I am back in Arles. Or at least partially. Part of my heart is still in the northern Luberon, beating slowly all while my ears are pricked to the street noise below. It is that same wagging tail as when we had a picnic in the graced shade of Notre Dame des Anges our first full day out. Pulling myself to relax, to listen while my pulse thumped. Back and forth, back and forth. Half in the moment, half out.
Luckily wisdom won. Or something older than wisdom, if that exists. For I did stop thinking, thinking although it took some time. So the past ten days are a bit of a blur for me really. But I was clicking, clicking non-stop. The better to see you with my dear. I am looking forward to sharing it, just as soon as my feet touch earth.
I hope that you will pardon the hiiighly sentimental tone of my voice but it will give you a clear as a cow bell tone for the dreamy world I was in.
And lest you (or I) forget, thank you for being here…
Welcome home, Heather! It sounds like a dreamy holiday — and I can't wait to hear about it — but I'm also happy you get to relish it a few more days, suspended in the after-glow!
Don't come down to earth quite yet!! And we love you for your sentimentality – don't you know that? : )
So glad you were able to relax and enjoy, Heather. Turning one's brain off? That's hard work! Sounds absolutely lovely and I'm looking forward to seeing the photographs of this wonderful land you just returned from! XO
Thanks very much Heather! I'm responding to your email tomorrow and hope to meet you soon, in Aix or Arles – how lucky we are to have these options 🙂
A really warm welcome to you Sophia! We are indeed similar thinkers. Because I too have been overjoyed by this beautiful day, wait for the arrival of autumn all year 'round, am more often than not in a dreamy state tinged with a hint of melancholy mood and as any of my regular friends here can attest am almost obsessed with the allure of Aix!
Will send you an email at the address on your wonderful website…
Heather I am so looking forward to your images from such a soothing and magical trip!
xoxo
Karena
Art by Karena
Beautiful, indeed. Luxuriate in the afterglow. I hope it lasts a while. When you are ready, I'm looking forward to seeing your photos from this "dreamy" place.
Hi Heather, I just found your lovely blog though your comment on Julie Mautner's most recent post and I've signed up for email updates. I live in Aix and the Mistral is blowing, the sky is crystal clear and I just came back from a walk with our dog. September is my favourite month here and I'm in this melancholic and dreamy mood that this time of year seems to bring on. I see here that I'm not the only one! It's such a good time to visit as well! Still lots going on, gorgeous weather; less tourists. I agree with your advice to Patricia above; don't pack in too much. Give yourself time to take in the atmosphere of the place. And then come back for more . . . Anyway, I look forward to reading your blog posts and perhaps we'll meet one day.
Kind regards,
Sophia Mose-van Woensel
Hello Heather,
It seems as if you had the most magical, relaxing and peaceful time… I am sure that after the heat of our summer and the bustle of Arles, this trip was a welcome retreat…
I am looking forward to your photographs in the coming days… or whenever they are ready… See you soon… xv
Oh to be on holiday and let everything go. I'm glad to hear you had such a lovely and relaxing time. But isn't it nice to be back in your own surroundings?
XX
Debra~
I don't know Suze but felt it was worth the ponder. I tell you those big oak trees had some sort of something huge to impart…
Does something older than wisdom exist?
Oh hooray! Well, any friend of Jane and Lance's is a friend of mine. 🙂 And you are in for quite a treat as our region is gorgeous and you will be visiting at my very favorite time of year. Your itinerary sounds great but you are packing in quite a lot for six days! Please make sure that you take time to just sit back and relax at a café, sipping wine and people-watching. That is what the good life in Provence is all about!
One not to be missed moment in Avignon is to have lunch in the courtyard at the Collection Lambert. If you like antiques, then a stop at Isle sur la Sorgue is a must and if there is any way that you can plan to visit Arles for the Saturday morning market, it is the best in Provence. Personally, I would replace the Camargue with a day wandering in the Alpilles–St Remy, Les Baux and lunch on the square in Maussane.
If you need any other suggestions, just ask. 🙂 And if you are a foodie, the France board on Chowhound is an excellent resource. Happy trails!
They are on their way, dear friends, on their way…I just need to tackle some of the hundreds (!) of photos that I took!!
Merci Greet! Hoping all is well with you all in Belgium. Scratchies to Mango too please!
That is really good advice Amelia and exactly what I needed to hear today. Merci. And yes, we found a special place there, one that spoke loudly to Remi and I both.
Absolutely nothing, my lovely Contessa. Trust me, once you are on the plane…And worst case scenario, you can always take another…to Arles!
We are Virginia! But I wouldn't have it any other way. 😉
But of course, you know me, one of the first things I did when I got home was pay attention to all of the things that struck me as off in our decor! So I have been taking pillows away here, moving art work there…
Hello, I've just found you at Jane and Lance's and your title intrigued me as I am off to Provence next week for six days, staying in Avignon and visiting Arles, The Luberon, Orange, Aix-en-Provence, Uzes and Camargue. I've never been to this part of France before and looking forward to it very much.
Patricia
Hello Heather:
It sounds to have been idyllic and we are so happy for you. We eagerly await further reports!!
I am so pleased to hear you had a relaxing trip my dear Heather!And what a wonderful picture you posted here!!
xx
Greet
I hope your feet don't touch the ground too fast. Enjoy the state of floating in between. Spend a little time savoring the flavor of that wonderful vacation. It usually takes me a day or two, to get out of the floating in between feeling. My husband thinks it's jetlag. But I'm just taking my time getting my grooves back.
We feel sentimental about places and events which hold deep meanings for us. And your vacation at the Luberon seemed to have that special effect on you.
Welcome Home!!!!!!!!Glad you could relax.My trip is upon me next week ;I leave and somehow I'm NOT excited!Whats wrong with me!
mmm…. floating is the word for that state of mind after a holiday where one just doesn't want to come back to earth. Just yet. When one dreams wistfully of escaping again! For that is kind of what a holiday is, really, don't you think? That, and the immense pleasure of actually being home again, which I enjoy as much as being away, but forget to enjoy when I don't go away, to realise how wonderful home is. We are such complicated creatures, aren't we?? xx
Wow. Isn't it true, Loree? From the first moment I found your blog and you found mine it just clicked. And in this case, if I had posted tomorrow morning like I had planned, it would have been me writing to you! Yes, just a wonderful, wonderful case of synchronicity. Makes me super happy and I hope it is the same for you too!
That is just the strangest thing ever. I read your post title and was almost in shock. I hope you won't think I copied you but the title of my post came to me some time this morning while I was at work and i only just saw your post. It is strange, sometimes, how in sync certain bloggers become 🙂 BTW, Luberon is lovely and I can't wait to see more of your photos.
Lovely! Thanks for sharing the video and your emotional connection to Luberon. I love when a place makes me feel that way. The last place that did was Florence and when I got lost in Venice.
Murissa
The Wanderfull Traveler
my new url
http://www.thewanderfulltraveler.com