Pictures:
This page shows us at the house and around, to give an idea of what we, at any rate, spend some of our time doing when we are at Le Vieux Mas. Click on any picture to see it larger, then click on the "back" button.
Jamie
and Alex pausing on a walk on the garrigue above the Gardon gorges in
2001. Spring is the best time to visit the garrigue, as it can be very hot
later in the year, and the wildflowers, such as the pictured rock roses are at
their best earlier in the year.
There
is an excellent baker in Collet de Dèze,10 minutes by car down the hill from
the house. Unfortunately a bit far for an early morning stroll, but you
can always send the children. Collet also has a bar, a couple of
restaurants and a post office, as well as most small local shops.
There
are many excellent local beaches, and the rivers are full of fish, which don't
seem to mind the human intervention too much - until you try to catch
them. Alex aged about 14 months didn't have a fishing licence for this
shot, but you can get them locally without too much ado.
Well,
who can doubt that mousse au chocolat is so much better than chocolate
mousse? Here Alex aged 14 months is enjoying tea on the terrace.
It's shaded from late afternoon which in the heat of the summer is more than
welcome.
It's
usually pretty sunny in the Cévennes and a hat can be desirable even out of
season.
When
we're there in high summer we usually spend a part of each day by one of the
lovely local rivers. There are many places with rocks and rockpools where
there is good swimming for adults and children. In 2001, the boys learned
how to dive and here they are practicing their skills in a deep pool in the
upper Tarn valley at Pont de Montvert.
More pictures: