TGV to Brugge

At 10am we departed from Avignon on the TGV (fast train) to Brugge. What an enjoyable way to travel through the country just sit back and relax and take it all in. Our 1st stop was Lyon for all of 5min. North of Lyon the countryside was so picturesque with beautiful rolling farmland  intensive cropping white cattle and the occasional Chateau set amongst it along with pockets of trees throughout which adds to the beauty of the French countryside. Another stop at Charles de Gaulle (Paris) and by 2.30pm we were in Brussells ~ unbelievable to go so far in such a short time.  Brussells station is so huge and was so crowded we were rather overwhelmed by where and how to get to our platform for the last hour of our journey to Brugge with only 20mins to find it and queues of people on escalators etc. However we made it but jumped on the wrong carriage as many others did and ended up standing for the first 40mins as the isle was full of others standing and you couldn't move one way or the other. There must have been a carriage half empty somewhere. In no time we were in Brugge and its another one of those WOW places. It must be one of the nicest cities I've ever visited. We checked into our lovely little hotel which is so homely feels more like a B&B then headed out around the central walkway marked on our map. It's all lace, chocolate and beautiful shoe shops and not to forget the delicious Belgium beer. We stopped at a very popular beer restaurant where they sell 400 different beers. We just asked for a light beer. The weather is rather different here ~ only 16deg and its now raining so the raincoats are out.

The central square in Brugge

Avignon

This morning we checked out of our B&B and drove an hour to Avignon (the centre of Provence) where we returned our car. We took a taxi to our hotel which is just inside the walls of the old Roman City. Avignon is such an amazing place oozing with culture, art, museums, street entertainment and beautiful huge historic buildings.

A typical scene here in Avignon.

 We took ourselves on a walking tour winding our way through the old city following the markers. The Palace of the Popes a 14th century gothic palace is right near our hotel so we visited 25 rooms using an audio guide. Half a day here really isn't enough but better than nothing. Tomorrow we begin our train rides and head off to Brugge the last stage of our journey.

We're all castled out now so good timing for a change.

More around the Luberon

We started the day feeling slightly seedy after our big night.

After breky we set out to see our last 2 villages in the area. We visited Fountaine de Vaucluse a nice little town with the Sorgue river running through it and old moss covered water wheels. Then the afternoon was spent at Les Beaux a well preserved medieval fort with replica war machines. We walked up hill through the old streets with all its little shops then hired an audioguide and heard the history as we walked through the ruins of the old chateau on the top of the hill.

Looking back up to the ruins of the old Chateau which was carved into rock.

Then it was back to our B&B and compared notes with the other kiwis.

Sightseeing around the Luberon

Today we visited some villages in the area. The first village was Gordes the most famous hill village in Provence built entirely of dry stone.

Amazing selection of cheeses.

They had their weekly market in the streets so we browsed at that and bumped into the kiwis we had seen in Cappadocia  and who were also going to be staying at the same B&B as us. In the afternoon we visited a nearby village called Roussillon. An amazing village with its clay hills made up of a dozen shades of ocre from oranges, reds and yellows. A painters & photographers dream. Then we went on to the Abbey de Senanque founded in 1145 and is inhabited by monks. In the summer the Abbey is framed by lavender. Unfortunately it was only just bursting into flower so we didn't see it at its best. 

We arrived back at the B&B and met up with the kiwis and heard their travel stories. Then at 8pm the B&B had a French chef in for the evening and cooked up a beautiful 3 course meal for us all along with a different wine for each course. A great night was had by all and it was 1am by the time we went to bed.

Dinner at the B&B

Tony in the wine cellar at the B&B 

Off to Bonnieux

We said our goodbyes to Tim & Heidi around 11.30am and made our way through the beautiful Verdon Gorge a river canyon which is about 700m deep and 25km long ending at Monstiers (the most divine village built into a rock face )where there was an amazing lake. We stopped and watched young courageous people jumping from huge heights off the cliff faces.

I was standing on a bridge so this photo doesn't really show how deep it is.

We arrived in Bonnieux a small village in the Luberon where it's all vineyards and lavender which is all just bursting into bloom right now. We found our B&B about 3km out of the village amongst the vineyards ~ an amazing place. We went into the village for a meal which was delicious ~ had our first ever taste of truffles today.

Walking back to the car after dinner.

Last day in Mons

We've had a great day with Tim & Heidi. Late morning Tim drove us to the Mt Audibuerge ski field one of his favourite places. We climbed to the top of the ski field to a height of 1650m through lovely wild flowers and herbs it was divine and the views were incredible. From the top we could see the Mediterranean on one side and French Alps on the other. We sat at the top and enjoyed a yum picnic lunch that Heidi had put together along with a Rosé. Having photoheidi with us meant we had a lot of fun with the cameras along with Heidi's photographic eye. After making our way back to the bottom we watched a few people using the flying foxes that weave through the forest. So many different ones from beginners to experienced.

By now we were keen to stop for a beer but by 5pm nothing was open.

Mediterranean side

Having our picnic.

We headed back home and enjoyed a cold beer a lovely meal and an early night.

Day 6 in Mons

It was a quiet start to the day without the Shearers. Tony listened to the 2 rugby games on the iPad while I tidied the place up a bit. Tim & Heidi arrived home at lunchtime from their few days in Corsica. We sat down to a lovely lunch together. Heidi and I went for a walk to the top of the gorge while Tony did some mowing. On our way back we visited an old 92yr old lady who bought out the Ouzo for us. Then we took the short cut home via a cherry tree where we had a compulsory stop. Heidi wanted to photograph the moon so later we drove into Mons then walked up the hill above Mons. It was great looking down into Mons while it lit up for the night. 

Mons village.

Sitting up the hill with a wee Rose and nibbles waiting for the moon and the village lights to come on around 9pm.