Last days in France

We had an interesting tour of the vineyard. At 600m it is at the highest elevation possible to grow grapes and they even had snow this year! We had a walk through the vines and saw a great variety of vegies that they growth for their catering business – we’ve had few meals catered by them and they have been very good. After our walk we had some tastings and the walked up hill to where a wonderful picnic was waiting for us. We did need a siesta!
That evening we tuned into the football! The younger members of the party went into the village, about 2km from here, and had a great time. It appears that the street was closed off, there was a band and DJ and a big screen was set up so that everyone could see the match.
We did watch the England match the next night  - there was great excitement when the first goal was scored but we were all dismayed with the outcome. We are still in France on Sunday when the final is held but many of us are going for Croatia so will have to keep a hold on our enthusiasm if they are in the lead!
Our days are following a very nice pattern. We have our typically French breakfast, mooch around for a while and then head out to different hilltop villages. Once we have strolled around the village it’s then lunchtime, a little more strolling then back to the farmhouse and usually a siesta. Upon waking up a dip in the pool, a little reading of ones book, pre dinner drinks and then the evening meal. As you can imagine with17 people dinner is a rather raucous affair!
Yesterday as we headed out we came across a farm which advertised angora products. We had an interesting chat with the lady of the house (our limited French  her limited English) and met some of the cute and fluffy goats. We then went into a little stone shed, expecting very little, to be amazed by a large array of angora goods and bright jewel colours. I bought some gloves – always useful for those cold winter trips I do!
Yesterday evening we stumbled across a spa and sauna in the grounds. I was straight in the spa. It was lovely sitting there overlooking beautiful countryside whilst the powerful jets of water massaged the shoulders and back!
Our last day in this area saw us heading to a market. The smells of the cheese, spices and lavender was overwhelming at times. It was a huge market with an amazing variety of goods. The varieties of tomatoes was astonishing – why don’t  we see this in Oz? It was also extremely busy and hot but luckily the local cafe sold cold beer!
The temperature has been about 30C but it’s a dry heat so is very bearable.
We leave hear today, Saturday, and fly to Malta late Sunday night. The week has flown by!