I Love November

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!

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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?

Greece - Storm coming2
Storm brewing over the Acropolis
Greece - Storm coming
From the Parthenon overlooking the city

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.Greece - Meteora

Greece - Meteora5

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.

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Mill Race Ruins – Cambridge (Ontario)
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RiverBluff Park – Cambridge (Ontario)
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The Kissing Bridge Trail – Elmira (Ontario)

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.

Nov 2016 - colours
November 2016 – Cabbagetown (Toronto)
Nov 2015 - remembrance day
November 2015 – Remembrance Day at Old City Hall (Toronto)

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.

 

70 comments

    • 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 ❤️

      Liked by 1 person

    • 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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  1. 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.

    Liked by 1 person

    • 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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    • 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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    • 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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  2. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    • 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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    • 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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    • 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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  3. 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! 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

  4. 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).

    Liked by 1 person

  5. 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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    • 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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  6. 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!

    Liked by 1 person

    • 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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  7. 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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