Summer comes early

Like much of southern Europe we have been basking in unseasonably warm temperatures resulting in  the flowers and trees to producing early  blossom and buds and some wonderful produce  to our tables!
We took advantage of a free Saturday to visit the market in Apt which was already pretty busy.

Juicy red tomatoes in Apt market yesterday

White Asparagus from the Gard

Sun dried tomatoes

strawberries from Carpentras

gorgeous green asparagus......

Even melons are early!

and fabulous artichokes

And so for Sunday lunch  Karen produced Asparagus with poached egg, shavings of parmasan...

and in the evening a cote de boeuf with green beans, roasted potatoes, garlic and onions. 

washed down with a little white and red.........

and for desert

a little cassis is added to the strawberries

and some creme fraiche to top!

And so to work off all this great food some exercise beckons!

back in the pool, a little fresh at 20 degrees but a necessary evil!

It is amazing how quickly the pool has warmed up with the warm weather, two week ago it was just 11 degrees, now topping 23 in the day.

Our cherry tree in full bloom

The Luberon, early evening.

Karen's Mum, Joan has been with us for the last week enjoying the balmy spring temperatures and sunshine.

And our first guests have arrived in Les Cypres, an Australian couple , setting off what should be a very busy season.

We have spent the last fortnight working to make sure the house meets our clients expectations so have carried out several improvements which we hope will add to the pleasure of the house. Over 30% of this years clients are repeat guests so it is important maintain it for them.

Rather unexpectedly  we have had to replace the pool liner which is being carried out tomorrow, we hope a crisis averted! Property ownership is not without its stress and expenditure!