Today we ventured to Cassis, which is along the ocean south of us, a beautiful little sea village about a. 45 minute drive. The countryside is gorgeous near the water....rolling hills and valleys with vineyards and beautiful homes. It's absolutely beautiful, and although we wanted to stay someplace more central, being there made me wonder if we should have just stayed along the coast.
Our day got a late start because we waited for Hanya's parents to arrive and get her. They were great...super interesting British couple that decided to move to Provence six 6 years ago because they love it, and then just commute back and forth to London for work (which is less than a two hour flight) during the week (Hanya's mom doesn't work). The great part about living in a place like Provence is that you are also very central--you can visit so many cool areas within hours. They were heading to Barcelona (only a 4 hour drive) later next week. Apparently there is quite a big community of Brits and American expats living here, and I can totally see why.
So we wandered into Cassis at about 1 p.m., and the kids stocked up on snacks at the little grocery store and then we headed to the beach. John and the kids were perfectly happy to sit on the beach and play while I strolled back into town to explore. It's all a stone's throw away, the town is small, the beach area is small, none of it takes very long to walk across. So I had a lovely few hours of alone time and I was very productive.
First off, I finally found plates. I've been waffling on new dinner plates for years. Not sure why, but for some reason I haven't been able to pull the trigger. Everything is either too this, or too that. We almost bought plates last year in Italy, and I went back to the store probably four times trying to decide, and finally decided against them. Well, these plates I saw and I instantly thought, "these are worth buying." Anyone looking at them will wonder why probably, they aren't incredibly unique, but just unique enough, and they were dishwasher safe and the right color. They are sort of a grey speckled, combined with a cool off white, taupe-y color. Each plate has a different speckled design, so none of them look the same and there is a slightly organic edge to the plate lip. I double checked too, they can't be ordered or purchased outside of Europe, so there was no choice but to decide to lug 24 plates back. I'm super excited about them, hopefully I will feel that way when I do the lugging.
I also had a perfectly idyllic glass of iced green tea on this little side street, completely quiet and shaded. I got to sit and read my book and drink my tea, and it was so refreshing to be alone, and quiet, I can't even tell you. I think that is one of things I miss the most on these trips, quiet solo time. That, and yoga. Those are the two things that make me excited to go home. Well, and a garbage disposal, I miss that too, no one has them here.
We stopped at the grocery store on the way home for dinner, and Romeo found another jar of potential pickles....his little face of optimistic joy says it all. The kids have been doing this thing since we've started this trip. They look for real, dill pickles EVERYwhere. Every time we shop they try to find them. We've bought probably 20 jars of what looks like it "could" be dill pickles, only to find out they aren't dill, they are sweet, or semi-sweet. If they find a jar that isn't conclusive, they have hope anew and the excitement mounts. FYI, this jar was NOT real pickles either.
Ava and Lucia both went to Ava's friends' house tonight, so the house was quieter but I worried all night that they were getting in trouble--Provence style. I'm not even sure what that means, but somehow I assume it means lots of wine and French boys, which doesn't sound like a good combo. My texts at 10:00 p.m. saying, "what your sister and don't drink alcohol" were met with reply texts that said, "OMG mom, don't worry." That means worry, twice as much.
Signed, ME {lv}
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