Pope's Palace

I will add pictures later, which I know is sub optimal for followers, but my camera connection cord went home with my mother, so all I have are google image searches. Anywho, we had another later start than desired. We skyped with Erin till MN, and then had to chill out before we could sleep. Nonetheless had a very cool stroll around Avignon today along Le Rue Teintures, 

with the old water paddle wheels used to dye the Provence cloth of yore. We found the Les Halles and bought our picnic dinner items and then hid out in the Pope's Palace during the hot hours midday. 

It is now very hot outside, HOT, HOT, HOT!!!  The Pope's palace was a 1+ from RS and we would both agree. It was a disappointment, but seemed to be a demanded visit, especially if you are in a catholic family.

At the market we found some spices, herbes de Provence, lavender, and all sorts of other spices to bring home. The vender then said, you must visit Gorde while you are here. "C'est magnifique!"  So instead of Chateauneuf-de-Papes, when we exited the palace, we picked up our "basket" and headed to Gorde.

Spice market

It is a small village 25 km outside of Avignon to the east, towards Rousillion. It is one of the "France top villes," and has the sign announcing so on entrance. Jaw dropping picturesque, as you drive in hugging the cliff side also taking in the opposite hillside laced with similar mount-hugging homes. The centre-de-ville  sported throngs of tourists, mostly French. I found 2 santons to add to my collection. The shoppe owner, Christine was fabulous. She had spent a year in CT as a teenager, and willingly spoke very good english. Her santons are not Carbonel, as she thinks they are too high priced, and she has selected new artist to carry. I admired the artists, but selected a woman carrying lavender, of course, and the mayor.

Renoir

Selecting

Monet painting his garden!!

Our picnic site was cliff/roadside. We had a commanding view of the lower countryside, and were found by a family who could share a glass of wine. Our dinner, oil-packed dried tomates, baby octopus salad, fromage du Provence, and chickpea salad. Dessert opened with the macarons de Provence we found in Avignon, which were exceptional in their simplicity and lack of too much goo in between. Also had sweets from the Italian vender who had supplied most of our lunch. We savored the 2007 Meursault from Patriache, great! (can take more bottle time)

Sunset for dinner in Gorge

Found out our communications with Hillebrande have failed. Sent firm website based email this eve.
must call in am.