Market and Lunch

This was our last full day with Carole and Claude, so Claude and I headed out before breakfast to grab those fabulous "perfect light" photos of Cairanne from the east of town.

It doesn't matter how many times we - I, anyway - do this, it's always a thrill to see how great Cairanne looks as it wakes up.

Following breakfast, Carole, Claude and I took a wander about the vieux village and of course found some more photographable moments. Dawn, in the meantime was practising her green thumb at Chez Pigeon.

Later, shortly before noon, we headed to the market in Ste. Cecile les Vignes and meandered down its congested course. I think this the first time I've seen someone selling fresh frog's legs - grenouille.

All Provencal markets have a unique flavour and this one seemed well adorned with well-healed woman. It also, according to our ladies, has the best selection of clothing.

We dallied in Ste. Cecile until it was time for our lunch reservations at Coteaux & Fourchette. It was another delighful day, so of course we sat on the terrace in the shade. We all opted for three courses, Carole, Claude and I starting with foie gras and Dawn, a mousse of smoked salmon. For main course, Carole, Claude and Dawn had the half pigeon on a bed of red cabbage with butternut squash pudding, while I had braised veal on a tart of girolles mushrooms with a morel sauce - both shown below.

We were drinking a nice light rose from Domaine de Couranconne, just across the road from the restaurant. Dessert was a very unusual olive clafouti - olives washed many times to shed the brine and sweetened - for Claude and Dawn, while Carole and I had a Brittany layered tart, a specialty of the north, from whence cometh the chef.

We have been, as usual, blessed with perfect weather so it was back to the ranch, for some terrace and packing time. We've had a wonderful two weeks with Carole and Claude - boy that sure went fast! - and we finished the day with cards, local beverages and a late cheese course, ready for an early trip tomorrow morning to Marseilles..