Our last day in Provence and unfortunately it did not quite turn out as planned. I had spent yesterday packing while Neil was out riding Mont Ventoux as I thought that I would be out this morning, but some things that are beyond your control. I had booked to go hot air ballooning from Roussillon but the wind came up yesterday and the flight was cancelled. I was very disappointed as a balloon ride has been on my bucket list for some time and what better place to float over in the early morning than Provence. It wasn't meant to be and gives me another reason to return. Today instead I squeezed in another village, well a return to one I'd been too before but it was hidden bymarkets, L'Isle sur le Sorge. When I was there previously I had picked up a map and I noticed a town walk taking in 13 water wheels. Knowing how much the kids enjoyed the water wheels in other villages, we set off on our adventure of water wheel spotting, with each of kids armed with a map leading the way. After going round in circles to find our starting point we were under way and the walk was very interesting. Many of the wheels dated back to the 1800's and were used for a variety of reasons, from irrigation to powering mills to spin silk and yarn. It was an enjoyable morning and nice to actually see the town (not through market stall umbrellas). We then headed back for home (with the kids still holding their maps) to some serious packing as tomorrow we are sadly leaving Provence. I am not entirely ready to leave but I know another chapter of this trip and new scenery awaits a few hours away. Heather and I have just finished our last evening walk around the village, which was going to be a short one but ended up at the castle and windmill.
It was a lovely way to spend our last evening here. The sun is now setting over the stunning view we have enjoyed and relaxed in front of over for the last two weeks, and Bourg d'Oisan with its view of Alpe d'Huez now await our arrival tomorrow.
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