Chatterbox

[Renee Profile]

How terrible that the brief hailstorm caused so much damage to most of the fruit.

Dennis, your family seem to be having a wonderful holiday! The fair sounded fun and a good idea to stay on an extra day.

We have lots of sunshine here today after all the rain. It's much warmer too. I've just had my hair cut.

[dennispc Profile]

In our bit of the West Country it’s been rain most of the day.

[dennispc Profile]

We've got sunshine

[Renee Profile]

That was quick!

For most of this week, we've had rain but the sun always came out at about 7pm. Not much use at that time.

[Alexandria Profile]

Renée,

Sorry to hear that you are having rain ..

Breezy, sunny and blue skies here in Algarve.
( 29 C degrees ) ..

Have a lovely weekend just ahead.

[Sakkarin Profile]

Have you ever wondered how Tesco can sell a tin of tomatoes for just 25p?

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/ ... rn-slavery

[Joanbunting Profile]

Thanks for the link Sakkers. It is not only Italy but Southern Spain as well. There was a fairly disturbing documentary on French TV showing the living conditions being endured by workers in the vast areas of polly tunnels. Mostly African and Moroccan.

[Joanbunting Profile]

Dennis are your family staying near Lac Ste Croix? That is still a favourite trip for our young people.

[dennispc Profile]

Here's where they were staying

camp site.jpg

sunset.jpg

they're visiting Caitot, east of Marseille, today but will probably move on as camp site is on a busy road, I'll tell them about Lac Saint Croix. They have to start moving North soon!

[Alexandria Profile]

Petronious,

Beautiful region.

Know quite well.

Salon de Provençe is a lovely medieval
village with a IX Castle Fortress dating to
Roman times, up on the hill above the
small city.

La Table du Roi (The King´s Table ) is
an amazingly extraordinary restaurant.
The Chef´s name is: Matthias Perés.
His foie gras de canard served with a
Glass of Y d´Quem Saterne was impeccably
incredible ..

[dennispc Profile]

Thanks Member 461, daughter had moules, sitting outside.

moules.jpg

She thanks you Joan for suggesting the Lac, but they went there on the way down. Unfortunately, it was raining and cold that day so they ventured south.

Message today at 7.30am they started up Venteux. They did think of going to the Ardeche instead but forecast was heavy rain.

[Stokey Sue Profile]

I’m reading Felicity Cloake’s book, One More Croissant for the Road, a memoir of cycling round France this time last year. Recommended, anyway it was very wet and she has reminded me of a joke I heard years ago

Tourist goes to Brittany, where it is raining. He asks a small boy “Does it always rain here?” The boy says “ Don’t know, I’m only eight!”

Certainly I don’t think I’ve seen the cobblestones of St Malo dry. But my Dad did get sunburnt at Le Mont St Michel

[Renee Profile]

We had a very happy holiday in La Baule in Brittany when the boys were small and luckily had a fabulous fortnight there weather-wise. We must have been lucky!

[Joanbunting Profile]

Hi Dennis, they should be OK weatherwise going up Ventoux today but there will be a hell of a lot of traffic! I was thinking of suggesting they went round the coast a bit to the Camargue but then realised it is the gipsy festival so would befar far to busy. A bit further west the walled town of Aigues Mort is fascinating.

Aix is very pretty in the right places Member 461 but it is also the home of the French airforce training base so is not always as tranquil as one might wish.

[Alexandria Profile]

Petronius,

Lovely mussels ..

And photographs.

Have a wonderful day.

[Alexandria Profile]

Joan,

I had forgotten about that ..

None the less, Salon de Provençe is a truly lovely
historic town ..

Have a wonderful day.

[Lusciouslush Profile]

Lovely that your family give you regular updates Dennis - you're a 'virtual' traveller with them!

[Joanbunting Profile]

It's one of the real advantages of modern technology isn't it?

[Gillthepainter Profile Website]

Great isn't it.
I do love these french places you drop upon.
We usually use the plan d'eau networks as our magnet.
Is this your swimming daughter, Dennis.

Or UNESCO sites.

This year we shan't wind our way back. Our ferry is from Santander. So no hidden french gems to stop at.
We are staying at puenta de reina tho. Near pamplona.

[dennispc Profile]

They don’t all keep in touch Luscious! One family is quite emphatic - carry phone for emergency and that’s it. Don’t blame them. Both have stressful jobs, makes sense.

Another family went to West coast USA earlier in the year using their FB page so OH could keep in touch.

Another arrived in Split yesterday, it will be mostly granddaughter that makes sure her Nanna has plenty of photos. We’ve given them some pointers, but they’ll be able to travel wider than we did.

Yes Gill, swimming-up-for-anything (almost) daughter. I joined WhatsApp as it’s easier for her and this is a six weeks trip - so a bit special. Also she knows how much I love the mountains etc., and have fond memories of some of the places they visit.

And yes Joan, technology is great for such things and for Forums! Venteux was crowded but included a skateboarder, a recumbent bike and “someone sat on some sort of skate coming down Venteux”! Today they’re making for Valence as they start to head for the Calais ferry in a week’s time.