Luberon Villages 15th June 2016

Bfst at the B and b didnt start till 9am. We sat in the courtyard under a huge ancient white mulberry tree .We ate some as they must be in season but alas it is not fig season quite yet.  After breaky we chose a few of the many picturesque villages to visit. The first was Ilse Sur Le Sorgue which has a sort of moat surrounding it.  We bought a large quilt and a shirt for Jim. Then on to the next village of Gordes set on the side of a cliff. We had a boulangerie lunch in the square. Next up was the village of Rousillon also up on a cliff but this time the cliffs were red and orange ochre in colour. I bought a scarf! And we had a gelato.On the way home we stopped in at Chataeu de Canagues which is just round the corner from where we are stayi g and is where they filmed A Good Life with  Russell Crowe. We saw the terrace and house from the outside but you cant go inside . It has a wine shop nearby but we just wanted to look at the house. I now want to watch the film again? We had tea at Bonnieux in a stone vaulted room. #

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Drive to the Luberon 14th June 2016

This morning were heading through lavender land, the plains of Valensole.We had breakfast of croissants at Manosque with a wander around the old town. Then on to Apt for lunch again a wander around the old town. I'm starting to lose track of what photos I took where!  We then drove to our b and b in a rural setting outside Bonnieux in the Luberon region which we will explore over the next few days. The b and b is a large old building that was once a hospital and church. It is old and farmy and a dream to be able to stay in with lovely views out our window to th2 villages . Lots of loaded Cherry trees in the carpark that were begging to be picked! We met an english couple staying here so was nice to talk english with someone instead of trying to fumble our way through the few french words we know. After a rest we headed into Bonnieux for another wander and found some art gallerys with lovley art and a gelato shop also begging ! Then dinner which was the best food of our trip so far. Photos lavender field near B and B, views from bathroom window, and the buildings and courtyard of B And B. #

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Gorge de Verdon & Moustiers Ste Marie 13th June 2015

We had the b and b breakfast and then drove down to the lake to paddle into the gorge on a pedal boat. This is a spectacular thing to do!  As Jim says it was GORGEous! Colours were out of this world and the pedalling was fun. Well I think it was, Jim did most of it. We were one of the first down the gorge and by the time we came back there were lots of others even with their dogs. We drove back to Moustiers and walked up to the chapel way up the cliff a steep 20min walk but views were worth it. We wondered why the french built these churches in such remote ,hard to get at places, but the reason escaped us! Lunch was the local "Verdon" pizza with goat cheese, fig, honey and olives.  We did also head out to a small village of Aiguines after lunch but it didnt have much except a large ornate looking castely thingy. We headed back to have our own tea at the b and b. #

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Drive to Gorge de Verdon 12th June 2015

Had bfst in bed of bananas and bagettes that we bought yesterday. Caught a bus to the airport to pickip hire car . For the boys it was a Renault Clio and for the girls it was a red one!  We tried to keep it simple with the driving as we headed out of the airport after doing a few laps to figure out how to exit. Then we were off heading past Grasse into the mountains. We just kept gojng up and up ,huge masstifs. What we thought was a 2 hr drive turned into a 6 he one with lots of photo stops and needing to drive very slowly on the narrow roads. We will know for next time! Very scenic . We stopped in Castellane for lunch and then followed the gorge to our destination at a b and b just outside of Moustiers ste Marie. We walked the steep walk into Moustiers in the evening for crepes and will explore it more tomorrow. Long but lovely day #

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Antibes, 11th June 2016

Woke up way too early, jet lag! Got up to take a morning sunrise photo but it wasnt quite up. This morning we caught the bus to Antibes ,bought croissants for bfst and wandered the old town and an antique market . Then a found a food market which reminded me of the markets in Barcelona ,lots of interesting foods,cheeses, pestos, etc...but thats just France! We had hoped to lunch at lulus but it wasnt open so lunched in a garden restaurant including Strawberry creme brulee. YES! Bus home to watch the soccer on tv ,Switzerland vs Albania, and chill by the pool at the b and b with our own tea again on the terrace. #

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Vence, Fondation Maeght, St Paul 10th June 2016

Buffet Bfst at B and B on the terrace. Bus to Vence . Walked to Chapelle de Rosarie but closed(again) Went into old town and wandered markets and cute streets. Bought a couple locarts. Coffee at cafe with wifi where we chatted with Sam (messenger). Socce,(a popular chick pea pancake) for lunch.Bought couple of gifts.Bus back to Fondation Maeght, I went(Jim didnt)into this art gallery housed in great architecture and famous collection of historical artwork  but contemporay for that time, Miro, giametti, Bonnard,and special exhibition of Christos barrels. Then walked back to St paul de vence and walked around the wall with panaramas to ocean.Had gelati near the church, checked out the many art shops. Back to accomodation where we ate a bought meat and cheese baggette for tea on the terrace. Magnificent view to St Paul and the ocean,(window of our room can just be seen in building with largest roof just left of pot of bergonias on white pillar ) #

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Brisbane to Nice 8/9th June 2016

9pm. We settled into 71j and 71 h for the Brisbane to Dubai leg on this doubledecker daddy of all planes . This was the only leg of our flights to and from Nice where we had not managed to secure a window seat and also the only leg on the A380.
As I sat waiting take off I wondered why on earth plane manufacturers  would skimp on seat cushioning as I could tell my deriere was not going to last a 15 hr journey in a sitting position.
We watched a couple of movies, "A lady in the van" and "Eddie the Eagle"and were served a 2 meals.
Jim had calculated that to avoid jet lag we should sleep on the last half of this flight which is alright for him who can sleep at the click of your finger, even no doubt on wet concrete. Me, on the other hand, would be lucky to even get to that wonderful state of drifting off before the aching of said deriere or the jink of my neck would demand a rearrange. I managed to find a few positions to rotate through that didnt involve too much sitting.
Fortunately I can even rearrange Jims arms and legs to accomodate my vain attempts at these "sleeping" positions without waking him from his heavy stupor! How do people do that! Gone are the days when I could lie all the kids on the 3 seats and fit nicely stretched out under the seats on the floor and get some quality shut eye lolled asleep by the humming of 4 jet engines.
Dubai to Nice went without a hitch and we landed in Nice mid afternoon and caught a local bus to our accomodation La Hameau just outside St Paul de Vence .(photos) landing in Dubai, flying over french riviera,arriving at accomodation, our room. #

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