Day 8
It's kind of windy this morning, with a cold wind and dark, humid clouds blowing in from the south. Hopefully the weather holds out... Kristen is coloring in her "Roi Lion" coloring book. Breakfast of what was left around - 1 egg, leftover bread, jam, etc., then out around 11:00, too late as usual.
First stop Gordes, a touristy village, but basically just us and a busload of Japanese who quickly dispersed.
First stop Gordes, a touristy village, but basically just us and a busload of Japanese who quickly dispersed.
Jill had fun shopping and bought a santon (terra cotta doll, dressed and painted, of an old woman carrying a tray of cheese), a faux antique wine caddy, 6 glasses with cicadas on them, and a little ceramic cat for Kristen.
We had lunch of pizzas, salad, dessert & coffee for 42€ in a little mom & pop place with 4 tables. Good pizza, too much food.
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Then a stop at the Village de Bories, old stone huts. No one knows quite how old, same say as old as 2000 years. They were lived in until about 1850.
We almost didn't go in, but Kristen wanted to. As soon as we paid our 11€ it started to rain, so we made quick work of it. Then out the narrow lane, and on to Fontaine de Vaucluse. |
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This town is where the Sorgue river has its source, bubbling up from no one knows how far under the earth to form a full-throttle river.
Quite impressive, but a bit of a walk in the rain. It was really nice being in such a tourist town with few tourists around. Leaves falling, truly fall now, about 45 degrees. |
Back at the ranch
After the 1 hour excursion it was time to head home and warm up.
I called 2 restaurants this morning and made reservations for our final 2 nights. Jill's thinking about starting to pack but not motivated. The change in the weather makes it feel like vacation is almost over... maybe it will blow thru tonight.
My highlight of the day was an extended French conversation with a friendly shopkeeper in Gordes. We kept it simple - he spoke no English. Where we stayed, how long, nice weather, Kristen on vacation from school, etc. About 10 minutes.
Tonight dinner at Restaurant Pont Julien, near the Roman bridge. We drove thru a rainstorm and got there 10 minutes early, to the disapproval of of the proprietor, who had asked me to come at 7:45; I confused his place with tomorrow's restaurant.
So we sat alone in the dining room, listening to some kind of African? music till precisely 7:45 when we got our menus. We were soon joined by 4 other tables of people, the entire crowd for the night.
Maman, waiting tables, appeared to speak no English. The dining room was a little hushed compared to Le Fournil.
Dave ordered some kid of seafood casserole (not too good) and a salmon cut into strips and braided with bacon and citron sauce, excellent. Jill - goat cheese salad and duck pot-au-feu (duck/veggie stew), also excellent. Kristen had chicken strips with sauce and potatoes au gratin.
Same wine as last night (half the price) and unfortunately madame gave us red instead of the requested rose. Jill creme caramel dessert, Dave -Isle Flottant (floating islands of meringue in creme anglaise). The desserts, like the entrees, did not match the quality of the main course. But the bill was only 63€. Home through the rain to bed, where we wished for a fire but it's too late.
To bed with "Toujours Provence" now that "A Year in Provence" is finished. Great books for the Luberon traveler, everything takes place within 10 miles of our house!
Day 9 >>>
I called 2 restaurants this morning and made reservations for our final 2 nights. Jill's thinking about starting to pack but not motivated. The change in the weather makes it feel like vacation is almost over... maybe it will blow thru tonight.
My highlight of the day was an extended French conversation with a friendly shopkeeper in Gordes. We kept it simple - he spoke no English. Where we stayed, how long, nice weather, Kristen on vacation from school, etc. About 10 minutes.
Tonight dinner at Restaurant Pont Julien, near the Roman bridge. We drove thru a rainstorm and got there 10 minutes early, to the disapproval of of the proprietor, who had asked me to come at 7:45; I confused his place with tomorrow's restaurant.
So we sat alone in the dining room, listening to some kind of African? music till precisely 7:45 when we got our menus. We were soon joined by 4 other tables of people, the entire crowd for the night.
Maman, waiting tables, appeared to speak no English. The dining room was a little hushed compared to Le Fournil.
Dave ordered some kid of seafood casserole (not too good) and a salmon cut into strips and braided with bacon and citron sauce, excellent. Jill - goat cheese salad and duck pot-au-feu (duck/veggie stew), also excellent. Kristen had chicken strips with sauce and potatoes au gratin.
Same wine as last night (half the price) and unfortunately madame gave us red instead of the requested rose. Jill creme caramel dessert, Dave -Isle Flottant (floating islands of meringue in creme anglaise). The desserts, like the entrees, did not match the quality of the main course. But the bill was only 63€. Home through the rain to bed, where we wished for a fire but it's too late.
To bed with "Toujours Provence" now that "A Year in Provence" is finished. Great books for the Luberon traveler, everything takes place within 10 miles of our house!
Day 9 >>>
