Last night, after a long day’s ride and a superb, much-needed supper, we ambled around the Vieux Port and collapsed into bed, sleeping like babies until just after 7, this morning. The thought of having a day off had taken away the early-morning wakefulness, when normally we’re alert, planning the route and getting everything ready. … More Saddlebag of Memories… Day 6 … A day off in La Rochelle
After yesterday’s epic and admittedly, rather brutal ride, we weren’t really sure how we would feel getting back on the bikes this morning Would our bums be sore? Would we have any strength in our legs? Would we even get half way to tonight’s stay? All these worries were very present when we woke up … More Saddlebag of Memories.. Day 3 .. Caurel to La Gacilly
What an incredible first day’s ride we’ve had from East Devon, across Dartmoor to Plymouth, and I’m writing this, now that we’re through check-in and waiting to board the night ferry to Roscoff. I’ve only just admitted to Andy that I was actually rather worried about today, as I’d only ever ridden as far as … More Saddlebag of Memories Cycle Ride…Day 1 over Dartmoor to Plymouth
Over 30 years ago, when we first visited the Luberon, we took to our bikes, cycling the back-roads to explore the beautiful, historic villages, and we remember riding over an old bridge across the Calavon river, below Bonnieux, when we were making our way to Roussillon. What we didn’t realise at the time, was that … More Exploring the History
After a gentle weekend, today has been another mad travelling day, and considering it was only organised in Friday, it’s actually gone rather well. This weekend, it really did feel as if Spring was forcing her way forward, with me stopping in my tracks, whilst we were out walking, on hearing the lilting (and simply … More Travelling again
Over the last week, the days have slipped comfortably past, with enough going on to keep me busy, whilst Andy has been away, fitting in lots of chores around the more enjoyable aspects of life here. In many ways, it’s been a bit of a bizarre week, especially when it comes to the weather. Over … More All the seasons in a week, in Provence
It’s now nearly 2 weeks, since Andy’s little ‘finger’ incident happened and we’ve been settling into life without cycling, as riding with a heavy duty bandage protecting the stitches, doesn’t really make gear-changing particularly easy. I know I can go out on my own, but somehow, it just doesn’t seem right, so the bikes have … More Autumn walks in Provence
Over the last few weeks, we have got a little bit further under the skin ofthe local area, and it’s taken us to some very different places, most recentlyon a guided tour of the Cathédrale Sainte Anne, in the heart of Apt, focusing on its medieval history. Each year the weekend of the ‘Journées du … More The incredible story of Apt, a Queen and the birth of The Sun King
Life here is never boring, and sometimes, even the simplest of things takes a twist, which leaves us wondering how we manage to get through a day without some disaster, or another. Take this weekend as an example. On Saturday, we headed out on the bikes, on one of our favourite little rides, that takes … More Figs, a lost phone and cake
It’s just before 7am and after an unexpectedly longer stay in the UK than planned, I am finally en route home and back to Andy in Provence, and if all goes well, he should be waiting for me at Avignon just after 9.15 tonight (hopefully in Fifi, as that would be even more perfect) It’s … More Homeward Bound, London, Paris, Provence
Vaucluse Dreamer 