Using a villa just outside the village of Goult as a base, we hiked and cycled around the Luberon mountains.
In the photo below, Gina's magic paces leave behind a trail of poppies:
After only five minutes of hiking and on the very first day we almost lose Brooke to a boutique, but we're able to rescue her:
Rescues were once in need at the Marquis de Sade's castle, crowning the village of Lacoste. But he hasn't been here for 300 years:
Descending the narrow and cobbled streets of Lacoste:
The following morning our second walk begins just outside the village of Buoux, where last week's spring rains have made made the landscapes lush and green:
We reach the Auberge des Seguins for lunch:
And after lunch we storm the fort:
But storming the fort is all too easy for this group...
... who needs to continue their exercise even after the walking is done:
After our second walk we are treated to a meal in the villa, cooked by an in-home chef:
At the dinner table as the chef prepares in the background:
On Tuesday we begin our walk in the famed village of Gordes:
Brooke heading up the cobbled streets and towards the market, where we would pick up fare for our picnic lunch:
Who needs fancy orienteering techniques when you have signs like this?
Reaching Sénanque Abbey, whose blooming poppies will soon be replaced by lavender:
Ok, so the first three hikes turned out to be far too easy for this group.
So only one thing left: to climb the infamous Mont Ventoux from the very base to the summit, more than 1600m (5000ft) of elevation gain.
On the foothills the group climbs quickly, their guide needing to ask (beg) for them to pause. And soon we are hovering high above the plains.
At 1500m in altitude, no worse for wear, Adria, Brooke and Nancy step into the centuries-old Jas des Pelerins pilgrims' hut for a short break:
But unfortunately for the guide, the group doesn't break very long: we continue our climb through the beech forest:
...and soon there's no forest at all: we continue to climb on bare limestone with sparse juniper bushes, our target now in sight:
Near the summit Gina defies the 150km/h gusts of Mistral while I try not to lose my camera to the winds:
Here we are at the top, with a temperature of only 5°C and a windchill below freezing:
But the views are incredible, including the entire chain of the French Alps:
A video taken as we're nearing the top:
We treat ourselves to hot chocolates and crêpes at the summit, while Erin does... well... what is she doing?
That evening our chef returns, and we're treated to another fantastic meal, and despite climbing Provence's largest mountain from base to summit, dinner is followed by music and dancing...
On Thursday morning we trade in our hiking shoes for bikes, sporting Mont Ventoux jerseys purchased at the summit:
Don't they look like cycling professionals?
I suppose the pros rarely stop in farmers' fields at the first glance of ripe cherries though:
But who can resist?
...Adria finds the cycling all too easy!
It's Friday morning in the villa, with fresh croissants for our last day's ride...
...which is unfortunately filled with rains. But all are set to go!!...
...especially Susan, displaying the latest in cycling fashion:
At the end of our bike ride we reach the Fontaine de Vaucluse, and admire the spring:
But with our bikes now gone the girls are aching for more exercise. And so we leave town on an unscheduled hike, up a rocky trail towards the east:
And finally they've worn out their guide, no longer able to keep up with the pace:
Nearing the end of our hike we follow alongside the mur de la peste: a wall built in 1720 to protect Provence from the plague:
And in the evening we prepare our last dinner together:
A heartfelt thank you to Erin, Judy, Brooke, Gina, Adria, Sonia, Susan and Nancy for a more than memorable week, for all the fun and laughter, for making me feel like part of the group. And for getting me back in shape!! Come back to Provence soon!!
