Fields of Dreams
Mausanne Les Alpilles, Provence, France
This morning (Thursday here – this is being written off line at our rented place in Mausanne), Greg and I journeyed 60 km. to one of those small perched villages in the Luberon.
Our goal was to bike in the hills – a relatively small triangular route taking us from what turned out to be an absolute charmer of a village called Saignon about 8 Km. mostly up hill and then down to a place called Auribeau, then to an even smaller place, Castelet and from there complete the triangle and head back to Saignon. Except for the first 30 minutes or so, which was discouragingly uphill for long stretches, the rest of this 9 mile trek was a sensual delicacy, a treat in a voyage of treats and discovery.
It has been so hot here and biking in the mountains – or hills really, but big ones – threatened to turn us into mushrooms. But the day turned into the expected continuing sunshine but with temperatures in the 75 range. It was absolutely glorious.
We biked adjacent to one lavender field after another. Every corner was another magical view. In the distance the Alps (we think). Closer Mt. Ventoux with its white cap year round – looking like snow or clouds, but really bare rock from where trees were taken for the French Navy years ago. We sat and ate our sandwiches picked up at a recommended Chez Christina café in Saignon and looked out at the expanse of mountains, fields of crops and lavender and sunflowers, a vast sky and brilliant sunshine caressed by a wind in our faces at refreshingly moderate temperatures. We stopped and ran our hands over the lavender, confirming the fragrance. Later alongside a cherry orchard we sampled some cherries from the nearby tree. Rows of olive trees and vineyards lined the sort of landscape painted by famed and numerous others.
These were indeed fields of dreams.
--
Mel
This morning (Thursday here – this is being written off line at our rented place in Mausanne), Greg and I journeyed 60 km. to one of those small perched villages in the Luberon.
Our goal was to bike in the hills – a relatively small triangular route taking us from what turned out to be an absolute charmer of a village called Saignon about 8 Km. mostly up hill and then down to a place called Auribeau, then to an even smaller place, Castelet and from there complete the triangle and head back to Saignon. Except for the first 30 minutes or so, which was discouragingly uphill for long stretches, the rest of this 9 mile trek was a sensual delicacy, a treat in a voyage of treats and discovery.
It has been so hot here and biking in the mountains – or hills really, but big ones – threatened to turn us into mushrooms. But the day turned into the expected continuing sunshine but with temperatures in the 75 range. It was absolutely glorious.
We biked adjacent to one lavender field after another. Every corner was another magical view. In the distance the Alps (we think). Closer Mt. Ventoux with its white cap year round – looking like snow or clouds, but really bare rock from where trees were taken for the French Navy years ago. We sat and ate our sandwiches picked up at a recommended Chez Christina café in Saignon and looked out at the expanse of mountains, fields of crops and lavender and sunflowers, a vast sky and brilliant sunshine caressed by a wind in our faces at refreshingly moderate temperatures. We stopped and ran our hands over the lavender, confirming the fragrance. Later alongside a cherry orchard we sampled some cherries from the nearby tree. Rows of olive trees and vineyards lined the sort of landscape painted by famed and numerous others.
These were indeed fields of dreams.
--
Mel
posted by Mel and Janet Muchnik | 4:01 AM
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