Aix Video

Well people, I promised you a little treat as soon as the opportunity presented itself, so here it is.... a brief look at the ""singing and dancing entertainment" from our arrival in Aix-en-Provence....

Nothing more I can add.... just enjoy.....

Provence! Hints and Tips.....

After a couple of weeks of exploring, there are things it would have been really useful to know.

..... Yes, we all know to drive on the left... OOPS I mean right..... yes, we all know the signs are in French and yes (!) we have a map but what about the bits???

Listen very carefully, I shall say this only once...

1) Carry lots of change in a variety of denominations - necessary for just about every car park, road toll and even an occasional public toilette... Trust me, there will be times you need to make use but, ladies, be sure to remember what your Mum taught you!!

2) Nobody French follows the speed limits - don't be so foolish as to think the same applies to you!

3) The ban on smoking in public places doesn't actually mean 'no smoking in public places' or at least, not apparently in Provence....

4) The streets are narrow - only a foolish man or naive woman hires a large car - that said, many RV's navigate some very small spaces, occasionally even retaining their wing mirrors intact!

5) The French are masters at not understanding - just TRY to speak a bit of French, even a little effort will reap rewards. We witnessed many people simply walk up to people and just start speaking, in English, without so much as a "bonjour or parlez-vous Anglais" - not surprisingly and perfectly reasonably, this resulted in a shrug of shoulders, confused looks and an outpouring of very fast French. This from people we had heard speak perfectly good Anglais only minutes earlier, even as we muttered, stuttered and stumbled our way through our own few words of French. Splash out on a little translator if you don't have time to learn in advance!!

6) The French make the best wine, accept this and if necessary, the small glasses it is served in for a most enjoyable holiday!

6a) Memorise one or all of the following phrases, depending on personal preference:

a) Vous pouvez me recommander un bon vin rouge?
b) Vous pouvez me recommander un bon rose?
c) Vous pouvez me recommander un bon vin blanc?

7) Make good use of the many roundabouts - a good place to calm your nerves as your navigator checks out the map! Again!!!  Two to three turns usually does the trick, more can result in a feeling of slight dizziness and besides, you can be certain another roundabout will be along sometime soon.  Often, you will find you are not the only vehicle doing the rounds!

7a) Be nice to your navigator at all times!!

8) Don't be afraid to admit you are wrong (it won't be the fault of your navigator) - turn around when you miss your turn and rest assured you will see plenty of other cars doing exactly the same!

8a) Continue to be nice to your navigator!!

9) Look in all directions - beautiful views will also be behind you! And of course beside you (ref your navigator).......

10) Don't bother trying to shop between 12 and 3, it is lunchtime - eat, drink and relax!

10a) Talking of drinking... A popular pastime.... If you lean to the white, try the rose.... Le blanc of the region isn't the best of French.....

11) Take plenty of must-haves - spare everything: corkscrew, power adaptors, camera batteries (you will soon wear out one if not two) and storage for your many many photos. AND! Don't forget good walking shoes!!!

12) Diet before you get here.... You will be checking in extra weight on your return flight, guaranteed! And it won't be hidden in your suitcase!

Aix-en-Provence.....

Our two full days in Aix were excellent.... We meandered leafy tree lined avenues, taking advantage of some much needed downtime after the last few weeks of full on seeing people and places.... Not much to do but relax and have a nice time.... Window shop.... Browse the market stalls and take in the aromas of the local produce, especially the fresh fruit.....

They say that Aix is like a mini Paris and the pavement cafe's certainly made you feel like lingering over a cafe au lait or even two.... And when you are coffee'd out.... how about a little of the local vin rose?

A delightful find was Hotel de Gallifet, a leafy artists courtyard, down a tiny back street, serving a small selection of wines..... 52 rue Cardinale if you go looking..... Worthy of a small diversion even if you don't .....

Our last evening in Chez Maxime, aperitifs of RanQuinQuin al la peche, thanks to an educational in Le Jardin..... followed by delicious local cuisine of cassoulet de boeuf.....

..... That'd be beef stew if we were back home but it sounds a lot more exotic when the French say it..... and tastes even better than that....

Our waiter talked us into a bottle of local wine straight from the vineyards of Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie... Not just a beautiful bottle on all fronts, but if Brad trod those grapes personally, I would happily consider washing his socks!!

Bonjour Aix-en-Provence.....

Our arrival in Aix (pronounced EX) was relatively uneventful, no getting lost, no turning around, only one double turn of a roundabout..... from villa to hotel in one smooth transition.... Dropping the car off almost next door to Hotel Cezanne our next stop....

On arrival we were promised "singing and dancing entertainment tonight, will be excellent"....

