Gayle Smith Padgett's Blog, page 5

Scenes, Scents, and Sounds of Summer in the South of France

From here to Hyères, and pretty much everywhere across France, the hottest summer topic has to be … heat. With the temperature gauge regularly ramping up to 38C (100.4F) or beyond—and with most houses lacking aircon throughout, including ours—thoughts tend to veer toward how to escape the toasty temps, how to beat them, and eventually, … Continue reading Scenes, Scents, and Sounds of Summer in the South of France

Provence to Portugal (Part II): Waves-Baby-Waves

For the second half of our Portuguese adventure, we headed ninety minutes north of Lisbon to the charming fishing village of Nazaré. Due to the magnificent waves that crash on its shores, the town is renown as a surfing mecca—not that we intended to climb on board any surf boards any time soon. Cruising through … Continue reading Provence to Portugal (Part II): Waves-Baby-Waves 

Provence to Portugal: Let’s eat!

From the Mediterranean Sea to the English Channel, the Alps to the Pyrenees, France offers magnificent diversity on many levels to include landscapes, cuisines, and traditions. And with a hop, skip and a brief flight, even more variety awaits across the border. Take Portugal, for example. The small country that ruled much of the world … Continue reading Provence to Portugal: Let’s eat!

Take a Seat in St. Rémy de Provence

Printemps has arrived and so have boatloads of tourists. Masks are off, the cafes are open, and when the soleil is shining, the terraces will fill up fast. It’s the perfect time to take a seat and watch the world go by. People watching is always a fun pastime here in St. Rémy, but now … Continue reading Take a Seat in St. Rémy de Provence

Hiding in Plain Sight Around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Delightful Design Elements

Birds, birds, birds. We’re always keeping an eye out for them on our forays in and around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, binoculars at the ready. But, more often than not, those winged creatures are too far away or don’t pose long enough to get their picture taken. And that’s when I happen to notice the spaces near the … Continue reading Hiding in Plain Sight Around Saint-Rémy-de-Provence: Delightful Design Elements

A Bicycle Balade in Saint-Rémy-de Provence

Smooth and wide, Saint-Rémy’s brand-spanking-new bicycle path is a winner! On a whim, Ralph and I recently tested out the section that runs east from Saint-Rémy between a canal and the D99 highway, dipping inland here and there to the cut-off to the sweet village of Mollégès, a little over ten kilometers. This portion of … Continue reading A Bicycle Balade in Saint-Rémy-de Provence

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 … Continue reading Bonne Année 2022 from Frosty Saint-Rémy!

JOYEUSES FÊTES to all from Saint-Rémy

Season’s Greetings from our maison to yours. Wishing You a Joyful Holiday Time and a New Year Filled with Good Health, Happiness & Hope. Mille fois merci for your wonderful support over the year as I was trying to bring closure to The Birdwatcher’s Wife. Your kind words always gave me a much needed boost! … Continue reading JOYEUSES FÊTES to all from Saint-Rémy

Postcards from Palm Springs, California

Fun in the sun–that’s the big draw for this desert oasis, particularly in late fall. As the year winds down, here in Palm Springs, the party-o-meter revs up. Snowbirds flock in from northern climes to soak up the rays while pursuing their special joie de vivre. They whack dimpled white balls around emerald courses and … Continue reading Postcards from Palm Springs, California

Quoi de neuf in Palm Springs?

What’s new in Palm Springs, California, the dazzling oasis of sunshine, Palm trees, and oceans of sand? Just 113 miles from Hollywood, it’s long been a getaway for celebrities hoping to escape the paparazzi. And for snow birds who flock in from Canada and chilly eastern US climes, the vibrant town offers a respite from … Continue reading Quoi de neuf in Palm Springs?