verseguru / Jacob

It’s looking like this is where I’ll head to get a new visa in October. The direct flight from Bangalore with JetStar is cheaper (£110) than to Sri Lanka (despite it being nearer), and there’s still ample chance to some mountain biking! (I actually hadn’t realised HongKong has some great parks and trails.)

Bardou is a rareity. An abandoned 16th century hill village on the edge of the the Massif de l’Espinouse, purchased and restored by a couple in the 60’s. When I was there (possibly about ‘93) they had limited running water (now they have communal heated showers), and no other conveniences such as electricity (if there’s something I learnt from my visit, it’s that candles should never be left unattended!). Judging from the attached photo (from wikipedia.de) they have since been connected at least in part.

Access is via a fire track from behind Mons/La Trivalle (near Olargues) and then foot. It’s a popular destination for nature lovers, artists and musicians. There’s a hidden waterfall with pool below the hamlet that’s a great place to chill in the summer but be warned—there’s naked Germans and giant snakes about!

I spent six months during the winter of 05/06 here. I fairly frequently went biking over the Alpilles on the GR. They’re stunning, and the countryside over beyond Les Baux, also. Beware the Mistral though, gets mighty powerful when it blows. This shot reminds me of Van Gogh’s wheatfield with cypress that I later realised was painted somewhere nearby.