First Accommodation
We spent the first two weeks in a nice largeish apartment above the arcades, looking down on the Market Place.
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| We had a few days overlap with former neighbours Scott and Betsie so we had them over for dinner on their last night |
Hike in the Dentelles de Montmirail
We’ve driven up and around these mountains but never hiked in them. They are rocky and jagged with lots of steep climbs and descents.
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| AOC Beaumes de Venise |
It was a public holiday, the third of three in one week and there were people everywhere.
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| Also popular with rock climbers |
Mt. Ventoux hike
A small group of us hiked up and along one face of Mt.Ventoux. We hadn’t climbed from this direction but ended up walking along the northern slopes, which we had done before.
Stunning views.
Three day away trip with Randouveze
We spent three days hiking around a little town called Sigoyer, which is near Gap. The focus of the hiking was on and around Mt. Ceuse.
Days 1 and 2 were fantastic. The first day was shorter and involved less climbing but was very enjoyable as we crossed a variety of landscapes.
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| Our lodgings |
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| A moonlight stroll both nights |
The second day was spectacular because we climbed up to the Mt. Ceuse ridge line and walked along it for a long way. It was a typical alpine landscape even though we were not quite in the Alps.
Apparently there used to be quite a lot of skiing at Mt. Ceuse but the ski resort closed down 10 years ago due to a lack of snow.
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| 2 Chamois chasing after their mother |
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| This chamois was all alone and spent a number of minutes running to and fro as if curious about us (Photo courtesy of Patrick C) |
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| Marmot mip mip (Photo courtesy of Patrick C) |
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| We were always the subject of mirth with our post walk stretching |
On the third day we got stuck in a lot of rain and hail and abandoned the walk about a third of the way in. After drying out at the park office, we ambled back to Buis stopping for a picnic on the roadside.
As usual we enjoyed being away with some old friends and some new acquaintances. The shared breakfasts and dinners are just as important as the hiking.
Second Accommodation
We rented a larger house for 10 days right next to the church, near our old place. We’ve enjoyed trying different types of accommodation in different locations after so many years of staying in the same place.
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| We've never seen a fog like this, running above the Ouveze river |
Small outings and walks
We drove to Nyons, where we always enjoy the views of the Eygue River and the old bridge. On the way back we stopped at a small town between St.Jalle and Nyons, called Curnier, to see the confluence of the Eygue and Ennuye Rivers.
We also did a leisuely walk by ourselves, which departed from St. Euphemie Sur-Ouveze and climbed up to hills and cliffs running along the northern bank of the Ouveze River. We walked as far as St.Auban sur-Ouveze, crossed the river and then walked along the southern bank much closer to the river, including through lavender fields that were not yet in bloom.
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| Our Polestar 2 parked at St Euphemie |
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| I love these road signs, normally pained blue and white, but I've never seen a raw metal version |
We drove to Faucon to have lunch at Le Laurier, a restaurant that we discovered last year. We were able to sit outside, under a tree on a lovely spring day.
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| A lovely little town surrounded by vineyards (with tractors evidement) |
We drove there by a back road and discovered an enormous abandoned spa hotel. We’ve learned that the nearby town of Propriac has mineral springs. One of our Randouveze friends told us that the hotel is being renovated. Good luck as there are trees poking through the roof. She also said that the mineral water has a taste that it is a little ‘’particulier’’. Apparently it contains a lot of magnesium.
One of our favourite hikes is around the Rocher St.Julien because of the views of Buis and the surrounding hills and valleys. We’ve done this walk a few times over the years and I’m sure that we’ll do it again.
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| The "back" side of St Julien |
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| Everything is so lusciously green this year |
Jocelyne’s birthday party
We were privileged to be invited to Jocelyne’s birthday party. It was a beautiful day and the party was outdoors at the Guinguette in the nearby little village of Beauvoisin.
The party kicked of at 11.30 am and we left about 7 hours later – plenty of others were still kicking on.
We enjoyed pre-lunch drinks and snacks, and had a self-serve, outdoor, sit-down lunch.
It was lovely to meet Jocelyne’s family. Her son and daughter-in-law and two granddaughters came across from Canada, and two sisters, a brother and a nephew came from various parts of southern France.
We caught up with two couples that we know, including Regine and Fabien, with whom we walked the Tour des Baronnies last year.
We also met a lot of new people who live in Buis and the surrounding towns. There were people who have lived their whole lives in the region as well as Dutch and Belgian people who have retired here.
Beaumes de Venise - Hike
This was a gentle walk through lots of vineyards and we did it primarily to catch up with some people who no longer do the more strenuous Thursday and Sunday walks.
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| Passing near the Dentelles rather than going over it this time |
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| It was a big group so I pano'd the table at drinks |
La Roche sur-le-Buis -Hike.
La Roche is a small town on a hill above Buis.
The walk was 19 kms long and involved quite a bit of climbing. We started in the rain, but it soon cleared.
We climbed along the ridge of the Montagne du Gravas and got wonderful views of the Ouveze Valley to the north. Then we walked back just below the ridge on the southern side and got great views of the Menon Valley back to Buis.
As it is spring, the hills are covered in flowers and everything had a lovely extra glisten after the rain.
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| This painting is hanging in the church of Roche sur le Buis |
Pic du Comte - Hike
This was the most difficult hike of the trip.
We started with a long climb up to the Pic du Comte, adjacent to Mt. Ventoux. After walking along the ridge, we stopped for lunch and then descended all the way back down to the same altitude that we’d started from. And then we started to climb again. It was steep and full of scree. The climb was only 2 kms long but we ascended 400 metres and for about 0.5 km the gradient was over 30%.
Most of us could not speak for a couple of minutes after making it to the top. Plus by the time I arrived I had sweat all over my face and in my eyes and desperately needed water. But it was fun! The views were spectacular and the terrain varied. Luckily, we had tree cover for much of the day.
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| We
met Cat this year who is German and has moved to Buis with her English
partner. We were joined by two of her 3 poodles ("hundies") at after
walk drinks |
We slept incredibly well that night.
Montagne du Chamouse - Hike
We started from one of our favourite passes, the Col de Perty. We climbed steadily and walked along the ridge until we reached the summit of the Montagne de Chamouse. There were beautiful views across yellow flowered fields down to the Ouveze Valley.
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| The Chamouse is the head of the Ouveze valley, so you get a lovely view down the valley |
We descended the southern slope and walked through forest before starting a very steep and sustained climb. It was not as hard as the previous Sunday but it was definitely the second most difficult climb. Luckily, we were in good form by now.
Third Accommodation
We have a small apartment at the back of the landlord’s house, outside the old town and across the river. Bonuses are that we have our own car park and are able to sit outside on a little terrace in a shared garden space.
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| A much more detailed view St Julien |
