For the first time in two years, Gilles and I are on vacation, and this month’s Changing Seasons post is being sent to you while I’m on the road.
Greetings from Greece!
I could fill this entire post with the iconic sights of this amazing country, however I thought I would go in a different direction.
Everyone is familiar with the clear blue skies of Greece in summer, but what about the moody storm clouds of November?
Then there is the unexpected discovery of autumnal colours at Meteora / Kalabaka, where there is a World Heritage Site of monasteries perched on the top of the rock cliffs.
However, Greece isn’t isn’t the full story of my month.
The first half of November also included plenty of time on the Trans-Canada Trail with Helen – in spite of the chilly temperatures.
In fact, this has been a month full of exploring the natural beauty of the outdoors. I hope your month has also been full of doing things you love.
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Changing Seasons is a monthly photo challenge hosted by Max at Cardinal Guzman.
Since the Changing Seasons photo challenge is coming to an end this year, I’ve been including a photo from each of the prior years of this challenge. These are snapshots from 2016 and 2015.
I apologize that I’ve been largely MIA for the past month. I hope to start catching up again when I return home later next week.
Excellent stuff. I hope you had a great trip!!
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Thanks Max. Yes, it was an excellent trip. Unfortunately, I had to come back to reality 😉
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Reality is boring… 🙂
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[…] an earlier post I briefly introduced the Meteora in […]
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Your photos from both Greece and Canada look stunning Joanne! Greece is on my bucket list. Those moody skies do add some drama 🙂
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I know you love history and it captures your imagination like it does mine. I’m confident you would be amazed. I have such a love for Europe and was concerned that Greece’s differences would disappoint me – in fact it was the opposite. I was completely smitten – warts and all ❤️
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Ah Greece in November. That sounds so good.
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We have been so lucky with the weather. Definitely no complaints on our end!!
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November is a really charming month, especially for travelling. Where in Greece have you been and what did you like there best, Joanne?
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With only 10 days to work with, we’ve toured Athens, been to Meteora, Delphi, and Hydra. At the top of my list would be Delphi. I got a whole new understanding of Ancient Greece and the sophistication of their culture … not to mention that the town itself and the drive there is so pretty.
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Oh Meteora a location of my dreams. Looks so amazing with those autumn colours Joanne. Enjoy , enjoy!
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I had never heard of Meteora, so it was a happy discovery. The landscape is gorgeous!
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Have a fab time Jo and I hope the weather remains fine for you 🙂
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Enjoy and travel safe! – Marty
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OPA!!! Enjoy your vacation and all the sights, sounds, smells . . . and yummy tastes . . . of Greece.
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OMG – THE FOOD!! There’s just so much to love!!
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Yoghurt and honey. Souvlaki. Gyros (on a rotating skewer). Moussaka. Baklava (though probably too sweet for me now), Turkish coffee (just don’t drink to the bottom) Dolmadakia, meatballs … oh, just thinking about the food makes me want to go back there. Sadly I never found any decent wine.
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You are so right about the wine – but everything else has been delicious! In spite of it, I’m grateful I can still do up my pants 😏
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Haha…
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Greece looks wonderful – so glad you are enjoying November to the fullest! A much deserved vacation I’m sure!
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Thanks 🙂
It really is exceeding my expectations!
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so very pretty – tx much for sharing 🙂
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Thank you 🙂
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Look forward to hearing more about your trip. Is this a good time of year to be in Greece? I’m sure no time is bad but we don’t like me the heat .
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I’m wasn’t sure what to expect by travelling off-season, but I love it. I don’t like the heat, or the crowds, and we’ve had neither.
Our daytime temperatures have been in the mid to high 60s every day, with no crowds, no line-ups. We had some rain for the first 3 days, but it never interfered with any of our plans. I have no complaints 🙂
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Thanks Joanne – sounds perfect all around.
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Very nice. You made excellent selection when choosing Greece. It is one of my favorite country in addition to Spain where we spent last month our 30 years wedding anniversary. Max temperature was 37 Celsius.
Thank You for this post and its beautiful photos.
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Yikes – 37C is just too hot for me. I don’t feel like doing anything or going anywhere when it’s that hot outside. Add crowds to the mix, and I get outright testy 😉
Congrats on 30 years! Spain sounds like a great place to celebrate.
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Enjoy your time in Greece, Joanne. What a beautiful country! Soak it up for all its worth and I’ll “see you” when you get home.
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Thanks MJ. I was a bit ambivalent about coming here. It was Gilles’ choice … I wanted to go to Sicily … but I am really enjoying it. It’s a beautiful country, the food is great, and the people are friendly. It’s all good ❤️
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I envy you…to be surrounded by so much beauty!
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Marissa, it never ceases to amaze me how much natural beauty there is right in my own backyard. Within a short drive (I consider anything under 2 hours a *short drive*), there is just so much!
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Wow, enjoy your vacation, Joanne! Beautiful shots; you’re luck to get the clouds (we got the hot sun a few ago in Greece). We visited the Acropolis, like all tourists, and I recall there were slippery stones and steps so it must have a bit frightening to walk on them if they were wet.
Your Kissing Bridge Trail photo was fantastic for the changing seasons image!
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Yikes! It had to be brutal here in the heat! Add in the crowds, and I would be an unhappy mess.
I wasn’t convinced that travelling off-season would be a great idea, but in this case, it’s been wonderful. Pleasant 60-degree weather to walk around in, and no crowds. I would definitely consider travelling off-season again.
