Mont Ventoux

Mont Ventoux: the largest free-standing mountain in France. Those pedants out there who are scratching their brow and tut-tutting this fact: yes, Mont Blanc is the highest in Europe but is part of a range of mountains. Ventoux is basically a big lump of limestone sticking up in the middle of Provence- the locals call it the 'Giant'. A few years ago the Tour de France went up and over- those who watched might remember this big hill with a cream/white top, even in the middle of summer. It is just the limestone rocks which shine like snow in the sun.

As you can see in the second pic, great heights affect people differently. Rhonda needed a pole to grab on to, Tony went looking for food. He returned with an enormous bag of jubes from the highest lolly shop in France.

The third pic is our lunch stop- a very important part of the Provencal life (well we thought so, anyway). This is at the spot where the cyclists come whizzing down at breakneck speeds after taking an hour or so to climb it. Debbie chose the best food again, but Tony and I got the award for the biggest! (Pizzas big enough to play football on)

Tomorrow- The Break-up!