March 27 The road to Orange Part two

The next day we went through the Châteauneuf du Pape wine region. It is really obvious that in some places a lot of money can be made, or at least spent making wine. There are some very impressive châteaux  along  the route. As luck would have it, the wine tasting centers were closed for lunch when we went past them. It might have been a blessing in disguise because it was only half way to our destination of Orange.

We were reminded of the time we spent with Tom and Dianne in Avignon. We covered many of the same routes we took on our wine tour with Serge. We didn't make it all the way to Gigondas but we had a good tour of the Chateauneuf de Pape region.

Orange is very nice town and there is lots to see and do. We are hoping to find a laundry and clean all of our clothes.

Yoly thought this would be the perfect place for her friend Hélène to live, we would visit quite often. It's name   "Chalet Hélène" is what made us think of her.

It is not a clear day but you can make out mount Ventoux in the background.

If Yoly buys me a vineyard I am going to get a tractor like this one.

I will probably just rent the excavator unless she buys a real big operation.

Set up for the specific aplication.

The rocks absorb heat from the sun during the day and keep the roots warm all night, making the wine better.

This winery looks to be about the right size.

And this would be a pretty nice place for us to live.

That is Châteauneuf du Pape.

This is me lurking at the wine testing station, lucky it's lunch time.

Roman ruins in Orange.

At one point in time when a roman emperor converted into christianity, the theatre was no longer in use, therefore, litlle houses were built inside the theatre to accommodate, shelter and protect the people.

The scars of house walls can still be seen on the walls of the theatre.

The biggest theater still around and better preserved in Europe.

Us in a sunny spot.

Were still in the sun, just not in the picture.

Antique scooter

I recall when we bought one of this for Hugh, it was the newest thing. This one folds flat just like the one we bought Hugh. It is made out of wood and has steel wheels. Turns out it wasn't that new after all.

Us at the top of the hill looking at the Roman theatre.

Ruins of a château at the top of the hill, behind the theatre.

The statue of the emperor was made with a removable head, to reduce the cost of changing emperors, only the head of the new emperor was carved and placed on the old body.

Around the corner of the theatre.

Inside the theatre.

Inside the theatre. This theatre is still well used during the summer for operas, concerts and many cultural events.

These are the roman ruins next door.

This is an artists rendition of the site the way it was when the romans ruled.

The arc de triumph in Orange.

Orange at night.