CARNEVAL!

Shane's school, CIPEC, celebrated Carneval....check out these adorable costumes!

Shane and Roos


Charlie, Teun, Kevin and Shane

Thomas

Hiking in Provence

Every Tuesday, the International Hiking Group of Provence sets out on a 4-6 hour hike while the children are in school. About twice a month, I join them on gorgeous hikes through mountains, villages or along the Mediterranean Coast. Several recent favorites were to the Combres Gorge, Calanque de Port d'Alon and snowshoeing in Saint Jean Montclar. Also included are some photos of a weekend hike with our friends, the Hamlins.

OPPEDE LE VIEUX
Staring in the quiet and quaint medieval village of Oppede le Vieux, this hike was through the Combres gorge and a forest on the north side of the Luberon Mountains. We hiked up, up, up for two hours and part of the path was a waterfall due to heavy rains the day before.

CALANQUE DE PORT D'ALON

I adore the hikes along the Mediterranean Sea. This hike was an especially gorgeous one on the first sunny, spring day, but with the Mistral wind blowing hard enough to keep us in wind gear most of the day.

Jenneke, Julie, Kerry and Anya

Saint Jean Montclar

One "hike" was at the ski resort of Saint Jean Montclar in the Southern Alps, 172kms from Aix. Most of the group skied, however Annina, Joanne and I decided to try raquettes (snow shoes.) It was a TERRIFIC experience, but VERY tiring, especially since we got lost and ended up hiking up, up, up for two hours, arriving very late for our lunch rendevous with the rest of the group.

Annina and Julie

Annina and Joanne

Annina and Joanne consulting the confusing trail map!

Hiking near Mont Sainte-Victoire

We loaded up the six kiddos and Riley and spent a few hours hiking in the foothills of Cezanne's muse, Mont Sainte-Victoire

Ethan, Shane, Alys and Max Riley, Sarah and Mallory

Julie and Sydia

Syd and Joey