Bonne Année 2022 from Frosty Saint-Rémy!

I hope you all enjoyed some lovely holiday moments, despite restrictions. And that all is humming along as smoothly as it possibly can in this brand new year, which we hope will prove to be a healthier, happier, and more peaceful one across the globe.

Here in Saint-Rémy, the temps have dropped, often dipping to freezing overnight, leaving the field next door frosted with a coat of silvery fairy dust. L’hiver has definitely arrived!

By late morning, though, often the sun is shining, making for some pleasant walks—with binoculars, of course. Within a few minutes, we can reach several paths through the Alpilles, always on the look out for a blue streak of a Jay whizzing by. And not far off, there are some nifty chemins near Les Baux, Lac de Barreau, by the village of Eyragues, or over the hill to Fontvieille.

Aside from nature forays, there’s a special cultural event we look forward to in winter–the stunning quarry-turned-art venue, called Carrières de Lumières. (It’s open year-round, but we save it for winter when we have it practically to ourselves.) Photos are projected onto the monumental walls of the multi-chambered interior, accompanied by rousing musical scores from classic symphonies to pop tunes. Themes change yearly and just recently we finally witnessed the current show, “Cezanne, Master of Provence,” which began early 2021 and just closed.  (The program also included some abstract works by the Russian painter, Wassily Kandinsky.)  

After a day out and about, we return to the homestead to stoke a soothing fire and toss around travel ideas–to be realized when venturing further afield is possible.

But before we settle in to warm our toes by the fire, we take a peek at what’s happening outside. Sometimes we are wowed by a fabulous sunset, splashing magenta and blue or mauve and hot orange across the winter sky.

Stay safe and well—and hopeful!

Bises, Gayle

PS

The Birdwatercher’s Wife is out in the world! Here below, displayed at Book in Bar, the terrific international book store/cafe in Aix.