Cycling along the Veloroute du Calavon in the cool of the early mornings, in summer, I often catch sight of a hot air balloon, floating gently above the vines, near Pont Julien. It is always such a tranquil sight, just the calm, still air, with the soundtrack of the dawn chorus, starting to settle down … More Up, Up and Away
We love the long, hot summer days here, getting up early and heading off on the bikes, arriving home before lunch time, then spending the afternoon in the shade, relaxing, or just pottering gently with jobs that need to be done. We never tire of the heat, in fact it was one of the things … More The tranquil Toulourenc
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
In the centre of the pretty village of Saint Saturnin les Apt is a peaceful square (home to the vibrant Tuesday morning market), and to one side is a small garden area that sits in front of a stark stone wall, which is a memorial to the dramatic and devastating events that happened there on … More Reminders of the Resistance in Provence
I have to thank a follower on Twitter for suggesting quatre-vingt-quatre, as an option for Q, as I wanted to write about the department, but with Ventoux, Vin and a number of other options for V, I was really struggling on how to make it fit. So, quatre-vingt-quatre it is, the departmental number for the … More Quatre-Vingt-Quatre. Le Vaucluse
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
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
Looking out of the window, as I am sitting at the table writing, I can hardly see the Mourre Nègre opposite. It’s a grey, cloudy, and even misty day and the colours look so flat, but I know that if I am in need of a splash of colour, then it isn’t too far away. … More The Ochres of the Luberon
I was going to leave walks until W, on this A to Z, but something else has come to mind for that, and so I thought I’d write about the nice walks, that there are around us, instead. It’s funny how there always seems to be a positive from a negative, and at the moment … More Nice walks in the Luberon
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
Postcards from Provence and beyond 