Weather has realised the error its ways and has decided not to rain. Hurrah! Dazzling blue skies tempt us to the north of Ventoux. We chickened out from going to the top, because we were sure up there it would be chilly. So in the balmy heat of the Toulourenc valley we gazed up at his greatness and snapped his backside. Sorry about prisms but the sun was on full power.
As usual on this route we had to go to Brantes, the village that scrambles up the cliff opposite. It's a nice place with paved and steep lanes, pretty gardens and a café that says it is open every day but which quite definitely ISN'T. We've tried twice recently and it remains resolutely shut, which is a pity as it sits right on the edge with the best views. We did once, or even twice, have a drink there in the past.
The road proceeds to a junction some kms up the road. Right to Sault but sign saying Route Barrée. Left to Montbrun les bains which is visible clinging to its hillside in the sun. We go left. Not our first visit but we haven't been since buying the house. 12 Noon had struck, so it was scoff time. Found a small restaurant with passable lunch and baked ourselves in the sun before taking a walk up into the old town, well village really.
The church interior was a strange mixture of ornate and plain with what seemed to be modern paint effects on the walls. But also some pretty glass in an upstairs gallery. A ladder lead from there up into the bell tower and I was half way up when I noticed just how much woodworm was in it. A hasty downward retreat!
