The long way home...

The day before we left the villa was a bit of a lazy day.

It was perfect weather for sitting by the pool, which we did pretty much all day. Most things are closed in France on Sundays, so we didn't have much option.

Dad tried to impress me with back flips into the pool, and then by pretending he was a seal. I was unimpressed - no sardines for you, flipper.

 Pete and Benny were also hanging out.

The grown-ups set themselves a challenge to finish off all the booze in the house before we left. Mum got stuck into the Rose - that's French for pink wine - before lunch.

I got stuck into the strawberries - again! Unfortunately I was wearing my Elvis suit at the time, and it got a bit soiled.

Before we left on Monday morning, the grown-ups made us pose for a photo - like they had to ask! The camera loves me. Pete, Wing and Benny then left for Corsica, while Lozza, Geoff and Noah went to Antibes, just down the road.

We, however, were at the start of a 48 hour journey home. Dad was looking forward to seeing the back of all our luggage.

First we drove to Avignon to return the hire car. There was a collective sigh of relief when we made it in one piece. We are still waiting to hear what the bill is and are praying the insurance covers all the scratches that Mum and Dad made. From Avignon train station...

...we caught a train to Lyon, then another from Lyon to Paris. After a day on the road we then had 6 hours to kill in the most boring airport in the world, Charles De Gaulle. It even made Tulla look exciting.

After a pleasant 7 hour flight to Dubai (I actually slept!) there was 4 hours to kill at Dubai airport, and they hadn't served brekky on the plane. Cue grumpy Mum. Luckily Dad changed some currency and bought us breakfast and coffee. Happy Mum!

Mum was even happier when Dad took me off to play and she got to read her book. Dubai airport is cool. Ponds and trees and shiny pylons.

There was so much to look at that I got a bit tired.

Dad, are you sure you're awake?

Soon after this we got on the plane. Apparently it was hotter than expected (really? Dubai hot?) so they made us sit on the plane for nearly 2 hours while they got permission to take off from a different runway. It was REALLY hot so I kind of passed out on Dad. Mum said it was lucky I was asleep as it was about 40 degrees on the plane and we couldn't leave our seats. There were screaming children and bogan Australians yelling things out like "why don't you park in the shade!".

The upside to the delayed take off was that the hosties felt sorry for us and provided excellent in-flight service. Mum got stuck into the G&Ts and I got stuck into the free bananas.

Anyway, we FINALLY got home at 6.30am yesterday. It was 5 degrees, but I didn't care. I was just glad to be home.

Poppy Pete picked us up from the airport and Grandma Jenny surprised us when we got home. It is soooo good to see everyone and be at home again. It was ace. This is Grandma helping me enact Michelangelo's 'Creation of Adam' with Poppy Pete's finger:

Today I also enjoyed cuddles with Nanna Cath and Pa Geoff.

I had a lot of fun on this holiday, even though it was difficult at times. I met lots of interesting people, realised that the world is a very big place and that there's many different ways to do things, saw some amazing sites and made friends everywhere I went. I learnt a lot. But now it's really nice to be in my cot again and to chase Gemima around the house.

Three days in Provence

It's been a fun-filled 3 days at the Villa. It's gone very quickly and I can't believe we only have one more day of holidays left, then another dreaded plane trip. Mum and Dad are not looking forward to it at all. Here is me by the pool at the Villa. The water's too cold for me, so I just play on the lounge chairs instead. I've had a few falls!

Benny is braver than me and has actually been swimming. He's also better at sitting on chairs.

Here is me and Mum, playing the catch the dummy game. I've grown quite attached to my dummy this trip. So has Mum. I often catch her sucking away, rocking back and forth in the corner.

On Wednesday morning Vanessa, Dad, Mum and I ventured to the St Remy market. It was great. Mum bought lots of stinky cheese and some wine. Dad bought some Madeleine cakes. Vanessa bought a dress.

On Thursday Dad had a study day, so Mum and I ventured out by ourselves to Pont du Gard, an old Roman aqueduct. It was big and impressive, but a long way to drive and I got shirty. I didn't want to be in the pram or the sling! Here is me just before I cracked it:

Just where did the water go?

