My apologies for the absence of a recent blog! may be something to do with reaching the grand age of 50, I am slowing down!!No, not the case, more that we are fully occupied and in the height of the season.
But as always we manage to get the balance of work and leisure to enjoy the beautiful region that we live in!
I was thoroughly spoilt and very impressed at how many things Karen thought of that I didn't know I needed! My sister bought me engraved Marseille blue Petanque balls so now I have no excuses not to win!
They are already being put to good use on our court where we often have friendly tournaments with our gite guests.
To celebrate my birthday we had champagne and canapes poolside with friends, my sister helped Karen lay on a wonderful spread.
And surpringly I did not get thrown in the pool! unsurprisingly we did go to bed quite late!
We have found an excellent source of champagne so if you are celebrating whilst on holiday and would like to have a bottle put on ice just let us know.
Another weekend in June was taken up with a flying visit to London.
We left home at 8am and were in Oxford Street, London by 13.00.
The purpose of the visit was to see the Premiere of my sons first film, 'Fifteen'.
Richard, celebrating his birthday also on the fifteenth, wrote directed and edited the film which he hopes to sell for either cinema of DVD release.
Myself, Richard & Karen on the red carpet!
We returned from London next day, in time to complete our Saturday changeover.
London is such a wonderful vibrant city, our visit was too brief, but one cannot help but be so happy to come back to the Luberon and the smell of Lavender and sight of blue skies!
Lavender, vines with the Luberon behind, half a mile from home!
Even closer to home, our own lavender in the garden surrounding the stone well.
And taking a drive North, the village of Simiane la Rotonde on route to Banon, famous for it's Goats cheese.
Mid June to end of July is the best time for the Lavender, it gets booked up early! so if you would like to see, smell and taste (honey & ice cream) book now!
We know that much of Europe, including mid and North France has been suffering some pretty awful weather, however the Vaucluse which has over 300 days of sunshine a year has been hot and settled with temperatures between 27 and 33 degrees C by day with a pleasant night time temperature. The pools are all at 28 to 30 degrees too.
One of the attractions of where we live is the ability to drive in summer to the coast ( Cassis is just under two hours) and in Winter to ski in the Southern Alpes (less than three hours).
One of our favourite haunts is Le Lavandou on the Cote D'Azur, in under three hours we can be on the beach enjoying the mediterranean sea.
And a day on the beach would not be the same with out a visit to our favourite restaurant.
Right on the beach the fish is so fresh it's still flapping!
Michel has been the chef for, well lets say quite a long time!
Back closer to home we are out eating again!
Coquillade continues to please all our clients who have eaten there.
The Bistro in the vines, open through summer offers a simple but imaginative menu at 32€ for three courses.
My starter, so simple yet delicious - aged tomatoes, mozzeralla & salad.
Again, simple, perfectly cooked fish on a bed of vegetables. Note no carbs - healthy eating .
Soft tasty Veal - osso bucco
Remember we are happy to make restaurant reservations for our clients and at Coquillade you can enjoy a welcome glass of Rose on us.
No this is not desert!, a moth or butterfly ? in our garden - quite beautiful.
Have you ever studied ants? This one had real attitude stealing with of the cats biscuits.
Ginger, one of our three cats never misses a new place to sleep or was she hoping to go somewhere in our beach bag!
Another local creature waiting to greet Karen on the peg!
Sun & Fun in Provence!
