A few thoughts on what has changed and what has stayed the same in Provence over the last 30 years, since our first visit and the publication of A Year in Provence … More A comforting book and a reflection on 30 years of Provence
Today was just one of those beautiful Spring days that just fill your heart with joy and make you start thinking of the long summer days ahead, so my thoughts of perhaps popping across to L’Isle sur La Sorgue market went out of the window as soon as I threw open the shutters. It was … More The Paris-Nice cycle race is coming to our favourite roads
We’ve just returned from our 3rd visit to the Cote d’Azur for our February fix of colour and fun at the Carnaval de Nice and (of course) the superb Fete du Citron that takes place in the beautiful setting of Menton from mid February until early March each year. If you haven’t read one of … More Lemons and Lights in Menton & tips for visiting the Fete du Citron
A couple of days ago I was sat with a friend, drinking tea and chatting about some of the things we will be doing this year saying that it will be ‘interesting’ to say the least. She smiled and said that her idea of interesting is visiting a museum or looking at some art, a … More And so begins this wonderful adventure
There is one ride we do again and again, the only thing that alters is the way round we do it and where we have breakfast. It’s a ride that takes you to some of the prettiest villages in the area, pottering along the quiet back roads, with incredible views and lots of places to … More Beyond the Véloroute #15.. A ‘Welcome to the Valley’ ride
I have to start by saying that I really dislike January. I know it’s a a quiet time of year after the excesses of Christmas and a time for looking forward to the year ahead, also my birthday happens to fall within it too, but I still find it the most depressing of months. Despite … More Beating the January Blues in Provence
Cycling in and around Provence is simply delightful, there are plenty of Bike Hire companies for both traditional and e-bikes and lots of great routes to find and ride: Velo Loisir Provence – this is a superb local organisation that promotes and supports cycling across the area. A font of all knowledge on cycling in … More Cycle Hire and Info
Ever since Andy and I first visited France together on our honeymoon so many years ago, we have always had our bikes with us. Not the sleek road-bikes we have now… … but a real hodge-podge of a collection, from Andy’s well-used commuting road-bike he had had for about 10 years, to heavy old mountain … More Saddlebag of Memories – we have a cycle ride to plan
A few weeks ago, when I was back in the UK and Andy was in France he did a ride that he was particularly excited about. He told me about it and yes it sounded lovely, until he said it was about 110km and had nearly 1500 metres of climbing. At that point I was … More Beyond the Véloroute #14… Sault and back the long way round… On a bit of a mission
Time is a very strange thing indeed, I have been back in the UK for less than 4 weeks and although the time has flown by, it feels as if I have been away from France for so much longer. I am sure there is some psychological explanation for this, but I wouldn’t have any … More Settling in after a few weeks away…..
Postcards from Provence and beyond 