Daphne's Drivel

With all the wonderful sights and experiences on this France trip so far, it would be hard to imagine it could get any better. Yet somehow we seem to have ended on a high note with a few real gems packed into our last few days. Before leaving the region of lavender, Provence-Alpes, we just had to take a drive up onto Mt Ventoux, the highest mountain in the area. It stands alone and has a white, naked top cap of bare, smooth limestone on its summit, making it appear to be snow-covered when you see it from a distance. It is the ultimate challenge for road cyclists to ride to the top, and we saw many of them, heads down, working hard on the ride up. And it has been part of the Tour de France many times. There are great panoramic views from the summit, but it was quite hazy this particular day.  From Mt Ventoux's summit and its bare limestone crown Approaching Mt Ventoux's summit From here, we headed north, in the general direction of Lyon, our departure city. ...

Explorations of Provence have continued over the last few days. Temperatures are well into the 30s, but with the air-conditioned car, it hasn't been a problem. Nights cool off enough to be able to sleep comfortably in the tent, without the fly. Just some of the highlights have been the drive along the other side of the Gorge du Verdon, a short kayak trip in the gorge, the towns of Moustiers-Saint-Marie, Roussillon with its ochre, the lavender and sunflowers on the plateau of Valensole, the medieval town of Gordes, and many of the lovely country roads through farmland and other little villages with streets so narrow Frank's driving skills have been challenged! Gorge du Verdon Photos never do justice to the grandeur of gorges like this Joined the throngs for a paddle a little way up the gorge Moustiers-Saint-Marie, a beautiful little town Try to imagine the loud buzzing of bees,  not to mention the fragrance It's still quite early for sunflowers,...

July 1st, posted July 2nd:    Alert - long-winded post ahead! It's July 1st and Canada Day,  we're a bit off the beaten track in a little campground north of the Gorge of Verdon, near the town of  St- Andre-les-Alpes. It was supposed to have a swimming pool and wifi, but turns out neither is working! This is still in Provence, but an hour or two north from the Mediterranenan coast. There aren't too many people in the campground today. Our neighbour  in the cabin across from our tent site is a friendly chap. We've just been chatting with him and his eleven year old daughter. They've come here, with their baby pet rooster in tow, to escape the heat and crowds of their home in Atibes on the Cote d'Azur for a few days in the much cooler mountains. He is French, his parents came from Alcase (France) and Italy, his wife is Bulgarian, and he lived in Miami for a few years. He and Frank had a great chat about world affairs. They tell us that these 40 degree t...