14 July.
Fête de l’abricot in Le Barroux. We were there just after 9 and stalls still being set up. It took a while to locate them as we walked up round the château and ramparts then past the church. The streets had bunting but were otherwise deserted.
Then we heard the music from the organ and followed it down to the square.
There we found stalls of apricots, jams, honey, cakes etc etc. We bought home made jam with kernels, punnet of blush apricots and a sachet of dried thyme. This, believe it or not, is a Bee!
Down by the Mairie there’s a lovely old house that purports to be a tearoom. Never previously seen it open but today there’s been a transformation.
Now it has tables and chairs under the trees and blackboard menu with enticing dishes. We bagged the best table at the back under the shade and watched the world go by.
Two delicious GCs at a modest €2.30 each.
As we left we spotted our neighbours so had to stop for a chat. They were here to buy their 5 kilos of apricots for the jam. Jean Louis and Adrian agreed to swap production - a jar of marmalade for one of apricot jam!
We wended our way homewards via the wooded valley to Suzette. I’d wanted to check out the book cabin but there were two cyclists in there obviously intent on inspecting every title so we didn’t linger. Finally Beaumes and le café du siècle for a glass of wine. Ventoux wine. Very nice too. Rosé now comes with a side order of ice in a glass! We had thought of going to Vacqueyras until I remembered they’d be having their Bastille Day street party.
