Although we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves in Provence, I cannot say enough of how great it is to be back home: no more backache from sleeping on too soft beds and pillows, no more pleading with the Mister to eat his kibble (he prefers my home-cooked doggie meals), and most of all, no more big, stinky bag of dirty laundry sitting in the back of the car. Packed to the gills with our stuff, shopping bags full of goodies, a dozen bottles of wine, a half dozen baguettes and even a crate of super ripe and intensely fragrant Provence melons, we got home this past Sunday after nearly 11 hours on the road. We slept like rocks that night.
Sunset near Valensole
The timing of the trip couldn’t have been more perfect since harvesting had already begun in some areas. Vast stretches of lavender would just roll by along particular routes – it was an amazing experience! And whether it be in the fields, at a distillery, or after a summer tempest, the unmistakable scent has got to be at the top of life’s little pleasures. On the first day (when we arrived at our b&b in Vinon-sur-Verdon), we continued on to Valensole in the middle of a thunderstorm complete with tiny hail, anticipating the first glimpse of lavender. In no time our nostrils were invaded with their sweet, heavy perfume, lush and wet with the summer rain.
Happiness is: ex-Kauai islander with lavender, fougasse and rosé.
While most of the holiday was in Provence, we kicked things off close to the french/italian border in Pigna, Liguria. Witches, druids, and some of Italy’s most beautiful villages in the next post.
Rubber Slippers In Italy 