Luberon

To the east of Avignon are the famous 'perched villages' of the Luberon. If this were June or July the roads would be unbearably packed with tourists looking at the lavender fields. However, it is all harvested now, so ridiculously picturesque landscape is merely beautiful. 

Our tour was just the driver, (the daughter of yesterday's guide), and us. We went first to the town of L'Isle-sur-la-Sorgue. The name is what you get. A town built on and around an island of the River Sorgue. Given an hour to wander in the huge Sunday market, we discovered that the town was also hosting a viking fair! 

Next stop was Gordes. With the exception of the castle, some of the buildings are not as old as they look. The village was a resistance stronghold in World War II so the Germans blew took reprisals. Twenty houses and a number of the inhabitants were blown up. 

On the way into the village we stopped to view a Cistercian monastery in a neighbouring valley. The rows of 'crops' are actually lavender.

We only explored the village briefly, however Lyn managed to time her arrival at mass so that she could nick inside for Holy Communion.

We drove on to Roussillon. This village's claim to fame is that it is set in amongst revegetated ochre quarries. We enjoyed our bushwalk along a trail through this vivid forest.

Driving between the stops, Lyn and our guide, Emily, kept up Lyn's French lessons. Emily told Lyn she had beautiful blue eyes. This gave me a come back at last because I've been constantly reminded that yesterday's guide, Gordana, said she loved my accent and my voice. Apparently I don't sound very Australian.