The day was a little fraught, packing/unpacking, a new city, lots of activity, will le 'Otel be ok? Blah blah but a quick nanna nap and then head to a local restaurant! Nothing is ever what you expect.....

..... the evening was fabulous.... The food was nothing to write home about but our waitress was especially helpful and over dinner we chatted to an interesting and great couple, exchanged ideas and thoughts, shared fritte's and wine and had a few laughs long the way....

Afterwards, we spotted fireworks through the window and set off in search of the much anticipated "singing and dancing"..... We felt honoured to witness such a special event.....a future entry for the Eurovision perhaps?  It's a great shame I can't share a little video yet.... Just until I get access to my Mac and then you are in for a rare treat....

A liability eh?

Really? It is Saturday and "change day".... So OK, big deal, last night I left my hat in the restaurant and remembered after we got home. Yadda, yadda, yadda... Yep we had to go back..... But good news! It hadn't moved by the time we got back, was safely on the seat where it had been sadly left..... And 10km each way is hardly big news!

And today? This morning? OK! So I seem to have misplaced my camera.... Well not misplaced really I think I know where it is but K goes into stress mode! Seems I am "a liability".....sigh.....

Having found my camera, it's time for me to navigate.....

Liability eh? Hmmmmm.... This way dear......

Last Day Before Aix! Goult.....

We found our retirement spot! Goult....

Dinner was a return to our favorite Le Jardin, as good as ever!

Sisteron and it's Citadel.....

Our last big day so where to?

Sisteron..... I shall return later to tell you more, for now? I am on holiday!! It was very high, a lot of stairs and as you can see, K got fresh with a local...

[Later update:  A city with a long history, dating back forever and a very old citadel.  Perched high on a hill it is easy to see how it became a much valued stronghold in the middle ages.  Make the climb to the top, it is well worth it, with views over the River Durance, stretching to the mountains in the distance, 150 km (90 miles) from North to South....]

I must pause however, to share dinner......

..... A local steak restaurant, Auberge Du Vieux Village! Everything you could want from a French dining experience! Fabulous... From the head chef with his very French emotional outpourings and gesticulations, to the perfectly cooked steak.

When we ordered Cote de Boeuf, we didn't expect our pre-cook viewing (not the whole cow, just the cut) nor did we expect our selection to be announced at full volume to the entire restaurant.... With very loud boings on the chefs serving dome as each slice was served....

An experience we won't forget in a hurry!

.... And Weds Afternoon? Vaison-la-Romaine....

Back to J to navigate....... So where to? ..... Vaison-la-Romaine.....I leave you to decide which you would choose....

Wednesday Morning and Mont Ventoux....

So rise and shine, the rain has gone, the skies are blue and it's time to let K decide our destination.....

Where shall we go today K? (Ha! Now that I have brushed up my scouse accent I am practicing a future Thomas the Tank take over from Ringo...)

Ok! Lets head to Mont Ventoux! Should be nice and warm..... 1912m/6272ft

I was surprised to see how happy K was to see so many cyclists (he is a huge fan), apparently following in the footsteps of their tour-de-France heroes!  And despite seeing many of them pedaling pretty hard, initially in packs, then as the climb got steeper, in ones or twos, there were a LOT of cars at the peak with cycle racks AND cycles attached!  I drew my own conclusions, you can draw yours....

So a summary of the mornin?

To quote K:....."bloody brilliant.... Refreshingly exhilarating, when the mist clears .... Oh and as long as the melting ice doesn't whack you on the head"

And to quote J:..... "bloody freezing, can we go now?"

Catch up!

I know I said "don't blog after wine" but.... It's Friday afternoon, a sunny 22C/72F and well.... It's time for a catch up....

Let me take you back to Wednesday....

What a Wash Out....

On Wednesday we set out to explore Avignon and in particular the very famous historical Gothic Palais Des Papes, dating back to the 1300's and once the centre of Papal power for over 70 years. Goodo, the heavens chose to open, not in a gesture of welcome as you might expect, but more the great flood variety and finding parking in a busy city was more stressful than a bad day in the office!

On arrival, we met our favorite car park attendant's daughter serving cafe au lait but determined we would not allow her to dim our good humour, we marched on through the pouring rain, paddling to shelter in the Palais.

.... It was such a good idea, another thousand people thought the same..... so off we set in search of a dry cafe while the masses did their thing...

A beer or two later, we returned to a smaller queue, albeit substantially wetter than when we first arrived!

As you walk around the bare and cold building, it is difficult to imagine how sumptuous it must once have been but perhaps worth a visit if only to say you've been there.

The town is a good place to top up on all the spares you forgot to pack and the pretty cobbled streets are easy to lose yourself in for a few hours!