MEMORIES OF A SEPTEMBER WEDDING CELEBRATION

 A series of short stories.....

A Feast For Two

.....as seen through my eyes!


By: Jacqueline E. Hughes

I originally posted this story back on June 12, 2014. It was entitled, "FALLING IN LOVE AGAIN IN SABLET." Our marriage began four decades plus two years ago, and we had dated for almost five years prior to this. Our Journey, albeit a long and sometimes arduous one, has been highlighted by amazing children and grandchildren, family and friends, and so many memorable journeys tucked within Our Journey itself! Celebrating our Wedding Anniversary in Sablet, France, was certainly one of the best! And, for this reason, I am re-posting my story of falling in love again in France.

Meeting new people, learning more about their language and customs, delighting in different foods and traditions.....have all played a huge part in why Dan and I love to travel. We truly believe this is so important to becoming an educated and well-rounded individual! To be able to do this with one's Best Friend, well, it's icing on the cake, for sure. From now on I am officially changing my 'travel mantra' with the hope of showing everyone how important travel should be in our lives. Everyone please repeat after me: "Want to be happy? Stop buying things and go travel!"    

My First Captured Cloud to Ground Lightning Strike

Several years ago, in celebration of our Wedding Anniversary, my husband and I decided to return to France.  This time, the play of warmth and light in sunny Provence called to us like a lavender scent carried along by a gentle breeze.

Research of the many beautiful hilltop villages that dot the southern landscape of France began around a year before our September celebration.  Considering it was to mark our initial venture into this particular region, we concentrated on several main criteria which included a central location to the major sites we wished to explore this trip, convenience to and from the Nice Cote d'Azur Airport via rental car, as well as successfully finding the perfect gite (furnished vacation rental home) to comfortably spend a week in.  We wanted our place to be a home away from home!



Grapevines Below Sablet

Personally, researching a trip is my favorite part because I learn  so much about the area long before we even arrive there.  We concentrated on the Vaucluse Region for many reasons, with the wines of the Rhone River valley being of particular interest to us.  I wanted to learn about these cultivated vines that had been initially planted sometime around 600 BC and walk the small alleyways of the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape tasting samples of each variety of this heavenly nectar of the gods passed down through the ages!



Roussillon on a Stormy Day

Avignon....Bedoin....Carpentras, slowly we discovered the towns and villages of the Vaucluse via the Internet.  Roussillon was exceptionally beautiful and noted for its large ochre deposits found in the clay surrounding it.  Alas, we did not choose this magical place for our stay. The day we actually visited Roussillon, the entire village was basked in a red hue everywhere you looked.  A large storm was heading directly toward us creating a brilliant backdrop of deep color and light making picture taking phenomenal that afternoon. 

Hilltop Village of Sablet with the Jagged Dentelles de Montmiraile as Backdrop

We discounted the stunning hilltop village of Gordes because of its strong tourist appeal; Beaumes Du Venise ranked exceptionally high on our list meeting all of our criteria and more but, I just wasn't feeling 'it' yet.  And then I was introduced to a small, walled city located north of Orange by the name of Sablet and the 'warm fuzzies' (as my daughter, Ali, calls them) suddenly enveloped me in a feeling of profound security as though I were wrapped in a favorite blanket on a cold, winter's night.  I felt I had discovered 'home' within the Vaucluse. Our 'gite' had to be located in Sablet because I could feel it in my bones that day.



Front Door of Sablet House

Fast forward to a warm, overcast day in mid-September and two people partake of a simple but delicious feast purchased that morning at the open-market of Bedoin near Mont Ventoux.  Elongated French radishes, the color of delicate red and white flowers, rest on a hand-painted porcelain dish, a still life photograph waiting to be captured.  Similar platters and bowls cradle juicy, red strawberries hand-picked merely hours before.  A variety of French cheeses, ripe Brie headlining the aromatic medley, are displayed on a wooden cutting board and positioned alongside a shallow bowl containing a golden loaf of crusty baguette anticipating being pulled-apart, slathered in rich, homemade butter and eaten with reverence and love!  A slightly chilled bottle of local Northern Rhone red, often identified by its signature aromas of green olives and smoky bacon, regally stands at attention waiting to be uncorked so that it may 'breathe' before being poured into the crystal glasses beside it.




