Aix en Provence

Aix en Provence Started the day in Roma, Saturday, Aug 13 Everyone out on the street by 6 am and walked to Termini for our airport bus. What do I see?? Cole and Beau skateboarding on the streets of Rome, pulling luggage! Oops, hit a rock, little toad rash on the knee and opened a previous hand wound. On the 6:20 bus, 40 minute tide to the airport and in Marseilles airport at 11:10. Met by Camille and Edna , who had flown into Paris , rented a car and did the eight hour drive yesterday and spent the night in Aix. Dave and Shannon were shuttled to the car rental while we waited for Curtis to arrive on his flight from Paris. Car convoy of the 11 of us for twenty minutes to Ventabren, passed under the world famous aqueduct and realized that our villa was a five minute walk for this amazing structure. We had the boys in our car... The comments..... "Whaaaaaat?", " noooo waaaay" as we drove up the long driveway, past the horse paddock.then the pool, then the pitonc area. Met by the owners who gave the grand tour, then on our own to sort bedrooms, have a swim, enjoy Edna's margaritas,have Shannon and Curtis run for lunch makings and Camille and Dave for the dinner ingredients. Now, we know we are in France... Massive outdoor eating area and sitting down to baguettes, pate, French cheese, grapes, nectarines. Activity begins! Water volleyball, petonque, badminton, soccer, all wonderful spectator sports. Camille did his usual magic for our 8 pm dinner. Barbecued kebabs: chicken, pork, rabbit; sausage, an incredible salad, followed by the cheese course and French ice cream that had the consistency of mousse. Aug 14 A very relaxed morning, no trains, planes or buses to catch! But Camiile and Caroline did drive in to Marseilles at noon to the airport and picked up Stephanie, did a few groceries and the. Joined the rest of us in the pool. Shannon, Dave and I drove to the next village, 9 kms away. Aquilles for a wine run. On Sundays, in these small villages, all stores and shops are closed, some for the whole day and some at noon. Even the gas stations are closed. These narrow twisty roads in standard vehicles thrill our driver today! An afternoon at poolside and petonque. Dave had been practising this morning so may have had some advantage. Having lost 13-1 yesterday spurred on that practice and got him a 13-11 win today. Soccer, badminton, swimming, cribbage and bridge before a wonderful birthday dinner of pork loin, baked vegies, broccoli, salads and of course, birthday cakes!