Lunch in Loumarin, France

On the other side of the mountain is Loumarin, still in the Luberon area of Provence, which is where we have been the last 2 weeks. What a fun time eating outside in a lovely square, good food, interesting people watching... and oh, so French: everyone relaxing, taking their time, enjoying spring.

 The castle in town, such a pretty day with these clouds and sunshine.

 Reading the paper and having a couple of beers...

 ..along with his hand rolled cigarette.

 An active hot spot, life is good.

 Lunch outside, heavenly.

Maybe a famous author, using longhand to write a novel?

Our very hardworking and interested waiter.

After our long lunch, we walked around town, and hey.... good time for a selfie. 

 Someone has style! Just a random table with tulips out on the sidewalk by itself.

 Love these little cars, and so practical on the narrow streets, not like our big Peugeot.

 Joe helping with a sense of scale. An old mini mini.

 Spring.

Love the trees! 

Kayaking Competition in Fontaine de Vaucluse

A wet cloudy day kept us close to our present home, L'Isle sur la Sorgue, so we headed only 10 minutes away to Fontaine de Vaucluse. What a pleasant surprise!! A dramatic setting in a gorge with a swiftly running river, and a kayak competition! I spent a lot of time capturing the kayakers coming off the falls, trying to get just the right combination of action and an expression on their face, while keeping the image sharp.

 I love repetitive action situations, I get to try different settings and ways to get it just right, over and over again. It all made for a great afternoon!

Online I wasn't able to find out more about the competition, I wanted to share my images with them, but this is all I found... Maybe they will find me. Selectif Regional Slalom Canoe-Kayak Fontaine de Vaucluse

A beautiful setting for a small village and a sporting event.

 Spectators.

 Part of the course.

 Cutest dog!! I asked if I could take their photo, being friendly and agreeable, they said yes :-)

 Spring is on it's way.

 Great scenes and even in the rain it looks good.

Here are a few more of the hardy kayakers...

The Warm Tones of Roussillon, France

Roussillon is known for its ochre deposits, warm pigments that color the walls of the homes in town. It makes for a very unique and colorful village, set high on a hill with stunning views. Here are just a few images with the natural colors of the land that surrounds Roussillon, it's a great place to be with your camera!

 Before we reached Roussillon we stopped at Pont Julien. Well designed, ancient and still looks like it will be here in another thousand years.

 Spring is coming, bee on a blossom.

  Looking down on Roussillon

 I'm in love with blue doors on this trip, they have me at blue.

 Traditional view going up the hill.

 Ah, another blue door...and ochre stone wall, great combination!

iPhone Images: L'Isle sur la Sorgue Apartment, the Market and More.

Nothing too elaborate here, I had a request about where we are, hence the map, and many iPhone images I liked, so here they are.

I love my iPhone, it's an older one now, 5S, but I love it's simplicity and the fact that it fits in my back pocket. So far every meal out has been recorded with it, but more on that later...not sure I want to be one of those photographers :-)

This needs a caption, maybe something like.. Mon Dieu....I love these women!

One of those gorgeous cloud days, near the chateaux in Maincy. Outside of Paris.

 French wine. Surprisingly, they drink a lot of beer here, too.

Can't remember where, I'll have to ask Joe later.... 

 Cuban Cafe surprise in a small town between Lyon and L'Isle sur la Sorgue.

 Our apartment in L'Isle sur la Sorgue before we moved in and spread our stuff out all over.

 I like to try and get some photos before we really move in. This is one image, the counter and wall lined up give the impression of 2, it's an open space. Very comfortable and charming.

The view from our apartment, we can walk everywhere. Love the location!!

 The pano view of Gordes.

 Our favorite market food after the fresh produce, artichoke tempenade, we buy a larger jar each time we go...great on bread!

 Babies and the outdoor market.

Dogs are welcomed everywhere.

 Real farm fresh eggs.

Dogs in a nice restaurant, sometimes there will be several dogs, but no one minds.

Some of you may have seen this one on Facebook, another lovely outdoor lunch with a great view. 

 Palais du Papes, the Pope's Palace in Avignon. Man in Silver isn't really a statue, just thinks he is.

My Frenchman with a baguette!

We were in Paris, now we're in L'Isle sur la Sorgue, Provence, and in a few weeks we head to Lucca, Italy.