Still In South France.

Well it is time to change our dining room table in Beauvallon, which we have had since, we think, 34 years and that has well served its purpose. In fact we never really liked the table, but the Saporiti table we wanted was too expensive and we decided to get the cheaper version. 

So we have used almost a week looking and driving around. In the end settled for the nice Sifas shop close to St Tropez. We had looked at two of its Oak wood tables and after a few visits and loads of discussions, we decided for the larger version, which could be extended in a smart way. We went back to the shop for the X number of times and as we entered the door we were told that the table had sold only 30 min before. S... and we then settled for the second choice, which was Chris’s first choice, but can’t be extended and is slightly narrower. So deal done and the table should be delivered on Friday.

Last night we had a strong Mistral for the third time in the ten days we have been in Beauvallon. It was hauling most of the night, but by morning it was again calm. When I got up and looked out on the windows, we had received five cm snow and everything was white. Soon the sun came and it reminded us more of the Swish mountains or Luxembourg and was far from the view we used to have in Beauvallon.

It is Truffe season and Sunday 20 January, as soon as the strong wind and rain stopped we went to Grimaud Village, where they also had this week-end a Truffe market. As the weather had been poor the last days, we were almost the only visitors, but a while later more people showed up. Again the Truffe cost EUR 1.000/kg and we bought a small one of 15 g thus costing EUR 15. 

At the centre of the market they had a dog that was trained to find the Truffe. The chap dug into the sand three Truffe and within a few minutes the dog had found the Truffe. Apparently the dog don’t like to eat the Truffe and gladly gave the chap what it had found. There are no special Truffe dogs and he told me that any dog could be trained up to find Truffe, but that it was best done when the puppies are about 3-6 months old.

Back In France

After a good Christmas with the family and New Year’s evening with friends we finally drove to France and arrived Sunday 6 January. The house was cold and as the area had a severe rain storm mid-December, we found the house humid, so on went all the heating and by end evening it was warm and cosy again.

The “new gardener” had not shown up, which was a disappointment, as the irrigation and the pool was still running, so I stopped it all and now wait to see the bills for electricity and water.... But, as he had not shown up, the Oranges on our tree were still there and they are good.

There are a few places we wanted to visit, when there would be less traffic. One of them  is the small village of Collobriéres, situated about 35 km from Beauvallon – via a difficult narrow and winding road, so we went there, taking the hour needed on the bad road.

It is indeed a small sleepy village and the only activity, except for a few hotels and Chamber d'état, is that they produce a huge amount of “Maroons” and prepare them in all sorts of ways, like glacés, ice cream, farine, liquer and apéritif, confitures, miel, confits, puree, etc..

On our way back we wished to avoid the narrow road so we took the route along the water and ended up driving as close we could to the Bregançon Fort, which is situated on a small peninsular. The Fort is for the exclusive use of the French President, where some of them spend their summer holiday.

After a relatively nice week weather wise, we received a severe Mistral last Friday with winds in excess of 100 km, but by night it slowly blew out of its strength and Saturday turned out to be a wonderful sunny and warm day.

However, today Sunday 13 January 2013, it rains heavily, so we decided to make a tour and went to a Truffe market held at a wonderful Chateau St Julien D’Aille in Vidauban (about 35 km from Beauvallon). We have left the prospectus in the green Michelin Guide, in case Nicolas and Stephane would like to visit, as it is worth the trip and the traffic during the summer should be bearable, since it is located inland and along the N7 road.

We did not buy any Truffe as the cost was EUR 998/kg, but we bought several other specialities and three boxes of their white and red wines, which we found nice. On our way home we noted that Mr Ott (from Bandol) – whom I have met many years ago and sell his rosé wines for about EUR 30/bottle, which is extremely highly priced - has also a Chateau in the area and it is a big domaine, but the main house is rundown.