Written on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 5:02 pm
micro-climate, seasons, snow, sunshine, walking in provence
I (Sue) woke up on Tuesday to find Venterol blanketed in about 4 inches of snow and it was still falling until lunchtime. We ventured out after lunch to check on the roads and were amazed to find that even the local ones had been completely cleared. French efficiency! I’m sure the French system of local government has a lot to do with it and really fosters a sense of neighbourhood.
Nyons itself had escaped most of it, nestled as it is in a bowl between the surrounding mountains. One of my favourite views of Nyons is driving over the hills past Buisson, towards Roaix. Looking back at the town you can understand exactly why it has a micro-climate sheltered from the worst weather and enjoying the same sunshine hours as Nice!
The vines looked beautiful in the snow highlighting the contrast between the delicate grey-green leaves and the gnarly trunks. There were plenty of animal tracks in the snow and we’d heard something snuffling and rustling in the undergrowth during the night. Probably a boar or maybe a badge, hunting for food, no doubt.
Fortunately we had left the car at the bottom of the drive so didn’t have to negotiate the drive, cunningly disguised as a skating rink, on Wednesday morning when setting off to the airport.
Written on Thursday, January 12th, 2012 at 7:52 am
walking in provence, wildlife
There’s nothing like it. Brilliant blue skies and bright sunshine. So while Sue takes her job of testing out the restaurants and local wines very seriously, this week I have made my escape from Chatelaine duties (getting the house ready for our 2012 visitors), and I have dragged Jean away from the sewing machine (she splits her duties between the garden in summer, and creative soft-furnishing wizard in the winter) to try out local walks. We’ve done old favourites, and a few new ones.
Straight from the house, we wandered down to the river. The changes in its course along the wide river bed now means you can do a circular walk all the way from the house to Les Pilles by the river, coming back through the woods. I wonder whether we’ll be able to do the same in the Spring?
But we first stretched out our legs on at Eyrolles, a great walk to blow away the UK winter blues and get the muscles moving. At around 2 hours, it’s satisfying but not too taxing.
That’s just as well because the next day we went to another favourite place, vulture viewing on the Rocher de Caire above Remuzat (take the road up to the top from St May). We’ve often seen walkers head off along the ridge – so had decided to have a go just to test out the terrain. But once started, there was no turning back! It was a great walk, up to the snow line (just a few little patches where the sun couldn’t get to it) and the rewards of seeing the snow-capped Alpes in the distance from the highest point. About 4 hours with plenty of breaks to drink coffee, re-fuel, and soak up the sunshine.
And yesterday we started off from Sahune to try out a brand new walk. It had its moments – a very steep drag up a shale path. But coming down that route would have been even more challenging. We’re not goats! And probably because we weren’t properly reading the instructions (and talking too much!) we missed a vital yellow cross (that would have told us not to carry straight on) and the fairly hidden path (if you weren’t looking for it) up the required steep wooded path. So we probably added a good couple of kilometres to what would otherwise have been a 4km walk. But once we’d retraced our steps all was fine, with the walk ending up passing the feudal castle of Sahune (now a private property that is part restored) and the ruins of the old village of Sahune. If you’re not feeling quite so intrepid, you can drive up there and wander around the abandoned streets.
A great start to 2012. And the library make-over got finished as well.
Written on Sunday, November 6th, 2011 at 11:28 am
activities, walking in provence
Another walk that comes complete with information panneaux is found about two-thirds of the way up Garde Grosse the mountain opposite Nyons with its communications aerial on top. In fact, you can drive all the way to the top where there are amazing views out over Nyons and beyond. Be sure to take your binoculars – you can see Sue’s house near Venterol if you look carefully – and on a clear day you can see the mountains of the Ardeche.
Anyway back to the walk which is quite easy, well signposted and takes between 30 and 45 minutes depending on your level of fitness. There is a large car park and the panneaux explain the flora and fauna although sadly some of them are raindamaged and impossible to read these days. Still it’s a good choice for the casual walker and it gives stunning views out towards the mountains of Angele and Cougoir.
There are masses of maps and info on these and many other walks at Colombier and we’re always happy to advise and point you in the right direction – literally and metaphorically!
Written on Tuesday, October 25th, 2011 at 4:58 pm
activities, goats, sheep, walking in provence, wildlife
I always prefer my walks to follow a circuit. Turning back and retracing one’s steps is somehow dispiriting. There are a couple of walks I’ve found that have panneaux (information boards) along the route and apart from providing interesting and educational information they also give a sense of completion as you reach each stage.
This particular walk is found between Les Pilles and Chateauneuf La Bordette and is in an area used for grazing sheep and goats. We can give more precise directions as it’s not the easiest to find! The walk itself is very well signposted along the route with cute sheep signs pointing the way. The terrain is fairly easy with just a couple of downhill stretches that are slightly more tricky, and is very varied with open grassy sections, stony uphill paths and even a densely wooded area. There is a ruined farm with interesting bread oven and terraces once used for growing fodder and mulberry trees to feed silkworms. If you’re lucky enough you may see a flock of sheep complete with bells or a small herd of goats. The walk takes about an hour for the non superfit!
Written on Tuesday, September 13th, 2011 at 1:37 pm
activities, autumn, fires, walking in provence, wine
Really looking forward to my week back in the Drome. I love this time of year: daytime can still be warm enough to soak up the rays or swim but the mornings and evenings have that slight chill in the air. It only needs the smallest hint of a chill for me to light a fire – any excuse really. I love to close the shutters in the evening and sit in front of blazing logs with a glass of Vinsobres and the latest slice and dice.
It’s also the perfect time to go for long walks in the countryside without having to pack numerous bottles of water. The light is particularly clear in September – just right for those artists or photographers among you. In fact the quality of the air around Nyons is famous – so much so that in the past asthmatics used to be sent to the area to recuperate.
It’s also vendanges time and the scent of wine lingering in the air hits you as you drive up from the airport.
Time to go out wine-tasting once more. Naturally not for my own benefit but just so that I can report back to you all!
Written on Wednesday, March 23rd, 2011 at 1:28 pm
cycling, Tour de France, walking in provence
Trawling the internet the other day – my work distraction method - I came across an interesting blog on www.alastair.humphries.com about ‘micro adventures’. This seems to involve spending a weekend in a challenging activity such as cycling or hiking.
Why not try a cycling weekend in France trying out some of the Tour de France route? We are not that far from Mont Ventoux if you really want to test your stamina and there are plenty of other smaller mountains to practise on first! Take a look at some cycling posts in our Blog to get a flavour of what’s possible. If you prefer hiking there are countless trails here for all levels of proficiency – we have plenty of info on routes at our house.
Flights to Nimes, Marseille and Avignon mean a French micro adventure at Chateau Colombier is a real possibility.
Written on Tuesday, April 24th, 2007 at 11:05 pm
walking in provence
lots of active verbs and lots of activity over the next week.
The weather was great.
We found the 2 crumblettes who got misplaced on their walk back from Nyons on the first day.
They are loving the walking. Walking in in this area of Provence is amazing. We are compiling our own book of local walks for all walking abilities, and for different times of the year.
Never believe someone who says that crumblettes don’t eat much. They will eat everything that you put in front of them. And be very appreciative, which is great.
And along with everything else, Jean continued to transform the garden … last remnants of rubble was cleared, plants were bought and planted, including roses, lavenders and a variety of shrubs.
And we eat the first radishes from my vegetable plot.