Traveled south of Montpelier, to the lagoons adjacent to the Mediterranean Sea, to visit the ancient cathedral ruins of – honestly, I don’t remember – something really, really old. A beautiful and peaceful setting, surrounded by vineyards. And mosquitos.

Ooooh! And this majestic white peacock. I mean, look at him!! I almost cried I didn’t have my big lens camera. The iPhone is great for close up work, but zoom? Quelle horreur! Got the best shot I could from a distance. I offered him a Snickers bar to come down from that tree, but he wouldn’t budge.

Stopped to stick our toes in the Mediterranean Sea, and pick up some rocks and shells. I collect rocks from our travels, and put them in my garden pots at home.

From there, we drove even further south, to the seaside town of Bouzigues. The oysters from the Thau Lagoon there are famous. There are no tides in the lagoon, so the oysters are suspended on ropes from hundreds of “tables” that look like they are parked in the lagoon.

Spent most of the afternoon trying (and failing spectacularly) to pronounce the French word for oyster: huître. It’s something close to “hoo-wheat”. More decorative/silent letters.

Ate lunch at a seaside restaurant where we navigated our way though another French menu. Ate our weight in oysters.

Came back to the apartment to do Covid testing for the return trip tomorrow. All negative – yay, we can go home!!

Out in the town square for one last drink . . . Aperol spritz!

This has been an absolutely brilliant trip, but it’s time to go home. I miss my kids, Duckie, ice, and window screens.