Steve in the outdoor lobby of our B and B in Cassis
Typical French Breakfast above…Tea or Espresso and a Croissant
What a whirlwind tour of the south of France this has been …..we just arrived back at our first B and B in Beune and are resting up for a great dinner at a restaurant we made our first visit a week ago. The photo above starts where we left off….arriving in Cassis. This is where we were writing to you from in the “lobby” garden of the B and B
Some goodies at the early morning Cassis Market…we get up about 6-00 to get in on the local market fun
This area was just phenomenal and I sure wish we could have stayed longer!! We just have a great excuse to come back! That boat photo you all liked from the Iphone turned out so funky cool didn’t it? That was at dusk and the colors came up so surreal. I do agree it would make a great painting.
A CHEESY TOURIST SHOT…i HAVE MY DAUGHTER TO THANK FOR THIS HABIT
We went up the coast for a few hours and stopped in some of the harbor towns and walked around. The towns varied from quaint B and B sort of towns to upscale Yacht Club /Casino areas. Those are a bit touristy for us but this time of year it was soooooooooooooo quiet. The perfect weather in the upper 70’s and not to muggy. The summers get brutal and that’s the height of tourist season. I highly recommend going in autumn. OMG it’s gorgeous!
ANOTHER MARKET FIND
The sky and clouds yesterday were so dramatic, it was hard to take a bad photo!! I chose a couple of fun ones here from the coast to show you but have over 3500 images to sort through…the best are yet to come when I get my sea legs back after we return home.
OUR B AND B ATOP THE HILL
Last night we arrived at our Medieval hilltown B and B at dusk and after getting the bags up a flight of very scary cobblestone steps (it was fun nonetheless) we went out into the town to hike the alleyways and look over into the vistas as the sun set.
A STUNNING NEW KITTY FRIEND AT A WINERY ENROUTE
Oh you guys………………..this is my kind of place!! Hilltowns always make me hear voices…..in a good way I hope you understand…lol!! I can hear the laughter of children of Medieval times echoing down the cobblestone paths…the dogs barking….peasants chasing the cats away from the fish preparation area
THE VIEW FROM THE HILLTOWN
STEVE AT THE BOTTOM OF ONE OF THE SWITCHBACK COBBLESTONE STREETS
….the clip clop of horse hooves as the men return from a good day of patroling their hill and bringing home a hare or boar for dinner too!!
ONE OF THE RESIDENT DOGGIES
As night fell I can imagine as the children retired to their straw beds in the little niches of the stone walls, the hushed voices of the adults as they sat around the fires or the hearth to reflect on the day over French vin (wine…pronounced “va”)
THERE WERE FOUNTAINS ALL OVER THAT ECHOED THROUGH THE NARROW STREETS
Yes I have a very vivid imagination…just ask my mom…but this is the stuff my best dreams are made of and to live it out for even just a single night was heaven for me. I didnt’ want to leave!!
OFF TO TOWN FOR A LITTLE PRE DINNER SHOPPING!
MINE MINE ALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL MINE!!
ANOTHER MINE MINE ALL MINE MOMENT…STEVE JUST BOUGHT ME A NEW ARTISAN PANDA
AND JUST AS IM WRITING THIS POST..IN WALKES STEVE WITH A STEIFF PANDA FROM HIS WALK IN BEUNNE!! omg i LUB THAT MAN!!!
A new day dawns….today we wake up with the roosters on top of the hill to find ourselves completely alone in the town. It was a slice of heaven!!
We decide to go down the hill and grab a pastry and coffee at an outdoor cafe in teh very brisk air, then off to visit an obscure hilltown off the tourist path called Crestet which was highly recommended if we wanted solitude and great photographs
We thought our hilltown with the B and B was perfect till we arrived at this storybook fortress perched on a high jagged peak overlooking the grape vinyards. We were the only “outsiders” on the hill. The families were waking up and you could hear the clanging of pans, the roosters crowing and even the echos from the ladies humming as they cooked breakfast…talk about a time warp. This was REAL life in a REAL place .
BE SURE TO SEE THE NEW AUDIO BOO i POSTED FOR MORE DESCRIPTION OF THIS AWESOME TOWN
aT 8:00 am church bell starting ringing. The echos bounced off the buildings and the other hills so loud you would have thought it was a symphony…just for us!!
To “discover” a stunning original mosaic like this hidden behind some scrub shrubs is a sight to behold. It sent chills up my spine. Who created this wonderful work of art from such tiny tesserea of stone and pebbles? I would have loved to have met them in person!
