Lavender

When we arrived in May this was what fields of lavender looked like. I took this photo on the way home from a hike up to the Dent de Rez. I didn't realize that I would return to take a photo every month.

As we drove to our various destinations in early June we started to notice the purple haze on the fields.

Finally as we were packing up to leave the Ardèche the full impact of the lavender in this region was evident. As one looked over the surrounding hills it was a patchwork quilt of vineyards that continue to be green and the purple, blue and hues in-between of lavender.

Poppies

In Spring it was the Poppies that I fell in love with. And I must admit they still are my favourite. They are ubiquitous yet unique. Maybe it's all those Impressionists paintings that have enhanced their popularity.
They grow along the road sides and in the wheat fields. I wonder if the poppies make the wheat better or not. Once the wheat starts to turn golden the poppy's season is also over.

Boules Tournament

The older kids participated in a Boules Tournament sponsored by the "Over 50's"; although it looked to me like most members could have joined the "Over 70s" club. Each child was paired up with a clubmember and they played a round robin in the school yard. I have to say that Boules is a very fun game that every age can enjoy. The classic gravel/stone/sand surface exists in every hamlet and town. We have had a few games that have thrilled us by not always winning when we expected to and winning when we didn't. The couchonet - little pig - is the key target. It's a little ball about 1/3 the size of the balls of play. Buying extra couchonet or making-do with a pine cone was sometimes necessary. Josette was a member of the club. She was our lifesaver on several occasions as she organizes the house we rented. She knew the plumber and the electrician's phone number when each was needed!

The Larnas School

The school at Larnas was one classroom in this building. Across the road was a field full of goats; Down the road about 100 meters was an 11th century church. The school held the Kindergarten, first grade and second grade in one classroom with one teacher and an assistant. The kids took a bus to the school in the morning, back to St. Vincent (about 5 km) for lunch and at the end of the day.

The play ground was a small courtyard but the boys still managed to play soccer there EVERY chance they got. There's Sam with his red jacket in the thick of it. The kids did get one recess in a grassy area across from the church. They had a little walk to get there but it was worth it for the swings and grass field.

Sam and Claire were part of the Kindergarten class. Here's Claire holding Ouria's hand on the way back from their 'green' recess.

At their campout they did some water colour of their interpretation of the gorge at Ardeche. Sam is standing proudly under his.

Just a quick look at their classroom. Annie and Madeleine enjoyed the Open House to view their siblings artwork and displays of what they had been learning.