Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026Gosh, I love France. There’s been an ongoing teacher’s strike since we got here and today there was a lunchtime “manifestation” (protest) which effectively shut down the metro system and fouled up traffic for several hours. Eventually we were able to catch a bus and get to a McDonald’s to eat. 100
Reposted by Debbie ColeAngry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Like everything else Trump “fixes,” the reflecting pool (along with the war in Iran, gas prices, beef prices, and mortgage rates) is in exponentially worse shape than when he started. 27348541435
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026The largest reflecting pool in the world in Bordeaux, France, on the banks of the Garonne River. Trump could take a tip from the French on this. The pool is drained and filled every half hour. It has no algae. 031
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Little bit of sticker shock over here in France with grocery prices at the same chain (Carrefour) being much higher than they are in Spain. Also having a tough time switching to French after speaking Spanish for so many years. Hopefully I’ll get up to speed soon on that, too. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026We're up early this morning to take a bus to Bordeaux. We'll be there a few weeks touring the wine country, caves and medieval villages and connecting with friends who recently moved to France from Guadalajara. Since I've been speaking Spanish for so many years I have a hard time remembering French. 131
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026Today we’re taking a bus from San Sebastián to Astigarraga where we’ll be attending an event at a traditional cider house with a Basque beefsteak and cod (bacalao) menu, unlimited natural cider from the barrel and entertainment. It’s part of a traditional harvest festival in the town this weekend. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026We visited San Sebastián 13 years ago and always wanted to return. Exquisite food can be found here, it's true, but we've also enjoyed excellent meals in Vigo, Bilbao and even tiny Gernika. Northern Spain has a tapas and pintxo competition and the winners can be found everywhere. 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026We arrived intact in San Sebastián around noon and fortunately the hubs had a photo on his phone of preexisting damage to our rental car, otherwise we’d be forced to make an insurance claim. The town is chock full of tourists on a Friday evening; we’ve already come across 2 boisterous stag parties. 100
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I’ve been reading #RegimeChange by Maggie Haberman & Jonathan Swan to see what they perceive as the end game for this unlawful, hurtful presidency but so far it seems Trump is merely crazy, stupid, stuck in the past, and just trying to enrich himself and his family and avoid prison. Hmmmm. 🤨 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I have to admit that the very popular agriturismo “farm stay” was a little outside my comfort zone due to the noisy and smelly nature of a working farm and the absence of private spaces around other guests but we adjusted to it. Now we’re moving on to a room in a pensione in a bigger town. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026It’s been really hot in northern Spain today (34 C) and we’ve been taking it easy. Tomorrow morning we’re returning our rental car in San Sebastián; it’s a Spanish made Cupra with all the bells and whistles. We’ve enjoyed driving around in it. The car’s features make it easy to navigate and park. 001
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026The hubs booked us into a couple of agriturismo farm stays in rural northern Spain where we have a shared kitchen and where making dinner alongside completely Spanish speaking people is completely enlightening and educational. We can’t wait to see how breakfast goes! 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026We met a young Basque man in a pintxo bar yesterday who'd just returned to Gernika after three months with family in Elko, Nevada. He spoke English perfectly with a southern drawl so strong we thought he was from Texas. Must have learned English by watching television. He was happy to see Americans. 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Leaving Bilbao this morning for Guernika. The Guggenheim was closed while we were here but we've been before. This time we made dinner in the apartment, did a walking tour of the old town and made a pintxo crawl. All in all a fine time. 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Got caught up in parking hell in Islares, west of Bilbao, as we made a visit to the beach before checking into our Airbnb. The area draws hordes of people on a beautiful late summer weekend like this and we got trapped in gridlock in an overfull parking loop. My driving skills were put to the test! 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026It’s our 19th wedding anniversary today and, after living out of a suitcase for a month, our gift to each other is a short-term apartment rental where we’ll be able to wash all of our clothes. I brought some Tide pods with me just for this purpose. We’re both super excited about it! 012
