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Just another idyllic day …

March 29, 2013 by Patricia Sands Leave a Comment

If it’s Friday, it must be France …

lens17729903_1329109993a-Most importantly today,  I want to offer my best wishes to everyone celebrating Easter or Passover.eggs02

This week I completed the final proofing of my new novel, The Promise of Provence, and I have to admit I’ve been struggling … so many pages, so many words … I’ve got to start writing short stories.

Okay, I’m kidding.

The real reason I’m struggling is due to the memories that were stirred as I proofread. There is a brilliant home exchange situation in the story and that got me thinking about some of the wonderful exchanges my husband and I have experienced. We have had seven memorable exchanges in the last ten years and are about to do another this September/October in Nice.

Taking a break from writing posts for my upcoming book launch blog tour,  I went back  through some of our photos. I love to do that, don’t you?

On this particular exchange below, we spent two months in a lovely country home in the middle of a a private vineyard. It was located in the Var area which is just west of the Côte d’Azur, part of southern Provence.  Spend a day with me.

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Terraced vineyards, stone walls, fruit-laden olive trees, trimmed lavender mounds … the urge to write was overwhelming, my camera shutter was steaming …

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We drove a few minutes through a maze of narrow, winding roads to tiny La Cadière en Azur …

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Strolling … dreaming …

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While I snapped the inevitable shots of doors …

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And windows …

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Espresso, café crème, cappucino …

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And then up into the hills above La Ciotat to drive La Route des Crêtes … spectacular …

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Up steep switchbacks to the highest cliffs in France, Cap Canille, overlooking the rich wine-producing area around Cassis and on to the fjord-like Calanques that stretch to Marseilles …

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Then a quick descent before getting bogged down in traffic in charming Cassis, overlooked by a 12thC chateau which dominates the ancient fishing port …

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Cassis-PSandsPhotos

D’accord …  overlooking the busy little seaport … lunch is a fine portion of frites and tartar de boeuf accompanied by one of the exquisite wines produced in this area.

The drive home is quick on the autoroute … another idyllic day well spent in this enchanting part of southern Provence.

Have you ever done a home exchange? If you have, I would love to hear your experience. If you haven’t and would like more information, I would be happy to direct you to some very helpful links. It certainly makes travel much more affordable and you meet the nicest people. Try it, you will like it!

Fine! I have just been ‘virtually’ yelled at by several people for not Release date-early April 2013having any info about my new novel here. (I still haven’t learned to be the best  marketer for myself.)

I’m very excited to announce that the ebook version of The Promise of Provence should be available within the next week. I promise I will let everyone know as soon as it is up on Amazon and then we can all bombard Amazon with downloads on the same day and send my stats skyrocketing! Deal?

Merci mille fois! Thanks!

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Filed Under: Blog, General Travel, If it is France... Tagged With: Cassis, home exchange, Patricia Sands, Provence, Route des Cretes, The Promise of Provence, Var

About Patricia Sands

Family, writing and travel are my passions ... okay, and chocolate ... and I'm seldom without a camera. I write women's fiction and keep in touch with readers by a monthly newsletter that also has giveaways and contests. Come and join us by signing up on the right. See you there!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Darlene says

    March 29, 2013 at 9:46 pm

    What a wonderful way to spend time away. LOved the pictures, felt like I was there. We may consider a home exchange in the future.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:46 pm

      You should look into home exchange, Darlene. It really is an excellent way to take a vacation.

      Reply
  2. Tele says

    March 29, 2013 at 10:39 pm

    Oh, big congratulatory hugs, Patricia! Great work on your novel, and absolutely do let us know about the e-release. (I’m still not up to speed on that myself, but will certainly spread the word.) Loved your photos; love imagining you experiencing such beautiful places!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:47 pm

      Thanks so much, Tele! I’m so very excited about your publishing news! Do you have a release date yet?

      Reply
  3. wordsfromanneli says

    March 29, 2013 at 11:02 pm

    Your France blogs always make me want to GO there!!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:48 pm

      Pack those bags and get going, Anneli!

      Reply
      • wordsfromanneli says

        April 1, 2013 at 10:26 pm

        Oh, I’d love to!

        Reply
  4. fransiweinstein says

    March 29, 2013 at 11:06 pm

    Fabulous photos. I love France. Can’t wait to read your book.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:49 pm

      Thanks, Fransi! It looks like the women’s trip to France will be organized for next June … I will keep you posted!

