Provence again and some swimming!

We are back in sunny Provence!

Our train trip ended at the TGV station in Avignon where Anton was waiting. Maya was a stellar traveler but it was still a very long day. I sort of felt a bit like this:

(since I have a bit of time I think I'll sulk)

The next morning bright and early JC and I took the shuttle bus to Marginane airport in Marseille. WHY??? Because that was where our little car was parked in the longterm lot.
There is construction work going on to enlarge parts of the airport and here are some of the signs posted around.

You have to suffer a bit to be beautiful....

The sardine one refers to the penchant of Marseillais to exaggerate everything. (Mais non!! JC is NOT from Marseille but he IS from the south). There is a tale about a sardine that was so large it blocked the harbor of Marseille...I guess its a type of fisherman's tale.

Anyway, we tried to check on some missing luggage but were told this was only done online so we went to get the car. Simple enough, right? Turns out, we were not allowed to leave the lot because our ticket was "too old!" Yes, that's what the recording said. Even though we had tried to pay the extra amount there was no getting out of longterm...made me think of the Kingston Trio song about the guy who was still on the MTA!! Since no person is in location we had to call for an attendant (all the while stuck in the exit lane). It was lunchtime so I was pretty doubtful we'd get a quick response.

After about 20 minutes a pleasant young woman appeared to help us get out. She had to type in a special "code" to override the "oldness" of our ticket. Soon we were on our way back to Carpentras. Passed this lovely old car making its way slowly along the highway.

The day before we left Bretagne we had a great lunch in Sainte Marine at the cafe du port which we all like.

Maya watched the fishermen bring in the live lobsters and crabs...boat to shore aquarium. Talk about fresh!!

A few of these fellows found their way to plates while we had our meal! JC's mom and I always have something to laugh about when we are together. Doesn't she look great??!!

Maya posed with a variety of anchors. Here in Concarneau

and this gigantic one in Sainte Marine

We have agreed to dog sit this week for two very sweet and lovely Malinois: Kaya and Jaika.

Along with the job comes a bed in the pool house and a pool as well as many licks and dog hugs!!!

It has been great cooling off in 96 degree weather in a sun heated pool! Oscar came over one day to try it out too.

Maya joined us to hone her swimming skills and we spent an entire day this week clad only in swimsuits from morning till night!!!

We've been applying lots of sunscreen!

and doing a bit of sketching as well.

I went into Avignon one day for a haircut with Corinne

and we saw this darling older woman on her way to market as we drove by. Look how perfectly coordinated she is!!! Lovely basket and red lipstick and nail polish too!

Of course, its never really Provence unless there is a bit of Mistral to help keep things cool! So much for the hairstyle right?

I think this is all the tales I have to tell for this week! See you all next time when we go back to life in the city...no dogs, no pool!

A bientôt!!!