Dan Pressing Our Breakfast Coffee

We were sitting at one of the two terraces that made-up the outdoor living area of Sablet House, owned by Michel and Shirley Augsburger who purchased the beautiful stone village house located in the heart of the medieval village of Sablet.  Michel relates how "...the house was fully renovated by an English lady with all of the comforts of a modern home while retaining its authentic Provençal character and charm."  Located just off of the gourmet kitchen, two sets of French doors led us out to our Anniversary luncheon feast on this large terrace.  We could not believe our good fortune but relished it with gusto!!

A Morning Visit to the Local Boulangerie



Bell Tower of Saint Nazaire

Sablet, along with Sablet House, was our home for a week and we fell in love with each one.  This feeling lingers within us to  this day.  The village of Sablet, 1,200 souls strong, is located at the base of the jagged Dentelles de Montmiraile in the Vaucluse region of Provence.  The narrow streets of the village spiral up to the Romanesque Church of Saint Nazaire built in the 12th century and tops the village with its majestic bell tower that reaches up towards the heavens.  The stone village houses curl along the narrow streets that reveal passageways adorned with flowers of every color, exposed ancient wooden beams and a variety of beautiful stone fountains.  Along the lower terrace of the village we discovered two boulangeries (bakeries), a boucherie (butcher shop), a florist and a tabac shop among several local restaurants and more.  Dan would walk down to his favorite boulangerie each morning for his pain au chocolate (chocolate croissants) and then run back up to our house to press coffee to go with them.




Biking Up To Seguret

Michel had purchased new bicycles prior to our arrival and we enjoyed the privilege of touring the charming village streets, as well as  biking up the D23 towards another hilltop village, Seguret, with its elevation overlooking Sablet and the many vineyards surrounding it.  Riding down from Seguret, I captured my first picture of a 'cloud to land' lightening strike as it crashed far off in the distance to the west of Sablet.  I was as excited as a child with her first camera!

Sablet was the perfect location to begin a day of exploration.  Packing our silver Citroen rental car with essential goodies including a camera and an empty market basket that we planned to fill with fresh produce as we stopped in towns and villages along our way.  Conveniently, Michel posted the 'open market' schedules in our kitchen which made it easier for us to decide which direction to explore each day. 



Small Stone Chapel in Nyons

We drove north and were charmed by the beauty of Nyons and climbed to the very top cloaked in a soft September mist as we navigated its narrow streets by foot.  Our reward for the climb was a beautiful small, stone chapel and a spectacular view of the town and vineyards below.

We drove south as far as the ancient village of Les Baux-De-Provence and discovered for ourselves why it is classified as "one of the most beautiful villages in France."  It is an ancient village, carefully restored and only accessible by foot.  At the summit of the village rests the ruins of the Citadel des Baux (ancient fortress) where the views are absolutely endless.



Below the Pont du Gard

We drove west to the ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, Pont du Gard, that crosses the Gardon River near Nimes.  The bridge has three levels and may date as far back as 20 BC!

Venturing eastward, we went antique shopping in the picturesque village of L'Isle-sur-la Sorgue, enjoyed a delicious lunch at an open terrace just outside The Palace of the Pope in the city of Avignon and, late one rainy, overcast afternoon, we discovered the village of Chateauneuf-du-Pape.  Walking inside a 'cave' (wine cellar) we joined others who were interested in learning the history behind the Rhone wine region.  We were not disappointed.  The hour-long demonstration was constantly laced by questions and answers and we walked away quite happy with our newfound knowledge of area wines.           

Entering a Cave at Chateauneuf-du-Pape



Learning the History of Rhone River Valley Wines



Our View From the Upper Terrace

As spectacular as each of these daily adventures were, we took great comfort in the knowledge that we would be returning to our 'home' in Sablet in the evenings, kicking off our shoes and relaxing on the smaller upper terrace that adjoined the Master Bedroom.  Here we  observed the stars sparkling above the Dentelles in the distance. 



The Romance and Beauty of Sablet House

Standing side-by-side holding hands and with a glass of local Rosé raised in the air with the other, we gave cheers and praise to this small, hilltop village we called our home for a short time that glorious September in Provence.... 


To see Michel's Sablet House visit:
www.sablethouse.com

To see Marianne Houlahan's House in Sablet go to:
www.sablethome.com

Two Goofy Kids

Copyright © 2015 By Jacqueline E. Hughes
All rights reserved