Let’s drink to the Pope!

Day 25

In the beginning… Dennis created an itinerary, and it was good. And God saw the itinerary and said ‘Well done good and faithful servant‘ and blessed their first 24 days. (My apologies for the mashup from the Good Book).

So far no stumbles, nothing lost, broken, or stolen; no stitches required, a few medications now and then, but just the normal stuff.

It sounds like the crew back home is holding down the fort. I was ready to hire someone to do the maintenance on the yard but Carol’s dad (90 years old next month) would hear none of that. They live directly across the street from us. We purchased our house six years ago with the expectation that we would be there for her parents should the need arrive. Instead they have been there for us countless times including everytime we travel.

Dennis (he’s Dennis #1, I’m #2) has broken up concrete with a sledgehammer, cut down trees, and installed and painted trim during our big renovation, plus he mows our lawn while we’re gone in the Apr. – Oct. period, besides his regular work at his place. At first I worried that he would be over-taxing himself but I’ve reached the conclusion that if he keeled over and died while mowing my lawn it would be just the way he would want to go out; face down in freshly-mowed grass with the clatter of a small engine ringing in his ears.

Of the four son-in-laws that Dennis and Cicely have inherited, I am the favorite, because I let Dennis do so much of my work. Plus, at Christmastime my gift is a large bottle of premium liquor and the other three get wool socks and a hearty handshake.

Day 25 had us packed up and out of our wonderful spot in the old town. I didn’t know it when I booked it but we were staying in the oldest building in Montpellier. It dates back to 1664. The suite has had upgrades of course like plumbing, electrical, plastered walls, and all the amenities that you would expect to find in a dated contemporary home. But there are throwbacks to it’s origins like the narrow, twisting, stairwell leading up to the second floor and the narrow doorways. From the outside it is stone with mortar between and thick walls that create wide windowsills. The wooden shutters look to be in the 100+ year range.

We clattered our way down the narrow lanes until we reached the wider arterial street where the modern tram lines run and followed it to the train station about an hour before our scheduled departure. Once inside we settled in to munching on snacks and watching the big ‘departures’ board waiting for the platform to be announced for the 12:38 to Avignon.

In the background you could hear an accomplished pianist playing on the station piano. He would rattle off classical tunes mixed in with modern radio ballads. Pianos in public areas are a fixture in most large train stations and airports and are available for anyone to plunk down and give it their best. The acoustics in such venues carries the sound for great distances with a brassy tone but still very pleasing to the ears.

An uncomplicated journey to Avignon followed by Fred’s unerring sense of direction to #7 Saint-Catherine, and pretty soon (a couple of wrong turns) we were meeting our new hosts, a mother-daughter duo.

The 22 year old law student daughter, Yona, met us at the door. The mother, Agnes, was on a day trip to Marseilles for an important meeting.

The suite is in a 3-story walkup (40 stairs) in a beautiful building built in the 1920s. It has three bedrooms, 2 toilets/sink areas, and a large Italian shower that we will share. We have access to the large, eclectically-decorated sitting area, well appointed kitchen, and two terraces. One looks down on the front courtyard and the other towards rooftops leading to a view of the back of the papal palace that Avignon is known for.

The Gothic palace built in the 14th century is one of the largest and oldest in all of Europe. It looks pretty cool from behind with a nice rosé in hand too. Rosé is one of the wines most associated with Provence, along with Côtes du Rhône, which is chilling in the fridge this very moment.

In the late afternoon Agnes arrived and when we are introduced she is beaming. Her trip to Marseilles was to speak with her specialist and she received the news that her cancer was in full remission. Having only just met her we immediately formed a bond and she christened us her lucky couple.

After exchanging snippets of our life stories, mother and daughter went out to celebrate and left us with their warm and inviting suite. It’s going to be a good week in Avignon.

Au revoir les amis from Provence.