Today was Annie and Bob's final time to see whatever they could fit in. We hit the ground running and had a blast doing so.
After 8 days together in Avignon, it was odd to think this was our last time leaving the walled city together.Since arriving, we had wanted to cross the Rhône by this very wonderful ferry.The free 5 minute crossing of the river from the dock near the Pont d'Avignon to Barthelasse Island is just so fun.How French is our Captain?!The crossing gave us the opportunity to dine riverside on the biggest river island in Europe. We spotted the restaurant le Bercail days ago and knew it was our spot. In addition, there is a beautiful walk along the towpath on the banks of the Rhône which afforded us spectacular, and varied, views of historic Avignon.After fueling up, we went to yet another free museum. In a beautiful 18th century mansion, the Museum of Fine Arts and Archeology of the Calvet Foundation exhibits collections which cover archeology, decorative arts, ethnography and even fine arts (art objects, drawings, sculptures and paintings from the 16th to the 20th century). I know this is a place I will return to again. There is just so much to see."The building and the collection together form one of the most poetic places full of history in Avignon."After admiring this statue, we got to watch her being moved. Maybe she was getting too much sun perhaps. That was wild to see.What a surprise to see a Rodin. This bust of Victor Hugo was done in 1883. I felt a little Paris connection!Here was another of the tactile paintings for those visually impaired.We were both surprised they chose Maurice de Vlaminck's Sur le zinc (1900) as something to touch see. Maybe it was for the uniqueness of it all.I thoroughly appreciate tapestries. This one, from the 17th century was exquisite.It is always even more impressive to see the work up close.
Always a fan of a cheesy photo opportunity, we ended our museum visit in the children's section. This is one very special Avignon treasure. I can't wait to return
Ian and Eileen arrived from the UK just in time for Bob and Annie's last dinner on our terrace. As for our cute-meet with our British friends, it happened 13 years ago in Spoleto, Italy. During our year long sojourn there, we volunteered in various ways, one of which was ushering at a theater production. Ian and Eileen were attendees and the director asked us to explain the complicated, all Italian play, to them. We became fast friends and over our year in Spoleto, we had several wonderful opportunities to connect. This blog link, our first date, is one of my favorites.
With Annie and Bob returning to South Carolina and Ian and Eileen here from England, Henry David Thoreau's quote could not be more true, “Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and longitudes.”
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1 comments:
That French captain! How funny.
For a quick second, I thought it was you riding that statue for a picture!
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