tuesday august 7, 2007

Gorges, lots and lots of gorges, this region is lousy with gorges. This one leads to...

The start of lavender country. We got here at the perfect time, as they are starting to harvest it.

One of the pros of the gorges are the views down to the lavender below. Getting to the top, and the view, could be conceived as a con by some, but what do they know?

This is the view as you arrive in Sault, the headquarters town for the lavender.

We are not the only ones, down through history, who have had problems with insects. This street is named the Rue of Fly Squashers. By the way, did I mention that weeks ago I bought a fly swatter and it has come in handy many a night. In fact, I was made an honorary resident of this street in recognition of my squashing prowess.

While in Sault, we were treated to a thunder and lightning storm and Susan was able to capture a bit of the fun. Off in the distance is Mount Ventoux.

In Sault I went to the doctor to have my ear checked and she said (in French) that she couldn't really do anything and sent me to a doctor in the nearby town of Apt. He was an ear unstucker specialist and stuck in the thing in his hand and kept pushing until it came out the other side. That really seemed to clear everything up. Also, he prescribed some drops, which, Susan discovered while reading the label, contain steroids. So, I will have to give up the yellow jersey I have been wearing since day 2 of our Tour de France when I easily dusted Susan in our first individual time trial. She is a little uneasy about winning the yellow in such a manner, but has gradually begun to accept it.

And finally, we encountered this sign in Cucuron, a little town we stayed in a few days ago on our way back to Aix. The only problem is, the sign has totally confused the dogs, who see it and think: I don't expel ping pong balls from my anus, so what the heck do they want out of me - and then go about their business. The odor of dog poop does somewhat diminish the more enticing odor of all the lavender. **Why back to Aix? To rent a car, of course. That's right, we're renting a car. It is unprecedented in all our years of French bike travel. It took three places before we could find one that could supply a car AND a bike rack, but we got it ... and will have a car for 11 days, starting Thursday morning.

Comments

[Arlene Wartenberg]

Susan, your lavender photos (I assume they are your's) are wonderful. Lucky you to be there when they are in full bloom.
Steve, glad your ears are taken care of, at least we hope so. It seems that you take after your father, who ends up in an emergency ward after he has been in a pool!
I wonder whose idea the car was?
Love, Mom

[Finkles]

Wow....the lavender is gorgeous....I've been waiting to see those!
Glad to hear that you're whimping out & getting a car as you are way too old to be biking through France at YOUR age! Now me, I'm MUCH younger, so I'm thinking I'll follow in your lead & do 88 days next summer...if Bob can get the time off, ha, ha!!!
Drive safely!
Laur

[bryan and possibly michelle]

You've got to be kidding - you rented a what ???? I am actually rolling on the floor and laughing hysterically - I knew you would succumb to the 4 wheel version - I KNEW IT !!! Yeah, I win !!! Steve, your writing gets surprisingly better the longer you are there and the more you write - one might actually think that you are a writer or something. Finally lavender country . This is what I have been waiting for - simply sublime.

[susan]

did you ever hear of WAX?

[Lin]

I am glad you are enjoying a car trip-----I am sure a rest is welcome....The lavender is fab..

[angie]

the universal language of dog poop. gotta love that sign. hopefully susan holga-fied it :-) happy to hear you're giving susan's teeny-tiny body a break from all that bicycling. very kind of you, 'roid man :-)

[plasticfantastic]

a car? what's all that about? I'm not so sure you've done the right thing...

[Joyce Cunningham]

what's a hassy?
All's well here. Birthday girls all set with toys, toys, toys!!
I'm going east to Linda's on Aug. 23 through Sept. 5.
Wes e-mailed that Anne is in hospital. Don't have any details and can't "find" him.
I'll plan a trip in late Sept. to see you in Columbus, when it's convenient for you.
Love you and have a safe journey home.
Love again,
MOM

[The Finkles]

Okay...we've been WAITING for an upday since August 7th....can't wait any longer! We're off to Cornell tomorrow, then to Carnegie Mellon, all in the same day! We'll have to check your blog when we return, & there had better be something!
Know that we're thinking of you, & that the boys say hello!
All our love....The Finkle 5

[susan]

i hope you are still having fun. have not read anything for a while. oh, you are competing in the tour de france and do not have time left for your fans in the states!

[Judy]

I thought you were back by now. Apparently I need to continue wallowing in envy! School starts tomorrow--2 conference days, then the kids come Thursday. You didn't say it was O.K. to use your blog stuff with my students so I guess I'll just steal it(omitting, ofcourse, the "big boob" pic!)
Expect a phone call from me on a weekend after mid-September. I have free minutes and will need to verify your re-entry!
Bisoux,
Judy