First week in Roquebrune

We had a great first week in Roquebrune. Hiking at Gorbio, Sospel, and Nice.

More shots from from Gorbio.

The water was so amazing clear just at this moment after a storm.

Sospel.

There was a bike festival (though nothing like Göteborg's!) along the Promenade des Anglais we got to experience when we went into town to pick up Hans's race packet.

They had closed off the Promenade des Anglais for the Tour de France, but a couple of days before the pros took to the course in a team time trial, they had a race for amateurs.  Hans rode the course in 37:40, good for 144th place.

The road was freshly repaved...

Tired but satisfied.

France

We left Provence, although this house that the Nowlins rented sure was tempting...

On one of our first days in Roquebrune we headed up to Gorbio for a hike.

Matt and Emilie's Wedding

A beautiful wedding in this vinyard near Propiac.

Emilie and her grandmother.

Matt and his siblings.

Dinner was back at the hotel.

Madeleine made this drawing for the couple, and all the guests finished it with their fingerprints.

A chocolate mousse cake.

First days in Buis

After a long drive through France, we arrived in Buis about 4 PM and promptly found Emilie and Alice...

Everyone converged on the local pizzeria for dinner and plonk...

...and the next day we gathered at Emilie's grandmother's house for lunch.

The kids all got along well.

...there were apricots.

Joel, Matt, and Hans took a short bike ride up the valley.

...before Hans took a slightly longer ride on Saturday morning.

We arranged to meet at the summit at 10:30, and at 10:29 we both crested simultaneously from opposite sides.  What a ride!

More fun in Gent

After spending a long time studying a cement mixer in action, this Lego version was just too cool to pass up.

Funky building in Gent.

Street theater we happened upon.  Lots of dancing, shouting...

...and balloons.

This cool building used to be a circus, apparently...

A warm day in Gent

The Plum bike shop has a great selection...

The sisters...

The long drive to Gent

We left at 4 AM and promptly killed a crow...

While on the boat, saw these boats on that boat.

Madeleine at the wheel.

This Trabant teased us with thoughts of Belgian beer while stuck in Autobahn traffic.