More armchair travels: a Provence memory

I've had lavender on the brain lately. Next Saturday, we're having a combination French Flea Market and Lavender Festival at Pomegranate. A double dose of fun – more on that in another post. Our lavender is just hitting full bloom (both in pots for sale and planted in the gardens around the shop), and the scent is heavenly. I guess we've all figured out that lavender is one plant the deer don't like. Even the #'![&/* rock chucks haven't swooped it under (we'd love to sell other kinds of plants, and used to offer some lovely specimens, but the dang R.C.s ate all our merchandise). This year we have several types of lavender, including a beautiful pink variety.

Walking along our path from main house to cottage today, I brushed my hand across all the lavender blooming along the pathway, and the scent transported me back to Provence. Just a small moment, but such a strong memory. On a trip to France several years ago, we had left some days open to serendipity -- no reservations -- and were headed south towards Provence. Driving along late one afternoon, I (navigator) was digging through guidebooks and maps and decided we should check out the town of Nyons. It's not a big tourist stop (not for Americans anyway), but looked really interesting (a center for olive growing). And, ta dah, I found a "Hôtel de Charme" listed there. Magic words; every single one we found was truly charming. By the time we got there, we were starting to feel a little cranky, hungry, and slightly worried about finding a place to stay (suddenly our plans to play some of it by ear didn't seem so smart).

We found the inn easily, and it was even better than expected. We walked through the beautiful little garden into a reception area that was connected to the kitchen. Sort of like coming in through the back door of a very gracious home. They were already working on that night's meal for the petite restaurant, and the smells coming out of the kitchen were wonderful. But they had also just scrubbed down the tile floors with a natural lavender oil potion, and it was so fresh and clean. The combination of lavender and whatever the chef was cooking up was a true feast for the senses.

There was such a simple and natural warmth about the place; rooms were done in kind of a rustic modern style – clean and simple and very comfortable. I would go back there in a heartbeat. Oh yes, the olives. Right down the street was a wonderful olive cooperative where you could taste any number of local olives and olive oil. You can also tour some of the olive mills and production facilities. Heaven!

Well. Maybe this year isn't the best to spend on travel, but you can look and dream on their website. Be sure to click on the "restaurant" section; in the upper left photo you'll see that dreamy entry that smells so good. And don't miss the slideshow in the "diaporama" section, whatever that means. Here it is: Une Autre Maison at www.uneautremaison.com/anglais.htm

p.s. Our own little lavender festival (and fabulous French Flea Market!) is next Saturday at Pomegranate, from 10-4. More on that later.