Day 7 - Flassan - Bedoin

Anne:- Yesterday was the day we were to move base to stay with some friends of mine who run a B&B in Aubignan. It was to be an "easy" day with just a short hack planned, as we had to pack up everything. So I was up as usual at 7:30 to feed the horses and was greeted by rain, which was falling as snow on the mountain tops.

Snow on them thar hills!

Flurry of course, had taken this opportunity to cover himself in thick black mud, while Gigi was just standing there shivering. She was quite fractious and wouldn't settle to eat, but fortunately the guy who looks after the horsey side of the business  turned up and asked me if I'd like to put them in the stables, and they were both delighted to be inside in the dry. So sweat rugs on and then I headed for a bit of breakfast myself.

Flurry had a special surprise for Martine

There was a bit of discussion over breakfast, as to wether or not we would ride, I  for one did not want to get soaked, but Martine had planned a route for us, along a nice stretch of horse trail. So we set off for Flassan after saying goodbye to our excellent hosts at Les Bayles with the sky still looking very threatening over Mont Ventoux.

Mont Venoux, with its mantle of snow and cloud

Fortunately by the time we got to Flassan the rain had eased and we were quickly tacked up and on our way. Spring is more advanced here and the vines are just beginning to sprout some green leaves and the cherries are clearly visible on the  trees

Spring was much more advanced - cherry trees in leaf

And lilac blooms in profusion.

Lilac in bloom

The weather was improving all the time, and both horses were happy to step out through this lovely countryside. Although when we asked them to canter, they both declined, well the ground was a bit hard !

Vines as far as the eye could see

Some just coming into leaf

We had some good views of the Dentelles, we both have "fond" memories of getting lost up there last year courtesy of the satnav!

Les Dentelles in the distance

And we came across another ochre outcrop just before we came into Bedoin.

Approaching les Ochres de Bedoin

Martine phoned her LSH, who had been moved on by the police when he tried to wait for us in the town, and he was waiting for us just outside of Bedoin on the Flassan road. Off we set, following the signs , right through the town centre, and our first roundabout! Not a bother to our stalwart horses. Past the town delimit sign and onwards, but no sign of George or the blue horsebox. After a few quick phone calls we discovered there were two roads to Flassan out of Bedoin. By this time we had dismounted to facilitate communications and decided to stay on foot to make our way back to the roundabout. We attracted quite a bit of attention from the locals on our second trip through town, and got a bit delayed with a few lost in translation conversations, but finally found George parked in a handy field. This accoounts for the "wiggle" at the end of the Everytrail map.

http://www.everytrail.com/view_trip.php?trip_id=1536807

Day 7 - Bedoin at EveryTrail


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