There have been plenty of happy days this week, though I suppose I tend to have a lot of those while in Provence. But this past week, Jason arrived, which always makes being here even better.
There has been no shortage of heat, sunshine, blue skies, and cycling. This year, I’ve been encouraging earlier-than-usual morning departures to help ease Jason into the warm daily temperatures. While we are past the last heat wave, temps are still in the low 30s, and for a special treat, +35 on my birthday! I love the heat, so I couldn’t have asked for a better gift. Though a beautiful cycle under blue skies, a stop for lavender ice cream and finishing with a beer and pizza certainly added to the day. Then, dinner with friends of delicious homemade bouillabaisse and a birthday cake topped with trick candles put a feather in the cap of a perfect day.
So far, we are spending a good amount of time exploring parts of the Drôme we haven’t been to yet and loving it. The views from the north side of Mont Ventoux are utterly breathtaking, and high plateaus filled with rows of harvested lavender as far as the eye can see would certainly be even more stunning when in full bloom. It is so much more remote feeling; there are certain cols that one rarely sees another soul and only the odd car. I used to find that kind of vastness slightly frightening, but as I get older, I love it more and more. Riding up and over a col without seeing a car or a person is so peaceful and free.
On Sunday, we did a five-col tour which was quite a challenge: Col de Macuègne, Col de L’homme Mort, Col de Fontaub on both sides, and the Col des Aires. Another stop for pizza in Montbrun-les-Bains, a dip in the pool, and a dinner of barbequed duck breast at Katie’s rounded out the near-perfect weekend. This coming week there may finally be rain, which is very much needed, but I can’t help feeling the fleetingness of summer upon us. I wish it would never end.
