Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: It has just dawned on me that this time last year Andy was frantically packing the car, filling every possible space with bits we wanted to take with us to France ahead of setting off in the early hours to drive to Provence to …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: What we’ve realised since we bought the house this time last year is that there is no really bad time to cycle in Provence. Yes Summer is hot, but speaking as a‘mad dog’ I’m very happy to go out in the mid-day sun and …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Spring is in the air in Provence: Once again we have flung open the shutters on the house, switched the hot water on, filled the fridge & checked the tyres on the bikes. Over the last year (and it really is nearly a year since …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Having spent a good few months out of the last year in France both Andy and I have seen our French really improve, although we both started at very different levels. I’d learned French at school, although had given up after taking my ‘O’ …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: In the centre of the pretty village of Saint Saturnin les Apt is a peaceful square (home to the vibrant Tuesday morning market), and to one side is a small garden area that sits in front of a dramatic stone wall, which is a memorial …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: If you’ve been following my blog for a while you’ll know that one of the things I love most about France is the chance to spend the weekends pottering round some of the fabulous local ‘brocante’ markets. In the Summer, the weekends pass by …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: There is something so wonderful about French buildings and all too often we miss seeing them as we hurry past or simply focus on everything at eye-level. In the past I’ve probably been one of the worst, focusing on just cramming as many of …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: I make no bones about it – I love a good coffee stop and La Vie en Rose at Coustellet has to be one of my favourites. The tea shop isn’t exactly in a perfect location as it’s situated on the side of the road just …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: Not every day starts with blue skies & sunshine in Provence and Saturday was one of those days! When we woke, the rain was drumming on the roof and the whole place just looked soggy, so any thoughts of a bike ride went out of …

Contributor blog post by Vaucluse Dreamer: When I packed my cycle kit to come over this time I put in enough layers to keep me warm in the expected arctic temperatures, hoping to snatch a few precious moments out on the bike before dashing home to thaw out in front …