Google saved me on more than one occasion during the week...
The photo below was taken on our first walk, up and across the Alpilles mountains. Elizabeth would be ahead of the group on more than one occasion, as pictured here:
The 2nd day's walk would be the only one in wet conditions, through the heart of the Luberon mountains. After a very wet spring we found the Aiguebrun river crossing a bit tricky:
And so I jumped in to help:
And was rewarded by my first-ever foot wash by Phillip-the-fair.
And as a whole group we were rewarded by a magnificent hotel and dinner at our second place of stay: the Auberge de l'Aiguebrun, hidden deep in the Luberon mountains...
...and their impressive apple-crumble-topped-by-mousse dessert.
The dining room at the Auberge:
The next day's walk, along old cobbled paths and towards...
... the perched village of Bonnieux, here framed by valerian flowers and the crest of the Petit Luberon mountain.
In the afternoon we visited the colourful village of...
...Roussillon, complete with a...
...short hike through its abandonned ochre quarry. The natural ochre sands, from white to deep red, bring out the sharp greens of the pines, and the blue of the Provençal skies.
As if two hikes weren't enough to complete the day, we played a game of boules outside the Auberge de l'Aiguebrun.
Here Lisa is showcasing her skills, as the girls handily beat the boys 11 to 1...
Outside the auberge, a lone poppy graces a field of wheat:
In the evening we visited Paula Marty's herb farm, here discussing the virtues of rosemary:
And that rosemary, along with the other hebs she grows on the farm, found their way on our dinner plates with a meal she helped cook for us at her farm:
We left the Luberon behind to visit the Dentelles de Montmirail, their terraced hillsides covered with the precious vines that produce the local Gigondas wines.
Speaking of the vines:
A short break by a stream before...
...continuing along tracks laden with poppies...
...and to the perched medieval village of Séguret, listed among the most beautiful villages in France.
Our evening was spent in the town of Vaison la Romaine...
...its Roman bridge linking its "new town" to its medieval one.
Walking through the new town for a night cap:
On Friday, out last day, we were transferred to the ski area of Mont Serein, up the northern slopes of Mont Ventoux. All 15 of us are here...
The north face of the mountain is the only one without a road, its slopes too steep. We take the the hiking path in gentle zigzags towards the summit.
The chain of the Alps in view to the north and to the east:
Heidi with socks for gloves and a Norwegian hat, a possible fashion faux-pas but great for the elements atop the mountain.
It's nearly June but there's still some snow on the ground, as Delia makes her way to the summit...
Near the top, with winds over 150km/h...
We made it! The summit of Provence, at 1912m:
Thanks to everyone at the World Outdoors -- the office staff and all 14 participants for a very memorable week!
