Friday & Saturday, July 21 & 22

These were our two Tour days in Provence..  On Friday we watched the riders go up the Col du Pointu which was only about 15 km from our B&B.  Accordingly we were able to follow our normal morning routines; a bike ride to Roussillon, and an outdoor breakfast in Kevin's courtyard.  Most mornings I was treated to watching a hot air balloon floating above me; today i got to watch it launch.

Hitting the road immediately after breakfast we arrived at our viewing spot on the final climb before 10.  The racers were not due until 4:30, so our biggest challenge as we waited as staying in the shade.   It was another 90+ day.

Notice umbrella we purchased to provide a little shade.  Too bad it wasn't bigger.

Our tour watching neighbors on the Col du Pointu.  

People watching makes the six hour wait for the riders go very quickly.  Everyone is very friendly and talkative.  

Overall all years of tour viewing we have only seen a few unpleasant incidents; although I couldn't understand what the man in blue was saying he was probably upset that someone grabbed on of the trinkets that was thrown from the caravan.  His rant continued for several minutes.

In the minutes before the rider arrival, everyone's focus is down the road...all talking stops...it's definitely calm before the storm.

Edvald Boasson-Hagen, from Norway, in the green & white helmet won the stage.

Three of the riders from Team Sky, at the front of the peloton, protecting their leader Chris Froome.

 The peloton.  Even on an uphill climb they go by in a flash, 

and when the team cars with the spare bikes go by, you know it's over.

On Saturday we drove about 90 minutes to Marseille and watched the “Individual Time Travel” which would certainly determine the overall winner since the top three riders were only separated by 29 seconds.  Marseille is a big city, and it was a bit intimidating since we had never been there before, but we really lucked out and found a great parking spot, in the shade, and right in front of a café where we bought both breakfast and lunch…and used their toilets a lot.  While we waited for the race to start we walked along Rue Prado, a very wide boulevard lined with beautiful homes and major business’ headquarters.  We made it to the beach and back, about 6 km before surrendering to the air conditioned café for lunch.  This was our first time trail, and it was very exciting since we got to see every rider twice as they left and returned to the velodrome.

Time trial bikes and helmets are very different than regular road bikes; the riders look like men from space.  It' all in the name of aerodynamics.

The race ended at 5:30, and we felt as wasted as the racers.  We cancelled our dinner reservation in Marseille's old port; my first true bouillabaisse will have to wait another year.  We drove back toward Saint Saturnin for a dinner at a local restaurant that was situated in a quiet square in Apt.  We both loved our multi spiced rice and chicken dinner.  

The blue bottle on the left is our favorite rose from Chateau Canorgue.  Sadly it is not imported into the US.

Two long days in the 90+ sun did me in and I ended up with a horrendous case of "Napoleon's Revenge" which kept me in bed and near the toilet for all of Sunday, and I will just say the 8 hour plane ride from Marseille to Montreal was unpleasant.

This marks the end of our blog of our wonderful trip. 

Thursday, July 20, 2017

For year’s we’ve wanted to see the Pont du Gard, and today we did! 

Built 2000 years ago by the Romans to move millions of gallons water per day from a natural spring near Uzes to the town of Nimes, the aquaduct was an incredible feat of engineering.  The Coliseum in Rome is the only taller structure that the Romans built.  Before you actually seen the aquaduct, you watch a film and tour a museum that really give you a good perspective on both the role that water played in Roman society and how the structure was built.  It really is amazing.

After completing our tour of the Pont du Gard, we drove just 13 km to the town of Uzes where we had lunch, an ice cream, and a little shopping.  

Today was our first day of rain since we’ve been in France.  Our activities weren’t impacted at all, and it was certainly a welcome relief from the heat.

For dinner we went to the Sanglier Parreseux in Caseneuve.   Incredible dinner with an incredible view.

Lavender Time

Wednesday, July 19, 2017

Started the day with my usual ride to Roussillon.  I don't think I'll ever get tired of it.  While I ride, Joni goes for walk and cuts wild flowers for our room,

 freshly cut wheat fields along my route to Roussillon

The entrance to Le Mas Perreal.  Almost every French home has a gate no matter how big or small.

After another wonderful breakfast, omelets with truffle oil, we headed to Sault, one of my favorite villages which is right in the center of lavender country and at the base of Mont Ventoux.

It just happened to be market day too!  While Joni perused the stalls, I had a couple of coffees and another croissant at an outdoor cafe.  According to the French and British papers Trump is still President.

Before leaving Sault we picked up some bread, cheese, and peaches for lunch, and then drove just a little out of town before we found a beautiful spot for a picnic, overlooking countless lavender farms.

We continued our driving tour of lavender country driving through the villages of Aurel, Montbrun, and Ferrassieres before we stopped in Banon for an ice cream.

 Montbrun

 north side of Mont Ventroux as seen from Montbrun

 funny name for a very scary drive

 near Ferrassieres

  

 Banon

Simiane la Rotonde

For dinner we drove to Pernes-la-Fountain, a town about 50 km from here and dined at La Camarette, a vineyard that has been run for three generations by the same family.  In addition to the vineyard they also operate their estate as a B&B and a fixed menu restaurant.  They only serve their wines, and they'll give you as much as you want!  It was a lovely evening!

eggplant mouse

 cod on a bed of curried corn with a side of 

 pork belly & potatoes

left to right:  creme brûlée, something with whipped cream, lemon sorbet