For the last week Apt has been turning purple. Not only have the fields around the town been scenting the air with Lavender, but purple bunting has appeared, shops have had tables outside with displays of lavender flowers & plants have been appearing in the street. All a pre-cursor today’s ‘Fete de la Lavande’. I … More Lavender, Lavender everywhere….. The Apt Lavender Festival
This last week has been lovely – the house has been full (a great test of the temporary fabric walls & open plan bathroom!) Not only has my eldest son been visiting with his girlfriend, but also my mum, so all the rooms have been put to good use. Of course my son knows the … More A 3 day taster trip to the Vaucluse – where do I start?
For a long time the only market we tended to go to on a Sunday was the massive event that packs the narrow streets and pretty squares of L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. We would cycle in (early) and have breakfast at the wonderful Café de France, before wandering around the town browsing the huge number … More Food, Flowers & Fashion -Sunday in Coustellet
This morning I headed out of the Vaucluse and took the relatively short drive across to Forcalquier for its superb Monday market. The drive itself is quite stunning, taking a plane-lined route along the northern edge of the Luberon, before it opens out onto a spectacular view across to the low Alps, which were still … More A market, a Citadelle & difficulties with what to wear.
Anyone who really knows me will say I’m not really a city person. I’ve always lived in small villages or on the edge of small market towns and although I enjoy spending the odd day in a large town or city – I usually can’t wait to escape & head back to the countryside. I … More A potter round Montpellier
As a mother of 2 rugby-loving teenage boys I know that there is potentially a very short shelf-life for any nice pieces of pottery in our house, which is such a pity. I must admit that both my hubby and I look forward to the day when we may be able to buy a nice … More P is for Pottery Markets
Some time ago someone posed the question on Twitter ‘What are your favourite 3 hill-top villages in Provence?’ Of course there are many to choose from, each having their own merits, whether it is Gordes with its beautiful Chateau, narrow streets and incredible views, Lacoste with its annual concerts and stunning sculptures or the sleepy and … More O is for Oppede Le Vieux
More by luck than judgement, the first Sunday of our holiday this summer happened to coincide with the final day of this year’s International Art & Antiques Fair in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. I must admit that I’d realised the ‘happy coincidence’ a few months ago and had been looking forward to spending a morning … More Fine art and something a bit different!
A few months ago one of my blogs was titled ‘D is for Dining Out’ – to be honest this isn’t something we get to do that often without the boys – and when we’re with them we have to make sure that the restaurant serves something they will be happy to eat. With this … More A delightful meal & a slightly ‘hairy’ cycle home
I can’t help it – I’m a sucker for a local Festival in France – so you can imagine I was delighted when, on a planned bike ride last week, we arrived in Saint Didier and noticed a sign for the Fig Festival taking place in Caromb that day. I feel I should explain that Caromb was … More A Fig Festival & a horse in a ‘flat-cap’
Vaucluse Dreamer 