Day 5, Roussillon & GorDes

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Morning is a good time to trim up the peach trees, getting ready for next year,

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Typical Provencal morning, riding past an olive grove next to a 16th Century farm. We read that the fields in this region were laid out in Roman times. Landowners respected boundaries, as well as the Roman law, so no fences were built between fields. Same way today, for the most part.

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Forestry is practiced here in Provence!

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We get water from fountains like this, as long as there is not a sign saying “non potable””.

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Watch out for dangerous pups! The French are known for loving their dogs, and we see all different breeds, everywhere!

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This is a more modern version of ancient storage buildings called bories, dry stone construction made of limestone slabs.

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Yummy French potatoes today for the donkey and goats!

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Gordes is a beautiful hill town. Spectacular views.

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It is butternut squash and pumpkin time!

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Beautiful fall harvest of gourds in Gordes.

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EmJay admires the post-harvest field of lavender. You can still smell it a little bit. In mid summer, it is all purple here. With happy bees.

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Here is a new planting of lavender, getting ready for 2018.

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Roussillon is one of the VERY most beautiful villages in France!

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In Roussillon, ochre colors the hills and was mined for many years. These tiles are the color of the local ochre.

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Fatties are popular over here too!

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The red ochre outcrops

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Everything is better with bier!!

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We had a yummy sandwich “de Berger” which had thin sliced jambon, three kinds of cheese, herbs, tomatoes, greens. Totally delicious and nicely presented!

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Haute couture in Roussillon!

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Who could resist chocolate cake?  We could not!

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Typical doorway and flowers….

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The red colors of Roussillon….

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Topiary olive trees, some even sporting little olives! We wanted to bring one home but  they wouldn’t get through customs!

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The Mayor of Roussillon lives here!

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First trashy site we have seen in France.

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Oh boy…we are going to ride to the top of this hill!

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Art in front of a B and B near the top of the hill.

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It is a classy place!!

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Friend Terry is trying to figure out what kind of tree this odd one is….

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Perhaps Cellphonius antennaeatus?!

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Biking couple happy to be up the hill at Gordes.

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Pammy was just getting started, though! She is always ready for more.

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Gordes just spills down in terraces from the top.

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Bobbie and Gary’s holiday photo.

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Kitty artwork adorns a building.

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The Church of St. Firmin near the top of the hill….lovely painting and paintings.

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Restaurant menu framed with vines. Wanted to eat here too but we had just had lunch in Roussillon!

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Rick’s shoes blew out on the third wearing! Luckily Neil had the tools and super-glue. See if it works!