It takes courage to go for a picnic au bout du monde.
One has to be prepared…
…and willing to bump along mercilessly pot-holed unmarked dirt roads that have left previous adventurers stranded far from civilization…
Ready to pass mysterious ruins that have been backhanded by history…
…and continuing on, persevering even when your goal is still not in sight…
Until at last you have arrived at the (in)famous plage de Beauduc and have the entire beach to yourselves.
Beauduc, a secret passed on between fellow Provençaux. A wild place that is literally off the map…
We felt as though we had fallen into fortune’s sea on this first true day hinting happily of spring.
Out the puppers bounded, muzzles low sniffing, breaking into wide arcs of zoomies. Faster than faster for the sheer joy of it.
And yes, there was reward a plenty for the humans too.
Paté en croute, saucisson, cornichons, caperberries, tiny peppers stuffed with anchoiade, caviar de tomates and crunchy baguettes to spread it on, authentic German potato salad, Colummiers and Comté cheese. Not to mention a bit of wine.
Isn’t it amazing how much better everything tastes at the sea?
…the dogs had their fill of falling crumbs. Beach time is a generous time…
…and finally beyond time. At some point it had slowed to gentle disparition but no one had noticed.
We were too busy enjoying ourselves.
At the end of the afternoon I lead one last toast declaring, “We don’t need more than this.” The moment would not have been any finer if Champagne had replaced the Bandol or caviar the caviar de tomates. All we needed was to be right where we were, in fine calm company, sipping in the sun. At the end of the world we all were given another beginning, a pebble to put in our pocket as a souvenir of good times well won.
Ooh a new studio!! Happy for you!!!! That means more room to create and that is ALWAYS a good thing…
Oh thank you so much, Sharon! What a huge change of style for your husbands family to have gone from Arles to Canada, what a story…Absolutely delighted to have you here. 🙂
Beautiful D. You would not have felt the quiet if you had been with us–we were laughing too much! You would have loved it…
Oh dear.
Having spent part of my childhood in Michigan, I feel it is fair to venture that perhaps Chicago is not the warmest spot on the planet currently?
Hold on, soon…soon…
Merci, Ann. I take my picnics pretty seriously but cannot take credit for finding the picnic hamper–Remi wins for that! 🙂
Still hungry after your last post…baaaagels….
Hooray! The music was a last minute add-on–I couldn't help it! I am beginning to think that I am going to need to find a cheap flight to Berlin at some point, Julia… 🙂
Stay warm my little hippy!
Bisous!!!
H
Hey! Your comment didn't show up in my inbox! Nor the rest of them after! What the hoola?
And well, while it wasn't intentional for my scarf to match the sea and sky, it does have dogs on it (huskies) and that kind of was…;)
Hang in there Miss…
xoxox!!!
We all have those moments Vicki–I hope that yours is over as quickly and painlessly as possible…
It was just what the doctor ordered. Now we are back to winter but that little taste of spring will keep us going until it arrives!!!
Thank you Lorrie, it did us ALL so much good!