Two Pointy Sticks: A Week in Provence

... is never nearly enough, trust me. But fabulous therapy for the work-weary. Highly recommended. Though the best part, I must admit, was re-connecting with friends. Not acquaintances with whom you might simply spend lots of time, but real (Anne Shirley might say, 'bosom') friends. That sort of experience defies description; it is only felt. But the environment, at least, I can try to show you.

You know how some holidays are too beautiful to render in film or in words? This week in the south of France was like that. But for what it's worth, for you, here's a little glimpse. Come join me for a virtual walk...

I visited two of my dearest friends and their children in a thousand-year-old house, nestled in the hills overlooking the picturesque countryside of the Rhône Valley.

There is no way to summarize adequately centuries of history, so instead, here are a couple of random facts (and photos) for a bit of flavour. The trompe l'oeil windows were fashioned hundreds of years ago to get around an old 'window tax'.

The 'rationale' behind the tax was that since working folk spent daytime in the fields, they had no use for windows at home. The wealthy, on the other hand, who spent much of their time indoors, were the ones who stood to benefit most from having windows, and they had money to spare. Hence the tax. If you're a graduate of the Robin Hood School of Political Science, this would, of course, seem perfectly reasonable.

In the sixteenth century, a large wing of the house was once used in silk worm and silk production. A third of what remains of this area can be seen here. Just visible at the far corner is just one of the fireplaces used to keep the temperature optimal for the silk worms to do their thing.

The entire countryside is carved into vineyards, all of which produce Côtes du Rhône.

In these bucolic surroundings, who could possibly feel stressed?

On the grounds there was an old Victorian swimming hole...

... littered with lilypads

... and home to about 25 large and very loquacious frogs.

Having overdosed for months on paperwork and teleconferences, I could have sat under the trees and listened to the the breeze all afternoon. But lazy as you are, you're never sorry to take day trips anywhere in Provence, because everywhere is charming. Everywhere.

I won't bore you with the details. Instead, here are some assorted photos to impart a bit of ambience... Enjoy!

In Uzès:

The river Ardeche:

...where we sunbathed, picnicked, dangled our feet in the water (brrr!), startled some topless German sunbathers, and watched kayakers and canoeists row by.

Some stolen moments in the quiet medieval town of Aigues and elsewhere:

So much to see! (And the FOOD! Of course, this is France. *sigh* Don't even get me started. I will, however, say this: YUM.) In the midst of all this, there is still, of course, time for knitting (here's just a bit more of the lace v-neck pullover, #14 from the current issue of Vogue Knitting):