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026I just downloaded my Military and Overseas voter ballot for the upcoming general election and the hubs just reregistered as an overseas voter. California’s ballot is pages long, as usual, but at least there aren’t 100 options for governor like there were in the primary. #readytovote 120
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026I inadversely touched a stinging nettle earlier this afternoon and my fingers still hurt. Apparently nettles are common throughout Europe and we've been touring a rural area. I've never come across them in Mexico or California so I didn't realize what it was. I'll know next time to keep hands off! 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The northern coast of Spain is wildly gorgeous and the town of Comillas is beautifully quirky, although it closes up earlier than we’ve gotten used to. Misty rain today and lots of tourists. Tomorrow we’re going to see the caves of Altamira. I’m so excited I don’t know whether I’ll be able to sleep! 140
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Just spent $84 USD to fill the tank with ~10 gallons of gas. And this was at a cheap gas station! 110
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Having a frustrating day today trying to get from one place to another with Google Maps consistently directing us to the freeway and away from the scenic coastal road we wanted to take, no matter what settings were selected in the map app. Ah well, AI knows best, eh?😐 121
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026We’ve enjoyed our time in A Coruña and now we’re moving on. Taking a road trip to the northern coast of Spain. Tonight we’ll be in Viviero, tomorrow night Oviedo, after that Cómelas. We’re making our way to Bilbao by next weekend. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Came across some young adults kicking this statue earlier today and realized - once again - how well respected Donnie is throughout the world. 🙄 021
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026We took an easy drive to A Coruña, a nice coastal city, stopping along the way in Betanzos for a look around, a glass of wine and a pintxo. The rental car agent who’s from Venezuela told us that the police in Spain are nice and not like the ones in the US, so we just smiled & waved when we saw them. 101
Reposted by Debbie ColeJeff Domingues @jeffdomingues.bsky.social · 10/09/2026If you liked your DOGE refund and your tariff rebate, you’ll love your Trump dividend. 1282940579
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Today we’re renting a car and driving to A Coruña for a few days and then east across the coast of Northern Spain. I’m a big nervous about driving in cities and finding parking, which seems to be a huge issue, but our first hotel destination seem like it will be a good place to begin. Onward! 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026It's our last day in this lovely hostal and we just discovered we have an in-room fridge cleverly disguised as a cabinet. We could have been enjoying some cold beers during our siestas! We could have had some chilled water! Ah well, better late than never. We're headed to the local market now. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026We’ve tried to get some of the local treat, tarta almendra, from the nuns at the convent four times since we’ve been here, including this afternoon in the pouring rain and every time we’ve been unsuccessful so we’re giving up. “No hay” are my least two favorite words in the Spanish language. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026The hubs booked us into a sweet hostal room overlooking the Rua du Franco, a main artery to the Catedral de Santiago with lots of restaurants and bars that stay open late. There's a sliding glass door between the balcony and the room that does an amazing job of keeping out the noise. I slept well! 030
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Wow…Santiago de Compostela is filled with tourists and pilgrims right now in overwhelming numbers. The normal rules for business open and closure times don’t seem to apply here. Restaurants, tabernas and bars are all packed and souvenir stores are full of shell memorabilia and motifs. 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026In the afternoon we're taking a bus to Santiago de Compostela where we'll stay a few days and rest up before we rent a car and continue our journey along the northern coast of Spain. This area seems to have mostly Spanish tourists and we even saw a bachelorette party floating in and out on Friday. 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 05/09/2026We made it to Vigo, Spain. Now enjoying a place where we can open the windows in the morning and hear the seagulls screech while we make a cup of pour-over coffee after reading the instructions for using the induction cook-top in Spanish. 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 04/09/2026A guy tripped me as I was walking to the bus station with my luggage and caused me to fall. It seemed deliberate. I’m a bit banged up now. I’m left wondering if it was an unsuccessful robbery scheme, a hatred of tourists or whether the guy is just daft. 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Oh my god, Gloria Steinem? The grim reaper has def lost his mind. 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 03/09/2026Lugo, Spain is an interesting World Heritage site. There are no WW II or Spanish Civil War artifacts here. Instead, the city wall was built by the Romans in the third century AD and there are some amazing Roman ruins along with the largest collection of sundials in Galicia. 040
