The first snow fell in the Vaucluse yesterday and Mont Ventoux started its shift from being a summer cycling venue to a winter ski resort, bringing with it thoughts of long walks across the hills that are so often out of bounds during the summer due to the fire risk and evenings spent eating rich … More Provence in Autumn is just lovely!
Some people must think we’re mad, but having bought the house in France, we had to decide what to do with our pets as between us we’ll be over here for about 5 months this summer. Our dog Millie (a gentle & rather dim Retriever) is adored by a friend who immediately offered to have … More Pusscat’s French Adventure
I make no bones about it – I love chocolate & last night sat with a glass of wine & my latest purchase from the wonderful ‘Chocolatier’ La Cour aux Saveurs in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue. http://www.lacourauxsaveurs.fr/ Back in February I was staying there (in the town that is, not the chocolate shop) whilst house … More I’ve found my chocolate heaven in Provence!
The last 2 days have gone by in a blur of builders, rubble & dust, but it’s been worth it. Having got rid of the hideous pellet burner (affectionately known as Growler) back in August, we’d been keeping our fingers well and truly crossed that the fireplace company stuck to their word and that they’d … More Bring on Winter – the woodburner has been fitted!
If Saturday is a day for the local market then Sunday has become a day to spend the morning pottering around a local Brocante market or village ‘Vide-Greniers’ event. In the summer we often found that we had to make a choice between the local events, all advertised a few weeks beforehand with large signs … More Sunday morning Antiques’ hunting.
I always think it’s a shame that we don’t have the same approach to markets in England as they do in France. As I sit with my first coffee of the day and a ‘pain au chocolat’ in a cafe in Apt the whole town is bustling, full of people and chatter. What is a … More Saturday is market day and I love it!
When we bought our little house it came with a pellet burner in the living room, which was the owner’s pride and joy. It certainly heated the room well & we were given a demonstration of how it could be switched on remotely using a Smartphone, so that the house could be lovely & warm … More Out with the old & in with the new – cheerio ‘Growler’!
Cycling around this area is a delight & even when it’s overcast (like today) it is a perfect way to spend a few hours. After an early wake-up I thought I’d hop on the bike & head across to the lovely Thursday market at L’Isle Sur La Sorgue aiming to arrive for mid-morning coffee. For … More A morning cycling & an afternoon upcycling
It’s hard to believe that it’s only 4 weeks since we left the house in Provence & headed back to the UK after a wonderful first summer there. When we left, the days were still hot (well over 30) and the landscape looked parched and bleached after the long dry-spell & even the leaves on … More Soft colours & golden light – Autumn in Provence
So often we find ourselves chuckling about the odd things involving animals that we’ve seen over the years whilst in Provence including a horse in a flat cap…… …… the sight of a piglet being walked on a lead in Lourmarin…… …….or the cat at Roussillon who delights in stretching out & rolling onto … More Andy meets a dog with a well rehearsed party trick!
Postcards from Provence and beyond 