My husband, Larry , and I are leaving this evening for a long planned and anticipated trip to France. After a few days in Paris, we are renting an apartment at the Bastide de Marechal Denier in Bonnieux for 3 weeks. We are leaving with lots of information on walking and driving tours, restaurants, markets, hiking areas, and so forth. I wanted to thank everyone who has been so helpful. There are the Paris experts and then there are the Provence experts- sometimes, they are one and the same. What is wonderful about this forum is everyone's generosity of time and effort. Folks make huge lists and share them with anyone who asks. Degas eagerly shares the Paris walking tours. Stu Dudley, Kathy Wood, PBProvence, Kevin Widrow, Cigale, and so forth share their love of Provence. And, many people share restaurant experiences. I am forever grateful.

As an artist, I will be spending some time taking photos. I've brought some paints and hope to capture a bit of the glorious Provencial landscape. I'll look around for new sources of materials and spend time looking at the local folk art.

We will have a laptop for this trip and plan and keeping in touch with the Forum.

Again, thanks to all and we'll certainly write a trip report on our return the end of October.

-Margret

Margret -

If you want to get together, feel free to give a call. It would be great to be able to put a face to the nickname !

Enjoy !

-Kevin

Margret - take Kevin up on his offer. We've met him & his charming wife twice in Provence. Kevin knows the region quite well and can offer lots of advice about out-of-the way scenic drives (views of the Alps), markets, where/how to avoid the tourist throngs, etc. Make sure you get a tour of his fantastic B&B, and also look at the picture album of their restoration process - it's very interesting.

Stu Dudley

It will be cold and rainy this week -- makes Provence feel more like the real world!

Thanks, Kevin, Stu, and Kerouac. Kerouac, you've been always helpful on news and behind the scenes activities in Paris. I've been following the thread on the potential upcoming strike on 10/18, since we have tickets on the TGV for our return to Paris on 10/20.

Kevin, we will call- I'd love to see your beautiful B&B and thank you in person for all your gerenerous contribution. Perhaps we can have lunch or something. We'll be in Bonnieux on 10/29. See you soon,

Margret