Arles November 2017 - the accidental...

I find that one's best moments are often a surprise. At the end of a visit to the Fondation Vincent van Gogh (do go it's lovely), I found a door out on to a roof garden, and thought I'd been transported to Fez.

I spotted this lovely little roof terrace...

...then closer at hand,  my spot. Tea, a book, a cat, maybe a cheeky G&T or a glass of vino...bliss.

Thank you Arles, I'll be back.

Arles November 2017 - au flâneur...

Just so many lovely things to see in Arles...

...as I always say...

...make sure that you...

...look up!

It really is...

...always...

...worth it.

Although some things are hard to miss...

...including superior graffiti...

...and a fabulous pun.

There are beautiful houses...

...and parrots...

...repurposed buildings...

...and an obelisk...

...and cake.

Arles November 2017 - Le Cloitre Saint-Trophime

 Now...I love Romanesque sculpture, and there's plenty in Arles, but the Cloister of St. Trophime is very very special. beg, borrow or steal to visit. My favourite was this panel showing the temptation of Christ.

The devil seems to boxing with Christ in the first scene, dancing a jig in the second...

...and I'm not sure what at the bottom.

Arles November 2017 - Carmague and Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer

On another beautiful day, albeit cold, we headed out into the Carmague, on a guided wildlife 'safari'.

We saw saw lots of cattle, including these little ones...

...and the famous white horses.

These chaps were lovely and friendly.

They have rather fine eyelashes...

...and very, very, furry, furry ears.

We saw lots of flamingos...which for all I'm a grown woman...I did squeal a bit...OK I squealed at the horses...and the calves too.

This picture shows just how dry it is at the moment.

We had a pit stop in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, where one must beware of manifestations.

La Mer...

I was very taken with this shop sign...

...and this tower...

...and it's lovely, elegant sundial.

Arles November 2017 - Saturday food market

Arles has one of the largest food markets in the area. I think it was designed for me (or should that be moi?)...seafood...

....cheese...

...interesting mushrooms. Three of my main food groups...

Arles November 2017 (not strictly in Arles but the same trip) - Pont du Gard

The magnificent Roman aqueduct, the  Pont du Gard...

...is breathtaking, especially on a beautiful day, like the day I visited.

It's over 160ft high, and when it fell into disuse as an aqueduct...

...it became a toll-bridge...

 ...rather puts Swinford toll-bridge to shame.

 Each arch was constructed independently to ensure flexibility to protect against subsidence...

...and they are beautiful, beautiful beautiful.

Arles November 2017 - The Arena

Upon hearing that I'd spent a few days in Arles, a friend sighed, and said that she'd like to die there.

It really is a lovely place, chock full of Roman remains and other treats.

This is the arena, where bull fights still take place (don't tell Mother).

It's all rather impressive, but my fave...

...was this little worn carving of a bull fighter. I much prefer my history on a human scale.