Chateauneuf-du-Pape

As I had mentioned earlier this week, we did a wine tour of the region near Avignon, stopping at Tavel and Chateauneuf du Pape wineries and tasting some very fine wine. However the highlight of the tour for me was the stop at the ruins of the Chateauneuf du Pape. The name means New Castle of the Pope, it was built in the 14th century by Pope John XXII when the papacy was located in Avignon (did you know that?!) and surrounded with vineyards.

The views were stunning from on top of the hill where the castle was located. We had vista views of the village below and the sun was shinning. It was wonderful to take a sobering moment reflect on where we where and the beautiful landscape.

Missed it? Here are the links to my other posts about this trip.

Mas de L'Ile

Heavenly breakfasts

Aix en Provence

Provence Sweets

Wandering L'Ile-Sur-la-Sorgue

Marketing L'Ile-Sur-la-Sorgue

Chateauneuf du Pape

Palais des Papes

Stone Carvings at the Palais

Fun travels!

Tuesday Rambling on Doors

There is just nothing like good 'curb appeal' to build in me instant daydreams and desires of wanting to go beyond the threshold. In Canada, I've admired pretty little properties and wonder what goes on behind the curtains shrouding the picture windows (and secretly thrill when I can actually get a glimpse inside), but only Europe can create such house envy with a simple, or sometimes grand, doorway. When I travel many of my photos, when they aren't of my food/drink/#fromwhereIstand feet photos, are of these unfamiliar scenes focused in on the doorway. 

While is Lavenham, I was completely enamoured with the doors. They were beautiful colours, delicately decorated and so very ordinary in an incredibly old way. Sure you could get into the whole symbolism of the door being a beginning or transition into something new and unknown or the whole cliche of "when opportunity knocks", but I think it just boils down to the fact of, "I wish I lived there!"

This is clearly something that runs in the family as my mother, being the terrific, creative, talent that she is, created a series of mini sculpted doors of the doorways we were in awe of on our trip through Europe back in 2005. ISH HOUSE is my favourite one as it was the door to my building when I did my semester abroad.