Day 2
What a great way to wake up - after going to bed during a tempest, we awoke to a sunbeam coming through the curtains and right onto the bed. What a great start!
We awoke late (9:00) and after chocolate croissants & coffee for breakfast, headed out into the sunshine. Kristen & I explored the property, finding a giant seesaw, play set and a bench I sat on while Kristen picked a fistful of yellow wildflowers.
The view across the valley to the Petit Luberon is gorgeous, just a few houses visible. Plenty of olive and cherry trees. Kristen tried a raw olive and proclaimed it nasty.
We awoke late (9:00) and after chocolate croissants & coffee for breakfast, headed out into the sunshine. Kristen & I explored the property, finding a giant seesaw, play set and a bench I sat on while Kristen picked a fistful of yellow wildflowers.
The view across the valley to the Petit Luberon is gorgeous, just a few houses visible. Plenty of olive and cherry trees. Kristen tried a raw olive and proclaimed it nasty.
Our Driveway
We were joined by Chico the black cat, whom we were told would be joining us. When we came back in, he scooted in under my legs and stretched out in the still-warm bed and fell asleep.
Mont Ventoux
We, on the other hand, got ready and headed out for a tour of the Dentelles, with a food fair in Vaison-la-Romaine as our destination.
We quickly recognized the summit of Mont Ventoux, shrouded in the only clouds around. After getting lost in Carpentras, we took some really nice scenic roads around the foothills of the mountain, passing a lone psycho bicyclist.
We quickly recognized the summit of Mont Ventoux, shrouded in the only clouds around. After getting lost in Carpentras, we took some really nice scenic roads around the foothills of the mountain, passing a lone psycho bicyclist.
By the time we finally pulled into Vaison la Romaine it was near 2 pm. We quickly found the "Journees Gourmandes" festival, a huge tent with vendors inside and outside.
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Our 4€ admission got us each a souvenir wine glass. Inside were about 100 vendors, selling all sorts of local specialties. We could have survived a month on the free samples.
We found a table, shared by French and Italians, and enjoyed duck confit ravioli (6€), 7 oysters (4€), a couple of glasses of Cotes du Rhone (1.50€), a plate of raclette over cured ham (6€) and some pastries (2€ per). Plus we bought as souvenirs: a 3 kilo bag of sea salt, walnut oil, a ceramic flute, and a chocolate nut nougat. A splendid time was had by all! Ed Note 2009: We're still cooking with the salt! And the flute is called an Ocarina, as heard on, for instance, "Wild Thing". |
After the wine and food we were kind of tired and bagged the Dentelles tour. Oh well, maybe another day. Food fairs like this don't come along every day.
Storm on the Horizon
On the way home we stopped at a mobbed LeClerc for slippers (Dave & Kristen) and dinner stuff. Home around sunset (6:00), and were greeted by Chico.
Kristen and I went out onto the swing set but retreated inside when some hunters began firing in the adjacent field. Too close for comfort (100 yards).
Kristen and I went out onto the swing set but retreated inside when some hunters began firing in the adjacent field. Too close for comfort (100 yards).
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Mom is making a tricolor pasta with Tomatoes, olives, rosemary and garlic. I have a fire going, "Paris Accordions" is on the CD player and I'm sipping my third Pastis. Life is good!!!
Day 3 >>> |
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