Frioul

Last summer ran away from us and, in all our activity, I neglected to put up any photos at all. And yet... many breathtaking places, one of which was the Frioul archipelago off the coast of Marseille, the most famous island being If with its chateau. But the day we went was too windy to dock at If and we went straight on to Ratonneau with its chalky landscape and bluesea calanques. As we had gone rather late in the day we did not have time to explore the whole island and so we plan to return this summer and make a day of it.

Leaving Marseille

Passing by the Chateau d'If

Fishermen along the quai in the Port de Marseille

Provence on our minds

Mentally we have crossed that line between remembering last year and preparing for this year's trip, the familiar landscape suddenly part of our everyday thoughts, and with our cold hesitant spring here in the northern climes, we have only to close our eyes to imagine the warmth of Provence in the spring, the flowering almond trees, the wisteria. Aided and abetted by a few photos from lucky  Rians-dwelling family who can lunch outside without jackets or scarves!