Village Pierre & Vacances Pont-Royal En Provence Mallemort

Really beautiful train ride along the coast (which in a way it is a shame that the railway is right on the beach) Marseille is a bigger city and not so quaint but the port area is nice. Flew out of Marseille to Lisbon. I know not quite geographically logicall

... I stammer back
"Meguez?! How do you know Merguez?! Where did you first eat Merguez?"
"Canada"
He's shocked to hear that we've heard of Merguez in Canada. "Maybe the Algerian community is making it there" he guesses.

The places is packed, with a fun atmosphere. There's only the one man behind the counter, though once in a while a customer will go back to help themselves to a pop or more ketchup. There's plenty of banter, though most of it I don't ...

... built in the 1st or 2nd Century and held 20,000. It was used for chariot races and gladiator fights and is still in use today during the bullfighting season. Very cool! Forgot to take a photo unfortunately.

24th

Up early to make use of free Wifi - that is Kim watched the sunrise while sitting outside a closed café and scabbing their Wifi! We then we hightailed it out of Arles and towards Spain.

... rapprochement between these two countries, and that they were at the base of Europe, but hearing so much about Europe and its identity, to then watch the French and Germans still centring it around themselves is a bit confusing, especially when Sarkozy’s government is launching a huge campaign about French national identity. Even with the anniversary of the Berlin Wall, and thinking about how far Europe has come since then, I still remain slightly sceptical ...

... over 1.5 million tourists each year as it is the source of a natural spring. It's wierd seeing a fast flowing river and then walking 50 metres "upstream" and there only being a trickle.. and then a bit further and no water... nothing but a big cliff straight up!

The town itself is nestled in a valley and is particularly pretty at dusk when rocks take on the colours of the sunset ...

... made some friends had we the time and resources to put together costumes... I decided we were dressed up as Canadians, which I thought would have worked great until Tom pointed out that Canadians would probably speak more French. But we weren't really left out, there were only a handful of people dressed up. Overall; here is the tally of costumes in Aix on halloween: 2 girls in witch hats (with one stocking each), 5 ...

Over the last months of travel, we’ve met and talked with many people about what we’re doing. As you can imagine, we’re greeted with many responses. Most can’t fathom a trip without end or adgenda. Some say they admire what we’re doing. Setting off onour own, turning our back on convention and creating an adventure. Others think we’re fools. Although the woman who said that ...

... the security of this fortress. Brian scoped out several indents where floor beams had been inserted, and hinges for doors had been drilled, as well as a fireplace opening. After the 1830’s it’s been used for local bull-fights and has been undergoing extensive renovations. Sandblasters pierced our ears and evidence of new stone was everywhere. Part of me was sad to ...

... leaves plastered against the shining black pavement of the street." Almost any passage you read at random in this book will offer similarly wonderful descriptions, but for some reason I always return to the Deux Garcons. In my mind Fisher is buying ice creams for her daughters, then observing the waiters, and the dust in the air, and the plane trees -- and suddenly I'm there! If you're reading this in August in England, it's enough to make you go crazy. Or, even better, to Provence

... awaiting us - and a couple of mopey horses at the gate, dogs in the yard, chickens in their pens, and birds on the roof. The gite was a rural getaway on the kind of farm that is now "chic" with a handful of farm-type pets, a pool, and lots of modern comforts paired with antiques.