We are in Saignon, in Provence, for the thirteenth time in thirteen years. This is our journal and photo album. I have now added posts from our home in North Florida. Click on the picture to see a larger version. To leave a comment just click on the words no comments below that picture. A box will pop up to write your comment in. There will be another box where you can write your name. Then there will be a security word. Fill that in. All photos Copyright by James T. Weekes 2001-2023
Tuesday, October 11, 2016
Wednesday, August 31, 2016
Monday, August 29, 2016
Thursday, August 18, 2016
The walk of triumph, Saignon
In Saignon, for us visitors, there are two prescribed walks. This is the walk of triumph, when you pull your suitcase as noisily as possible to your rental, announcing your arrival. The other, rarely recorded on is the walk of shame, when you have to leave. Wheels are muffled, stealth and skulking are involved, as you try to get your bags to your car as quickly and as quietly as possible.
Thursday, August 11, 2016
Monday, August 8, 2016
Our rental this year.
This is our rental car this year. We always ask for a car about the size of a VW Polo. Sixt, our rental agency, always upgrades us. This is a Mini Countryman. A big Mini if you will. It was very roomy inside and had a very nice diesel engine. My only complaint was the trunk (boot). Every car that we have rented over the last 5 years has had room in the back for our two large suitcases and two carry-ons. With no problem fitting them in and having them out of sight. The Mini's space was horribly shaped, so that only one large and one small bag would fit, with a lot of wasted space. Poor design.
A funny story about Minis. A woman at my gym bought a regular Mini and loved it. Loved the handling, the hip interior and the great gas mileage. She came in one day, looking stunned. She had taken it in for it's first large service and was handed a very large bill. Her remark was "When you buy it, it's a Mini; when you get it serviced, it's a BMW." For those who aren't car people, BMW makes the Mini.
A funny story about Minis. A woman at my gym bought a regular Mini and loved it. Loved the handling, the hip interior and the great gas mileage. She came in one day, looking stunned. She had taken it in for it's first large service and was handed a very large bill. Her remark was "When you buy it, it's a Mini; when you get it serviced, it's a BMW." For those who aren't car people, BMW makes the Mini.
Monday, August 1, 2016
Arles
This was one of the "photography" exhibits at the Rencontres D'Arles 2016 that we attended this year with our two favorite Germans. I consisted of eight projected videos of bottles being kicked or rolling on brick or cement, accompanied by a very loud soundtrack of said bottles rolling. The sound filled the whole building, so that you heard it even when you were viewing one of the 8 or 10 other exhibits. I hope Lucien Clergue looked down approvingly. We didn't.
Thursday, July 28, 2016
Arles
This is a Frank Gehry building up in Arles, that will house exhibition halls and offices. When finished, it will be sheathed in reflective metal a la the Disney Center. Fun to see the skeleton before it is clothed.
Back home
A brief break from La Belle Provence to let you know that we're safely home and back at the beach. Still miss Saignon, but this is pretty good too.
Monday, July 25, 2016
Concert audience, Saignon
We had a pop-up concert in Saignon and people gathered to hear a brass ensemble with singing. It was a joy and the audience loved it.
Provence cliche #356
Our little morning walk in Saignon allowed me to see this wonderful cliche combo. Sunflowers, lavender, of course, divided by cherry trees, all in front of a creatively crumbling little mas (stone building).
Friday, July 22, 2016
Saignon
There are fields of sunflowers every year below the town. I have tried every year to take a new un-cliched picture of them....with little success. Maybe I should be bold like this fellow.


















































