No UFO's in Chateauneuf-du-Pape

According to both The Local and The Telegraph,

the little Medieval town of Chateauneuf-du-Pape in the Vaucluse dept of Provence

 is upholding the 62 year ban on flying saucers, and/or flying cigars. 

In 1954, after a man reported having seen two beings 

who looked like deep sea divers embarking from a cigar-shaped space ship,

 then Mayor Lucien Jeune declared the ban,

"Any aircraft known as flying saucer, or flying cigar, 

which should land on the territory of the community

will be immediately held in custody." 

And current Mayor Claude Avril is

"not going to touch the ban."
More known for its wines at the time, 

the ban's publicity brought journalists and the public alike

who probably also enjoyed the wine. 

Having spent a little time in Chateauneuf-du-Pape 

the summer before last while spending two weeks in Provence, 

I can attest to both the fine wine and the charm of the hillside town. 

Aliens need not apply!

************

This election season has bowled me over

and I'm still trying to find my equilibrium...

so I'll take whatever I can get. 

Hope you're finding what you need to get through. 

(Photo copyright: Kirsten Steen) 

Our beautiful Provence accommodations...under storm warning.

This past week the Cote d'Azur has been pummeled by storms.

They've seen massive rainfall and flooding, which included 20 deaths. 

And the Vaucluse Department in Provence was again under warning as of yesterday. 

Last week's storms caused 550 million euros in damage.

Let's hope this week sees no further loss of life.

Hoping everyone is safe and protected.

This is the 17th century house we stayed in this summer with family near Blauvac

in the Vaucluse. 

The lovely writing desk in my room.

And view from my window into the courtyard.

The road into the property held some of the most exquisite views anywhere.

Every morning we walked the road to the monastery next door

where some went to listen to Vespers in the evening.

 Off the kitchen, a lovely patio with pool.

Shaded by a 600 year old tree.

Every night that weather allowed, 

we had dinner out on the patio

And each night, 

a different family took turns creating magnificent cuisine. 

Hoping they've pulled in the hammock,

and battened down the hatches.

Prayers for safe harbor in the storm.

(Photos copyright: Kirsten Steen) 

Chateauneuf du Pape

I'm back!! 

Another long break from the blog

but this time back with LOTS of photos. 

I was gone for nearly a month

mostly in France

two weeks of which were spent in Provence. 

This first blog/set of photos 

are from the charmingly sweet town of Chateauneuf du Pape

which means New Castle of the Pope. 

You've no doubt heard of it 

because it's famous for its red wines. 

It sits about 12 kilometers from Avignon

and its castle was begun in the 14th century for one of the popes

who lived in Avignon. 

But the very first mention of it 

is in the 11th century

so lots of medieval remnants. 

Flowers everywhere

and a medieval street that leads to the castle ruin at the top. 

Lots of eateries and tasting rooms

And as with most of these little medieval towns,

the view at the top is spectacular. 

There was construction going on at the top

so didn't get photos of the castle ruins. 

After lunch in town, 

we visited a chocolaterie just outside of town

where we paired a few red wines with chocolate. 

And visited the Musee du Vin

which will be included in another post. 

But the biggest news about my trip

was my visit to the cave of Mary Magdalene

(said to have spent the last 30 years of her life 

in a cave in Provence.) 

That will be a big post of its own as well. 

Some of you know that I've included Mary Magdalene in my novel

so to visit her cave was a remarkable research trip for me

as well as my own personal pilgrimage

(both to honor the Divine Feminine.) 

Needless to say,

I'm very excited to have been there

and am still processing my experience.

But I'll be sharing more France and Greece photos

before that blog post arrives. 

Till then, happy summer! 

(All photos copyright Kirsten Steen)