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Such beautiful photos. Enjoy your vacation. I’m not jealous at all. No, happy as can be that you’re elsewhere doing something magical. 🙄
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hahahaha!! If it makes you feel any better, I go home next week … and it’s cold in Toronto … and then our Visa bill will arrive just in time for Christmas 😳
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What fantastic images – sure, the rocks help, but the monastery atop the rocks? Just a very, very, fine photo. Kudos, dear.
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Thanks! This place was magical. I could bury you with the MANY photos I took 😏
I’m sure, however, you would appreciate my discomfort at the sexism still exercised. Visiting the monasteries require *respectful clothing*, which for men is long pants … not an issue in November. However, for women, long pants isn’t good enough. The legs must be completely covered by a dress/skirt to the ankles. They had these long apron-like things for all the women to put on over their pants.
*Somehow* I managed to get in without an apron-thing, but was quickly intercepted and sent back to the entrance to be *properly* attired.
I know – their house, their rules, but seriously! What year is this?!!
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I was in Greece many years ago. I now watch “Mama Mia” to relive the memories. Beautiful photos, Joanne!
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This was my first time, Lois, and I’m really enjoying it. I don’t know if we’ll make it to the islands or not. I think the experience in November could be significantly different than in the summer.
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Ooooh! How fabulous!
I love November too! Does Greece have lots of cloudy, cooler days in November? I’d always pooh-poohed the idea based on how it always looks HAWT!
Safe travels, thanks for sharing them with us! 🙂
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We’ve had a mix of cloudy and sunny days, but the temperature hasn’t been over 70F. In other words, the weather has been perfect for touring around – and no crowds!! I couldn’t ask for better conditions 🙂
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Hurrah!
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Thanks for sharing the beautiful pictures! Keep on enjoying November!
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Thanks Dan. I hope you are too 🙂
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Safe travels and keep those wonderful photos coming. You’ve had a banner November. 🙂
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It certainly has, Judy! November is not a month I normally associate with lots of great outdoor activities, but this year has been priceless!
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Enjoy the rest of your trip! Some friends have just come home from Athens and they couldn’t believe how hot it was in November.
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I think the earlier part of the month was quite warm, but we haven’t had temperatures above 20C. For me, that’s perfect. I can’t imagine being here in the heat of summer 😱
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Lovely! Enjoy!!!
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Thanks Deb. So far it’s been wonderful. It’s a beautiful country!!
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Beautiful pictures! Enjoy your vacation!
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Thanks Kate 🙂
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Beautiful images Joanne 🙂 Some of your images of the Trans Canada Trail remind me of walking through Watkins Glen State Park in western New York (a must see attraction).
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I’ll have to add it to my list 🙂 Is this around the Finger Lakes area? That area’s come up a few times.
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Yes Joanne it’s at the southern part of Lake Seneca. When Terry and I went we stayed at Glenora Vineyards. They have a very nice Inn which overlooks the vineyards and Lake Seneca, great Port wine and a gourmet restaurant on site.
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oooo – good port and food. What more can I ask for? 🙂
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Wonderful photos from two ends of the world, Joanne. Great skies in Greece. It’s on my bucket list so I’m looking forward to whatever you share. And pretty as always pictures of your walks in Canada with Helen. Have a wonderful week and Happy Travels!
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Thanks Diana. I’m happy to be here off-season. I can’t imagine doing the stuff we’ve been doing in their hot, hot summer temperatures.
Additional bonus – no crowds! I love it 🙂
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Have a great vacation! I’d rather be in Greece when it’s a little chilly that when it’s hot!
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I agree, Jan. I’m not a fan of heat and I wouldn’t be happy here in summer – not to mention the summer crowds. I wasn’t sure what to expect being here off-season, but I love it!
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Nice one Joanne! I will be in Athens Thursday for the weekend and hope that the rain has stopped! The Acropolis is fantastic whatever the weather. Wilbur
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The forecast for the entire weekend looks good (so far … we know how things can change 😉)
We’ve been so lucky with the weather. It did rain for 3 days, but the timing was generous enough to not interfere with any of our plans. We couldn’t have asked for better!
Hope you have a great weekend in Athens. We don’t have any plan yet, but I’m sure there will be no shortage of things to see 🙂 What’s on your list for the weekend?
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Hi Joanne – my wife is Greek so it will be visiting family & friends. I have been there dozens of times and love it every time! Wilbur.
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Oh nice!! Enjoy!
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[…] https://mylifelivedfull.wordpress.com/2017/11/21/i-love-november/ […]
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Wow… enjoy your travels! I’ve always wanted to visit Greece and, you are right, all of my fantasies have included bright blue skies. Judging from what people are wearing, it still looks fairly warm, though, despite the cloudy weather. I’m looking forward to reading more about your adventure, Beautiful pictures!
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It has been great weather as far as I’m concerned. Daytime temperatures have been in the mid to high 60s since we’ve been here.
I don’t like heat and I wouldn’t want to be here in summer with the stifling temperatures and heavy crowds.
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Thank you, Joanne – You make November seem beautiful wherever you are. Sitting here on rain-soaked Vancouver Island, I definitely needed this change of perspective. Enjoy the rest of your travels. Your photos are gorgeous!
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Thanks Donna. We’ve been so lucky with the weather. It’s rained, but never affected any of our plans … very kind of Mother Nature to plan her rain around us 😉
Sorry to hear you’re getting soaked. It looks like we will be having a dry weekend. Perfect!
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