Blue Sky Living

Restaurant du Lac

Last week saw the long awaited opening of the Restaurant du Lac. Its situated on the Etang du Bonde just outside Cucuron and the head chef is Philippe Sublet who writes the magazine’s recipes. 

The location is beautiful, with a terrace overlooking the lake and the Luberon Hills. The opening evening would have been perfect, but for one small aberration. Someone inconsiderately parked their car right in front of the window where the menu was displayed. 200 people turned up and as they passed through the door they were denied the opportunity to appraise the food because of a hulking great 4x4. 

Now a confession - I am ashamed to say that the car belonged to me. It was cold and dark, I wanted to park close to the restaurant and hadn’t noticed the menu. So my apologies to Philippe and his team if I ended up denying them any custom. Thankfully we only stayed for one drink - it was passed  Elodie’s bedtime - and so the obstruction was soon removed.

Restauramt du Lac, 04 90 77 75 63

La Provence v Ridley Scott

 

There's nothing the editor of La Provence likes more than bashing rich foreigners. And the story becomes even spicier if there is a Hollywood star involved. Today the paper's headlines screamed of a gladiatorial battle being waged at the Oppede Mairie (last time I visited the only live thing I encountered was a cat, and that was so sleepy it might as well have been dead). The Hollywood star in question is Ridley Scott director of among other films Gladiator and Peter Mayle's A good year.

Anyway Ridley is upset that some locals have built a chicken coup at the bottom of his land, ruining his view and contravening local planning restrictions. He's hired some big swinging dick lawyers to sort the problem out. The offending locals can't of course afford lawyers and here's where La Provence comes in. Ridley is depicted as a typical second homer - knows nothing about the area, visits for one week a year, the type of person who couldn't tell a chinese truffle from a Provencal one.

It's all a bit of fun to liven up the quiet winter months. Speaking of truffles the season is about to officially open - prices are described as inflamed.

Cote D'Azur Marathon

It's marathon season in the south of France. First comes the Luberon marathon at the beginning of October and then the long distant running circuit swings down to the coast. Forget London or New York, there can be few more breathtaking runs than the 26 miles between Nice and Cannes, jogging along the coast through Juan Les Pins and Antibes, waving at the oligarchs in their superyachts, peeking over the high fences of some of the most expensive real estate in the world. I suspect the 26 miles go very quickly. I would even be tempted to give it a try were it not for my dodgy knees.

construction update

at last it's happening, the first picture is from the beginning of October, the second the end. Scheduled completion is July, but at this rate it feels like it could be sooner

 

 

the only bad news is the budget. Last week the pump for the well broke (€3000) and i was sent a demand for €5000 from a previously unheard of French tax office. There goes the contingency fund.