On Friday, we were on tour through the Luberon, with Mum behind the wheel. First stop, Minerbes. Dad said 'Your driving is making Minerbes!'. Mum politely laughed and kept her less-than-polite thoughts to herself. (Dad has been banned from driving.)

The tobacconist coffee shop had the best views in town. Frankly, the cigarette butts in the pot plant were more fascinating.

Don't you hate it when the annoying tourists - just like yourselves - won't get out of the shot.

The church (Eglise St Luc) was built in the 12th century! Not sure about the tradesmen around here, though - nine centuries on the tools seems excessive.

Pretty, isn't it? Mum couldn't stop taking photos.

Next stop, Bonnieux. Another church, another panoramic view, more steep hills for the pram to negotiate:

It got a bit chilly so we popped into a restaurant for shelter and overpriced food. Luckily the wait staff were entertaining and I made friends with the clientele. The girl in the background didn't speak English, but the universal language of high fives was enough to bond us.

Speaking of bondage, our final port was Lacoste, the site of Chateau of the Marquis de Sade. Mum was tickled pink, Dad lightly spanked. Here's the pathway to the 'house of pain':

Something was amiss in this town, I thought. No crocodiles, and no tennis courts - how the hell did Mr Lacoste do it! Another bell tower though.

Mum and Dad love the sound of bells after a big night ... at 7am ... then 7:30 ... then 8. Actually, Mum sleeps through it all. Her big nights must be pretty big. There's certainly been plenty of them at the villa, with food and wine aplenty. Here's my mate Benny, his dad Peter, and Dad whipping up dessert.

Vive la France!

 This place has got everything, including a grand piano:

... a baby grand. (You've made some bad puns Dad, but that's your worst.)

I didn't really want to tinkle the ivory. I preferred to slam down the lid ... on my fingers. Very funny, Dad!

Today (Saturday) the first stop was the picaresque neighbouring town of Eygalieres. You guessed it ...  more churches and bell towers.

Mum and Dad had savoury crepes for lunch. Dad opted for the modest ratatouille crepe, Mum for the decadent 'trois fromage'. Unsurprisingly, Mum spent the afternoon in bed sleeping off a heart attack.

Next stop was Les Baux, a medieval hilltop village close to where we are staying. Twelfth century construction, amazing views. It was enough to leave me cockeyed.

Check it out:

Saturday night all the grown ups went out for dinner. They conned a nice lady called Francoise to babysit. The other kids went to bed before she arrived, so she was all mine. What fun. I was asleep when Mum and Dad returned, but when I slept until nearly 10am the next morning my parents suspected the worst. Haha!

A bientot!
Lewis

The Villa

Bonjour!

Well, we left Avignon yesterday in a very big black hire car.  This huge car, coupled with driving on the wrong side of the road, with the steering wheel on the wrong side of the machine, made for a very stressed-out Mum. However all stress was forgotten when we arrived at The Villa. Mum reckons it's the flashest place she has ever stayed. And considering she and Dad like to offload me and head to 5 star hotels on a regular basis, that's saying something.

My first day at the Villa will be remembered as the strawberry massacre. Although bread is my true love (note the right hand), the berries were delicious (note the rest of me).

The rest of the crew arrived across the afternoon: Aunty Lozza, Geoff and Noah (I think they might be following me, but don't say anything), Auntie Nessie (my BFF) and Uncle James, and Wing, Pete and Benny. Everyone greatly admired the house and garden. Mum's asked that I give you a quick tour of The Villa.

First up, the large lounge-room. This is the view from the lounge to the garden.

Next, one of two living rooms. Dad's been plonking away on the baby grand, while I've been bashing the baby baby piano.

This is the second living room. It's really hard to know where to lounge in this joint. That blue book is a copy of the Alcoholics Anonymous manual, which James discreetly removed from his room in the hope that Mum would find it.

Next, Aunty Nessie's favourites, the kitchen and dining room. The kitchen has 2 fridges, 2 freezers, 2 dishwashers, 2 sinks, a television and a fancy coffee machine. 

