Cycling to the Sea with Sonja

 We're very excited about our new self-guided cycling tour for the Country Walkers. Feeling slightly ambitious for our reconnaissance tour, Sonja and I decided to cover two days' worth of cycling in a single ride, leaving Arles towards the Mediterranean Sea.


Here we are (well, here's Sonja...) preparing our bikes in the centre of Arles, in front of the Roman coliseum:

Riding from Arles the city streets quickly give way to country roads and open fields, as we make our way into the Camargue nature park.

The park is a haven for birds -- here is one of the many herons we'd see during the day's ride:

The park also boasts numerous bull farms, raised for meat but also for "courses camarguaises", a more humane version of bull fighting where the animals are not hurt in any way...

The first half of the ride led to the lavish Mas de Peint hotel, bathed not only in luxury but also in tradition. The five star hotel is set on a 500-hectare estate where the family stills carries out farming, and whose products -- whether Camargue red rice or bull meat -- are used in its kitchens.

But unfortunately we could not stay long, continuing on our journey towards the sea, with a slight tailwind...

But the tailwind wouldn't last long. By the time we reached the magnificent sea wall we were facing 60-70km/h winds and with no respite. For two hours. The views would more than make up for the discomfort though (isn't that right, Sonja?).

And those views would include hundreds of pink flamingoes, gracefully wading through the shallow waters...

 After 70+ km Sonja looks no worse for wear...

...and suddently the sea wall ends, reaching the isolated village of Les Saintes Maries de la Mer:

Les Jas du Ventoux

 Yesterday's walk took me high above the village of Bedoin, where the views towards the south extended all the way to the plains of the Rhône Valley.

At about 1000m in altitude on the south face of Bedoin are "Jas": centuries-old shepherd's huts, used for shelter for both the shepherd and his flocks, and a great resting spot during hikes. I visited two of them during yesterday's walk but there are many more along the slopes.

One of the many walkers' signposts along the way:

Through the cedar forest:

On my way back down the mountain I tried out a new path: La Combe de Curnier, a tight canyon that in spots is narrower than a body width (at least mine), and where I needed to twist my body to continue along the trail:

see what I mean!

Taken from the base of the canyon, these are boxwood plants that have grown vertically like trees, seeking the precious sunlight that the canyon deprives them of.

A strange waymark near the trailhead?

Almond flowers, giving off a distinct honey-smell and announcing the forthcoming spring.

The cultivated foothills of ventoux, seen from the GR91 trail.