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
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
Since arriving back in Provence, it has felt as if someone has been playing with time … I can’t quite believe that nearly two weeks have passed since Tom and I drove back. It is more like moments have passed, than days, but at the same time I have the sense that I have been … More Winter arrives in Provence
To be honest there hasn’t really been much to look forward to over the last few months, it’s been hard for so many reasons and even the most positive of people (me included) has found it difficult to really look forward to anything. Watching this year’s delayed Tour De France was one high spot, even … More Save the Date – Le Tour returns to The Vaucluse
A few weeks ago, when the fields were purple and the air was scented with Lavender, we took a ride across the Saint Christol Plateau to Sault, simply to enjoy the sight. Enjoy it with us now on YouTube A ride through the lavender It’s a ride we love to do as the views are … More A Lavender-scented cycle ride to Sault – Video
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 VĂ©loroute #14… Sault and back the long way round… On a bit of a mission
Sometimes it takes me a while to get round to doing something and this week I finally decided I would go and try out the Spa at Montbrun Les Bains. I say finally as our lovely neighbour had mentioned it to me 3 years ago, just after we bought the house, saying it was a … More An afternoon at The Thermal Spa in Montbrun Les Bains
A few years ago, if Andy had suggested watching the sunrise from the summit of Mont Ventoux, I would have worked out how long it would take us to drive there, set an alarm and enjoyed the drive across and up the mountain. But that was a few years ago and things change. So a … More Chasing the dawn on Mont Ventoux
Last week Andy and I were sitting at Menerbes overlooking the view when two people on electric bikes pulled up beside us and were trying to identify the villages on the hills opposite. We got chatting and they explained that they had just hired the bikes and one said how wonderful it was and that … More Beyond the Veloroute #13 – Incredible Roads, 2 Cols and Wow just Wow!
Vaucluse Dreamer 