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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 11:04:28 GMT
France is made up of 101 départements, and everybody in the country has a very clear image of where just about all of them are and usually a very erroneous idea of what they are like if they have never been there. 96 of the départements are in what is called 'metropolitan France' as opposed to the 5 in 'overseas France' (2 in the West Indies, 1 in South America, 2 in the Indian Ocean). Just to continue this pedantic aside just a bit, the number of districts will return to 100 in 2018. Corsica split into two départements in 1975 which will be merged again in 2018. This is no big deal because the number of départements has changed constantly over the years and there will be more changes in the future. In any case, they are a handy reference to the French who often say "I went on holiday in...." or "My parents have a house in..." which tells you where, without having to give precisions about the town, especially if it is not a prestigious and chic resort. Young people even just talk by using the numbers of the départements -- "My cousins from 93 are going down to raise hell in 13."
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 11:43:51 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 11:55:41 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 13:21:27 GMT
From this moment on, I greatly reduced the number of photos that I took since I was now accompanied by two pairs of fresh eyes and their sophisticated photographic equipment. I am counting on them to show what they saw on various other threads, some of which have already begun. We were heading back to Avignon from Montpellier, so it was totally logical to stop at the Pont du Gard. It was a hot day, so there were lots of people bathing in the Gardon below the aqueduct. Naturally there were some places for people to obtain refreshments. And that's all of the Pont du Gard from me! Back in Avignon, many more photos were taken, but not by me -- just three more. The is the square in front of the Palais des Papes. ::::~The next morning it was time to conquer Mont Ventoux. As the driver, I couldn't take photos along the way, so I had to wait until we got to the top. An important weather station is at the summit. For the people beginning to gather for the Tour de France, the conditions were WINDY. In fact, on July 14, the stage was shorted to 6 km before the summit, because it was impossible (or rather too dangerous) to try to stay on a bicycle at the top. There are no trees to break the wind up there. jagged rocks everywhere We stopped briefly on the way down to admire all of the amateur cyclists determined to conquer the mountain before the Tour. This is in fact where the stage ended on the 14th.
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Post by htmb on Aug 1, 2016 13:29:22 GMT
I've enjoyed reading and rereading all of your Avignon threads, Kerouac, but for some reason I like pictures in this thread the best. From your photos of the various venues for plays, to the views from the park above the town, and the numerous character studies of festival participants, your photos are truly outstanding.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 1, 2016 15:14:04 GMT
Well, ditto what Htmb said about all the Avignon threads, but this one knocks me out on multiple levels. First of all for the logic of the thread progression, which gives such a good look at the city and what goes on there during the Off in both the on and off hours of the festival. Second, of course, because the photos are so excellent, not only for reportage but also just great to look at -- the Rhône, the rooftops, the bettors(?) clogging the door to the tabac, the ladder with its unfinished sign ........ too many to list. Third, it's just a total thrill to see this report so soon after having seen Avignon for myself. I was all dazzled and happily confused, so I love being able to recognize things in your pictures and to be able to put things together in my mind.
Great pictures of the Pont du Gard. I particularly like the one of the cafe with the massive wall of stone looming over it.
I can't believe that, as the driver di tutti drivers, your arms still had the strength to take pictures when you achieved the summit of Mont Ventoux. Love your captures, particularly the angled one with the sprinkling of little yellow flowers. It shows how very high up you were and is a great picture to boot.
Enough blather from me, except to say BRAVO!
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Post by tod2 on Aug 1, 2016 16:03:12 GMT
Great photos Kerouac! Out of the many scenes taken from the Tour helicopters, Pont du Gard could possibly be one of the most stunning. It's always intrigued me and I hope I make it there one day. Fancy - being at the top of Mont Ventoux! You don't say whether you stayed to watch any of the Tour? Also, being so close to Beziers...you had no desire to pop in for some nostalgia..?
In the photo of the weather station at the summit of Mont Ventoux I really had great admiration for the photographer seated at the side of the road - probably practising for the real thing?!
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 17:56:20 GMT
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Post by mossie on Aug 1, 2016 18:48:57 GMT
Many thanks for this. Years ago I had a holiday in the very east of Provence at Forcalqier and we visited Avignon, Aix en Provence, Gordes and Rousillon. This was a guided walking/cultural holiday and gave a great insight into the area. It included a 10 mile walk from some place north of Forcalquier back there, including a very stiff uphill section. Done on one of the excellent Grand Randonnees. No way could I manage it today but I was still working which involved many miles walking about on the roads supervising odd jobs.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 1, 2016 21:25:09 GMT
one last photo at Sault After our stop in Sault for photos and some much needed beer and perhaps a restroom, we continued through the Gorges of the Nesque. I had never been through these gorges, and frankly my own experience with most gorges in France has been taking delightful narrow roads down at the bottom along the river, except for the famous gorges of Verdon, where one drives along the top and which is considered to be the "Grand Canyon" of France. This turned out to be delightful narrow roads at the top.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 1, 2016 21:32:46 GMT
I am delighted to see these pictures -- so much variety in the area and you captured it so well, from the stunning views of gorges to the delicate purple and gold fields to the charm of the village with the forgotten name.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2016 6:10:25 GMT
Ah, the town with no name. What a find that was! I actually looked for one of those "you are now leaving" signs as we headed out of town, but never saw it. Kerouac, I suppose the fact that Bixa and I were snapping photos out the windows, through the front windshield, and standing on the running boards means to you that we will have a few photos to share? I actually took so many pictures I had to clean out all my old photos on my mega-memory tablet just to make room. I'll get around to posting them sometime soon. What a trip! Traveling to the south of France was fantastic, but traveling with someone who has your knowledge, not to mention your skill as a driver and a planner, made for the perfect expedition. Many thanks!
