French: they pronounce “Wi-Fi” like “we-fee,” for example. Americans have a way of doing the same with French words, too. This is the end of a very… Read More ›

  • Street Smarts on the Internet

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    I am having a hard time with technology. One of my goals for this sabbatical was to learn more about it, because there’s never enough time to keep up, and technology moves so fast. Even now, as I am playing… Read More ›

  • Last Warm Day

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    Gilles predicts today will be the last nice day of summer. Clouds and rain are coming in, starting tomorrow. It’s also the first day of school. Kids here only get three weeks off, in August, and then they go back… Read More ›

  • Rock Star Girlfriend

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    We all have ours: mine are Beth Gibbons (Portishead), and Chan Marshall (Cat Power). I’m realizing now what it is about Beth I like. She has a bite, like cayenne powder in a stew. I put on the record she… Read More ›

  • Zunftmarkt, Bad Wimpfen

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    Today we journeyed to the Zunftmarkt, to witness characters in medieval costumes simulating everyday life as craftspeople, circa 14th century. As is often the case with the changing of the seasons, autumn just showed up yesterday – so while it… Read More ›