and then we bid farewell to Vence...

The weather has been lovely and Bonita and I spent many an hour lazing around the pool but we still managed to get in one last day at the beach in Villefranche.  What a busy day it was!

 Our regular morning routine was having coffee while gazing out over the Mediterranean....how I am going to miss that!

On our last evening in Vence, Klaus (who owns La Gardiole) suggested we make a special dinner and have it on the terrace.  What a cook he is....the food was fantastic and we had a lovely time.

Getting every little bit out of the pan.

Cheers!  Huge prawns and white wine....mmmm...tres bon!













And this is where it ends....a fantastic six months in the south of France....this is one place I am definitely going to go back to!  A bientot!

Last few days in France..

Bonita, Judy and I visited Colle sur Loup for an artisan's exhibit and then went for dinner.  What a charming village.

Bonita and Judy strolling the market

Music to dine by!













and then more time at the beach in Villefranche...

Very busy day at the beach...hard to find a spot to sit.

Sooooooo....nice....but now it's time to head back home!

Last but not least....

My last visitor has arrived....Bonita is here and after recovering from her jet lag we are starting to explore.  Friday was Fete de Music which is a celebration of music held everywhere in France.  There was plenty of entertainment in Vence however we called it an early night due to jet lag....Bonita did really well in managing to stay awake until 10 p.m.

The best Coccocino - coffee and chocolate...mmmmm...good!

Wedding procession typical of old times taking place in the main square in the Old Town.

Sampling the market...so much fresh produce.

Some of the music performed....here we have cellos.
I love the sound with the old walls.

Lots of company the last few days....

Diane and Chris arrived and spent five days with me.  It was so much fun.

And then there were four!  Colette and Peter arrived in Vence...they stayed in town at the La Victoire Hotel

Fill'er up!  So handy that good, clean drinking water is available everywhere!

A day in Villefranche to enjoy the beach and dip our feet into the sea

Moules et frites!  Mussels and fries....very popular and really hit the spot after the beach.

Chris at the flower market in Old Town Nice...

Party time on the Promenade d'Anglais...different bands and entertainers

An afternoon at the hilltop castle in Cagnes sur Mer....great food, good company!

And then Chris and Diane picked up their rental car in Nice and headed off to Arles and more adventures....wish I could have gone with them!

Medieval Days in Villeneuve Loubet

Today I took the bus to Villeneuve Loubet and met my friend Caty.  They were celebrating "Medieval Days" in Villeneuve Loubet.  This was the period of the 15th and 16th century.  They closed off the village and constructed a village to represent that period of time.  There were lots of people in fantastic period costumes, displays and things for sale
.

Music....

Costumes...

Authentic fencing....

Enjoying the local grog....

Lots to sing about









I'm sure life in this small town back in the 16th century wasn't as rosy as this event portrayed however it was interesting and people were really enjoying themselves.

Gourdon for the day...

On Friday, my friends Chris and Elisabeth invited me along on a day trip.  Winding our way up in the hills on the narrow roads we first stopped at the lovely hilltop village of Gourdon.  What a treasure!  Beautiful views and the town is so lovely.  It wasn't busy which was great for us but I'm sure disappointing for shop owners.

Chris and Elisabeth

Used to make perfume!

What a day for hang gliding....I counted eleven!

Interesting art work

Checking out the local toilette is always a challenge!










We then headed down the hill to Coursegoules for lunch.  Great food, great company.  Finished off the day back at Chris and Elisabeth's...bread, cheese, meat and more wine!  Couldn't ask for more!

Last night and Bev's on her way

Bev's last day in Vence was restful...laying in the sun, reading, eating, etc.  Went out for dinner at Le Bistro de Peyra in Vence and had mussels....yum!  Bev's off to Paris...saw her off at the train station in Nice.