No more dampening down needed!

Saturday 30th September 2017 - Beaurecuiel.

First little test of the day is.....

What is in the white package?  The mobile phone is there purely to show the scale of the item.

We cycled again into Aix en Provence, partly to see the Saturday markets but also to do the other tourist things like seeing the cathedral and museums.

It was a nice start to the day which gradually clouded over which made the temperatures very pleasant for moving around the town.  The town seemed more relaxed today than it had on Thursday.  I was particularly taken by the food stalls and would take little tastes of cheese, nougat or anything else on offer.

We (sorry I) couldn't resist the local speciality of 'Callison', an almond and dried melon marzipan sweet.  We bought a little packet and enjoyed them over coffee.


There is a Flower market in the Place Hotel de Ville and food and clothing markets dotted around the centre.

We had a takeaway Paella and sat opposite a smart restaurant to eat it.  I think the restaurant customers were jealous of our food.  We had no utensils but ate with empty mussel shells as spoons!

After lunch we visited Granet Musee, named after a local artist but containing a variety of artists from Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne and Picasso.  

Another Spot Janice competition!..or is it Spot the Difference!...and.....

Where's Wally?

Overall it was a good museum.  I have never seen so many Picasso's in the same place, not normally my favourite artist but I accept he had a certain distinctive style!

We walked on towards the Cathedral and passed a shop that previously had a long queue outside and sold only one item....Madeline's (little scallop shaped cakes).  I bought 6 for 3 euro....lovely and fresh.


We also enjoyed a small art market outside the Cathedral.

All in all a lovely touristy full day in Aix en Provence.  

The answer to the small white package question is....

A lightweight cycling jacket which we wore for our early cycle trip, just to keep the cool wind off us.  It worked a treat.  We have one each and bought them at Decathlon but hadn't previously worn them.  What a great little, easily stored, package that keeps the cold out and a shower off but can be kept in a pocket.  A bargain.

Back to the camp site and the 5 month drought broke (it must be us bringing Kendal weather to Provence).  A long and steady rain shower had the effect of dampening down the dusty earth.  Whilst here we have joked that we have done our bit to prevent forest fires by pouring washing up water onto a tree or bush or me having an impromptu pee in the wilderness, saying that we were 'just dampening down'.  I'm not sure whether we will be able to use the excuse anymore if the ground is already wet?
Don't worry, we have checked the forecast for the week and it is still good and dry, so I can carry on peeing alfresco!!!  No photos thankfully!

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