Ah yes, my relaxing weekend getaway to Avignon. Okay, in my defence, I was told to be ready to leave the house by 8:20. So when I came down the stairs with my little suitcase to greet an impatient looking Rusty at 8:19, I was confused. Turns out he had said 8:10 and that was tight to say the least. What ensued can only be described as the most harrowing drive ever made from Semur to Dijon, followed by the fastest sprint through the Dijon train station on record. We literally had to hurl ourselves on the train as it started to roll out of the station.
Anyway, we made it. Oh how lovely, the South of France, a first for me and there’s only one word to describe it: Antarctica. I have never been so cold in my life. In my rush to depart, I forgot to pack my down filled coat and wool hat. It. Was. Freezing. The wind (the famous Mistral) was enough to blow the head off you. I wore every piece of clothing I packed, most days all at the same time.
At least the food made up for it. We found a beautiful indoor (and mercifully heated) market …
And we had great luck with restaurants …
I love a place that brings you tap water in a bottle like this …
And a place where your menu is a miniature chalk board …
While I could justify the fact that I could hardly move my arms, (who could with 5 shirts on?), the inability to do up my pants was a little more difficult to explain.
If you ever find yourself in Avignon don’t miss the chance to eat your way out of your pants at Fou de Fafa or Mamma Corsica, délicieux!
Ah, the Mistral. I remember her well, but not fondly. I spent more time near Languedoc, much more temperate. Thanks for the trip down memory lane, Bobbi! P.S. I just remedied the fact that I’m not subscribed to your blog.
Lovely photos – those chalkboards are great – its not about the marketing its about the food!
I sooooo need to get myself to France soon.
Oh that cheese display…
Purple asparagus = heaven. And that sweets display!
I’m looking up flights right now . . . And if they can’t see my pants zipper under all my sweaters, then I’m calling it closed.
I’ve been to France five times, yet every time I see photos like this I so want to return – SOON!!! Thanks for sharing and bringing back many memories!
Not fair to look at photos like that before I’ve had breakfast. *drool*
Dear Lord, give me strength!
Bobbi,I am flying into Paris on Aug 14th. After a few days of sight seeing,my friend and I are heading to St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to start el Camino de Santiago. I need to loose 20 lbs before the start of this pilgrimage. ( that will then become my pack weight)Your pictures are not helping me right now. I will try to see them as a reward to look forward to during my brief starting visit in France, and a subsequent visit along the Cote d’Azur after the pilgrimage. I too am drooling right now.
Looks like heaven! We took a little drive to Beaune on Monday and it was snowing!
Loved your little town of Semur. Looking forward to getting the book Bobbi. I see it’s not yet available on Amazon in the US. Any idea when it will be?
Cripes, when are men going to start building “woman” time into their estimated time of departure? I’ve had to do it myself here; just subtract forty minutes from stated departure time and I’ll only be ten minutes late :)
Oh, indoor market food, I want you in my mouth NOW! :D
Bobbi; Photography should be your next endeavor. I’d love to see a full collection of your photos. Well done.
I am whimpering with envy. Except for the freezing part. I’ve lost most of my ability to endure real cold.
Oh good Gawd, Bobbi…the FOOD!!! Here I sit at the computer, feeling a bit peckish, pondering what to go forage for in my cupboards… and I see THESE BEAUTIFUL, MOUTH-WATERING PICS!! Sadly, there is nothing here in my pantry that looks anything like it…sniff…
Loving the Blog…looking forward to reading the Blook!! :)
Oh my! What can I say that someone else hasn’t said in a comment? I too need to get to France someday soon! And the food! Food, glorious food!
I really want to read your book. It’s not out in the U.S. yet but it’s on my Amazon wishlist!