Sometimes the best laid plans have to be cast aside and that was the case last Tuesday. After taking the dog for an early-morning walk and getting everything ready for a cycle out to Roussillon for breakfast, we started to get the bikes out, only to hear the rumble of thunder coming from the valley … More Market Day in Banon
Last week Andy and I were sitting at Menerbes overlooking the view when two people on electric bikes pulled up beside us and were trying to identify the villages on the hills opposite. We got chatting and they explained that they had just hired the bikes and one said how wonderful it was and that … More Beyond the Veloroute #13 – Incredible Roads, 2 Cols and Wow just Wow!
It’s been a long time since I last posted about a cycle ride in the area, that’s not because we haven’t been cycling, in fact the opposite is true. This area is so good for cycling and even though we thought we had been along most of the main routes, we continue to find new … More Beyond the Veloroute #12 – Over the top to Cucuron
I have always loved gardens, although I have to admit to not being a great gardener myself. A summer garden with deep herbaceous borders, filled with the scent and colour of roses is always a delight and we have some delightful ones around us in the UK, such as this one at Coombe Trenchard just … More The incredible gardens at Valsaintes Abbey
Shortly after moving to the area, we spent some time exploring the pretty village of Simiane-La-Rotonde, a few miles away from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes de Haute Provence. Whilst we were there we noticed the names of 5 English Airmen had been added to the local War Memorial and set out to … More On the trail of a WW2 Wellington Bomber
I can honestly say that cycling in Provence is always a delight, but sometimes we do a new ride that just makes my heart sing & leaves me feeling as if I’m grinning ‘from the inside out’ and that’s just how I felt after doing this route earlier this week. I never thought I’d hear myself saying this, especially … More Beyond the Veloroute #11 Mont Ventoux & the Gorges de la Nesque
The last couple of days I’ve been settling back into life in our little house in Provence and enjoying catching up with our eldest, who arrived in May & is still here – I think it’s fair to say he loves it and would love to make a life for himself here! Of course there … More Beautiful light, colours, peace and quiet – it’s Autumn in Provence
Over the last 3 weeks Andy & I have covered nearly 2000 kilometres & climbed nearly 26 kilometres between us on our bikes. That’s not through us setting out to do anything particularly and it certainly hasn’t been as a result of us setting ourselves a target, but simply because we like to go out … More Cycling, Coffee & Croissants!
This morning I hopped in the car & headed across to Forcalquier, a short distance from us in the neighbouring Department of Alpes-De-Haute-Provence. Monday is its market day and provides the perfect excuse for a visit (if such a thing is needed?) and it is a lovely drive across along the northern flank of the … More Incredible views, a Citadelle & Art at Forcalquier
As you will have realised by now we are really enjoying getting out on the bikes and exploring the area around our new home. Despite having visited the area for almost more years than I care to remember we are always finding new routes & villages to potter around. We’re really lucky as the Veloroute … More Beyond the Veloroute cycle #7 – Reillanne, Vachères & views to the Alps
Postcards from Provence and beyond 