My dear friend Elspeth spends much of her summer at her cottage in Ontario and often refers to it as the “northern branch of EC Consulting”. I like this idea so much I am stealing it. And this last week, Vacqueyras has truly been the South of France branch of my office.
Small bits of lavender left unharvested in Sault.
The first week here is often busy wrapping up projects, but this year was a bit on the insane side. The usual projects were in play with the addition of an enormous undertaking that has involved many people, hours of hard work, spilled tears and gallons of wine consumed. We are working on a wine festival in British Columbia; a four-day affair next weekend. While my role isn’t nearly as overwhelming as some of my colleagues, I have had a number of days where I have been chained to my computer. I knew it would be like this so it wasn’t a surprise. Thankfully the weather and the view is much improved, which makes it all the more tolerable.
Aside from all of this, I’ve carried on with my standard first week rituals: picking up deliciousness from both the Vaison and the Carpentras markets, finding new wines, a trip to Sault for lavender goodies and my first attack of the Mt. Vetoux, dinners with friends, garden parties and as much cycling as I can fit in. The weather has been pretty spectacular, those magical Provence blue skies, little wind with the last few days in the +35-or-more-degree territory. So, while working 10 hours in a row isn’t particularly fun, things could be much, much worse.
Such a bounty of delicious things to eat. Figs right from the tree!
I am off shortly to pick up Jason for his annual pilgrimage. Once we wrap up a bit more work early next week, we will be on official holiday with all kinds of fun adventures awaiting us. Spain, Paris, sitting by the pool? Who knows what will transpire, but it doesn’t matter. We are here.
