A week at the villa

Aix, Aug 15-20 Aug 15 A hike yo see the aqueduct, head out at 8:30. Had to be off the trail by 10:00 for fire season requirements, . A swim, then a trip to the city for shopping, welcomed to Geant and oh my gosh... The cheeses, rose wines, deli meats, breads etc etc etc. Home for a swim then another incredible dinner: Melon with prosciutto Tuna niocse Green beans and potatoes Cheese Aug 16 Tuesday A road trip with stops in Avignon and Chateauneuf du Pape. Had a dance on the bridge " sur le pont d'Avignon" Lunch in the square in front of Palais du Pape Then a hilarious incident in the car parkade, not so funny through the 25 minutes of uncertainty! A drive to Chateauneuf du Pape to find the rest of our party at Chateau de Gardine. We arrived at 2 but nobody there so did a walkabout in the cute little town, Dave and Kim climbed to the top of the old chateau, had a tasting. There is only one wall left of the chateau after the Germans bombed it in World War II. Stopped for a drink in the town square then head home. To learn that all three cars had directional issues at some point today!! A big swim... Then another incredible dinner at eight o'clock cajun chicken and yummy salad and potatoes. Aug 17 a beach day At Cassis. Left at 9 ish, two cars directly to Cassis, one to Marseilles to pick up a cousin then joined us at Cassis. Lovely beach town, so many restaurants, shops and a huge street market that closed up and moved away at 1 o'clock. I got there in time to see the cheese man and the olive man but they could not sell me anything because it was a few minutes past one. I took Dave back 15 minutes later to share the experience but you would never know that 80 vendors had been there. Only two or three guys left dismantling. Lunch at a tapas bar. Yum.. Calamari on one plate, champinion gironelle on another and pain du tomate on a third. Sooo good! Rendez-voused with the gang at 3:30, arranged cars and home by 5. Pool time, games and another huge dinner at 8.Salmon with lobster bisque on a bed of rice and ratatouille. Aug 18 Folks hiked to the aqueduct at 8, home before 9, they found the circular route, bringing them home at the back. Open markets in Aix for some folks, 2 had a rest day at the villa and Dave and I headed for Pont du Gard, close to Avignon so saw that city from a different side, the massive wall on Rue St Michel, protecting the city and Palais du Pape.. Then head to the hills near Nimes and Uze and found the 300 acre park where folks were swimming in the river, diving off the cliffs, kayaking, hiking etc. We walked the bridge, watched the movie and enjoyed the museum. Great day. Back to the villa by four to hear all the experiences in the market, cheered on the petonque game . One player still undefeated! and a rematch in cribbage before everyone head out for a lovely dinner in Aix., giving our chef a night off. A wow setting for this dinner, at "Domaine et Cia". Salad with medium boiled egg, a choice of pork medallion or fish and a choice of a cheese plate or dessert to finish off the meal. Home by 10:30 and two exciting rounds of cribbage. Aug 19, Friday Morning hike, showers and 2 cars off to the airport to sat bye to Fonnie then carried on to Camarque. Arrived in time for lunch after the lovely drive through the marshes, rice fields, salt beds and white horse country. Ate at Las Vagues, our very first experience on this trip of a sullen waitress, not even Camille could extract a smile! Maybe the chef is cranky??? However, the food was delicious. My plat du jour was duck in a honey almond sauce, stuffed tomato and interesting crisps. Dave had humungous prawns, no time for dessert because our boat was leaving. We cruised out of the harbour, into the Meditterenan for 10 minutes then up the petit Rhone for 90 minutes, lots of birds..herons, ibis, three colours of seagulls. Then the wild white horses, born brown and turn white by age 5, bulls raised for the rings, not killed here, just a ribbon removed from a horn by the matador. A paddle wheel ferry boat, on a cable that can carry eight cars, cabanos and carres, a huge square net on a pulley that is dropped into the river and catches perch, carp, sea bass etc. Home by 6 and the last evening here. Rather amazing that so many people did so many things from this spot. All are grateful to the travel coordinator, Miss Caroline; the chef, Camille; the social convenor, Steph; and the rental car drivers Dave, Shannon and Camille. We will not share info on the number of empty wine bottles or the cheese or baguette, or croissant consumption. After all, this is southern France! - [ ] Tomorrow is a travel day.. Curtis to the airport at 6, Kim and boys to train station at 11, two cars returned by noon, Shan and family to the airport for one then Camille, Edna , Dave and I begin our two day drive to Beg Meil with stops in Nantes and Puys de Feu. - [ ] Only 11 days left of our 42 day jaunt!