Day 9
St. Remy on a non market day is the best spot for photo shooting. Doors, windows, and store fronts are the main game. French grays, blues, and greens my favorite range of colors. There are always flowers in window boxes and often cats in windows. Doors are heavy, dark, and inviting! Love it when I get a look inside.
Van Gogh did some of his best work here. Poor soul was in a mental hospital by then. Saw his room. A very small cell with a twin bed. Bars on the windows. Not like the room in his home in Arles. Many famous paintings of that bright yellow room with a small bed, simple chair, and a table with a vase of sunflowers?
Day 10
Many tourists go to Menerbes to see where Peter Mayle lived while writing “A Good Year. ” Mayle left an advertising career in the UK to live and write in Provence. His residence drew hordes of tourists to Menerbes.
Turns out that I was more impressed with two other people from the UK! The day was pristine, the quiet was almost startling! Suddenly I hear a male voice swearing in a British accent. Had to high five him because I miss swearing after so many days. If the French swear it must sound poetic. Have never picked up on it. Spent an hour or so with Oliver and the beautiful Tiger Lily. Tiger Lily does weather for the BBC. Finished couple bottles of Rose with them and enjoyed random swearing. Love these two. Really hope to visit them in London!
Facts about Menerbes. Does have breath taking beauty, interesting abstract art, wine tasting stops, and the home of Dora Maar. Dora was Picasso’s muse and lover. Beautiful building is open for a few art events a year.
Day 11
Tend to go to one town a second time each year. It’s Bonnieux in 2017. I have a history with this town. Last year I almost got thrown out of a restaurant. First it was fancy, second the menu was in French, third the waiter wasn’t helpful, fourth I didn’t order the whole fish that he recommended.
The air is crisp in Bonnieux and so is the breeze of entitlement! Either I wanted to get in a bad mood about leaving Provence or I wanted one more thrill ride through the woods. The thing is that Bonnieux has French Bingo! The betting crowd tried to lure me in to pick up a card. That will have to wait until the next time. Jusqu’à la prochaine fois!
Day 12
Breakfast and au revoir at the Château. Conny and Hein are wonderful. We have stayed on their property three years in a row. Off to the train station in Avignon. Enjoy the piano player in the waiting area. Once again pick up a picnic lunch. About three hours to Paris. Always surprised that no one checks passports or tickets for that matter. The French are funny about too much security. It must feel like they are losing their freedom.
