35 Days, 4 countries, 17 hotels, countless planes, trains, and cars and just under six miles of runs, and she was there, each and every step of the way. My wife, my life, my love, Linda has made all the difference in this incredible adventure. There are no words to describe how wonderful she has been over, not just the last month, but over the last forty years since we first laid eyes on each other in the summer of America’s Bicentennial.
From the first hatch of this fledgling plan she was supportive, though a bit concerned about the time and money that would be involved. Still, she said, ‘This is so you,” and it was she who made the first booking, a splendid B&B in Amsterdam while we laid in bed in Aspen on a rainy Sunday morning in May. Once that ressie was made, by telephone with the Dutch proprietors, of course, we were off to the races, so to speak.
Every move she makes.....
And it has not just been her presence at the races and at the tracks that has stirred me. She has been at my side in every vineyard, at each tasting and in each session with the winemakers of Italy. Do you have any idea of how many dusty and cold barrel rooms she has had to withstand while I quizzed a winemaker about whether punch down or pump over is the better way? Or how many times she has heard, “And we pick everything by hand.” But her appearance beside me lends a degree of credibility at each visit we make to the wineries. People see her and the mood immediately changes. It may be business, but when Linda is in the room the vibe turns to pleasure for all.
She also was there to read every word and make every edit, and believe me there were plenty, when I wrote the blogs and the stories at night after our long days of travel. Mistakes in this piece will likely be many as she was not privy to the contents. In fact, she would be mortified if she knew I was writing it.
All of you who know her know what an amazing person my wife is. But travelling through this journey with her has only confirmed what I have known for 40 years.
She is my Queen.
In front of her castle.
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