Our time with Jill in Provence

Well here we are again after a long absence. The good thing is that our next place as of next week will have WiFi, so we will be able to get back to more regular posts.

Since our last post we have continued to live an absolutely blissful existence here in our little hamlet in the Luberon. It is hard to describe a more perfect place than Provence. The climate is idealic, with most days now offering perfect blue skies (unlike we have experienced in many of the other places we have been on this trip) and perfect hot dry heat. Most of the time we feel like reptiles lapping up the endless heat rays and simply ooohing and aaahing at the glorious beauty of this place. Like we have probably said many times before, Provence has all the important things for a good quality life: a great climate, unbelievable food (wine, cheese, bread . . .) , stunning old buildings everywhere, and gorgeous scenery - what more could one ask for?

Currently I am sitting at our neighbour Phillipe's computer, and it is slow as hell! The French keyboards are different and so typing is a very arduous process. I am, as a result, going to make this blog more about pictures and less about words.
Our lovely friend Jill joined us ten days ago, and we have had the best time with her taking in all the sights. She loves life and has really appreciated the stunning offerings of Provence.
The above two pictures were taken on an outing we did to Aix-en-Provence. Our general pattern has been to alternate our days between having an outing day and then having a local day in between to relax and enjoy the good life.
These pictures above and below pretty much capture the local days. Lots of reading, hanging out in the sun, swimming and going on local walks. We are surrounded by beautiful mountains and glorious vineyards to enjoy!
Recently we went to Apt to take in the local Jazz Festival. There were tons of eccentric French acts to enjoy. The French are not afraid to be "out there" and some how pull it off without seeming pretentious. This was a performance art piece that had us all quite mesmerized!
Kai and Pippin were very fascinated by all of these odd characters and we all had a good laugh at their crowd-stopping antics.
All around town there were all these open air performances taking place, all for free! This group below was doing a performance inspired by and dedicated to Jackson Pollock. It was very out there but also quite engaging at the same time.
Here we are having a picnic under the Montagne St. Victoire, made famous by being painted so many times by Cezanne. It is a stunning arid landscape filled with the aromas of Provencal herbs growing everywhere.

The flower markets are sooo beautiful in France!
Despite being here for three weeks already, the poppy fields just keep blooming and we continue to ooh and aaah at them all over the place.
The kids are happy to run around in the fields and enjoy them as much as we do.
The local Luberon villages are almost beyond description. Always tucked on hill tops, they are always gorgeous, and we have visited as many as possible in our time here. This one is called Menerbes.
We are just beginning to enter the Lavender season here with fields in bloom everywhere.
This is our local road going to our village of Loumarin. We often hop on the bikes or walk into the local market or the bakery in the morning.
Our neighbour Phillipe has quite the amazing antique collection. Here he is showing us his collection of chamber pots.
Well, that is where we will sign off for now. Until our next blog entry from the Lot region, we hope this finds you all well!
Until next time . . .

Skye, Ronato, Kai and Pippin