Fun with Pippi and Helen – featuring Trash and Treasure, Bonbons, Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, the Pont du Gard, and crêpes

You may recall that Elle’s Mum (Betty or “Pippi” – her grandmother name) and Betty’s sister, Helen, arrived in Uzès just in time to join us for Elle’s birthday dinner on Friday, May 16.

Saturday
Pippi and Helen had one day of overlap with Kate, which included a trip to the Uzès Saturday market,

some sun-soaking on the terrace,

and then a lovely dinner for Elle, Kate, Pippi and Helen at Le Comptoir du 7.

Sunday
On Sunday morning, we sadly farewelled Kate, and Andrew followed a now well-worn route to Avignon TGV station to drop her off to begin her journey back to Phnom Penh. 

The route from our apartment in the (essentially pedestrian) medieval centre of town, to the car park just outside the centre, was densely packed with a very extensive brocante market.

We disparaged this as “Trash and Treasure”, with the emphasis on the former.  However, walking through with Kate on their way out, Xavier did spot a few cars he liked the look of...  and so did Pippi.  No sooner had she mounted the three flights of stairs to our apartment, than she turned around and went back down them, accompanied by Xavier, and, they returned together a short time later with this Treasure!

You can see the point of grandparents, right?!

Somewhat chastened, Andrew and I ventured out, ostensibly to pick up some fresh supplies for lunch, and we soon found some treasures too.

Swayed by the charms of their grandchildren/great-niece and nephews, Pippi and Helen were persuaded that their afternoon adventure should be a trip to the Musée de Bonbon, but that local landmark deserves a post of its own.

Monday
Monday, a routinely quiet day in Uzes, we set out to see Saint-Rémy-de-Provence.  Of course, it was quiet on a Monday too, with many local shops and cafes closed, but we stopped to take note of the birth-place of Nostradamus, and we were charmed by the little streets of its centre.

We took lunch at Crêperie Lou Planet, and Andrew declared his galette to be the best he’s ever had.

We all, but particularly Xavier, were entertained by the activities of a work crew, which very efficiently erected three new lamp-posts while we ate.

The car journey to and from was enlivened by Pippi and Helen teaching Xavier the song “You are my sunshine”.

Tuesday

A visit to the Pont du Gard, another local landmark that warrants - and will get - a post of its own.

Wednesday

We spent a low-key day in Uzes, including a trip to the Wednesday (mainly produce) market.

In the evening, we enjoying an aperitif with Philippe and Annick, the hosts of Pippi and Helen’s accommodation, La Maison Rouge.

Wednesday evening was Pippi and Helen’s final evening in Uzes, and we enjoyed a final meal together, with the venue chose by the children - our local favourite crêperie, La Bolée.

Bright and early Thursday morning, Andrew set out yet again for the Avignon TGV station, with Pippi and Helen heading to Milan to begin the Italian leg of their European adventure.