The Long and Winding Road

Fortunately it led us back to where we started, which was about 5 km north of Gordes. We had intended to start our bike ride in Gordes, but with my uncanny affinity for the picturesque, I had selected a driving route that involved quite a narrow climb from Venasque towards Gordes. We soon decided to ditch the Picasso early and ride to Gordes (and beyond).

Gordes is a beautiful village perche in the Luberon. From our abandoned Picasso, we rode uphill about 5km and then over a series of rolling hills down into Gordes, where we promptly stopped at a “rainbow”friendly café for a little lunch (half a litre of rouge; tarte and salade for Rosanna; salade de jardin ( chicken breast and greens and boiled egg and cheese) for me. From Gordes, we headed south across a plain to the outskirts of Bonnieux, from which we climbed and climbed into the town, which was not, after all, very interesting on a Sunday afternoon. Mary Ellen, I fear, has led me astray.

We returned to Gordes via a slightly different route ( which was more pleasant), although it did not remove the necessity of climbing about 1km of a 10% grade. As we approached Gordes, I had two ideas for which it is possible that we shall still pay a price. First, I decided that since the “eau non potable” sign on the fountain had clearly had the “non” vigorously erased, we could probably drink the water (and still we wait to discover if this is so). Second, I decided that on our return to the car, we should by-pass Gordes proper and go via the Abbaye de Senanque. What a climb! Then a descent to the 12^th century site. Gorgeous. Then a climb. Finally a full-out descent to the car park (self-designated). Rosanna wonders how I could turn a sure-fire descent into a climb. I must admit, it is a gift!

Once home, we showered (very hot sticky day) and headed off to the Blueberry and finally got some pizza from the truck in Malaucene. Very pleasantly surprised. Rosanna is off again now Skyping various folk, and I am (seriously) consideringbed as it is 11:30pm.