A Glimpse of Normality
May 30, 2021
after months of confinement, the restrictions are starting to be lifted in france…. and just the first signs of normality returning are a delight … More A Glimpse of Normality
Tag: cycling
Making our house a home
May 10, 2021
It’s all been a bit busy, since Andy arrived back, and it’s hard to believe that nearly 12 weeks have passed already. Of course we’ve been back out on the bikes… And enjoying some wonderful long walks too, watching spring start to take hold….. But in between times, we’ve been busy doing lots on the … More Making our house a home
Watching The Tour de France
February 24, 2021
We are so lucky, living where we do, as the roads around us are often used for professional cycle races, including the Tour de France. Since buying the house here, it has passed close by twice and we have taken every opportunity we can to watch the professional riders race along some of our favourite … More Watching The Tour de France
Mont Ventoux and an unplanned ride
February 23, 2021
Sitting in the north of the Vaucluse, on the border with the Drome, Mont Ventoux dominates the sky-line. This mountain, with its white-scree summit, is an iconic landmark and its profile is instantly recognisable from afar, even as far away as The Camargue. The Giant of Provence rises to over 1900 metres, (it’s been as … More Mont Ventoux and an unplanned ride
Stepping back in time at Simiane
February 20, 2021
If you are a regular reader of the blog, you will know that the Boulangerie at Simiane-La-Rotonde, just across the border from us, in the neighbouring Department of Alpes de Haute Provence, is by far our favourite. The Boulangerie itself is worth the hour long uphill cycle, but it’s not the only attraction as the … More Stepping back in time at Simiane
Watching the Tour de France on Mont Ventoux – What a day
February 17, 2021
For 3 weeks each year everything in our house slows down, the TV is on all afternoon as we all get our annual hit of two of our favourite things – France & cycling. For us the Tour de France is just compulsive viewing, not only is it fantastic to watch, but it’s an incredibly … More Watching the Tour de France on Mont Ventoux – What a day
Purple Provence. Lavender Season in the Vaucluse
February 17, 2021
I love our little corner of Provence, all year round, but there is something incredibly special about the time of year, when the area turns purple, with the Lavender fields exploding with colour, filling the air with scent as the flowers gently brush against each other in the breeze. The fields look beautiful, even in … More Purple Provence. Lavender Season in the Vaucluse
Menerbes, a historic, beautiful village
February 14, 2021
We often find ourselves sitting on the wall at the front edge of the pretty village of Menerbes, whilst we’re out exploring the area on our bikes. In fact I think we must seem like part of the furniture there, and have been recognised a few times now, as we have been sitting absorbed by … More Menerbes, a historic, beautiful village
Irresistable Breakfasts
February 10, 2021
When we first started visiting Provence, we would happily spend a couple of hours, sitting at a cafe or restaurant enjoying lunch, whilst we were out on the bikes. I remember the first time we came, arriving at Goult in the heat of the day, exhausted after what, at the time, felt like a long … More Irresistable Breakfasts
Cycling the back roads of Provence
February 4, 2021
The first time we visited Provence, over 30 years ago, we arrived in a desperate effort to escape the rain that always seemed to dog our snatched, two week holidays in France. At that time we were simply ‘holiday cyclists’, and with a busy working life at home, we only really got out on the … More Cycling the back roads of Provence
Postcards from Provence and beyond 