What more can I say….this hilltown was one of the many highlights of our 3 week journey
This photo pretty much sums up the mood , the chill in the air and just imagine the churchbell overhead.
Steve just told me it is going to be 45 degrees tomorrow AM when we head for the 3 hour drive to Paris..brrrrrrrrrrr…the coldest day yet and you can see the vines starting to change color in some of the photographs above
The cobblestones are all original and a beasst to walk on. You wonder how the Medieval residants ankles held up. Was it Elise that mentioned ankles earlier??? Maybe Vonnie???? I can’t remember but it does a number on them at any rate..lol
But DANG the cobblestones do make the most artistic photographs and I am looking at them 85 percent of the time to prevent falling with my bad vision. I see floors first…scenery second. I have to literally stop,,,take my pix, then move again on this kind of footing. No snapping as I walk like I do other places
That warm morning light……………it’s worth getting up early when the camera loves it so much
So until my next blog post when we arrive home, check out the Facebook updates to the right as well as teh audioboos in case I get a WIFI moment at the airports to say a quick hello and update again
Thank you all so very very much for following our adventure. I truly hate to see it come to an end but there will be another coming up in February as my friend Gayle and I set off on our Thailand /China journey to visit the pandas, moonbears and Asian Elephants in Chiang Mai
You all made this trip extra special and we appreciate each and every comment. You all put so much time and thought into your posts….we talked about that a lot. We are very blessed to have so many wonderful friends on this big beautiful planet. As soon as I get home I’ll start getting together the treasures for my drawing so stay tuned!!
Love always,….from Sandra and Steve, Bling,Humphrey,Beaune, Beau, Mini B….and the new Steiff panda to be named soon!!!
Jan Bruton says
October 10, 2009 at 9:49 amHi Sandy and Steve,
I am so sorry I won’t have your photos and comments to look forward to every day! I finally corralled Larry into coming up and looking at the travelblog and he was blown away – not only by the photos and the quality but by your comments – how does she find time to do those? he wondered. If it weren’t for the dogs, I know he would be planning to go right now! What province or district do you call that seaside area do you know? I looks like you hit the weather just perfectly as well as no tourists at that time of year – maybe it is just as well that things are looking more like Fall, making it easier to leave, huh? Have a safe ,and hopefully easy, trip home. Love, Jan
Daava says
October 10, 2009 at 10:01 amLovely. Just lovely!
Claudia says
October 10, 2009 at 11:08 amI have really enjoyed watching this journey! Thanks for sharing. Snow today in Iowa. Way too soon for that. So tomorrow we head for Memphis and Charlotte. Safe travels!
Jan kemp says
October 10, 2009 at 1:34 pmI loved traveling with you on your big adventure! Wow, Sandra, did you have someone plan your itinerary for you or did you guys do it yourselves? What a trip! I especially loved reading and looking at the photos of France. They brought back so many wonderful memories of our time in France that I wept. Yep…the cobblestones. I used to walk them dressed in high heels for dinners out, the cats…everywhere, the croissants, buttery and warm from the oven, the strong, delicious coffee…the morning light, medieval hill towns, lovely artwork everywhere. Thank you, Sandra!
HotFlashFusion says
October 10, 2009 at 2:13 pmTres magnifique!!!! Bon voyage and merci! C’etait un tres bon experience!!!! I will miss your adventures… made some boring days at work much more pleasureable to follow along on your journey. Thanks for taking the time to bring us on your wonderful vacation. Have a safe trip home!
Mom says
October 10, 2009 at 3:02 pmThis place is breathtaking!!!I can’t imagine what thats like. I want to go even tho I can’t walk on those streets. You do such a terrific job telling about it, I feel like I was there. Thank you and all the phone calls was a real treat and kept me from thinking how far away you were from home. I’m so glad you and Steve had this wonderful journey. Have a good trip home.
Patricia Norman says
October 10, 2009 at 3:18 pmWhat a delight to see all of the ages old history in the architecture that is in this town. The colors are a delight as well as the critters, and you both have been wonderful tour guides
Thank you
Love Banghart says
October 10, 2009 at 4:51 pmThank you so much for allowing us to “tag along” with you on this wonderful trip! I love the hill towns and beautiful countryside. Your photos have been wonderful!
Love
elise says
October 10, 2009 at 8:29 pmThose medieval hilltowns are amazing.. this part of your trip has me thinking about where I want to go!!!
