The most pleasant part of recent days in the Luberon are the early mornings. Cloudless skies, light breezes, quiet village and deserted streets. A beautiful start to our last Sunday - but one which promises another hot day.
In theory, I support the local economy - the tabac, the boulangerie, the Bar des Sports, Vidal - and opinion is tilting in favour of La Closerie restaurant in our remaining days in Ansouis.
We wanted to re-visit Coustellet. I think it's the best market for our type of visit I've ever been to - but I was interested in seeing what the Sunday market in Ansouis had to offer. Not much as it turned out - just getting set up as we drove by at 8:30am. Arrived on Coustellet shortly after 9:00am before the heat of the day kicked in and parking was plentiful.
Another excellent experience at the Coustellet market before heading over to Lacoste and a relaxing expresso and "cinq Monacos" at the Bar de Europe, followed by a visit to L'Abbaye St. Hilaire, our nearby previous gîte rental, Menerbes, L'Abbaye de Silvacane - another Cistercian Abbey just across the Durance from Cadenet (parking €2, entrance 6€50 - OUCH! - only some of us paid to enter) before arriving back in Ansouis by 2:00pm.
Off again by 3:00pm - attracted by a large number of cars to stop at Lourmarin - nothing special seemed to be going on - the pretty village is just a magnet on a Sunday afternoon with all the restaurants and stores open for business. Over to Buoux, to see why a lot of people like it. Beats me - "scenic", aka treacherous, drive and not much there.
Another evening in - and a trip to the Med. planned for tomorrow.
We have begun to talk about going home.
