After nearly 30 years of dreaming we've finally bought our own bit of Provence and spend as much time there as possible. A lover of everything about the area especially the markets, the Brocante hunting & cycling the quiet lanes. Blogging about my favourite things in the area from places to visit, shopping and cycle trips
It has just dawned on me that this time last year Andy was frantically packing the car, filling every possible space with bits we wanted to take with us to France ahead of setting off in the early hours to drive to Provence to complete the purchase of our long dreamed-for little house. … More Our Year in Provence (sorry Peter Mayle)
What we’ve realised since we bought the house this time last year is that there is no really bad time to cycle in Provence. Yes Summer is hot, but speaking as a ‘mad dog’ I’m very happy to go out in the mid-day sun and to be honest it gives us a great excuse for … More Beyond the Veloroute cycle #9 – Roussillon, Bonnieux & an Elephant!
Once again we have flung open the shutters on the house, switched the hot water on, filled the fridge & checked the tyres on the bikes. Over the last year (and it really is nearly a year since we bought the house) it feels as if we have been here in Provence more than … More It’s nice to be back & Spring has arrived!
I really should have taken a better note of the date when I got up at 2.30am today to travel to the Airport! I suppose an early start, lack of coffee & a distinct need for sugar made me take my eye off the ball, but perhaps they’re just excuses & I should just accept … More Poisson d’Avril – Hook, Line & Sinker!
Having spent a good few months out of the last year in France both Andy & I have seen our French really improve, although we both started at very different levels. I’d learnt French at school, although had given up after taking my ‘O’ Level for the simple reason that I detested the teacher and … More Learning French to enjoy life in Provence
There is something so wonderful about French buildings and all too often we miss seeing them as we hurry past or simply focus on everything at eye-level. In the past I’ve probably been one of the worst, focusing on just cramming as many of the things we love to do into a busy couple of … More Peeling Paint, Shabby Shutters & Intricate Ironwork – How wonderful
If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know that one of the things I love most about France is the chance to spend the weekends pottering round some of the fabulous local ‘Brocante’ markets. In the Summer the weekends pass by in a blur of Vide-Greniers in local villages & more professional … More Sunday Mornings in Carpentras
I make no bones about it – I love a good coffee stop and La Vie en Rose at Coustellet has to be one of my favourites. The tea shop isn’t exactly in a perfect location as it’s situated on the side of the road just behind Super U in the village, nor is it in a traditional … More A perfectly quirky coffee stop
Not every day starts with blue skies & sunshine in Provence and Saturday was one of those days! When we woke, the rain was drumming on the roof & the whole place just looked soggy, so any thoughts of a bike ride went out of the window & we quickly decided on Plan B, … More A Saturday hop across the Rhone
When I packed my cycle kit to come over this time I put in enough layers to keep me warm in the expected arctic temperatures, hoping to snatch a few precious moments out on the bike before dashing home to thaw out in front of the fire. I think in hindsight I rather over-packed … More Beyond the Veloroute cycle #8 – Through the Vineyards
Postcards from Provence and beyond 