Last week, for Karen's birthday we went to les Baux de Provence, about 45 minutes drive away, the village is listed as one of the most beautiful in France. The village enjoys wonderful views from the chateau and is a highly popular tourist attraction. Closeby is the Cathedral d'Image, a huge quarried cave where images are projected on to the walls, this year of Picasso's art work with carefully chosen classical music creating a very special experience.




You can see here how the roads have been literally carved through the rocks.



From here we headed to the nearby town of St Remy de Provence, one of our favourites, with it's many shady squares, fountains and a wonderful choice of restaurants and galleries.


We took lunch at the L'Hotel les Ateliers de l'Image, something quite different and well worth trying for a special occasion.

August 2009 - the summer heat continues - the last significant rain was on June 6th and 8th. Since then the temperature has been a steady 30 degrees but this week we are on yellow heat alert.
The is from todays Meteo France.
'Episode of extreme heat on the Vaucluse until Thursday 20 August. The minimum temperatures are typically 21 deg to 24 deg overnight. The maximum temperatures, sometimes close to the daily records are between 37 and 39 degree. Other departments are also affected by these high temperatures. Thus, Provence Alpes, Hérault and Gard have been placed under vigilance yellow.


It creates perfect conditions for growing the fruit and vines which are flourishing in the sunshine.
2009 could be a great year for wine.

It is a national pastime in France to avoid things that are correct! Paying tax is one, and paying a speeding fine is another. There are very few speed cameras in the area and no sooner than it is cleaned it is painted out again! La Provence, the newspaper even publishes where the Gendarmes are going to do road side speed checks so you can avoid them! So French and so wonderful!

For our Eighth wedding anniversary we spent the night at a friends chambre d'hote near Ilse sur La Sorgue.




The chef, James was trained by Martin Blunos and Raymond Blanc, both Michelin starred. Karen spent a couple of hours in the kitchen gaining a few ideas for our suppers!



The food was exquisite, starting with a pea veloute with a coconut froth, a fresh tomato confit followed.

Then a fillet of sea Bass on scallops with a Julienne of vegetables and butter sauce - Superb!




Naturally cheese followed and then a wonderful summer fruit sabayon with huge Blackberries, raspberries and strawberries. Washed down with a bottle of white and red Cote du Rhone we were quite contented!

August is drifting past in true Provencal style. Hot days, warm nights, good food and wine and great company! Reflecting on the past 3 months, our first in business, we have been so lucky to have such nice guests reassuring us that our formula will work. Last weekend we shared dinner with our gite guests on our terrace, John & Lindsay from Berkshire and Thierry & Christine from just outside Paris.



Tomorrow is our 8th wedding anniversary so we are spending the afternoon and evening at a friends chambre d'hote nearby.

The past weekend saw the 'Fete Votive' in the village. Three nights of entertaintment starting at 10pm until 2am.


Friday saw 'DJ Dave' I did not get the call? Saturday was a live band - and they were certainly lively!


There is always a great turn out - lots of dancing, chatting, no trouble, not even a policeman in sight.

Our on going tourist research took us to the Fort at Buoux, famous for rock climbing and right in the heart of the Luberon Mountains, between the North and south side.



Dating back over 600 years the Fort is preserved, peaceful and fascinating. It has has incredible 360 degree views to the Southern Alps, Mont Ventoux & the Grand Luberon.



The steps down are challenging even to the fittest! but there is an easier way if you prefer!


We took lunch at La terrasse in Bonnieux which has stunning views over the valley.

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!