Firstly I have to start with an apology – the last few months have been rather chaotic with one thing and another and I find that this really is the first time I’ve been able to sit and write about our little half-life in France for quite some time. It’s probably best if I start … More Time for the transformation to begin
As you have probably gathered by now we tend to enjoy spending our time in France cycling, visiting brocante market & vide greniers and drinking coffee, with the days passing by in a blur and us inevitably falling into bed each evening tired and satisfied after the day’s activities. There are certainly worse ways of … More The Pleasure and Pain of cycling to a Brocante Market
There is something wonderful about a traditional French market and over the years we’ve spent a considerable amount of time ambling around them in different towns across the Country.The lively Saturday Market in AptThe nice thing is that each area expresses its own identity through its markets – with the wonderful seafood stalls, full of … More 3 ‘Small but Perfectly Formed’ Provence markets
It’s now nearly 4 months since Millie, our Golden Retriever, arrived for her first visit to France & I think it’s fair to say she has settled in very quickly and already considers Provence as home. I admit that it didn’t start too well, with the first few days being taken up with the ‘War … More It’s a dog’s life in Provence – Part 2
Last year when The Tour De France visited Provence I was down here on my own and still waiting for the boys to arrive from their rather epic cycle ride from Dartmoor to Sète. I grabbed the chance to watch The Tour finish on the iconic Mont Ventoux, only for the summit finish to be … More ‘Chapeau’ to The Tour de France
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!
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
This time last year Andy and I were in Provence house-hunting & if I’m honest we never really imagined that we would now be preparing to spend our first Christmas in our own home in France. It’s been a great year and for the first time we’ve managed to spend extended holidays in and around … More A First French Christmas
I always think it’s a shame that we don’t have the same approach to markets in England as they do in France. As I sit with my first coffee of the day and a ‘pain au chocolat’ in a cafe in Apt the whole town is bustling, full of people and chatter. What is a … More Saturday is market day and I love it!
So often we find ourselves chuckling about the odd things involving animals that we’ve seen over the years whilst in Provence including a horse in a flat cap…… …… the sight of a piglet being walked on a lead in Lourmarin…… …….or the cat at Roussillon who delights in stretching out & rolling onto … More Andy meets a dog with a well rehearsed party trick!
Postcards from Provence and beyond 