Emma in London & now in Melbourne: Sunshine in Provence

Provence really is idyllic and everything you imagine about southern France with the lavender and bees, olive groves and wheat fields, the long days and the cicadas buzzing at dusk. London had not been impressing me with any summer weather, so with days of constant sunshine and warmth I soaked up as much of it as I could!

I was in Bonnieux again for 3 days, plus 2 travelling days either side, to visit Lisa and her family while they were on their, and now my, annual Provencal holiday.

I was up at dawn on Friday morning for the 7am Eurostar direct to Avignon. The whole family met me at the station, and we picked up the hire car and headed back to the house. After a quick bite to eat, it was straight into 'playing' with Hamish and Louisa. Lovely to see them again so soon after my visit home in April.

This year we were in an old farm house outside the village, instead of an apartment in the village which was a great decision. The view up to Bonnieux overlooking the fields was so pretty, and all the outdoor space in the garden meant we could be outdoors even while we were at home and had plenty of space to play.

The view from the farm house and the garden...

Bliss. Rose at dusk overlooking the fields.

On Saturday we went to Lourmarin for a wander around the town and for lunch which was really nice, and H&L were very patient, bribed with gelato, while we ate and had a glass of rose. Lisa and I made a pit stop at the village of Siagnon on the way back. Close to the house is an old railway track that has been converted into a bike path, so when we got back we had a ride down to a Roman bridge and back. Riding in the afternoon sunshine through the fields is so revitalising. Lisa and I went out for dinner in the village on Saturday night and had a couple of drinks at the terrace restaurant that overlooks the whole area. Sunset isn't until after 9pm so you can enjoy the view for hours.

In Lourmarin...

Louisa, filthy as ever, checking out the donkeys

In Saignon...

Lisa & I

Sunset from the restaurant terrace

On Sunday I drove, after 3 years of not driving (!), up to Bonnieux under the supervision of Lisa to pick up the fresh bread from the bakery. I did that trip a few times. No scrapes or accidents at all I might add in any of my pootling into town. Sunday's excursion was to Isle sur la Sorgue where the buzzing and colourful markets were on. It's so fun to wander around and see what's on offer and people watch. We had another bike ride later that afternoon in the back streets through all the fields. And plenty of rose watching the sunset.

I spent a lot of time enjoying this outlook from the house

Isle sur la Sorgue...

Artichoke flowers!

Hamish in his new flat cap

My last full day, Monday, was designated as a stay-at-home day as the kids were bored of the days out in the car and wanted to maximise the play time! We cycled down to the nearby bridge to play while Hazel painted, and back at the house went on the swing, played trucks and sword fights. I made everyone a salad nicoise for lunch and we sat under the vines to eat. A glorious spot to sit in the heat.

On Tuesday it was time for the train back home. And what a drama that turned out to be. Once I arrived in Paris, I found out all the trains back to London where cancelled thanks to protestors lighting fires in the tunnel. After investigating flights (even going to the airport), I managed to get a Eurostar train trip home the next morning and spent the night with a friend of Kristina's which was a god send as all the hotels in Paris were fully booked. I was back a day later, and missed my morning bus to Glastonbury so caught one later that day and arrived in the early evening instead.

Quelle Nightmare! Not a good end to the break away but got there eventually.

View from the bicycle...