kids parks, visit from Matilda and family

Photos from the past few weeks feature, among other things, visits to local kids parks (for lack of a better word) and our friends Matilda, Betsey, Justin, and Oliver. There is an impressive assortment of nearby parks targeted to kids, including a ropes course place (Acro Passion) and a park featuring a giant labyrinth of hedges. Our friends did not get to see those parks, but they did go with us to Arles, Chateau des Baux, and Chateau de la Barben.

caves and such

We've had a lot of rain and cold (by local standards) over the past few weeks. What better time to see some caves, eat good meals, and get a haircut?

Eve replicates a cave drawing from the Caverne Pont D'Arc, 

where the oldest known cave drawings were discovered.

 The Pont D'Arc rock formation above the Ardeche river.

 The Aven D'Orgnac caves, which have plenty of stalagmites and stalactites but no cave drawings (the only access until recently was a hole with a hundred foot drop, which evidently didn't appeal to prehistoric humans.

Eve and Ella have a favorite restaurant in Aix: Licandro Bistro.

The girls were excited to receive a card from Sarah Lipson, 

who sent it from Uganda while there on a service project.

Ella's latest hairstyle

Abbee de Silvacane, one of the Cistercian abbeys

Martha's famous zucchini soup with friends