      Reply
      • fransiweinstein says

        April 1, 2013 at 9:54 pm

        Oh, good for you. Much as I’d love to go, it won’t work for me this time. Look forward to hearing about it, though.

        Reply
  5. sheridegrom - From the literary and legislative trenches. says

    March 30, 2013 at 12:38 am

    I felt I was there with you. Terrific photos.

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      Thanks, Sheri! How goes the recovery?

      Reply
  6. megtraveling says

    March 30, 2013 at 1:03 pm

    Gorgeous pictures – I can’t wait to go to France!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:50 pm

      Your trip is coming up soon, isn’t it? We will be waiting for more of your fabulous photos. Bon voyage!

      Reply
  7. suefortin says

    March 30, 2013 at 2:15 pm

    I do love your photos Patricia – it’s making me very Francesick – that’s a bit like homesick, in that I need my fix and soon!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 9:52 pm

      I love your term “Francesick” … may have to borrow it! I hope you do get your fix soon. I’m counting the days until we go back there in September.

      Reply
  8. Angeline M says

    March 30, 2013 at 9:55 pm

    What a wonderful day! And I can’t wait for your book.

    Reply
  9. Brenda Moguez (@BrendaMoguez) says

    March 31, 2013 at 9:46 am

    Thanks for the virtual trip, Patricia. I am looking forward the book. I am in Paris in May, not quite the same as what I am seeing here, but once I have your book it will be an extension of my trip. I don’t think a picture fest is quite the same without the snaps of the doors. I quite like the one of the key slot. I had my mind wandering. (I know what you mean about marketing, I’m more of a ‘Build and they will come sort of person’, but it’s part of the job now.)

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 10:06 pm

      Brenda! Paris in May! Oh joy! Here’s a website I think you will enjoy. This site always makes me think of you … there’s that same wonderful ‘je ne sais quoi’ flair to it that you have on your blog. Check it out! http://peopleplacesandbling.com/2013/04/01/paris-tips-watch-your-back-on-poisson-davril/

      Reply
  10. Nancy says

    March 31, 2013 at 11:12 am

    What wonderful news about your latest publication, Patricia! Congratulations! And your photos of Provence are so evocative, it’s all I can do not to grab my bags and book the next flight to where I’m sure will be my new most favorite place on earth!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 10:08 pm

      Thanks, Nancy! If you do go to the south of France, I have no doubt it will be your “new most favourite place on earth”.

      Reply
  11. filbio says

    March 31, 2013 at 2:09 pm

    Your pics always take me away. You make France look so beautiful and serene. I really need to go there soon. Congrats on the ebook!

    Reply
    • patriciasands says

      April 1, 2013 at 10:09 pm

      Thanks, Phil! I’m sure you will get there one of these days. Keep believing!

      Reply
  12. Cancer in My Thirties says

    April 1, 2013 at 12:20 am

    Congratulations! And beautiful photos!

    Reply
  13. LaVagabonde says

    April 1, 2013 at 4:41 am

    That place looks absolutely divine.

    Reply
  14. Marcia says

    April 1, 2013 at 3:13 pm

    Gorgeous, Patricia! I may never get to France, but I feel like I have been through your photos!

    Reply
  15. alesiablogs says

    April 1, 2013 at 5:18 pm

    Wonderful shots. Wow. Getting close to publishing. Congrats. We all are attaining to the point! PS: What a great way to vacation via exchange.

    Reply
  16. Tameri Etherton says

    April 1, 2013 at 5:47 pm

    I love it. You know, as much as I enjoy seeing France, I would love to take a tour of your lovely city where you call home. I’ve never been to Canada and it’s foreign to me! I know, that sounds strange to you, but it’s true. Thank you for the lovely images of Nice, though. It’s a cold, blustery day here in California and it was very wonderful to take a few minutes and imagine the sun on my face, the smell of the vineyards, the taste of fresh cheese. Ah, I need to go there soon!

    Reply
  17. beverlydiehl says

    April 1, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    Your photos make me homesick for a place I have not yet visited, but hope to do so, soon. I certainly will visit via your book! 🙂

    Reply
  18. Claire 'Word by Word' says

    April 5, 2013 at 1:51 pm

    Ah, sigh and I live here, but so appreciate your pictorial journey’s and accompanying words Patricia.

    Reply

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