Monday 22 June 2015

Hiking with Penny, Craig and family

4 days of blissful hiking in Provence with Penny, Craig and their two daughters



A wine and cheese evening featuring Joseane Déal's cheeses from  Vaison la Romaine.




A first hike atop the Dentelles de Montmirail:








... and of course a wine-tasting in Gigondas.




Walking above and through the Toulourenc Gorge, in its cool waters:



























...and earning our dinner !




An evening stroll above the town of Vaison to see the sunset by the castle ruins:
























Hiking around Mont Serein, on the upper slopes of Mont ventoux:




















And a visit to the lavender fields of Sault:










Tuesday 2 June 2015

A week of hiking with Mary-Beth and Chuck along the trails of Provence

A week of hiking with Mary-Beth and Chuck along the trails of Provence.
Here's a photo taken at the end of the week, across the impressive rock-slide formations of Mont Ventoux.





During our warm-up walk, to the viewpoint below - le rocher des deux trous.




Though you can visit the crowded village of Les Baux, we prefer the view from the secluded crest of the Alpilles mountains:





Climbing up to the perched village of Sivergues in the Luberon mountains:




Companula:




A Provençal picnic complete with the sweetest strawberries I've ever tasted. And I've had lots.




Reaching the village of Sivergues:




flowers along the trails:




At  the Auberge des Seguins, thirsty after a long and satisfying hike:





The Fort de Buoux, 3000 years old.




The (not so) secret staircase...




frolicking in the wheat fields, and into:




...a borie: a dry-stone hut, without an ounce of mortar and still standing after centuries:





Visting the medieval village of Lacoste, crowned by the ruins of the Marquis de Sade:




Nothing sadistic about my café gourmand however:





Poppy fields and the Luberon mountains:





Atop the crest of the Dentelles de Montmirail mountain range;




From the Dentelles:






The medieval village of Séguret;




Vaison Romaine by night:




Climbing up to the ruins of the medieval castle in Vaison after dinner, followed by some yoga:




The Northern slopes of Mont Ventoux:





The summit of Mont Ventoux:









Celebrating a week of walking together in Provence: