Salut, Provence

Arrived at Marsaille and met up with the group. Robbie and Jim are our hosts and I am touring with Sheryl, Billie, Cindi and Denise, all from various areas of the U.S. Provence is no different than Toronto, hot and sunny. We jump in our luxury van and leave Marsaille. En route to our village in Sault, we stop at a Lavender museum. We are given a tour by the lovely Charlotte who is knowledgeable and passionate about lavender. Her French accent is divine. We end up in a boutique where we are sampling products made right there on the farm. The fragrance of lavender is calming. We then drive the countryside learning more and more about Provence from Jim. We stop for some breathtaking views and photo ops. We end up at the quaintest village and our hotel. It is adorable. I am exhausted. My other companions were smart enough to arrive the night before, but I have been moving for 33 hours. I refresh with a shower and change of clothes and head up to meet for dinner. We have the loveliest shop in the village that sells pure lavender products. The group rendezvous and we sit out in a living room setting for a liqueur and appetizers. Robbie fills us in on our agenda for the week as we get to know each other a little better. We sit outside at a table while a local photography exhibition takes place around us. The owner of the hotel and restaurant comes to take our order and the food is indescribably delectable. Delicious salad with a loaf made up of olive tapenade, egg and vegetables, followed by the most exquisite duck with a broccoli and carrot purée, finishing with a melon sorbet, topped with Creme fresh. A lovely Rose was served to compliment the meal. After dinner we left to wander the village and take some photos and then at about 10:00 p.m, it was time to crash. Today after breakfast, we are heading to a distiller and organic farm in the Haute Vancluse and then to Montbrun Es Bains thermal baths for some spa time.