Well whew! A cool day, low 20s and a north wind. What a relief. Went off to Vaison for readies and then to pay for Satellite repair. We continued on to Puyméras for a bidon of their nectar and a possible coffee. But the sight of serious roadworks in front of the café decided us against this and we drove by and onto some small hidden roads in the lee of the Baronnies. Such pretty country with olive groves strung with folded green nets ready to catch the fruit and bee eaters warbling overhead.
They are elusive birds and perch fleetingly on the wires only to take off at the merest hint of a camera lens.
The road ended in a farm lane bordered by glorious oleanders and pink tamarisk shimmering behind olive branches, alongside a pretty pond/lake set about with chairs and picnic tables. We turned back only to be joined silently by a sleek collie squirming at my knee to be stroked. She rounded us up for the return walk, patiently stopping for us to take photos. At the car she sniffed, realised it was ours and made her way back home.
It was 11.30, just time to get to Villedieu for food. And in fact we swept into the square at midi pile. It was heaving! But service is rapid and smiling at the café. The charming waitress remembered giving us free crème brûlée last October! Good lunch. And home for Stage 12 in Ardèche. More familiar roads in the Gorges and round Uzès.
