A week in Provence

To our family and friends - a big hello and missing you all. We wish you could have joined us for a spectacular seafood lunch followed by a swim at a pritvate beach in the French Riveria, but made sure we ate extra seafood on your behalf!

Tony is starting to feel much better, so sadly we left the Winter Palace today. We did however manage a wonderful sampling of the Cote 'Azur. Our day trip over the border into Ventemiglia in Italy was outstanding. It was just as we imagined - huge and bustling - with Africans on every corner selling fake gucci bags and rolex watches. Fresh produce was everywhere (huge trays of 12 fat yellow peaches were selling at 4 euros each - mon cher!) I bought italian made swimmers and a black leather belt  for 5 euros each and was like a kid in candy store running around looking at italian cheeses and olives.

The highlight of our French Riveria stay however was a visit to private beach, relaxing on sun lounges under umbrella's looking out at that unbelievable blue ocean.! We were served a lunch of mussels and salad nicoise between naps and dips in the ocean - life doesn't get any better! But then, we of course went from feeling like millionares to paupers the following day on a trip to Monaco whilst watching the very very rich step out of black limousines and onto their cruisers (the size of hotels)! It was wonderful to wander around the port though trying to spot someone famous and imagining one of the cruisers belonged to us. (Tahiti looks nice!)

Another memorable day was a trip up to a medieval village called Eze (perched on cliff face overlooking Nice). The views extended from Italy right accross the French Riveria, and getting lost in the village's maze of cobble stone path's reminded me of Venice.

Also, to all of the Rugby Union fans at home, Tony located the grave of the game's inventor (William Ellis Webb) at an old cemetry high on a mountain in Menton whilst exploring the old part of town.

Today though, I'm writing from gorgeous Avignon - a must for any France trip. It is in the heart of Provence and has a rich history dating back to the 10^th century. It is home to a palace that was built by the roman catholic to store the popes in when they were in trouble. We've yet to explore the town (only having just arrived after most of the day travelling on the tollway which cost a ridiculous 25 euros!) but it's cobbled and narrow streets are filled with interesting shops and cafe's and the provence lotions and produce smell gorgeous as you walk past doorways (add this to your list of towns to shop at!).

Whilst I type this, Tony is searching for a small villiage for us to settle into for a few days. More sampling of local produce to come! Au Revoir for now!