Respite ...

So, we took the day off work and enjoyed a few sights. First, we drove (a long and winding road--perfect for a near motion-sick moment) to Carpentras, where there was a flea market...

After wandering among antiques, I was feeling a bit hungry. Then I spied a kid with cotton candy, and it was all over...

After lunch, we went to neighboring Orange, to see the most well-preserved Roman theatre in Europe. I particularly liked the worn steps...

Here's the "New Castle of the Pope" (the Avignon one), located in a place very familiar to many...

... because of the wine. Yes, that one... Chateauneuf du Pape. We stumbled upon a little wine cellar and spent the afternoon with an actual vintner, Pegau. We learned about the famed grenache, the processing, and their wine varietals. Pegau's vines are 105 years old (approximately 75 acres of them), and cultivated by hand--impressive. And none of the reds are filtered, which makes for a healthier, 'vin de charactere'.

Such a lovely man with a zest for living and pride in his wine--it gave me a pang of disappointment that, at this time, we may not be able to get their wines in SoCal. (Please, someone, prove me wrong if we can locate it.) Naturally, we stumbled out with a bottle or two in hand...