El burro.

Le mini-motoculteur (rototiller) arrived. Dubbed "the donkey", our red, gently-used Honda F210 kicks up a fuss--that is, once cajoled... When the mechanic who delivered el burro took more than a few tries on the kickstart, we looked askance and had some serious misgivings. But, fear not... Once we were out into the patch, nature--and multiple extortions--took its course...

Clay continues to be a challenge. We needed to add proper amendments into the mix to prepare the vegetable bed for planting...

Shoveling ensued...

and the raking...

oh, the checking of soil consistency...

and yet amending again...

There will be more amending in our future.

An ochre river runs through it ...

We ran a few errands today in Apt, a small Roman village. The calavon (river) running alongside was full of rich colors, (photos not doing justice) -- Even the buoyant duck was appreciating a little freestyle...

To round out a rainy afternoon, we snacked on a local specialty, Calissons (almond cookies), dating back to the 15th century, and fruit confits (of the candied orange peel variety)...

Sometimes it will rain in the house ...

... just sometimes though.

The rest is fine outside on the blue rain skyline...

The trouble with clay ...

Today, I spent much of the day digging, weeding, and transplanting. Let's not be mistaken -- the clay soil here rivals any of the hardpan I've worked with in Los Angeles. Once it's on your shoes, it's pretty well stuck -- so now I'm a few inches taller...

Meanwhile, we assessed the pruning situation, and got started on a few rose bushes. Mistress Margot pruned the huge bay laurel tree from which we made bundles. They are now drying and shall be made into bouquet garni or whatnot...

And then it was sunset time...

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...

Hyacinth contest

These little daffs have just popped out of the ground, cheery little things. We're waiting with bated breath for a hyacinth that should bloom in a few days. Additionally, we're placing bets on said hyacinth's color.

Will it be ...

a) white

b) blue

c) purple

d) pink

e) other (please specify)

If you're the gambling type, ante up. Winner shall have this hyacinth named in his/her honor. And a photo. And a permanent place in the front swathe of Chateau Acorn's garden.

Digging in the earth ...

Our raised vegetable bed has broken ground. Clay soil, 3 x 3 meters for starters. The plan was to save as much of the sod from the field as possible and transplant to an area that was recently damaged by an 18-wheeler trailer.

The site of the first raised bed ...

The business of saving sod, and addressing the whole clay soil issue ...