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Up early to take a bus to Lugo, Spain as we head toward the coast. We met a couple yesterday who drove their RV here from Germany. RV parks with hookups can be readily found for €5 per night. Inexpensive travel as long as one has $7 USD per gallon for gas. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026It's our 12th day here and we finally understand the rhythm of the days here. Things don't necessarily get started early, but shops and museums and bakeries close between 1-2 in the afternoon and reopen in the early evening. Restaurants that serve lunch close at 4 pm and reopen around 7:30-8pm. 110
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 01/09/2026On a reconnaissance mission today - since the cab situation is so tenuous here and there are no rideshares we're going make sure we know when/where to catch the bus in the morning so we can leave tomorrow, before we view the famed stained glass in the cathedral. Time frames are rather tight. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 31/08/2026This has been on every news station every day since we've been in Spain. The country has its own migrant crisis. We're waiting to see what happens next. euroweeklynews.com/2026/08/29/c...euroweeklynews.comCeuta explained. Why this Spanish city in Africa is suddenly making headlinesWhy is Ceuta Spanish and why does Morocco claim it? As rallies are planned across Spain, we explain the history, migration crisis and what happens next. 010
Reposted by Debbie ColeJoy-Ann Reid @joyannreid.bsky.social · 30/08/2026It's still Lake Ontario. And the Gulf of Mexico. You're welcome. 547173922885
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Finally arrived at our “tourist apartment” in León. Odd transportation situation once we arrived at the train station, though. We waited on line at the cab stand for an hour for a taxi. There are no ride share services in town and it seems there are only 3 taxis serving the area…at least on Sunday. 010
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Today we’re leaving Segovia and taking a train to León where for the first time on our trip we’re staying in an Airbnb. We’ll have laundry facilities there and will be able to make our own coffee in the morning. Airbnbs are not as common in Spain as they are in other places and they can be pricey. 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 29/08/2026We're joining an NFL fantasy football team in Guadalajara again this year and our draft is scheduled for 10:30 this evening our time while our GDL amigos will be drafting at 2:30 pm. If we're not back from dinner in time I hope the ESPN app will autodraft for me. I beat the league last year. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 28/08/2026Up early so we can have coffee and toast at our hostal before we hop on a bus for a day trip to nearby Ávila. Segovia is such a beautiful town but it's so small we've almost seen all of it already. Here's a photo outside our hostal after dinner last night. We're loving Spain. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 27/08/2026This morning, while watching the Spanish news on a morning TV show, after checking the weather (cool and rainy here in contrast with the sunny days and warm nights in Madrid) we were entertained by the portrayal of Trump as a whiny little bitch. He’s certainly earned the world’s respect, hasn’t he? 120
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Come on grim reaper. These things come in threes, don’t they? 020
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 26/08/2026Taking a bus to Segovia this afternoon where we’ll stay a few days. We’ve really enjoyed our time in Madrid and haven’t paid to get in any museum we’ve visited yet. Many places have been closed for the month of August as is customary, so we’re planning to come back for a couple of weeks in autumn. 000
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/08/2026At the botanical garden today in Madrid, in front of an American Osage Orange tree we caught this sign. It was the only time we’ve seen it. We didn’t see it in front of the ginkgo biloba tree, which was the first plant to regrow in Hiroshima after the atomic bomb,…(1) 120
Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 24/08/2026Had a lovely dinner of two shared starters and two mains in a swanky Madrid restaurant including a nice bottle of wine for about $70 USD. They brought us a pitcher of iced tap water for free although several restaurant reviews mentioned that they'd charge for it. Starting to think I could live here. 020