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The scenario
Bob and Rose who live in San Diego are visiting Europe during one month. Their pleasure is in particular to celebrate an anniversary ...
After Greece and before Italy, they have decided to spend one week in Provence and especially the nice countryside of Luberon in Provence. They selected " Mas des Etoiles".
Rose is telling in short their story...
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Tuesday
Breakfast along the pool with view over the vineyards. We then head to Gordes. The Castle Square and small streets were busy. ...
The landscape before arriving is fabulous.
A quick advice : There is a small parking lot on the right hand side. Park there and take your time to wander around and get the best picture.
Quick lunch at Bouquet de Basilic. Excellent salads. |
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In the afternoon we get to Roussillon and the famed path of the ocres.
An exceptional village that you will absolutely love.
Colors are supreme and there , Bob was all excited : Plenty of excellent subjects to exercise his talents of photographer. |
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Charming view of a small restaurant in Roussillon. This village is full of life but do not hesitate to go uphill to the church. The view is good and the inside of the church has a sobre ancient decor. |
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Just a glimpse to Roussillon detail, among others... |
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Wednesday
Annette had discovered that to-day it was Bob's anniversary and breakfast was a special feast for him.
Then, we had a quiet morning in Isle sur Sorgue. In the morning, it is better as the local life is active (here they sleep in the afternoon like in Mexico ...) We have looked for antiques and talked with them. I started to imagine what I could bring back home all theses Provence craft works (linen, bed covers ...) . Bob read the Los Angeles Time on a terrace in front of the church and we had lunch at Bistrot de l’Industrie an other typical good local restaurant. |
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In the afternoon we got back "home" thru Fontaine de Vaucluse. The river there has pristine waters. On the road, Bob stopped at the golf course. They have a special price for us and he has decided to play there one day. In the evening, Estellan, very convenient when you get tired and again gorgeous.
Photo : From the new club house of ...Golf de Provence... club house, views on the Alpilles and Luberon mountains are splendid. |
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Thursday
We have followed François's advice and made the small stretch which starts at Maubec and Oppède-le-Vieux. We did not go up the hill to see the church as we wanted to keep our force intact for Lacoste and Bonnieux. There we had lunch at "la Cavette" - Good and pleasant.
In the aftenoon we pushed up to Lourmarin. The light and the shades were true delight and it has been hard to get back... |
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Lunch at la Cavette in Bonnieux. |
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While going to Lourmarin, we were stunned by this vineyard gentle slopes.
With every original pixels, Bob has matter to win a photographer award....
He has a Canon EOS 20 D. |
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That night, a big event. Hagen, who is a German guest had brought his telescope (a large piece is n't it ?). Before the moon rised we had plenty of time to admire belts of clouds around Jupiter and the famous rings of Saturn.
Night skies in Gordes are generaly fairly clear here with little light pollution in Gordes.
Mas des Etoiles really deserves its name ... |
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Friday
This morning, it gets serious : Bob has inspiration and he, like a hunter, knows now where to go. He is a kind of fanatic for photography but here are the opportunities...
We went back to Roussillon and admired all those beautiful colors.
We also talked with local inhabitants ... and we even got invited for a drink at their home... |
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While back, a short stop at " la Jardinerie Antonin at the " Baumettes", 4 miles from the Mas des Etoiles.
What a fantastic spot to admire all these méditerannean plants.
In San Diego, we have almost the dame type of vegetation but here it gets luxuriant.
We have little time but we know that, in the area, there are many good gfardens as Simiane la Rotonde or Chartreuse de Bonpas. |
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To-night, great dinner at the mas. Annette and François had invited all guests to do thier own recipe. We were _ 8 ... The canadians (who were there while ivited to a chic mariage in Lourmarin) chose the desserts. The germans worked out the salads and I, Rose, made my best recipe of chicken Mexican way (with figs, apricots ..( a secret for 5 generations) that all San Diego LOVE.... A nice moment owith goord humored people and an excellent atmosphere. |
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A picture of the group before the meal :
Starting from the right, Jennifer, Bob, myself, Birgit, Annette and François, Sarah and Hagen (the new astronomer of Mas des Etoiles) |
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Sarah is proud about her famed recipe with salads bought in the agricutural market in Velleron and all kinds of Provencal delights. |
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We met our nice Canadian co-guests Sarah and Jennifer in front of Gordes ... and here they are.
Jennifer could do Horse back riding with Ginette responsible for Haras de Lagnes, a very good farm and they both took the best during their stay at Le Mas des Etoiles.
The photo on the right shows the castle at night. In the country of Mas aned bastides, let us wish that the ghosts of Bastidans, these rich ancient local people, do not prevent us to sleep...)
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So, in May, the pool is already with 70° Farenheit and the emerald waters shine in front of the vineyards. |
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Saturday
So, wih the morning dew, Bob had his round of golf. I enjoyed a lot the wonderful views from the golf cart. Hilly and spectacular, a nice and memorable course really.
In the afternoon, some shopping, first in Lourmarin, next in Roussillon. Lourmarin is one of the liveliest and most glamourous villages in the Luberon. |
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A few words from Rose in Mas des Etoiles Guest Book :
… We love our home in San Diego, California, USA but, staying in your lovely home, was so comfortable (Chambre des Sables) that it was almost as though we brought our own home with us.
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Your suggestions and informations about Provence made our trip so much more enjoyable – We did not have to struggle to find our way to beautiful villages – fine shops- and excellent cuisine…. |
Sunday
On the way back with the famous french fast train (TGV) to Paris Charles de Gaulle. pour rentrer à Roissy. Very convenient.
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