First Day In Cairanne

If it's Tuesday, by now we know where we need to go - to the market in Vaison la Romaine. We actually had a leisurely start to the day, which promised to once again be stinking hot. Yowzer!! When we finally got to Vaison, there appeared to be no parking in any places we would normally go. We haven't been here in two years and yet the popularity of this market has definitely not diminished. We wondered before leaving from home how they might be addressing security concerns, given in the past, the easy access to the main market street. Answer, block it with a truck.

They are not burying their heads in the sand, which is encouraging. The market street, otherwise, looked identical and our two favourite vendors were present although Lilian is now selling the provincial Saucisses here, but continues to sell table cloths in Nyons. Upon reintroducing oursleves to Viviane, she promptly gave us a brochure for a B&B she now operates close to Pont St. Esprit. Does this mean she wants to see more of me?

We left the market with loads of our favourite items, provencal olives, sundried tomatoes, various saucisses and small French radishes. Before heading home to lunch on these goodies, we headed way up into the hills above Roaix to a Peter and Margaret recommended winery, Domaine Escaravailles. They had quite the vista from up here.

Their grapes, similar to those of Chateauneuf du Pape, grow in boulders, thus getting a good deal of sun soaking. The tasting room was both well placed and well appointed and we walked away with some of their rose, white and red wines.

Lunch was on the end terrasse with a rose and fans pointed strategically to stop us from melting. Once again, La Vie Est Belle!

We always have these buddies on hot days and they always seem a little insulted that we have invaded their space. Our travels for the remainder of our trip, will be in this little number - Peugeot 308. It's got lots of pep and sufficient passenger comforts.