Hotel l'Ecusson Ales

... that will linger in the memory, well beyond the consumption, and without really knowing what we were ordering. After complimentary salads to start, Alison had sliced duck on skewers (the waiter asked, in the manner of steak, how madame would like it), and I had a pot of seafood (Marmite). Both superb. We followed, in the same manner with desserts that were unknown to us, but proved to be delicious – Alison's was a chocolate tart ...

... could find quiet of privacy if they wanted it. We just wanted not to be near the teenagers playing Michael Jackson on their radio.

Despite our fatigue, we walked up to the top of Mount Cavalier which is part of the garden to Tour Magne, a tower that was once part of the city walls and was also built by Augustus. Having viewed many views, we opted not to pay to climb up the tower steps.

We wended our way home, both ...

At the Chateau de Malerargues, surrounded by trees everywhere, Sebastian has voice training for the next couple months. The work consists of a mixture of breath, movement, and massage, as well as singing, sounds, and group work. It's hard to describe exactly what goes on, and each day is different. But the isolation, beautiful weather, and delicious fresh foods make for a great place to work, relax, and reflect. So why do so many people have so many nightmares here?

... has lots of room. WiFi available so a quick check of email.

Nimes was a big disappointment. It has a couple of Roman ruins that are among the best preserved in the world. The first is a Roman temple. It is very small compared to others but is still intriguing. The inside is merely a film in 3D. Not on the history of the temple and the area but on a few heroes during various time periods of Nimes. Big miss. The second major ruin is the Ampitheater. Spectacular but small ...

... and how I dont think I will return to Australia very soon, how at some point in time you accept things as they are and stop trying to change them. Only then can you find some kind of peace. .. I admire this young guy, his directness and his relaxed philosopy on life ....I sleep soundly ...and if the ghosts appeared i never heard them...

The next morning i chat to his mum as she arranges flowers for the market - she calls them Zoe's flowers - she ...

... was rustig genieten van ons brood en de natuur. Voor we naar Salavas vertrokken, had men ons verteld dat we heel voorzichtig moesten zijn aangezien er veel water en we enkele watervalletjes op onze weg zouden tegenkomen. Na 2 watervalletjes, die we probleemloos namen, vertelde ik tegen Ben dat dit maar zeer platte watervallen waren en dat ik er al eens ergere had meegemaakt in Tsjechie. Net op dat ogenblik zagen we onze volgende test: een ...

... us to call an end to our trip and book the ferry home. So, that's now arranged for next Tuesday, the 6th. The rest of Italy was lovely but it was good to make it into France and some more relaxed driving. We worked our way along the south coast (now in glorious sunshine thankfully), to Monaco, Cannes and St Tropez before heading inland to Avignon. After a couple of days there we ...

... very subtly hidden, was a microwave and a toaster, which the family had to put away each morning before the tours went around, to sufficiently maintain the aura of yesteryear about the place. Another couple of times we went to Aix-en-Provence, a very chic town with streets lined with Plain trees, fountains, art galleries, posh restaurants and trendy shops. It is apparently a university town, but like Oxford, has the reputation for harbouring the snooty. There was a ...

... there were jokes among the party that we had gotten into the french habit of talking about a past or future meal over the current one) we didnt blow up into the size of anyone on the Jerry Springer show, it must have something to do with the extensive use of olive oil and smaller portions, and it just goes to show again that the french are masters of eating. Maddy and I dreaded the day we would be returning to poverty but it was drawing near....

That morning we went to walk around the castle again, and then on the bus to go to a beach. Along the way we stopped a supermarket to buy our lunch. Brian and I went to look for the special Manzana Verde they used to make our new favorite drink. We bought a big bottle of Kas, as well as our lunches. Off again to the beach. On the ...