Sur la Pont D'Avignon

Tuesday 16 December

Yes - today we finally made it - Sur la Pont d'Avignon. The amount of kitsch available with the song is quite astonishing, but despite this, the bridge and its history are vaguely interesting.

After the excitement of 'la Pont', we catch a bus and venture out to Villeneuve lez (not les!) Avignon. This medieval town was home to the Cardinals and Carthusian monastery during the 14th century. During the 14th century Pope Innocent VI (never even heard of a Pope Innocent let alone know there were 6 of them!!) founded the Chartreuse du Val de Benediction monastry here and a wander around the chapels, cloisters and gardens is very peaceful and interesting. And, yes, it seems this order had something to do with the creation of the liqueur Chartreuse.

Back from Villeneuve to Avignon by bus and more venturing around the streets. Simon is on a mission - we have read about a bookshop called Shakespeare with a collection of english books. We find it! A purchase of JD Salinger, Hemingway and William Burrows books has Simon with a big grin on his face (thanks Grandma and Granddad!).

We leave the children at the apartment and Bronwen and Steve go for a wander - up to Notre Dame cathedral - a beautiful little cathedral quite unlike the normal large showy cathedrals we are used to seeing. Down through the village and we manage to procure some produce for dinner at home - there is something special about eating and drinking fresh produce that are the specialties of the regions - Champagne from Champagne, olives and other produce from Provence, red from the Cote du Rhone - it all just fits, its all fabulous.

Tomorrow we leave Avignon - we won't miss driving in this rabbit warren of streets going round and round trying to find the right way to go (despite Tommy's desperate directions!!), we won't miss the homeless sleeping in the entrance to the building or the beggars in the streets, but we will miss the beautiful countryside, wonderful produce, character and beauty of the streets and buildings.