Neil shows emJay—again—how to start up the GPS. Very important to get this right!

Off we go on our beautiful day of small roads, medieval towns, lovely vistas….

Agriculture includes vineyards, squash, pumpkins, lavender, millet and fruit trees—most are irrigated in one way or another.

Here is one interesting way—drip irrigation around every tree!

Winding and yes, sometimes steep route today!

Menerbes lies ahead on the top of a hill….

Pammy turns the corner and gets ready to climb  up to the top . . .

Friends Tom and Pierre told us not to miss the most beautiful villages of France! Thanks to you both for your great advice. Pierre grew up in Provence, and is now in Wisconsin. Tom spent a semester abroad nearby in Avignon just a few years back.

Heading UP into Menerbes past the beautiful sycamore trees….

Past lovely flowers including hibiscus….

New business for emJay, a classy shop for ladies!

Funny graffiti, good artist! S/he’s got talent!

Groovy folk art mailbox that emJay has asked Rick to build a replica of when we are back in Wisconsin.

Yes, I would take this house!

As we stood at a scenic overlook, one of us noticed that it is coming apart from the rest of the structure.  Yikes!

Nature mystery of the day: what is this tiny, three inch long, snake that we encountered in Menerbes?!

Sigh…what a view! Overlooking farms and villages, including our community of Coustellet, about 10 km away.

And a good view of Mount Ventoux. You can see the white monument on the top.

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Next stop was Oppede le Vieux, an interesting small town that was half destroyed by an earthquake 300 years ago. We headed to the village square …

…where the good shoppers John and Terry laid out the goods they had picked up at the morning market in Coustellet village.

We noshed on the goodies, filled our water bottles and picked up a few bieres….

…and what a yummy spread it was! Fresh pears. Incredible cheese. Tasty sausage made of wild boar. Hummus and pesto to spread on rustic bread. And oh, did I tell you about the pastries?! Oh my gosh. Apple, berry, almond gallettes.

. . . and of course fresh bread!!!

After a quick hike around the ruins, we are off to our next town.

Gary passes a stone wall, many of which frame our rides.

Here comes Bobbie, not far behind!

Typical home along the way, with interesting turret for detail….

A brief stop in Maubec to pose for that elusive holiday photo….

…is the close up better!?

Here is the view from that spot as we head down the hill and onward.

At Les Taillades, we pass this water mill and canal. Note the grove of plane trees to the left.

Bobbie coasts down the hill after yet another scenic town.

As we head back to our B and B, we passed these apple trees protected from varmints by this netting.

…or maybe this one for our Christmas card? By the mill and the sycamore trees.

The end of our ride passed by more scenic water engineering projects. Hot and sweaty, next on the list is a splash in the pool followed by dinner out tonight. A wonderful day!