Is There Such a thing as too much Cheese?: Le Vieil Aiglun

Hope you’re all ready for a blog photo explosion, as we went a little bit snap-crazy last weekend.

To celebrate three years of lawfully wedded bliss, we decided to go away for a weekend or, as Bridget Jones would put it, a mini-break. This was particularly lovely/needed as M has, until recently, been working insane hours on his humongous bid, thankfully, that is all finished now, but we had been lacking on some quality time. I found us the perfect place. A little BnB in what’s called the ‘Haute Provence’ region, about 2.5 hours North...err...West-ish? Here’s the website if you want to pee yourself with jealousy: http://www.vieil-aiglun.com/index.php?section=1-home-page

So we left on Friday afternoon, got out of Cannes and up into the hills and were promptly pulled over by the police. Whaaa? A slightly confusing conversation followed where he asked us if it was raining (it wasn’t, we thought this might have been a trick question, as it had been earlier) it was all rather weird but it seemed we weren’t allowed to have our lights on. €45 fine (which we didn’t get) but anyway, odd, slightly nerve-wracking, but we had a giggle and safely made it to our accommodation.

Absolutely stunning. One of the nicest places I’ve ever stayed. The owners were so so lovely and they’ve done an amazing job. I couldn’t recommend the place more highly. See photos to better understand this place’s loveliness.

We headed out for dinner that night in Digne les bains, the closest main-ish town to where we were staying and on the way home...got pulled over by the police. No, I’m not kidding. FOUR policemen surrounded the car, but this time we got to the bottom of it. We had our fog lights on. Which is a BIG no-no apparently. Fair enough, lesson learned. HOWEVER, anyone who has ever visited France will have witnessed some of the most harebrained/suicidal/maniacal driving, speeding, parking – ie: stopping to park on roundabouts etc, so we did find it incredibly amusing that we get pulled over TWICE for fog lights. Breaking the speed limit by 50km/h or more? Fine. Throwing your hazard lights on and parking in a lane of traffic causing chaos? Fine. Fog lights NO! NO! Don’t be speaking the crazy-ness! France is funny.

Anywhoodle, the next morning we had went into Digne les Bains, had a wander and stocked up with delicious food goodies for a picnic lunch at the local, awesome markets. Free tastings at the cheese stall. Hells yes. Après we visited another town, Sisteron, had our picnic by the lake and then walked up the hill to the city’s famous Citadel and Church – which is perched right up on top of a rocky ridge. The views were incredible and we had such a fun time exploring the place. Lots of photos and sillyness. That night went for dinner at a restaurant recommended by our hosts, and it was fantastic. Regional food, done beautifully. The dessert was sublime and I may have been quite adamant about wanting to eat that over and over again. May have also drunk a bit too much vin rouge.

Next morning we got up at the crack of dawn to watch the sunrise. 10 points if you can guess whose idea this WASN’T. But the views were so lovely and despite being told I look like a Tellytubby when waddling slowly downhill, it was definitely worth it.

Last stop on the trip was a little town called Forcalquier, which unbeknownst to us, was having its annual Local farmers/Produce/Slightly and awesomely hippie festival/market-thing. That’s a very specific definition right there. Regardless, it was wicked! Amazing stalls, this great jazz band group, beautiful food and produce and my favourite bit, the fact that at 12.00, the whole town sat down for a bog communal lunch in the street. €10 gets you chicken grilled on open fires by the church, rice, lentils, Moroccan carrots, a slice of apple tart, a glass of red and some very interesting conversation with the strangers next to you!

Our accomodation: