France
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There IS no place like home…
… it is not just a cliche. We spent a week with my in-laws in Germany (more blog posts to follow with tips and recommendations for holidaying in Bavaria) but are so glad to be back home in Switzerland. Not only because the weather is better here, but being able to relax in the garden and enjoy the peace and quiet is wonderful. The in-laws have a city apartment with a balcony, but city life is busier than village life. And I never thought that I would ever say this, but I prefer it. I am a city gal, born and bred in the outskirts of Dundee, lived for almost…
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Holiday Home in Vaucluse, Provence
We recently stayed a week in this holiday home in Provence, in a small village called Sablet. The village is pretty, not far from Orange and Avignon, and has the basic amenities: baker, butcher, small supermarket and a chemist. Sablet is perched on a hill and the views from the top of the village, near the church are spectacular. I found the holiday home on Owner’s Direct, and the pictures and description sounded promising. On arrival in Sablet, we met the charming owner, received the keys and had our first look at the house. To be honest, when we saw the house we were a bit taken aback, there did…
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Architects are never on holiday
Seen on a beach on the South of France Not sure if that is his wife looking resigned and bored in the background, but the castle was a work of art
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Top Ten Provence Souvenirs – how many of these items did you buy?
After two weeks in Provence we realised that there are some things that almost every tourist buys. Just as visitors to Germany try the Bier and the Wurst, visitors to Scotland are obliged to have a wee dram and visitors to Switzerland just have to purchase lashings of yummy chocolate. These are our Top Ten Provence Souvenirs. 1. Nougat with candied fruit 2. Wine from Chateauneuf du Pape 3. or Côtes de Provence 4. Soap, mainly the big blocks of Marseilles Soap, but these flowers also caught our eye 5. Homegrown Garlic 6. Lavender 7. Sea Salt 8. A Stripy Straw Bag 9. A tablecloth or item of clothing in…
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Tour de France – In Photos
Picnic next to Dutch fans Morzine was decked in yellow Son was rather excited The “caravane” arrived first The friendly Haribo girls chucked some sweets to the kids The first woman to ride in the Tour de France Vittel offered a cool shower at last the bikes came whizzing down the hill These American fans raised a smile and a cheer A last look back on a fun filled day
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Abondance Abbey
We spent the day in the mountains, in Abondance and Châtel. The Abbey in Abondance is beautiful. The sun shining through the stained glass windows made for colourful shadows around the church.
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Wonder what you can buy in this shop
Ok, so I am easily amused.
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La Galoise
The children were fascinated by the villagers in their Asterix and Obelix style dress at a festival in a local French village. Not quite sure what it was all about, but it was fun!
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Fête de la chasse – Hunting Festival in Machilly, France
Quite by accident, we stumbled across this festival. Or rather, my husband cycled past in the morning as they were preparing for the Fête and we decided to go after breakfast, thinking it was a car boot sale. When we arrived we realised that it was a festival for hunters. Hunting horns, hand made in France The wine bar was busy, as is normal in France. We decided to have lunch there, and were pleasantly surprised by the food on offer. No greasy fry-ups here. The 3-course meal was: Bread…
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Lyon
