Saint-Remy-de-Provence

The countryside between Paris and Avignon that we had expected to see was blanketed, no, smothered in fog, only about 10-20 yards beyond the train tracks were visible for the first hour.   As soon as the sun was up and the day had begun, as it does in France, around 9…the fog cleared, the temperature seemed to immediately rise by 10 degrees and we could see–it was a beautiful train ride–green, very green fields, villages surrounding a church steeple reaching for the sky and small forests with early spring flowering trees.  Further along we observed a long row of huge still windmills waiting for the mistral winds and small herds of white cattle dotting the green fields.  In the villages the houses are made of light yellow ochre limestone and have terra-cotta roofs.  Against the green of the fields, it is a beautiful sight.

Connie rented a car in Avignon and Clay drove the four of us to our home for the next three weeks in Saint-Remy-de-Provence.   We are staying in a four bedroom, 5 bath villa with a two bedroom attached apartment, expansive grounds and a pool–but it is still too cool to swim. Allan and I are on the third floor and until Monday the elevator is broken so we get our exercise several times each day.

This first day and a half in Saint Remy we have rested in the perfect weather (42 at sunrise, rising to 75 by Noon, back down to 42 by sunset with 25% humidity), savored the daily baguette and morning Sacristains (almond pastry only available in St. Remy), and read with only the sound of birds singing and the smell of lavender just outside the door.

As  much as we are enjoying this peace and quiet, we expect to be over our jet lag and ready to roll tomorrow.  Bonsoir!!