7th June

Started the day completing some necessities like banking, travel bookings and I’ve completed a job application!  Everyone keep your fingers crossed that I have a job in 2012.   Ventured out and the first stop was the Musee Granet just around the corner.  One of France’s best regional museums, it‘s permanent collection spans 14^th to 20^th century works.  The sculpture hall alone was really interesting and the English interpretation service excellent.  From here we followed the Cezanne Walk to see some of the best examples of architecture in town and then wandered the gardens of the 17^th century Lenfant Pavillion before arriving at the ancient roman baths -  Thermes Sextius .  Since we are now at the far edge of the old town centre, as far away as possible from our apartment, we decided the best thing to do was find a shady corner spot in one of the many squares and enjoy a refreshment.  Turns out the one we chose is one of the oldest with a roman column in its fountain and the old corn exchange building gracing one of its sides. We had a great time walking into local shops and using charades and our appalling French to get the produce Eric needed for dinner. There is a cheese shop in our street that only sells cheese, a butcher who sells rabbit, duck, terrines de canard and all sorts of wonderful food, Eric is in heaven. At the Italian shop to got anchovies for the Provencal sauce. Amazing food here! We made our way home moving through shopping areas that moved from quite kitsch to ultra swanky boutique, there’s something for everyone here.  Once again Eric is cooking dinner; Provencal Chicken with olives, anchovy and tomato accompanied by sautéed mushrooms.  He’s a little frustrated by the induction hotplates but managing to fill the place with delightful fragrances.   Did I mention my excursion to the wine store to get a bottle of white wine for the sauteed mushrooms?  Because it is available just across the street I left without the keys.  Down many flights of stairs, each older than any building in Australia by at least 200 yrs, as soon as I heard the street door click shut behind me I knew I’d made a a mistake.  I bought the wine and then there was nothing for it but to wait patiently outside the lolly shop directly across from our kitchen window and wait until Eric missed me.  It didn’t take too long for the window on the 5^th floor to open and an enquiring face to appear wondering why I was waiting there.  Just as well it was still warm and sunny even after 7pm.  The dinner was well worth the wait and the evening finished off with a delightful lemonccino from Cinque Terra, you just can’t leave there without a bottle.  The good news is they also sell it in the Italian shop in our street!