We (Piet and Mary) went to the house in France for our usual spring break. We parked Beau at his horse hotel De Blis, where he would be enjoying a large stable, knee-high straw and lots of time outside. After a smooth drive we spend the first days in the garden, mowing the lawn, planting new fruit trees to replace two dead 'pommiers' (apple trees), and getting everything in order for our arrival in the summer.
Then we drove to the Provence, to the village of Gordes, where we had rented a small cottage on the land of a retired farmer. We brought the bikes, and did two rides. The second ride was up Mont Ventoux, the famous white mountain dominating that area. As we were both not in great cycling shape we decided to attack from the east, from Sault, where a 20 km gently climbing road brought us to Chalet Reynard, on the main climb to the top. The last 6 km were the steepest, and we both reached the top without too much trouble.
The last day we did a famous villages tour, where we kept seeing the same faces of other tourists during the day. Apparently a circuit from Oppede-le-Vieux, via Menerbes and Bonnieux to Roussilon is on many to-do lists for the northern Provence. We also stopped at Chateau de Canorgues, where one of Mary's favourite films, A Good Year, was shot. We picked up some wine, notably Le Coin Perdu; this wine played a role in the movie, and Mary named our own house the same. For non-French speakers: Le Coin Perdu means 'the forgotten corner'.
The last few days were spend back at the house, with a bit of cycling and gardening, and lot's of reading. After a relaxing week we drove back to The Hague, looking forward to return to France for the summer.
Mary is planting new fruit trees in the garden
View over Gordes
Cycling around Gordes
Mary is cycling towards Chalet Reynard from Sault
Almost at the top
We made it!
Descending
At Tom Simpson's monument
Buying wine at Chateau de Canorgues
