Out Go The Lamps a novel by John Michael Flynn

 

Wisconsin native Albert Kellner, a former high school literature teacher forced into retirement due to complete loss of sight in one eye, has moved to a suburb of London with his Welsh-born wife, Rhys. They've done so because Rhys's father, Brinley, who lives in Cardiff, is chronically ill.

Rhys, younger than Albert, works as a pediatrician at a local NHS hospital. Albert spends quiet days brooding alone, taking walks and reliving his past, but all that changes as he begins to lose sight in his only good eye. 

Day by day as Brinley's health worsens and Rhys must make regular trips alone to Cardiff, Albert copes with darkness creeping in, total blindness a certainty.

You can find this E-book here at Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/out-go-the-lamps-john-michael-flynn/1150633111?ean=2940196638718

See For Yourself -- Vienna #9

There are countless sites to visit in Vienna, and just as many websites to view in preparation for your trip. I'll start with Evelina's Foot On The Road site for photos and information about palaces most visitors see in Vienna: https://footontheroad.com/palaces-in-vienna/

Here is a list for you:

Schönbrunn Palace

Hofburg Palace

Belvedere Palace

Liechtenstein Palaces

Albertina Palace

Palais Ferstel

Palais Obentraut

Palais Pallavicini

Palais Palffy

This is another useful and enjoyable site, Urban Traveler: https://www.urbantravelblog.com/best/palaces-in-vienna/

This is the Earth Trekkers site with their bucket list of what to see in Vienna: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/top-ten-vienna/

This site is Anywhere We Roam, and this page features Vienna: https://anywhereweroam.com/things-to-do-vienna/

This is Moon And Honey Travel with their hidden Vienna gems: https://www.moonhoneytravel.com/vienna-hidden-gems/

This is the Vienna page of the Just A Pack website: https://www.justapack.com/off-the-beaten-path-vienna/

The Vienna hidden gems page of the 22 Places website: https://www.22places.com/vienna-hidden-gems/

The Stage Door to the Vienna State Opera House.

Its commemorative plaque below.

Hotel Sacher

The famous Opera toilet. With music.

As one of my favorite poets, Fernando Pessoa, author of The Book Of Disquiet, gets two appearances in this post. 

This Radio Funk Haus ear gets two appearances, as well. You know you're in Europe when the cafes are named after poets from other countries, and there are statues on posts of Seraut-inspired ears.

 

And there are shops dedicated to selling only gloves. 

And Italian ice cream shops, or Gelaterias.

This is the Vienna page of Europe In Detail. For those who, like me, prefer the off beat more local vibes: https://europeindetail.com/non-touristy-things-to-do-in-vienna/

This is Vienna Wurstelstand for 14 more local sites: https://viennawurstelstand.com/guide/hidden-places-in-vienna-that-only-the-locals-really-know/

From the site creators:

"If there’s one thing we know, it’s that we all like to be in on a secret. And we’re about to expose some. Well, many of you will know these 14 places, however, this is a list of places in Vienna that aren’t so widely known. To the regular visitors of these places – please don’t be mad, we just want to share all the cool places we’ve discovered over the years with fellow lovers of Vienna."