Autumn Update

 December is here, and it is a little under seven weeks since our last gite guests left.

During this time as well as some down time we have been carrying out routine maintenance to all of our properties and  making preparations for winter and the season ahead.

Our Olive Harvest was disappointing, caused by the exceptional cold snap in February and the trees taking a year off producing fruit!

Our bins are empty!

Well we found a few Olives!

22 Kilos to be exact, down from 48 last year and 248 kilos in 2009 and 2010.

Each november we meet close friends, who now live in Germany, somewhere in the world!

This year Rome, wow, we really loved this city.

One day of rain did not spoil our fun! we walked for miles, ate well and at reasonable cost, drank moderately!! and took in so much culture!

Our friends Roy & Andrea with Karen and I outside the Vatican.

It was amusing to see the Trevi Fountain, over run with tourists even in November - imagine the summer!

In the market, some fabulous wild mushrooms - Porcini.

Karen was in her element in Rome, her dream car, the original Fiat 500 were everywhere.

Whilst my pleasures were satisfied in one of the many wonderful wine stores!

And this bread shop had people queuing outside the door.

Back in Saint Saturnin Les Apt, the village is quiet and peaceful.

It is such a nice time of year to walk and appreciate the clean air, the light and glorious countryside that surrounds us.

A sign of the superb air clarity - the mistletoe is full of berries this year.

One of our favourite ruins, a perfect maison secondaire!

We took a quick trip to Montpellier, a very difficult city to navigate by car ( park outside and take the tram) and so headed for La Grande Motte, right on the coast, again, heaving in summer, delightful off season with plenty of restaurants open to enjoy the freshly caught seafood.

Tucking into my plate of Oysters, mussels and sea snails.

La Grande Motte in early November.

Our own interpretation of a seafood medley, dressed fresh crab, prawns, crevette grise and bulot with oysters (not shown). Delicious with a chilled burgundy!

Autumn leaves, friends commented how dry they are compared to the soggy version found in England!

Another day out, 'The Chateau La Coste' ( not related to Lacoste in the Luberon) near Aix has a wine domain, gallery, display of modern sculpture and restaurant. Note the counter is built from wine bottles. 

Well worth a visit.

As well as loving wine, desserts are my weak point! 

I came across this wonderful selection!

We took a trip to the coast, Le Lavandou on the cote d 'Azur.

As many of our friends and clients know this is an area we try and escape to once or twice during summer and Joe's restaurant, right on the beach is famous.

And this is it in November, closed & dismantled!

Karen and I on the beach in November!!

Who would know what a contrast to summer.

And this is the beach in St Clair, again a mass of bodies in summer, piled up with sand  in winter and truly deserted!

In summer we sat here having cocktails, there was a bar, tables, chairs and lots of people - and now look at it!

And then winter arrived, a little snow, minus 6 degrees.

Time to bring out the winter coats!

Me too!

Mont Ventoux is now covered in snow.

But the sky is blue, the sun is shining and with the correct attire it is wonderful walking weather.

The church in St Saturnin, is preparing for Christmas with a wonderful creche.

Whilst our cats have been doing a little modelling!

Matisse enjoying the view.

And Ginger too.

Whilst cold and snowy the light is spectacular as are the clear starry nights.

Roussillon, again now deserted of toursist in the winter sunshine.

We had lunch today in Bonnieux where the mistral was blowing but Ventoux looked as stunning as ever, the host to one of the stages of next years Tour de France on Bastille day.

We today went to Lourmarin, which was very quiet, here is the chateau normally buzzing with activity!

Who said St Saturnin was quiet! Here is the menu for New Years eve in the salle de Fete - last time we were there it was packed, we left at 2 am and from what we hear it was still going at 5 am!!

The Luberon in Autumn is really quite wonderful!