thedailychannel.com — adventure

July 3, Monday 2001. Senanque, Provence.

Returning to the Abbey of Senanque we passed a missed photo-op, an olive tree on a trailer in the hot sun by the roadside, "A vende," for sale.

The abbey had stonemasons' markings on the stones, a suitable subject for systematic academic exploitation, travelling about France and cataloging the marks of masons throughout the age, determining their time in history and mapping their distribution. Prob. already exists. I'd like to see the catalog, illustrated.

It wasn't in the journal, but the Abbey was a peaceful place, except for the image of the devil just outside the vespers room. And it was surrounded by beautiful lavender all around, La Lavande, which permeated the air within the abbey.

A small sign out front warned against improper dress, dogs, smoking, and making noise. I came away with an excellent book on the golden ratio.

Needed: pretranslated phrases you might need, to practice with, e.g. "Avez-vous vizitez le gendarmeries dans Gordes? Non? C'est tres joli"

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Much gourmandisation later on. We were the first diners to arrive and the last to leave. Admittedly, it took us a long time to order. But also to eat Mussels Provencale, covered with yummy bread crumbs, then beef whose flavor was improved by morel mushrooms and cream. Where else but Provence?

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No sleep, more coffee, drive to train station (Avignon), cook in the oven heated by the hot Provencal sun. Sundials are popular here.

Next: a quick visit to Musee Georges Pompidou...

July 1, 2001