Montpellier in May

Montpellier is a quiet and vibrant modern mediaeval city – obviously from that description it is full of contrasts.

Inspired by a photography exhibition of the work of  W Eugene Smith at an exhibition there this week, I am hungry to get back to real photography again.

Looking for an apartment for our son who plans to be there at university, I am beginning to see things again – I always loved torn posters on walls, i did a series in Brick lane in London in the 1970s – it is not the same with color – but it is a start

 

Our Village is Well Bread

We have two boulangeries in our village and between them we get 16 different varieties of bread, patisserie, artisan chocolate, home made pastries, pasties and pizza and pretty girls serving, seven days a week.

They also sell wine, eggs and milk and are the center of all gossip and news.

We serve breakfast most mornings to our guests (many are self-catering so we can stay in bed a few days) and I enjoy a short walk (about 45 seconds) to the bakers shops as we live in the heart of the village. I make a separate trip for each guest as they come down so the bread is warm on the table straight from the bakers – they bake continuously in the mornings and evenings, bread over an hour old is considered “stale” in France.

On some chilly winters mornings, tucking a warm (wrapped) loaf under my arm is a very satisfying feeling on the way back.

 

Next to the bakers at the top of the village is the local cafe – smelling fresh coffee and warm bread wafting down the road is one of the most enticing things in the world, and has inspired me to “wax lyrical” on this blog today.

Sit quietly for a second and perhaps you will smell this scent too.

Poppies in May

We named our guest accommodation in Villa Roquette after local flowers and trees. Olive, Sunflower, Quince, Rose and Poppy

Although wine has been the main agriculture in Languedoc since the 19th century – many other crops are grown, it is a joy to see fields of poppies, grown for the seed for the delicious bread available in every village.

poppy field near Pezenas in Languedoc close to Villa Roquette

Poppy field near villa Roquette in the heart of Languedoc

poppies in may near villa roquette B&B in Languedoc

Poppies in the Golden heart of languedoc, South of France, near Villa Roquette