Tarte au Citron or Mille Feuille?: The Delight of a Low News Day in the Drôme

Generally when I write an update to my Blog, it is to report specific issues like Linda making me wash in a pan or my disappointment at the Eurotunnel experience. Well today is different and I find myself in reflective mood. Yes I did say it's Alistair in reflective mood, something of a rarity I know but an event that is becoming more frequent as I creep ever closer to pensionable age. State Pension that is!

Perhaps a contributory factor is the delicious BBQ we have just enjoyed? Or is it the fragrant aroma of broom, lavender or olive groves drifting across the valley towards us? Could it be the beautifully warm, late evening sunshine accompanied by a glass of the finest Cote du Rhône? Or could it even be the company of my partner of 42 years? Nah!!

I don't know what it is in truth but a very short way into this holiday, we find ourselves at peace with and enjoying everything about our surroundings. The Drôme is a truly wondrous place and actually somewhere that many tourists to this country have yet to discover. A bit like Dalyan in Turkey, we try to keep it a secret even though it has drawn us back on numerous occasions.

Life appears to be lived at a slower pace. Someone described it as an excellent place to enjoy a mellow lifestyle. Whatever it is, it is quite addictive and Linda and I feel extremely relaxed which of course, we know will change with the arrival of the grandkids on Saturday!

So prior to "desert storm", we are occupying ourselves by wandering around the countryside and taking in the weekly markets at Vaison-la-Romaine and Buis-les-Baronnies. Vaison lies close to the foot of Mont Ventoux (1912m) and is a charming Provençal type town albeit its roots go back to Roman times and beyond. It's weekly market which dates from 1483 is a must for visitors and during high summer can attract 450 stall holders. The Wednesday market in Buis is on a considerably smaller scale but for me wins the contest against the one in Vaison because it is so much more intimate as the stalls wind there way through the beautiful and very narrow streets. The joy of sitting in a cafe on a sunny market day and watching the world and his dog go by is truly hard to beat.

I could wax lyrical about this place for hours but today, I have attached more photos than normal in the hope that they paint a better picture than my words.