In a little over a week’s time my hubby & boys will set off from our home on Dartmoor to cycle through France, hopefully arriving safe and well after about 18 days in Sete. They’ll be cycling just over 1500km in that time, not quite the Tour de France, but a big ride whichever way … More Beyond the Veloroute – cycle #6 from Sade to Saignon
This last week has been lovely – the house has been full (a great test of the temporary fabric walls & open plan bathroom!) Not only has my eldest son been visiting with his girlfriend, but also my mum, so all the rooms have been put to good use. Of course my son knows the … More A 3 day taster trip to the Vaucluse – where do I start?
It’s hard to believe that we’ve had our little place in France for almost 2 months and slowly but surely it’s starting to feel more like a home. When we drove down we only brought the car with us so were very limited with what we were able to bring – not that we had … More Saving money & having fun furnishing our house
After a couple of busy days settling back into the house & getting on top of a few things I needed to do, I decided to get back out on the bike this morning. I had an appointment with my neighbour to pop to the Recycling Centre (furniture hunting) at 2, so today wasn’t a … More Beyond the Veloroute – cycle #5 – Cherries, Lavender & the Ochres of Roussillon
Over the years that we’ve been coming to the Vaucluse we have often ‘popped’ across the hills that sit between the Luberon & Mont Ventoux. This has always been done by car and I’ve seen people on bikes riding it and thought to myself – that’s not for me! That was until yesterday when we … More Beyond the Veloroute- cycle #4 over the top to Sault
I have to admit to being rather tired last night. Yesterday’s cycle took us onto one of the roads that turns left just before the end of the Veloroute du Calavon and it felt as if we spent most of our time going up hill. To start this ride we turned off the Veloroute immediately … More Beyond the end of the Veloroute- cycle #3 Simiane La Rotonde
For a long time the only market we tended to go to on a Sunday was the massive event that packs the narrow streets and pretty squares of L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. We would cycle in (early) and have breakfast at the wonderful Café de France, before wandering around the town browsing the huge number … More Food, Flowers & Fashion -Sunday in Coustellet
As I mentioned in my last post there are a number of lovely cycle rides that can be taken from the end of the Veloroute du Calavon, towards Cereste & beyond. Having sat down with a neighbour she spent an hour poring over the map, pointing out quite a number of gentle, slightly challenging … More Beyond the end of the Veloroute – cycle #2 Saignon
The Veloroute du Calavon is a great off-road cycle path that runs the length of the petit-Luberon from near Cavaillon to beyond Apt. Built on the bed of an old railway track it offers a well-maintained, vehicle-free, flat route through some of the most picturesque scenery in the area. It is a great way to … More Beyond the end of the Veloroute – cycle #1 to Cereste
This morning I headed out of the Vaucluse and took the relatively short drive across to Forcalquier for its superb Monday market. The drive itself is quite stunning, taking a plane-lined route along the northern edge of the Luberon, before it opens out onto a spectacular view across to the low Alps, which were still … More A market, a Citadelle & difficulties with what to wear.
Postcards from Provence and beyond 