Friday, June 04, 2010

Bonnieux, jour deux

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We just had to go back.  A small hill town, and the site of a wonderful family lunch last year, and we loved the market.  So back we came, and it was as wonderful as we remembered.  Plus we actually drove thru the upper town, so we saw some areas that we hadn’t found last year, and were able to admire the views again…2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 067 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 072 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 076

No photos of the market, but lasting images of a quiet walk (we were there early again), an acoustic guitar player in the middle of the square (which kept everyone speaking just a little quieter than normal), and lots of locals kissing each other in greeting.  We purchased our last tablecloths and pottery, and then back to the estate for the warmest (hot) day of the week, and our last time to play by the pool.

Delightful to be here, but next time we need 2 weeks…

Thursday, June 03, 2010

Roussillon – the red town

In an area where there isn’t a lot of color on buildings, except for the shutters & windows, Roussillon is a beautiful sight for the eyes…2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 001 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 011 We actually got up & out really early, 9am, and made it to the market while there were very few people in the town.  A bit of shopping & a nice walk thru the village up to the church at the very top, and we were able to really appreciate the view, and the colors.  Amazing…2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 002 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 006 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 017 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 014 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 021 Alexandra loved finding the geckos on the walls…2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 026 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 027 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 047 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 029 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 038 2010-06-03 2010-06-03 001 057

Wednesday, June 02, 2010

Non-Market visits

We thought we would try a different tact for the day, by visiting towns that weren’t hosting a market, in hopes that maybe the crowds would be a little less…2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 016 We started in Gordes, one of the most beautiful towns from the drive up the hill into town.2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 013 Still crazy windy!

Unfortunately is was extremely hilly, and we knew we were in another league when the two largest storefronts on the square were Chisties & Sotherby’s Real Estate offices.  2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 003 While Troy went back to the car with Alexandra to get the backpack, Sophia & I wandered around a few of the streets until she got a little freaked out by all of the bugs.2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 001 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 009 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 010 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 011 From there we drove thru the hills,vines, and poppy fields,2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 028 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 027  to Loumarin, and enjoyed a delightful lunch sitting in the center of town, slightly protected from the wind, but very entertained by life passing by.2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 029 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 030 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 036 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 042 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 053 Reading while waiting for ice cream.2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 056 2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 065 Love the street signs…2010-06-02 2010-06-02 001 063 After 2pm, time for a nap & going to the pool!

Tuesday, June 01, 2010

A Day off

After 2 market days in a row, we decided to give the girls a break & just have a day playing around on the field & in the pool.  At the same time, Troy offered me some time to shop, so I went into Avignon while they played!  Everyone was happy!!2010-06-01 2010-06-01 001 001 (This was the view of the Papal palace from the parking lot in Avignon!)

2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 002 2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 004 trying to run across the field through the wind.  The wind is amazing – to the point where we aren’t usiong the bbq because we are concerned about the fire.  Oh well, who needs to cook anything when you can just eat bread & cheese all week long!L'isle sur la sorgue (even Alexandra loves the cheese!)

2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 013 2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 016 2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 024 Jumping with friends is always fun – the kids had no idea what language to speak with eachother, so it was a lot of grunts & eh?  but it was so great to see all of the attempts being made.2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 038 2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 049 Time to try some tennis

2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 051 and badminton.  And then just to run until they fall from exhaustion.2010-06-01 June 2010;Provence 034

Monday, May 31, 2010

Kites in a Wind Storm

We brought our kites with us on this trip, having been frustrated with our forgetfulness before, and boy did the girls have fun with their attempts at flying…2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 036 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 045 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 074 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 064 However, rather than a consistant blowing, the wind’s gusts took the energy out of our girls, and the wind from their kites, and so it was off to the trampolines…2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 088 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 081 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 089 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 094 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 115 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 084 2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 097 and finally Sophia & Troy played pentanque (bacci ball in Italy)2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 133 The balls are about 10 lbs each, so it takes a bit of muscle to maneuver it just right…2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 135 But at least she does it with style…2010-05-31 May 2010;Provence 141