Postcards from the Lot

Wednesday, September 25, 2019

Last Weekend in Provence.

Our last weekend at Mas d’Oscar in Saint-Remy de Provence was spent in town.

Our “voiture” aka our automobile was only moved for a few minutes by the Monsieurs to go get the tank filled for our departure on Monday.

You see the driveway to our “home away from home” is down a narrow, narrow (did I tell you it was narrow) lane with a tight right hand turn around a curved wall and immediately a tight left hand turn ... not good with a larger vehicle!

Our Monsieurs became experts at negotiating the tricky turns!

We used our shanks’ ponies to get around this weekend.

Madame Susan and I headed out on our own for a walk about town.

Join us on our walk ... here’s some what we saw and experienced.

The teddy bears are hanging around ...

We found a very different art gallery ...

A fromagerie ... there has to cheese here for everyone’s taste ...

Cute café/bistro ...

Beautiful home decor shoppe ...

We picked up our few must haves on our shopping list before heading back for some rest and relaxation in the courtyard ... oh maybe we found a few wants too!

Some yummy treats for tonight’s dessert ... each one was delectable, we shared of course.

Did I say rest and relaxation ... mmm, we’ve taught Monsieur Honey a couple of card games.

It was fun, even more so with French cards.

.......

Sunday was another day of doing just a little of this and a little of that.

Monsieur Honey and I headed out early in the “heat” hot temperatures to check out the vide grenier (literal translation- empty the attic) that was happening at the large supermarket’s parking lot.

We weren’t really looking for anything for us ... Monsieur Mark was in search of some “ pastis “ glasses.

We saw lots of various glasses and messaged our travelling partners to let them know and they found their way here later.

Monsieur Mark was successful in his search.

On our return walk we discovered an interesting wine/ liquor shop.

There was a “street market” with various vendors and products.

We stopped at the Domaine de Lagoy and did a tasting of rosés. Delicious!

Time for some Sunday lunch ...Italian today.

Aperol spritzer to quench the thirst, tempura shrimp with salad and shared pizza ... delicious!

We strolled back home and did a bit of packing.
Tomorrow morning we are on the road to our next destination.

I’ve enjoyed our stay at Mas d’Oscar in Saint-Remy de Provence.

The house was perfect for USA!

The courtyard was a wonderful place to relax day or night.

We Didn’t Dance on the Bridge ... A Day in Avignon

Today, 13th of September (a Friday no less) we enjoyed the charms of Avignon (ah-even-yohn) which is well known for the nursery rhyme, the medieval bridge and home to the Palace of the Popes.

There is a mix of new and old.

We parked at the Centre-Ville train station parking lot just outside the walls and walked into the city through the « Porte de La République «.

We wandered along the Main Street in the direction to Place de L’Horloge (referred to as the heart of the city, here you’ll find the Town Hall and Opera House built in the 19th century).

Some street entertainment ...

The Hôtel de Ville / Town Hall

We continued on to the Palace Square ... where we hoped to be tourists on the “Petit Train”.

We climbed on the waiting train, there seemed to be some kind of delay ... finally, after much discussion between the driver and ticket seller it was determined the train’s brakes were “caput”!

Everyone off the train ...

Palace of the Popes

It was extremely hot and humid. We wandered back to Place de L’Horloge finding a café/restaurant with front row seats to view the activity in the square for some refreshments and lunch.

Now we were ready to try the train again ... away we went for an interesting narrated 45-minute train ride.

And yes it was a good thing they check the train’s brakes as some of the tour climbed high above to the Rocher des Doms Gardens.

This hill overlooks the Rhône and was where the first inhabitants of Avignon settled over 5000 years ago.

Wonderful views and beautiful gardens ...

Can you see the Pont d’Avignon (Saint Benezet Bridge) ... UNESCO World Heritage site, built between 1171 and 1185?

Famous for the nursery rhyme song “ Sur le Pont ...”

Sur le Pont d'Avignon
L'on y danse, l'on y danse
Sur le Pont d'Avignon
L'on y danse tous en rond.

On the bridge of Avignon
We're all dancing, we're all dancing
On the bridge of Avignon
We're all dancing round and round.

In the winter of 1668, most of the bridge was destroyed by an icy flood.

There are only 4 arches remaining.

The original bridge was significant in size spanning a half mile with 22 arches.

The water fountain in the gardens.

The train took us through narrow streets in various neighbourhoods and squares.

One of the many shaded squares.

I was in awe of the beautiful buildings and architecture.

We had full day with some sight seeing, a little retail therapy and a leisurely lunch.

Monday, September 23, 2019

Slow Travelling in Uzès

12th September 2019

Description

Uzès is a small town and a commune in the Gard department in southern France. It lies about 25 kilometres north-northeast of Nîmes, 40 kilometres west of Avignon, and 32 kilometres south-east of Alès. Wikipedia

If it’s Thursday it must be Uzès!

We left Saint-Remy de Provence with not much planned other than a leisurely day trip to Uzès for a wander, a visit with our favourite artist, David Jamin and some lunch in the main square Place aux Herbes.

Monsieur Honey and I spent a week in Uzès, five years ago as part of my “changing of my front door” Birthday celebrations.

We were lucky to find street parking within easy walking distance to the centre-ville. Of course it was just opposite a brocante/ antique store one of Monsieur Honey’s favourite things to do.

A quick look around and we were on our way.

Uzès (oo-zehs) is another town that is circled by a ring road with the historic area in the center.