Out and about in Provence

New toys





Inside our little house





Yesterday we went to Orange - we were in 1992 but I don't remember more other than the theatre





It was pretty cold - the mistral has attacked





Nice with the sun out though






On the way back we went to Rousillon because I have bought beautiful bowls on two occasions and I wanted to see if they had any more but sadly that little shop has gone and been replaced by one with ubiquitous lavender bags and table cloths. Popped to the shop where I have bought wonderful pigments but decided I didn't need any more at the moment although their packaging and presentation is so much more appealing - instead I bought a box of lovely pastels







In Pernes Les Fontaines I saw this notice on a door - might try to get back - I have rarely seen anything textiley in this neck of the woods







Last night we went to a delightful restaurant Le Ptit Coins (I think) in Bonnieux





And all in the interests of art but don't worry - Ian wouldn't let me use good red wine - this was the cheapest bottle I could find

How to age 10 years

Up casual Monday morning to catch the train to Lille - Ian had showered and packed and I casually rose for a shower when he realised he was looking at the arrival time not the departure - train went at 8.55 and it was 7.55 with check in 30 mins before and we are in Kensington - forget the shower or anything - throw everything in suitcase and hope the clothes you pull out are actually what you might wear - and no shoes because thrown in Ian.s suitcase. Wonderful taxi driver got us there three mins late but no drama - not like flying Qantas. And having suitcases with us meant I could pop my shoes and socks on etc. hopefully the hotel will have my expensive hairbrush for me on return!

So finally relax and on the tgv to Avignon - picked up the hire car and off to Menerbes


Like coming home to Le Jujubier - this is our third time - such a beautiful town



Our rue


Looking out the window of our bedroom


Jujubier tree







Stitching in Provence - it is my aim to make three little books while I am here - this is my stitchy stitchy one but l left my gimp at home and while I bought some at ally pally I don't think it is as nice so that part may have to wait




Then we visited Sur le Sorgue after a decent sleep in - trauma remember - and wandered around - I bought some French linen








Lovely restaurant garden but no one around



Back at the end of the day

Richmond and rugby

On Sunday we had planned a trip to Highgate Cemetery but having done quite a lot of walking for three days and the weather being glorious, thought a river trip to Richmond might be rather nice so off on the tube to Westminster only to find no river cruise on Sunday.

Back to tube to catch the train instead and after hanging around for half an hour discovered no tube as working on the line - there no announcements. So off to Turnham Green and a replacement bus - just as well we are on holiday.

It was lovely down by the river


We had a bite to eat


Loads of people around on such a lovely day


Walked along the river




Be nice on a riverboat


Enjoying the walk to Richmond Park - I hadn't realised Elizabeth 1 died at Richmond Palace


Along our walk


And then we found a great pub to watch Ireland play France - and that settles the spots in the quarter final

Markets and rugby

On Saturday we went to market - first to Spittlefields which has changed a bit since our last visit when Grant was working at Bishopgate - spotted the Gerkhin


The markets are a lot more sophisticated now with eating places everywhere




Found myself some new socks - I was going to take a photo of the display but the chap was heaping abuse on someone else taking a photo - in fact most if the stall holders were agitated about photographers especially nest the art


I found Folgate St for Shelagh - didn't know her when we came this way years back




Next we got a bus to London Bridge to the Borough Markets - I thought it was so fabulous that Ian needed to see it and we spent ages roaming all around - it was packed


People everywhere


We ended up having fish n chips






And some more yummy Turkish delight -


And cheese from Sardinia which we shall take to France with us


Another section of the market - and then we popped into a pub and watched a bit of the Samoa Scotland game - if Samoa had won then Japan would have gone through but they ran out of puff

So we caught the tube back to Earls Court and watched the Aussie vs Wales game in a pub there - lots of happy Aussies at the end




Then back to our cosy room under the roof - our third suitcase is now filling up with purchases - we have had to remove central cores and roll stuff off cores but getting there

London out and about

I had a lovely day on Friday out and about with Shelagh who came down to London - lots of chat - lots of laughs and lots of walking. We popped in to check out the Borough Market and then went on to the Fashion and Technology Museum getting lost on the way


The Liberty exhibition opened that day and it was really interesting to see it all. Loved these Jimmy Choo shoes - one green heel. I keep telling my hairdresser I would like a tad of green










I especially enjoyed the design boards - it shows just how valuable it is to keep these and to note all your scribblings and every little bit - you can always come back to a lifetime of ideas




The shard looked great against the sky








And then we came across I think - halls galleria where there was this fabbo structure

We sat to watch the setting sun at the end of a lovely day and then Shelagh went north and I went to Kensington and Ian and I watched the All Blacks play Tonga - we are getting to the business end of the RWC