It is our 3rd Christmas in Provence and I can honestly say I hope I never spend another one in the UK - sorry folks back home! The weather, the peace and the beauty of the area just make this day extra special.
This photo, taken at the Chapel at the top of the village seemed appropriate.Happy Christmas.




Karen sporting her new outfit on Christmas Day!


Drinks on the terrace - well it is December!

This will be the last blog before we leave for the UK tomorrow. We are already in the Christmas spirit having spent a day in Aix en Provence yesterday where there is a Christmas market, lots of nicely dressed shop windows and a great light display. We also went to our first Christmas party at 'Abbys' which was most enjoyable although walking home at gone midnight at minus 6 degrees was less fun!

Tonight we are going to our friends wine Domaine where this will be Vin Chaud ( hot mulled wine), a bbq, music etc so we will be nice and mellow when we are arrive in blighty!

Our building team finish for Christmas shortly. Yesterday the upstairs floors were poured on both houses. So we should have some more walls going up early in the new Year.This is our house

And this is the second house.

And our Garage.

The houses continue to progress. The plaster has been poured to create our Provencal ceiling which will be revealed this week when the 'shuttering' is removed. The concrete first floor beams have been added with the actual floors being poured next week.


For the first time I was able to stand at first floor height - 'upstairs!' and this will be the view from our bedroom and balcony.


We ordered the swimming pool for the second house yesterday to be installed either next April or September!
Thijs is going to build ours at it will be more individual with a pool house and summer kitchen.


The project managing of the builds takes much of our week, not so much on site but sorting things out from Satellite systems for TV to door and window furniture.We have just chosen the flooring for the living area and kitchen.

Our Toyota Rav 4, which are normally so reliable has developed a serious fault , which appears to be common although not reported anywhere in the press !So we have traded her in which has also taken much of the last week. We arrive in Avignon where there are endless car garages, the particular area is called car city - and they all close 12 to 2pm for lunch! if you can't beat them join them!


The weather has been fabulous over the last week, warm and sunny by day if not a little cool at night! we try and walk 3 times a week about 8 Kilometres usually passed these vines which have just been cut for winter.