The Whiteleys go to Spain - thewhiteleysgotospain

Twice before, Hugh and I have taken trips with our two sons and their partners. The first was to Namibia (2006), and the second was to Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador (2008). 2011 is another anniversary year (the occasion for the first trip), since between early July and late August, Hugh and I turn 75 and we celebrate our 45th anniversary. So compared to Namibia and South America, a trip to the Canary Islands, the French Pyrenees, northern Spain, and Barcelona should be a piece of cake - right?

Enter a new factor: Rousseau David Rilke Whiteley, born in October, 2008, and hence 2 3/4 years old at the time of our trip. This added a whole new dimension to our travel, and gradually I'll add some reflections on that. Until then, I'll just say that it was a wonderful trip - but not without its challenges!

9/29/2011 1:19:55 PM - fb:674303061
What a wonderful idea Marilyn!! Kindest Regards from Caroline (via Panoramio) :-)

From hotel window: Plant on drainpipe
Plant on drainpipe.jpg 2011-07-09

Tenerife cloud on mountain.jpg
Tenerife cloud on mountain.jpg 2011-07-09

Tenerife hotel.jpg
Tenerife hotel.jpg 2011-07-10

Teide first view.jpg
Teide first view.jpg 2011-07-10

Lizard at Teide 2.jpg
Lizard at Teide 2.jpg 2011-07-10

Lizard at Teide
Lizard at Teide 2.jpg 2011-07-10

Lizard at Teide 3.jpg
Lizard at Teide 3.jpg 2011-07-10

Lizard at Teide.jpg
Lizard at Teide.jpg 2011-07-10

Lizard watching.jpg
Lizard watching.jpg 2011-07-10

Beetle sculpture at Teide
Beetle sculpture.jpg 2011-07-10

Teide gondola.jpg
Teide gondola.jpg 2011-07-10

The view up Teide
Teide.jpg 2011-07-10

View from Teide
Teide view.jpg 2011-07-10

Big tree
Big tree.jpg 2011-07-10

Tenerife roofs.jpg
Tenerife roofs.jpg 2011-07-11

Tenerife cliffs.jpg
Tenerife cliffs.jpg 2011-07-11

Los Cristianos beach
Tenerife beach from boat.jpg 2011-07-12

Old town colours.jpg
Old town colours.jpg 2011-07-12

Gnarled trees
Gnarled trees 1.jpg 2011-07-12

Gnarled trees
Gnarled trees 2.jpg 2011-07-12

Tenerife concert hall.jpg
Tenerife concert hall.jpg 2011-07-13

Gran Canaria coast
Gran Canaria coast.jpg 2011-07-13

Gran Canaria coast
Gran Canaria coast H.jpg 2011-07-13

Cannon at the folly
Cannon at folly.jpg 2011-07-14

Steps at the folly
Folly scene.jpg 2011-07-14

Camel statue
Camel statue.jpg 2011-07-14

Dunes
Dunes.jpg 2011-07-14

Pray and play
Playground and church.jpg 2011-07-15

Camel overlook.jpg
Camel overlook.jpg 2011-07-15

Rou and Rose on the train
Rou and Rose on train.jpg 2011-07-16

Little green engine at the old cement factory
Little green engine.jpg 2011-07-16

Cattle.jpg
Cattle.jpg 2011-07-16

Hills with horses
Hills with horses.jpg 2011-07-16

Castle in Foix
Foix castle.jpg 2011-07-17

Tree by the church
Tree by church.jpg 2011-07-18

Red, red rose
Red rose.jpg 2011-07-18

Our cars
Our cars.jpg 2011-07-18

Leaving the church
Family at church.jpg 2011-07-18

Old city from below.jpg
Old city from below.jpg 2011-07-18

Rousseau by the balloon sculpture
Balloon sculpture with Rou.jpg 2011-07-18

Bilbao dog of flowers
Bilbao dog of flowers.jpg 2011-07-19

Bilbao detail.jpg
Bilbao detail.jpg 2011-07-19

Tunnel
Tunnel.jpg 2011-07-20

Window with petunias.jpg
Window with petunias.jpg 2011-07-21

Loarre castle p.m. 1a.jpg
Loarre castle p.m. 1a.jpg 2011-07-21

Loarre castle p.m. 2.jpg
Loarre castle p.m. 2.jpg 2011-07-21

Loarre castle a.m. 1a.jpg
Loarre castle a.m. 1a.jpg 2011-07-22

Loarre castle a.m..jpg
Loarre castle a.m..jpg 2011-07-22

Loarre wall with plants.jpg
Loarre wall with plants.jpg 2011-07-22

Aqueduct.jpg
Aqueduct.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona cathedral.jpg
Tarragona cathedral.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona tower window.jpg
Tarragona tower window.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona cathedral from tower.jpg
Tarragona cathedral from tower.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona amphitheatre from tower.jpg
Tarragona amphitheatre from tower.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona amphitheatre
Tarragona amphitheatre.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona church ruins.jpg
Tarragona church ruins.jpg 2011-07-23

Tarragona view to the sea.jpg
Tarragona view to the sea.jpg 2011-07-23

Miro Foundation sculpture.jpg
Miro Foundation sculpture.jpg 2011-07-24

Moat garden.jpg
Moat garden.jpg 2011-07-24

Lichtenstein Barcelona Head.jpg
Lichtenstein Barcelona Head.jpg 2011-07-24

Casa Batlló window.jpg
Casa Batlló window.jpg 2011-07-25

Casa Batlló laundry.jpg
Casa Batlló laundry.jpg 2011-07-25

Casa Batlló.jpg
Casa Batlló.jpg 2011-07-25

Gaudi statue.jpg
Gaudi statue.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Finca Guell entrance.jpg
Barcelona Finca Guell entrance.jpg 2011-07-25

Colonia Guell church.jpg
Colonia Guell church.jpg 2011-07-25

Church of Colonia Guell.jpg
Church of Colonia Guell.jpg 2011-07-25

Colonia Guell window.jpg
Colonia Guell window.jpg 2011-07-25

Parc Guell 3.jpg
Parc Guell 3.jpg 2011-07-25

Parc Guell 2.jpg
Parc Guell 2.jpg 2011-07-25

Parc Guell.jpg
Parc Guell.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family nativity.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family nativity.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family light.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family light.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family crucifixion.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family crucifixion.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family stairway.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family stairway.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Women at the tomb.jpg
Barcelona Women at the tomb.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family crucifixion portal.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family crucifixion portal.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona Sacred Family towers.jpg
Barcelona Sacred Family towers.jpg 2011-07-25

Barcelona hotel
Barcelona hotel.jpg 2011-07-26

Recycling bins.jpg
Recycling bins.jpg 2011-07-26