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Post by tod2 on Aug 2, 2016 7:29:27 GMT
I am so glad I did part of South Western France last year! Your photos have so much more meaning to me with the recognisable scenery. I haven't checked a map yet but imagine the Gorges of the Nesque are one and the same/part of, the gorge I saw at Minervois? I found the name of the gigantic castle in the distance taken from the park behind the Palais des Papes - Fort Saint-André on Mont Andaon.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2016 9:36:35 GMT
Ah, the town with no name. What a find that was! I actually looked for one of those "you are now leaving" signs as we headed out of town, but never saw it. A Google Image search of the church immediately informed me that we were in the village of Villes-sur-Auzon, pop. 1308.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2016 9:54:16 GMT
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Post by amboseli on Aug 2, 2016 12:23:05 GMT
Nice pictures, especially those of the lavender fields. I haven't really visited the Vaucluse. Yes, we've been in L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Gordes, Lourmarin and Cavaillon but other than that this area is completely new to me. Probably not for long, 'cause it's my husbands long dream to cycle the Mont Ventoux which he will most probably do in the summer of next year.
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Post by questa on Aug 2, 2016 14:24:51 GMT
As a sidebar to this beautiful report...
William Charles Wentworth was an Australian explorer, journalist, politician and author, and one of the leading figures of early colonial New South Wales. [Wikipedia] He is known as the Father of Federation for his actions in creating Australia from a group of different colonies.
He built a stately neo-gothic mansion on the shore of Sydney Harbour which he called "Vaucluse House" after "the most beautiful valleys" in Europe. For the last 100 years it and the sumptuous gardens have been kept as a museum. Much of the land has been detached and is now the suburb of Vaucluse...probably the top place in Sydney real estate.
He built a smaller version nearby (fewer turrets) as a wedding gift for his son. It later became a small hospital for babies where I did part of my training.
I can see why Wentworth loved the Vaucluse area in France.
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Post by fumobici on Aug 2, 2016 21:12:10 GMT
Loving this, hope there's more. Avignon is beginning to look familiar just from your annual reports. It always looks unbearably hot!
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 2, 2016 21:29:39 GMT
Do I remember this part you just showed? I think this is where I was desperate for a potty and you & Htmb sent me -- the no-parley-French one -- to the mairie for directions. Meanwhile, you managed to get that money shot of the dog drinking from the fountain.
Wonderful photos, at any rate. I'd also forgotten that interesting mix of high country evergreens and Mediterranean oleanders.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2016 21:47:19 GMT
The dog shot had to be staged. How much did you pay that woman, Kerouac?
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2016 21:56:16 GMT
Yes, that is the village where you were in distress, Bixa. Since I am a kind soul and would never want to cause embarrassment, I chose not to give this report a Sherlock style title along the lines of "Kerouac2 and the case of the Leaky Lady."I did not take many pictures of Gordes because I already made a report about it 2 years ago HERE. I hope that Bixaorellana and htmb will share some of their numerous photos.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2016 22:00:03 GMT
I'm too busy still having a good time in Paris to share photos, Kerouac. Eventually I'll get around to it, but I'm awed every time I look at any of the photos. Still pinching myself to make sure that I didn't dream the trip up.
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Post by Deleted on Aug 2, 2016 22:12:45 GMT
There is no rush to post as there will certainly be long slow periods in the coming seasons when remembering the trip will be appreciated by all. In any case, that ends my "Vaucluse" chapter for this year.
Thank you to everyone who appreciated the pictures, even though you are almost certainly doomed to see a whole new set next year.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 2, 2016 22:43:30 GMT
Hmmm. I've been gone less than two weeks and already you've forgotten my penchant for revenge.
Wonderful coverage, Kerouac, and special thanks for being willing to return to some places you know so well in order to share them.
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Post by htmb on Aug 2, 2016 22:53:05 GMT
Ever notice how Kerouac loves to use the word "doomed?"
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Post by fumobici on Aug 3, 2016 1:04:28 GMT
There is no rush to post as there will certainly be long slow periods in the coming seasons when remembering the trip will be appreciated by all. In any case, that ends my "Vaucluse" chapter for this year. Thank you to everyone who appreciated the pictures, even though you are almost certainly doomed to see a whole new set next year. I've been sitting on the raw stuff of reports for Siena, rural Tuscany, and Florence (yes, yet again) watching from the sidelines as others post these amazing reports one after another from the height of the Summer season I can't hope to match.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 3, 2016 1:21:02 GMT
Oh, pish tosh! Post, damn you, post!
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Post by lagatta on Aug 3, 2016 3:33:31 GMT
bixa, there is almost too much stuff now. I'm working on a festival and while I peruse most everything here, I scroll more than I'd like.
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Post by tod2 on Aug 3, 2016 13:14:12 GMT
Totally brilliant scenery - the closest I got to hilltop villages were Minerva and Pezenas. Almost identical to Villes-sur-Auzon and Venasque with it's stone walls and bright Oleander flowers, the narrow winding lanes. I notice the ruins of the chateau have stonework that looks as if it is merely placed carefully upon one another without any kind of cement or fixative. And so precise!
Looking forward to Bixa & Htmb photos.
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Post by bixaorellana on Aug 3, 2016 13:40:47 GMT
Tod, we are trying not to pancake each others reports and also to keep up with daily life that needs reporting. The others are doing a much better job, as I am just plain pokey. Htmb started out doing the reports in the order they occurred, although I don't know if she'll continue in that order. Kerouac has started a thread that covers much of the same ground as my unfinished Quarries, crags, etc. etc. etc., which I set aside to do a thread on the big Oaxaca festival. I will go finish it now, as I should. It is very interesting to me how three people could visit and photograph the same place and the same time, but come out with different results.
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