It’s August in Provence, so the high temps are no surprise. When the heat’s on high, all bets are off.
So for our daily workout on an especially toasty day last week, instead of a long-distance bike ride, hike, or tennis game, Ralph and I opted to lie low and take it easy. We did hop on our vélos, but our approach was to expend less energy than strolling. We didn’t go far or fast or cruise off the flat piste. We meandered leisurely, stopping periodically to snap a photo of a serene scene or to forage.
Blackberries, called mûres, are everywhere, including the bushes lining the bike path. So into a baggie they went! I love adding a few to fruit smoothies. Wow, along with a vibrant flavor, what a color blast they bring! (Tip: Wear a dark shirt while slurping one down!) Ripe figues are also plentiful in these parts. I never have been a big fig fan, but maybe because our local crop is so fresh, I’ve taken to them. They’re great grilled as a complement to a main dinner course or fresh on breakfast yogurt.
The kick-back season is coming to a close with September around the corner. More mellow weather will soon arrive, along with walnuts and a webinar! On Tuesday, 14 September, journalist Diana Bishop (CBC, CTV and NBC News), will interview me. The topic is: HOW TO RETIRE IN PROVENCE. I’ll share lessons learned about how Ralph and I retired to the South of France, the basis for my book, Passion for Provence: 22 Keys to La Belle Vie. Diana will offer a couple of giveaways of my book, but she does charge an admin fee (22.50 CAD/$18 USD ) to register. No revenue comes my way, but I do get to talk about my book and life in Provence, some of my very favorite topics!
To recap:
WHAT: Webinar on How to Retire in Provence with author Gayle Smith Padgett and Canadian journalist Diana Bishop
WHEN: Tuesday September 14th, 2021 12:30 EST/9:30 am Pacific/6:30 pm Paris/5:30 London
HOW TO REGISTER:
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yuzCjjmBTrGuXPAsj9xqXw, www.womanofacertainageinparis.com
OR
https://womanofacertainageinparis.com/travel-stories/how-to-retire-to-provence/
In the meantime, wherever you are, I hope you are safe and well, above all. And also enjoying summer and its beautiful and yummy bounty.
Stay safe, cool, and hydrated!
Bises,
Gayle
PS
The Birdwatcher’s Wife has crossed a huge hurdle. The book is complete, and the next step is to review a proof copy. The finish line is coming into view! On a related note, a happy surprise: In response to my letter about his marvelous documentary, A Life on Our Planet, and my new book about our 2019 quest for birds, Sir David Attenborough sent me a lovely hand-written note. What a treasure! It’s framed and on the wall over my desk.
Gayle Smith Padgett 
Les quatres mousquetaires te saluent bien 😂😘
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I always look forward to your Posts. Hot there too, huh? I wonder if the Powers That Be have ever heard of global warming…. Here we’re had a few delightful August days. Around 102F with nights in the 70s. This morning I took a walk around the greenbelt here and was pleasantly surprised at the cool breeze. A promise of September! Scott phoned me yesterday and told of your possible meeting in St. Remy. I certainly hope that works out. He will be here for the tennis Oct. 8-10, but I’m again hoping you three may rendezvous in the desert then. Cheers from Katherine
On Sun, Aug 22, 2021 at 4:22 AM Gayle Smith Padgett wrote:
> gaylesmithpadgett posted: ” Foraged summer bounty–from the bike trail and > garden. It’s August in Provence, so the high temps are no surprise. When > the heat’s on high, all bets are off. So for our daily workout on an > especially toasty day last week, instead of a long-distance” >
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