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Debbie Cole

@liddledeeb.bsky.social
12K followers 21K following 1.6K posts

Democrat abroad who enjoys books, music, food, wine, travel, sports and life in Mexico.

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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
We've spent a couple of nights in a chateau, which sounds a lot fancier than it is, but it's peaceful in the French countryside, very quiet at night and we've been fed really well. We're moving on to a gîte stay for the week near where our friends from Guadalajara now live.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Seems to me people are truly tired of his shtick.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
We were able to grab a bite and still make it to the last two museums on our list this afternoon and get our money’s worth from our 72 hr City Pass cards. Tomorrow we’re renting a car and heading to Blaye, where we’ll stay a couple of nights and explore north and east of Bordeaux.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Most restaurants here tend to close after 2 pm and then open again later for dinner. McDonald’s doesn’t, of course. We were pleased that they serve drinks and fries in reusable containers with pomme frite sauce in addition to catsup. Detailed instructions for end of meal disposal are widely posted.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
Gosh, 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
So Trump is actually able to alter reality now. That’s amazing.
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Reposted by Debbie Cole
Angry @angrystaffer.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Like 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
The 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
Little 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
We'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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Today 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
We 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Thanks. Taking a break from driving for a bit and using public transport. Driving is stressful!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
We 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Who knew!?!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I’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. 🤨
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
It’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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
The 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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
We 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
🥺
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Leaving 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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Jumping on the bed?
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
🥺
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
Got 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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
It’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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 19/09/2026
I 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
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
I 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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
He's gonna do what now?
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Sounds like it would be a good trip. We’ve done those southern Spain towns and enjoyed that a lot.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
The 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!
El Capricho de GaudiMonument to the Marquis de Comillas Palacio de Sobrellano
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Just “having all the money” seems to be the point, as far as I can tell.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Because rich people never pay for their own sh*t. That's how they stay rich.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
We thought about renting an EV in Spain but weren't sure what the charging situation would be here in the north. As it turns out, just finding parking is difficult enough. Spain is supposedly one of the less expensive European nations for gas prices.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Just spent $84 USD to fill the tank with ~10 gallons of gas. And this was at a cheap gas station!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Having 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?😐
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
We’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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
And respect for Netanyahu!
When you become what you once hated
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
More signs of respect for Trump in Europe
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Came across some young adults kicking this statue earlier today and realized - once again - how well respected Donnie is throughout the world. 🙄
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
Well, yeah. Obviamente.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
Please.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 11/09/2026
We 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.
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Reposted by Debbie Cole
Jeff Domingues @jeffdomingues.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
If you liked your DOGE refund and your tariff rebate, you’ll love your Trump dividend.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Today 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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
It'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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
We’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.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
The 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!
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
Wow…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.
The Scallop Shell (the Concha) is the primary symbol of the Camino de Santiago for both historical and legendary reasons.
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Debbie Cole @liddledeeb.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
In 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.
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