No, it wasnt me talking about the ankles on the cobblestones, but I’m sure they would’ve caused aching back probs too. 😉
So where’s the pic of the new PANDA???
I am so sorry your trip is ending as well, I loved being one of your ‘armchair tourists’
Thanks for the sharing your wonderful adventures
Dana says
October 10, 2009 at 9:18 pmWhat a joy this trip has been for me and hopefully someday I will follow in your footsteps of this and your many other trips. This has been the first that I have followed closely and it was just a joy!
Lois says
October 10, 2009 at 10:05 pmHi Sandra,
Thank you sooooo much for all the wonderful pictures and stories! I enjoyed “traveling” with you and Steve (and I didn’t even hurt my ankles!…yeah it was me who was worried about traversing those cobblestone streets). Have a safe trip home!
Lots of Love, Lois 🙂
KATHLEEN says
October 10, 2009 at 10:59 pmOh No! is it over already? back to the day to day regular world ???
after a vacation like that…..the scenery, the lovely food, clothes, jewelry, ancient artwork and architecture……wow…….I count myself very fortunate. I loved this last set of photos with the hilltowns, the hidden mosaic (you wonder how old!!) those ancient little streets nestled in between the equally old homes and churches and eateries. there are so many photos that are just perfect works of art themselves, as well as many references for paintings!!!! altho its sad the trip is over, i know we will be sharing the rest of your pics as you post them and that is something to look forward to. you look like a 1940’s gal in that pic on the coast. very pretty, and i sure can relate to “hearing” the past…..forever preserved in those hills!!!
Vonnie says
October 11, 2009 at 12:52 amThis has been an awesome trip both for you and your beloved but also for all of us who went along with you. You are very fortunate to be able to go and we as your friends, we were happy to tune in daily and see what you got into that day, kind of what made it an adventure for me too anyway.
With so much going wrong it sure was nice to see good things, nature, animals, bazaars, shopping districts, quaint homes and ancient streets, beautiful scenery, artwork and jewelry. You took some really great shots and I also cannot wait to see all the rest. Loved all the pcs from today, this was certainly my kind of a day. That kitty looks very similar to mine and that little “resident” dog… some kind of Terrier maybe. What a cutie!
A Steiff! I always had Steiff animals as a kid, still have a few. I was born in Stuttgart, W Ger. and lived there many times, so that was like a “normal” stuffed animal for me to have. Who woulda thought they would get so popular and expensive. Wish I had every single one of them now. They are the best!
You two take care and enjoy whatever else you find and have a safe trip home.
Talk to you soon! Peace!
Gwen - Valley Creek Studio says
October 11, 2009 at 5:37 amWhat a beautiful part of the world and steeped in so much history. I have loved every minute of your trip. Being a cat person I have especially loved the beautiful kitties throughout the world. How fortunate you are to be able to travel like this and how fortunate we are to be able to tag along. Have a safe trip home!
Sandra Miller says
October 11, 2009 at 1:13 pmHey you guys!!! Thank you all so much for the journey wishes and the heartwarming comments about our trip. You have no idea how happy I am to hear how much you enjoyed the vacation too!!! The travel blogging takes a chunk of time but it’s well worth it when you know your friends get some enjoyment out of it.
We are sitting in Mpls waiting for the last leg of our flight to Portland. We got up at 3:00 AM and drove from Beune France to Paris, Flew one hour to Amsterdam, then flew to Mpls 8 hours….another 4 hour flight and we will be home. I am anxious to see my girls Meg and Lillian. I LOVE the reunions!!! I will write Monday morning!! Cross your fingers that I can sleep tonite. I didn’t have a bit of jet lag on the vacation which is a BAD sign I’ll be fighting sleepless nights for 2 weeks or more.
Kathe….I know you are one of my night owl friends!!! Keep the kettle on!
Jo Snuder says
October 11, 2009 at 3:45 pmAs always, I so enjoyed your posting. Thanks so much for sharing!
jo
KATHLEEN says
October 11, 2009 at 9:30 pmKettle is on……if you cant sleep, im usually here! oh i wish i could see the reunion with the girls. that is always such fun…….they love you to death and you remember how important they are to you!!! so welcome home and acclimate slowly…….i wonder what your garden is lookin like!!!????
Vonnie says
October 11, 2009 at 9:54 pmWELCOME HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jan Reed says
October 12, 2009 at 5:02 pmthank you for sharing this journey with us virtually, the photos are incredible to say the least
I have a little video I want to send you of Bling’s cousin MING who rides in my dashboard, trying to figure out where to send it!