Sorry the pictures are small - click on them to enlarge.

Saturday 25th July, the day the tour comes to Mont Ventoux before the final in Paris on Sunday. As we drove towards Mont Ventoux you could see the glistening of cars and vans already in place.








By Chalet Reynard, the last ski station in the Southern Alpes crowds gather. When we were here in February there was 3 metres of snow.






Probally the largest collection of Camper vans in Europe - it is estimated between 700000 and 1 million people watched the penultimate day. Many had been camping all week to stake their place.





A large fire, fanned by the Mistral wind attracted everyones interest.





The Canadair planes, based in marseille were soon on the scene dropping sand and water to extingish the fire. Five planes were for about an hour before the smoke and fire went down.




The overhead helicopter sending live tv images indicates the cyclists are closeby.






The leading group with Contador in the yellow shirt.

This a Just 5 kilometres from the summitt after cycling 159 kilometres, with the final climb to 1912 metres.

It is incredible that these guys are not even breaking into a sweat!


The peloton finally arrives quite a few minutes behind the leading riders.


It has been a very enjoyable weekend. Ian, Sheena Karen and I after one or two glasses of wine!

We have been out exporing slightly north of where we live, ultimately in the direction of the Southern Alps. The Lavender is about to be cut. We tracked down some great views though.





This is the North face of Mont Ventoux, where we shall see the penultimate day of the Tour de France on Saturday.


We visited Montbrun-les-Bains, very impressive from below, slightly disappointing when up there!

Bastille Day! Quatorze Juillet 2009. A most historic day in France, and an important one for our normally quiet and tranquil village today over run with bargain hunters seeking other peoples bric o brac.
This is the street where our villa les Cypres is, is normally quiet and car free. People began arriving at 4am, first light!


And who can blame them, with such tasteful bargains as this basin, with pedestal, soap dishes and a fountain!


The brass jazz band wander through adding to the informal friendly atmosphere.



The Village square.


As ever its a great turn out.


The Chateau at the top of the village where there are superb views across the valley to the Luberon mountains.

Sun Flowers - the true sign of summer!




We met our friends Roy, Andrea & Sebastion in Aix en Provence. About 50 minutes from us - a great city with some lovely builidings.

In between guests we continue to re explore our favourite spots - Gordes - the best bit is the drive up to it, I love seeing the hustle and bustle or tourists from around the world trying to get the best shot!










And you cannot beat a good beer at a traditional french cafe - this is in Isle sur L'Sorgue
.



My sister, Gillian clearly has a thirst!

I start most days walking to the Boulangerie in our village for our bread and the occasional croissant - they are some of the best in the region. Last weekend though our Boulanger took a long weekend away to I had to take a short drive to Villars passing this lovely lavender field.




Jean Michel, the Boulanger works through the night to produce the bread, beleive me the smell of 6 warm fresh baguettes in my car was almost enough to make me stop and eat one!