Avignon

Sunday 14 December

Today is a major celebration - the unmentionable birthday of someone special. The day starts at 1am with major thunderstorms and lightning crackling through the region - and the rain starts and continues and continues and continues and continues. A very wet, cold and windy day so the start to the day is slow with a fairly low level of enthusiasm to do anything.

We eventually venture out to the Palais des Papes - yes, this used to be 'Rome'. Wherever the Popes are, that is where Rome is! The Pope (several of them) resided in Avignon from the 14th to the 18th centuries so a visit to their palace is a must. A wet and wild visit, but never the less very interesting. A stop for a coffee and then on to the Louis Voulard museum to see a rich collection of 17th and 18th century decorative arts in what was the former home of - yes, you guessed it - Louis Voulard (whoever he was!). Enough excitement for one day!

We wander out bravely for a special dinner, but being Sunday night not a lot happening. We eventually settle on a restaurant nearby. Reasonable, but not special, food although the Chateau Neuf du Pape vin rouge was very nice.