Around Provence - Jeff Bailey VII

Thank goodness...the weather was perfect today. [See, Gail is on the road again.....]

Had to pack the luggage and load into the van before starting out on a day of exploration. First up was a short 2km ride back into Pernes Les Fontaine for a better look around and another market where our picnic lunch ingredients were to be purchased.

                                                           Hairy fountain at Pernes!

Then onto the road and some gentle hills for a ride, which also gave Jeff the opportunity to stop and capture the beauty of the countryside instead of flying along on a car and missing them. One photo opportunity was of some dry stone buildings (bories) dating back to 3500BC which were used to house stock.

Arrived at our picnic spot at the source of the Sorgue River in the small town of Fontaine de Vaucluse, which is one of Europe's most visited sites. The picnic was absolutely delightful which included wine and all the traditional foods of France and the area. Gail was able to explain the type and origins of all the cheeses, meats and olives etc. She is so knowledgeable and her planning is immaculate. What a feast!

We walked up to the source of the spring which mysteriously appears out of the base of a cliff and feeds the Sorque River which also feeds the river Rhone.

Yes we are in Cotes de Rhone wine country here.We took too much time here so the van took us part the way back to our next accommodation before riding the final 10km to just outside Caromb, which is a sleepy and delightful little village devoid of the usual influx of tourists. Yet again the accommodation is stunning.

We are writing this blog sitting up in bed, windows wide open and a gentle breeze blowing. The bedroom in a large two storey farmhouse overlooks fields of olive groves, vineyards and out to Mont Ventoux. We keep saying "can it get any better than this?" and it does ! Many self pinching moments this trip. How does Gail find these places?

Dinner was prepared by the 'live in gardiens', Valerie and Philippe. Superb aperitifs followed by an asparagus tart (so light and creamy)and a gorgeous rustic lamb casserole with a local grain like faro. Dessert was chopped up strawberries marinated in Cointreau.

Today is more exploring on bikes around the area - if the weather permits...

Fin