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.
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