clouds in my coffee (Vaison la Romaine)

actually, there were clouds everywhere. The cloud cover was heavier than yesterday, so we waited for it to clear. *sigh* It didn't happen. Writing this at nearly 8:30pm it is starting to break up now.

The rain has reduced the number of photos - again.

The markets of Vaison la Romaine

They were pretty cool despite the weather which kept away the shoppers as well as some stall holders. There was the usual fruit and veg, and meat and seafood, and cheese, and spices and olives and ... you get the idea. There was also leather goods: belts and bags, clothes; new and pre-loved, and knives, there are always knives.

I'd pay for that.

Anyway, we purchased our stuff for dinner. The prawns and chillies proved to be a bit of a challenge, but we did it. Tasted OK too.

Sadly, the rain continued and we both needed to go home to dry out varying bits of clothing - boots, shoes, hoodies.

The real challenge was dodging the old French women and their umbrellas. And then they'd meet a friend. It was an orchestra of brollies designed to block the road. And they didn't care - at all. They shop, they live, they drive and park their cars.

We shopped, we retreated home to the dry. Over the rain dear reader. I was in Oz when the drought officially finished and I have no desire to bring southern France into flood.

Vaison la Romaine Medieval City

 Bloody hell, the rain stopped, so we decided to make the most of it. We headed for the medieval city on the other side of town. There were the usual impediments: narrow roads, one way streets, cars driving at you too fast, trucks in appropriate places blah, blah, blah. Anyway, we arrived safely. The remnant bit in the photo is called 'the chateau'. What? It's no chateau. It's not even a fort. It's just a wall really. Well, a couple of walls.

But, it has been built on a really high point. Well, that's a surprise - unless of course you've been following our journey through the Norman conquest of 'where ever' and their desperate need to build castles on ridiculously steep rocky bits (technical term). It does have a nice view though, see the photo. We are staying up on the left in the green bit.

Ye olde Roman Bridge

The bridge was somewhat underwhelming. I'm not sure if it was because of the truck parked on it, or the old French women (beware, really) who descended upon it when I decided to take a photo. 

The Romans made use of what was there, like huge, hulking slabs of limestone - we would have demolished it and started all over. Just in case that you dispute the authenticity of the bridge, here is it's stamp of approval.

Not sure what Xs and Vs and Is mean, Whatever.

We walked across the bridge (the old Roman one) and back into town. It was a very different sight from the morning. The market stalls were gone although the crowds were probably larger.

It really looked like a different place without the stalls and the umbrellas. There were lots of other shops that we hadn't noticed in the morning.

Part of me is polished and new.

We found the Roman ruins, but they were craftily fenced from the public to ensure the best views were paid for. Despite this, I stole a couple of shots through the fence (see left).  We will be back, just didn't have time today.

Anyway, tomorrow is another day. Hopefully a drier one. We will venture further afield to see what 'sunny' Provence has to offer since we only have three days left until we start to head north once more. The eastern end of this area will have to wait until the next overseas tour. The plan is to take in Greece and Italy, assuming they haven't been foreclosed on before we come back ...