Weather was a bit drizzly to the south so we moved a few k north to be sure of not encountering Rain. As a sort of goal we selected Rousset-les-Vignes and set out in that general direction. But memory had conflated two roads and we found ourselves unexpectedly on the outskirts of Nyons.
No problem, we simply took a small lane up into the vines amd got ourselves pleasantly lost overlooking the beautiful hills and valleys.
We stopped and walked, safe in the hope that as it was midday any hunters would be tucking in to lunch.
Having been nearly mown down by cars and tractors appearing from nowhere, their drivers intent on food, we had the landscape to ourselves.
Shared by a few birds.
Eventually the roads took us down to our intended route and into Rousset. Where there is a dear little roadside restaurant that might have given us a drink. It always used to be closed on Monday but we could sense that it wasn’t open today either. No cars, no happy diners in the sun on the terrace. Notice in the window announced that it would now close Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Of course.
We hadn’t really wanted to eat so instead spent a good half our in the village. We often go but it is a pretty place, full of old and interesting buildings.
Rather oddly, they’ve painted the main street with yellow strips. Sort of Wizard of Oz. Then, we did actually feel the need for at least a drink. St Panthaléon was only down the road. It has a bistrot du pays. Hooray! They close Mondays so today we were in luck and sat under the canopy of its plane trees with coffee and beer.
Home via Valréas Leclerc - a splendid vast supermarket made all the better by its tasteful gabian exterior. No lunch but I had had the foresight of getting two huge éclairs au choc from Mme Moulin this morning so we had those with tea at three!
