March in Provence--pt. 1

Taking advantage of those cheap RyanAir flights, we recently flew to Marseilles and enjoyed a five day tour of Provence, France. Although we got back 5 days ago, I've struggled to sit down and update the blog as it feels like vacation is really over once I do so. But now the laundry mound is done, the refrigerator is re-stocked and Ellie's been back to school so I think we're really home. It was so lovely to get away. Ryan had been working his tail off until the night we left and then ceremoniously left his work computer in Maastricht, not even getting on the phone with work while away. It was very restful for all of us to be together in an area known for its leisurely meals, restful pace, fields of lavender, groves of olives, ancient ruins and gorgeous vistas. Here are a few pictures. The 1st is at our beautiful bed and breakfast, Ellie enjoying the resident ball. The second is of the ancient archaeological site of Glanum--first inhabited 6000 BC by stone-aged families, then the Celts (starting in the 2nd century BC), then the Romans (1st century BC-2nd century AD), then the French, who now call the area St. Remy de Provence, made famous most recently by the Van Gogh painting of the same name. Next is the beautiful Medieval city of Les Baux, inhabited by the same cast of characters but most of its action occurring in the 11th-14th centuries. The last two pictures are at Pont du Gard, a 1st century aqueduct built by the Romans, still standing strong. More to come!