And this is the entrance hall. I've enjoyed crawling up the stairs - getting down has proved a problem.

 
Here is Uncle Geoff and Noah on the stairs. Noah has his own room...

But it's not as big as ours. Check it out. It's nearly bigger than our whole house. And Mum can't decide whether to lounge here, in one of the lounge rooms, or out in the garden.

As it's been over 30 degrees every day, most people have been opting for lounging in the garden. As you can see there is a pool (with an outdoor loungeroom in the background - the owners of this place really like sitting around)...

And a lovely big tree that is like a big umbrella. It's beautiful, but the nesting pigeons have a Hitchcockian effect on Auntie Nessie.

Here's all the grown ups getting boozed on Moet last night after I went to bed.

Today, I stayed home with Mum and explored the shops in our village of Mouries. I had my first taste of croissant and it was YUM! But don't tell Dad.

Dad, Lozzie, Nessie and Wing set off early for Avignon market, where they started their cooking course. Dad's driving was traumatic from driver and passengers alike. After making their market purchases with the guidance of the chef, the professional and his sous-chefs returned to the Villa to make the most of the professional kitchen. Silly hats all round, although as you can see Dad's didn't quite fit. As Mum discovered at birth, big heads seem to run in the Meade family.

The menu for the day was broad bean and basil pesto risotto, stuffed duck (not in the English pelican sense) and some delicious roasted vegetables, followed by a custard and apricot tart. Everyone was extremely impressed and Dad said the cooking course was the highlight of his trip so far.

The risotto and vegies were pretty tasty, so hopefully Dad was paying attention and can recreate the food at home.

Until next time, au revoir!

Louis.

The Kingdom of Avignon

Good Morning Avignon!

Greetings from the latest King of France. You've heard of Louis XIV (the Sun King) and Louis XVI (who faced the guillotine with wife Marie Antoinette)? Well this is Louis XIX, supreme ruler of France, already taller than its President, and winning over the populace one city at a time.

I have followed up my conquest of Paris with a visit to Avignon, enjoying a pleasant train ride from the capital (in first class, of course). Apparently, there's been some competition in the past, with seven Popes once calling Avignon home. To overthrow this town would require some careful planning.

Unfortunately, my advisors have not been much help, lacking the necessary diplomatic skills. First Dad wanted to call my blog 'Le monde du Lewis' ('The world of the Lewis' - had a nice ring to it, but I'll save the third person references for my professional sporting career), then he ordered a pastiche macaron. Luckily he received the macaron with pistachios that he wanted and not an allsort. Mum also cracks under pressure, reverting to a mix of English and Italian whenever asked a question in the French language ('Si, dinner was bellissimo').

I wanted to learn more, so I consulted the guide book. I was a little distracted, however...

Might I add, Father, that you're looking more Rubenesque by the day. (Note from Mum: He actually is wearing underwear.)

Now fully versed in the lore of the town, I got in the wheels and hit the town.

That was meant to be a photo of the ancient city walls. Dad really should not be allowed near cameras.

You can see that they have put me in a hat and sunglasses (to protect me from the hot sun - 32 degrees today!). They lasted about 2 minutes. Mum and Dad may look good in sunnies, but I just look like a bogan. Not very King-like.

First stop, the Palace of Popes and neighbouring church. Mum often complains to Dad that she feels like a '50s housewife, and with those latest French fashions, she now looks like one. What time can we expect dinner, Mama?

Here's a look at my new courtyard. Amazing - no dog poo!

The scenery from the stained glass windows is also dazzling.

Not sure which was lopsided - the window or Mum's head.

I knew brute force alone wouldn't win me the people, so I mounted a campaign in the park. Dad went home to study (not very supportive today) but Lozzie, Geoff and my mate Noah were in.

I lost the pants and turned on the charm. First, a chew on a stick (great parenting Mum) -

then a suck on the bottle -

and those Frenchies couldn't wait to be rid of that midget. Duly elected.

From the turrets, the Royal See of Louis XIX...

 ... Avignon, Mum's new favourite town.

Love,
Lewis