It’s that time again. Time to pack up and head back to Canada. As my friend said, you miss Provence before you even leave it. It’s so true and I am not sure many would understand this sentiment, but she does. It’s a feeling of time being stolen from you, even though you try desperately to hold on to each moment. Like the beautiful sunsets, they shift within a blink of an eye.

In this moment it's important to pause, be grateful and remember the last few months. Every year is so different, with its own delights and challenges. I am sure some wonder just how things could be so varied after so many years, but it really is a completely unique experience each time.

This year I had only one visitor that stayed: Jason. The rest were people coming and going, staying elsewhere or they live in France. As a result, it was a very stress-free year on the hosting front. And I loved it. It was so nice to just have time with Jason and we could decide exactly what we felt like doing or not doing. Our trip to Spain was spectacular, and all our outings on bike were fantastic. We found new routes and revisited old areas we haven’t been to in ages. We had many lovely cold beers on crazy hot days at quaint bars… it was perfection.

Once Jason left I thought I’d have so much time to do all the things I still wanted and needed to do. But somehow this year the time seemed cramped and rapid. I had many friends to visit with, winemakers to see, and a pile of work for a portion of my time. So the days whipped by and I started to feel like I wasn’t getting any quiet alone time. The weather went from crazy hot to chilly in an instant, then thankfully returned back to summer temperatures for the duration. But as fall sets in, the heat just isn’t quite the same. The darkness comes much earlier and it truly feels like the end is on its way. Though everyone was commenting on how unusually beautiful the autumn colours around the Ventoux were this year.

I made a point of taking each summer-like day and spending it outside as best I could. I tried to soak up the views and the moments, but it all seemed a bit out of reach. It was a strange sensation, one I am not familiar with. My heart was aching while I was still here. Thankfully the last week was stunningly glorious, with a reprieve from too much work and social responsibilities I was able to really just be. Be in Provence, quietly. There is no place on earth I prefer being, it soothes my spirit and brightens my heart in a way no other place has. Not even out of the country yet, I miss the colours, the sounds and the smells. I miss the quiet and the heat of the sun. And I will miss it until I can return. Merci Provence, for giving me so very much.

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