Moments in Time Travel

 SATURDAY, MARCH 30, 2024 When we woke up this morning there was a yellow hue in the sky. Usually we wake to bright blue skies. When Steve and Jeff went for caffè this morning, they said there was a brown rain. Their barista explained to them that there were high winds in the Sahara Desert, (Africa.)  The Sahara Desert sands were airborne and came down and sent the sand mixed with rain to Spain and us in Southern France. It left a brown slick on the sidewalks and roads. We can equate that to last year when the fires in Canada sent smoke to us in the US. We are off to Berjac for an antique market. Unfortunately the rain has caused 1/2 the venders to close up.  They had quite a bit of rain last night and early this morning. In fact one of the venders had glasses out on a table and they served as a rain gauge. You can see the brown rain since the glasses are clear. Also the brown rain in the white plates. Berjac is a quaint town about 1:15 minutes northwest of Avignon. We pa...

 FRIDAY MARCH 29, 2024  We had a 9:30 start and checked out of Domaine du Mas de Pierre. We’re heading south with our first stop at Port Grimaud. It is the Venice of Provence. It was a beautiful little village with yachts parked right outside houses and condos. Next stop is Saint Tropez. The boats parked in the waterfront are right out of the Bravo show Below Deck. They have all the same stores we have seen throughout France. We had lunch at a waterfront bistro. Johan had told us about a pastry that originated in Saint Tropez, it’s called Tarte Tropèzienne.  Apparently Bridget Bardot while filming a movie there, was involved in its pastry creation. We of course tried it. It was good, it’s a sweet brioche top and bottom (like a big hamburger bun with a creamy custard like filling) Today is Good Friday…so we had gazpacho and fish and chips.  Back in the car for our 2 1/2 hour drive back to Avignon. Lots of vinyards and olive groves. In the distance we could see huge ro...

 Thursday, March 28, 2024 When we came down to the lobby this morning and went outside to get our car, we thought we were at a car show for The Rich and Famous. There was a Lamborghini SUV  six Ferraris, Porsches and a Bentley. Our VW Tiguan was easy to spot. It was a precursor to what we would see in Monte Carlo.  We’re on our way to Monte Carlo. It’s only 18 miles from St. Paul de Vence. Due to traffic and winding roads, it takes over an hour to get there. The roads are not as bad as driving to Positano, plus there isn’t a 1,000’ drop into the sea! Monte Carlo is where the beautiful wealthy people play. The casino was open, but unfortunately Steve and I didn’t have our passports so we couldn’t go into the casino. We were able to go into the lobby which was opulent.  Prince Rainer has quite a collection of cars.He has them open to the public. Steve and Jeff went inside. It was 2 floors with over 100 cars in his collection. Monte Carlo is preparing for the Grand Prix...