Free at last! We are out of confinement (except for an 11 pm curfew–no problem for us!). In France, virus numbers are way down, vaccines are way up. In the US, even masks have gone away. So what are you doing to celebrate the new normal?
It’s been a long year and a half. For us, it's meant dealing with Covid and Long Covid. For many, it has been much worse. We feel fortunate to be getting back to normal. Tragically that’s not true for people in many other countries, and it may come back to bite all of us. But for now, carpe diem is the order of the day.
We are celebrating with the a trip to the Mediterranean, a trip we've canceled four times now, due to lockdown, illness etc. So here we are in paradise, counting our blessings.
How wonderful to see families with little kids playing joyously on the beach, unfettered by masks and pandemic worries. But the thing that has touched my soul the most here has been the flowers. Madly colorful and exuberant, there are walls and arbors and gates covered with them, in lush abundance. To me they are reminders that in life there is renewal, and beauty, that the dangerous air we've been trying not to breath can also be filled with perfume.
Do you cringe when people bring out a stack of their vacation photos? In that case, you should move on quickly. But, fellow francophiles, if you’d like a little French travel porn to perk you up, stick around for the show below. And please share what you are doing to emerge, like those slumbering cicadas, from your pandemic cocoon!
We are in the village of St. Jean on Cap Ferrat, near Nice:
In the COMMENTS: Frank, I absolutely loved your gardening story. Aryn, that's a good list to start, and perennials do well here, but camelias don't usually. The cold gets them. Virginia, hope you can get here soon, it's been too long. Peggy, you're the one with the beautiful garden these days. Francine, I know those flowers in Annecy, they are over the top!
Favorite Reads: Has everyone read Kristin Espinasse's latest book, The Lost Gardens? It's a memoir, written by Krisi and her husband Jean-Marc. Even if you've been reading her blog, French Word-A -Day, for years, the memoir is new and fresh and done in her inimitable style–and who knew Jean Marc was a beautiful writer too? Natalia recommends The Paris Apartment, by Kelly Bowen, about an apartment that holds its own secrets.
63 thoughts on “Things are Looking Up, Down South”
All of these gorgeous photos are eye candy for my soul Lynn. All just breathtaking. Enjoy your fabulous trip.
Well- I can tell you are happy to be free too!!
Enjoy!
Well- I can tell you are happy to be free too!!
Enjoy!
Well- I can tell you are happy to be free too!!
Enjoy!
Hi, great pics, wish I was there. Its been too hot here near Carpentras! The vine may be thunbergia grandiflora, I grew it in San Diego. It isn’t frost tolerant. Gorgeous.
bonnie in provence
Hi, great pics, wish I was there. Its been too hot here near Carpentras! The vine may be thunbergia grandiflora, I grew it in San Diego. It isn’t frost tolerant. Gorgeous.
bonnie in provence
Hi, great pics, wish I was there. Its been too hot here near Carpentras! The vine may be thunbergia grandiflora, I grew it in San Diego. It isn’t frost tolerant. Gorgeous.
bonnie in provence
Never get tired of photos from Cap Ferrat or VFsMer…they are lovely. Have not been to my apt in VF since the pandemic and hope to get there soon. Debby
Never get tired of photos from Cap Ferrat or VFsMer…they are lovely. Have not been to my apt in VF since the pandemic and hope to get there soon. Debby
Never get tired of photos from Cap Ferrat or VFsMer…they are lovely. Have not been to my apt in VF since the pandemic and hope to get there soon. Debby
I have been enjoying your blog for several years. So happy you got through your covid ordeal when you were in the US! Now is the time to celebrate, and your trip to south of France was perfect timing. My husband and I are planning to visit Dijon in addition to Villefranche sur Mer area in September and October. We have not been to Dijon area and I’m hoping you might recommend a hotel there in addition to any sights we should see. Merci!
I have been enjoying your blog for several years. So happy you got through your covid ordeal when you were in the US! Now is the time to celebrate, and your trip to south of France was perfect timing. My husband and I are planning to visit Dijon in addition to Villefranche sur Mer area in September and October. We have not been to Dijon area and I’m hoping you might recommend a hotel there in addition to any sights we should see. Merci!
I have been enjoying your blog for several years. So happy you got through your covid ordeal when you were in the US! Now is the time to celebrate, and your trip to south of France was perfect timing. My husband and I are planning to visit Dijon in addition to Villefranche sur Mer area in September and October. We have not been to Dijon area and I’m hoping you might recommend a hotel there in addition to any sights we should see. Merci!