Fall 2023 – Part 1

We flew from Pearson at 5 :00,PM, September 17. The flight was just over six hours, thanks to huge tail winds. According to the pilot they were over 100 mph, which is mighty fast.

There was a three hour layover in Amsterdam, and the lounge was pretty comfortable. The airport service crew is a very accommodating group, much better trained and service oriented than those at Pearson. The flight to Marseille was scheduled for 9:58 (!): but there was a hitch. The gate involved stairs down to the tarmac, and then a boarding staircase. Not in Judy’s playbook.

So…we were loaded onto a ground vehicle which is used for service staff and loading meals, supplies, and mobility challenged passengers. Here is a stock image of one.

The service was fantastic, and four crew helped us out.

We arrived on schedule at Marignane airport, zipped through baggage pickup, and were helped to the Hertz rental location. Called Giselle at the Renault office, and she brought the shuttle to take is to our car, a Renault Clio.

Our two bags are, to quote the B52’s, as “big as whales”. With some contortion, they were loaded with no room to spare. Overpacked? I do believe that would be correct.

Heading north on the A7 is just over an hour to the exit at Orange, from which we switch to south on the A9, and then onto regional roads to arrive in Tresques.

It was hot, about 30, but nothing compared to the high 30’s since July.

It did not seem to faze Maurice, who greeted us at the 11 stone steps.

After changing into hot weather duds, we installed Judy in the boudoir, and I headed out for supplies at the Intermarché in Gaujac, about ten minutes away. It was clouding up and starting to turn to a gentle shower. By the time of checkout, there was a four alarm thunderstorm. Sat in the car to wait it out, but it kept coming so, wipers ablaze, I headed home.

As an irrelevant aside, here is a handy tip from golfer Lee Trevino. If you are caught in a thunderstorm on the golf course, hold up a one iron. Not even God can hit a one iron.

The roads at the base of the château were flooded, as was the Tave River. After an hour, the sun came out and things were back to dry.

The next day, our neighbour Serge said we should have come earlier; it was the first rain in Tresques since early summer. And now, the next couple of days look cool and wet. OK by us it’s lovely, shine or rain.

Still somewhat jet lagged. We don’t get the adrenaline jolt from travel like we used to. I guess it’s a combination of familiarity and age, but it’s not really a problem. Every time we arrive, something has changed, which to me is good. That means it is alive, rather than stuck in a specific point in time. Downside is, we are older. Tempus fugit.

Yesterday we stocked up on some frozen foods at Picard, a French chain. For Canadians, Picard is like M&M only much better in terms of quality and selection. May have some tonight.

Haven’t turned on the tv yet, may watch some streaming later. If we have CBC Listen on for music, we catch the news on the hour. Otherwise we can hear the chickens clucking down the path and the soccer practice on the pitch. Very therapeutic.

Bye for now. Stay happy, and enjoy good food and wine!