We left La Thebauderie last Friday, drove to Gare de Flers, hopped on the SNCF train headed to Gare Montparnasse in Paris. It was about 25F when we left and not much warmer in Paris. I did this sketch on the train of frozen fields flying past the window.

Paris is always wonderful, the architecture is never dull.

We stayed in the XVth Arrondissement, a new area for us. Here is the hotel.

On Saturday we visited Musée Bourdelle. He was a student of Rodin, who not only produced amazing sculptures, but operated a school that produced other artists that rose to fame, one of them being Matisse. I did this watercolor inspired by a painting of Bourdelle’s.

We took a break at the museum cafe, as did others. Here is a step by step painting I did of another visitor needing a cup of something warm.

As I write this we are in Peñíscola – near Valencia in the south of Spain. It is 60F already at 11.00am, quite a welcome relief. Friday we sat on the wall of the castle, sipping a glass of wine and taking in the views.

I did this one yesterday sitting on our deck. We are right in the center of the old city in the castle, the steep climb up the narrow stairs makes the view worth it all.

We are off in a couple minutes for lunch, as soon as the washing machine on the roof terrace is done and our clean socks and unmentionables are hung to dry.

It feels so good to not be cold, nor to have to bother with fires in the stove, and smoke in the house. I hope whoever your travels are today, either near or far, you are keeping safe and warm (or cool for my below the equator friends). Whoever you are share a smile and do a sketch.