The Trail's Our Thing

On Friday night we had our “class reunion” with Susanne and her boyfriend Rico. After they headed back to L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, the five of us drove up into the village, where there was a band and dancing on the main square. The band was really quite impressive to find playing in a small village at most two hundred people, almost a show band. Many of the songs they played were American. It was interesting to hear the old Jackson 5 song, “I Want You Back.” We didn’t stay very long.

Saturday we were up early to go to the Apt market, a favorite of our family. We stopped at Le Louvre to have coffee and croissants, then spit up to explore the market. Kelly and I shopped together, as usual. We bought some fruits and vegetables, some olives. Kelly bought a belt and a little tin bucket for her locker at school. We scoped out some other things we’d like to buy before we go home. By 11:00 am the market was very crowded.

We met back up with Charley, Lydia and Earl at Le Louvre for our normal after-market lunch. Earl and I had salads; Charley and Lydia had tartines (open faced sandwiches). Kelly had the grilled turkey. She was disappointed that Le Louvre no longer has pasta arrabiatta on their menu. Guy, the owner, treated us to his homemade limoncello as a digestif. Back home, it was a lazy afternoon: naps, reading, swimming at the pool. That night we went up to Bonnieux for another Wood family tradition: Saturday night dinner at Le Terrail on the terrace. We went at 8:30 so it wouldn’t be so hot and we could better enjoy the view and the sunset. Charley and Kelly took Lydia and Earl on a little walking tour of Bonnieux before dinner.

On Sunday we had a special breakfast on the terrace. This was to make up for all the mornings that Lydia and I did not have good bread when we were boarding with our families in Aix! Charley went to Henri’s boulangerie and brought back croissants, pains chocolats, a sacristan, and a baguette. We had local jams and cheeses, juice, and coffee. And it was Lydia’s birthday!! We had a Provence cookbook for her (in French), and Kelly gave her some lavender soaps. Earl had given Lydia a frame that shows pictures off your computer or memory card. Afterwards, Lydia and Earl went out to explore a bit of the Gordes and Roussillon, two of the places Lydia had visited on the school excursion. They returned mid-afternoon for another lazy afternoon: naps, reading, swimming at the pool. Lydia and Kelly had a great time together playing a sort of volleyball game in the pool. (Charley was grateful that someone else was the pool playmate for Kelly today.)

A Happy Birthday breakfast with very good bread(Lydia and Kelly)

Lydia wanted to treat us to a special meal this evening, in honor of her birthday, so we suggested Domaine de Layaude Basse, just outside Lacoste, a place that we've enjoyed with several of our Luberon Experience groups. It was the perfect choice: a beautiful setting outside on the terrace, a fabulous view looking to the north, great food, friendly service, and finally a brilliant sunset. I think it was a memorable birthday for Lydia. (And I will say that we enjoyed listening to her speak Greek throughout the day as she took birthday calls from family and friends.)

Dinner at Domaine de Layaude Basse near Lacoste

We were very sorry to say goodbye to Lydia and Earl on Monday morning. They quickly became such good friends, and I know we will see them again. I also feel sure they’ll visit the Luberon again. Last year our houseguests were Dennis and Gloria, and we had an equally wonderful time with them over a long weekend. I knew Dennis from Slow Travel, and we invited them without ever having met in person. This year our guests were Lydia and Earl; and although I knew Lydia from two weeks of class, I didn’t know her well. She and Earl came a long way from Switzerland to spend a weekend with total strangers.

I asked Lydia and Earl if they knew the term “hit the jackpot,” and I was glad they understood what it meant. I told them that’s what happened to us when they arrived to spend the weekend.