The extreme heat was 'No Problem, Mon'.

On Sunday we attended Linganore Winecellars' Reggae Wine Festival at Berrywine Farms. The weekend long event attracts thousands. Their lovely 230 acre estate, with 60 acres of vineyards, is 39 miles from Baltimore & DC, minutes from the tiny historic town of New Market. (There is even a bus service from College Park available.)

This festival offers something for everyone...great jerk chicken from Jamaica Caterers, breads from Breadhead, (the catfish was a favorite with my husband, who had it for the very 1st time), 2 live bands daily (this year Passion Reggae Band & Image Band), as well as vineyard tours and wine tastings. The air-conditioned tasting bar inside the barn was refreshing and I was very impressed with their recycling effort (more local vineyards should take notice). http://www.linganore-wine.com/index.html

In spite of the incredible heat (the thermometer in the sun said 120!) and limited shade - I am definitely bringing a portable canopy next year -we all had a great time. Although it was a little too hot for me to dance, it did not stop a large crown from swaying to that reggae beat. My boys were pretty lazy too, playing cards on the quilt in a little shady spot we managed to find - albeit next to the recycling center. I also did a little shopping in the upper loft of the barn: lots of ethnic inspired art, jewelry, clothing, etc.

Afterwards, we paid a quick visit to downtown New Market, although most stores and attractions were closed by 6pm (NOTE TO NEW MARKET BUSINESS OWNERS: STAY OPEN LONGER HOURS THIS WEEKEND...it would be well worth your time).

Mealey's Restaurant was opened, although after the heat and the wine, my appetite wasn't where it needed to be, so I plan to come back for their seasonal special, Duck Confit Salad. FYI: Mealey's will be opening its 'brand new' old Tavern by summer's end, so be sure to check it out after next year's festival...just be sure to book a room across the street at the Strawberry Inn!

http://www.mealeysrestaurant.com/index.shtml

Thank goodness for French Rail Strikes...

Last summer while railing literally 'around' Europe with my daughter, we were unable to make our planned itinerary stop in Barcelona, Spain, due to (we found out later) an all-too-common-in-summer French Rail Strike. We could either rail to the Spanish border and thumb it from there, or ride along in a rental compact with a - albeit generous, but possibly psychopathic - Dutch couple who couldn't speak any English except 'you ride with us, no?'


Well, no. After waiting in the long lines at the Montpelier train station for over an hour, we caught the last 2 seats in the last train to Bordeaux's St. Jean, thanks to a wonderfully kind French woman working at the booth we were directed to. Our lovely hotel, Chateau de Roques, just outside St Emilion,






was fortunately able to put us up for several extra nights prior to our planned visit later that week. To our surprise, we ended up in one of the most picturesque towns in the world, with some of the most incredible wine, during their annual 'La Fete Du Vin'...THE FESTIVAL OF WINE!!! Over 100 of the finest chateau are lined up throughout the medieval-walled town, with free unlimited tastings from late morning until midnight for three long days...whatever would I do?



http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com/pge_degus_chais.php?id=8&lang=uk

Do I regret not seeing Barcelona...you bet. Would I do it all over again the exact same way...hell yea!