We caught up with them in Carpentras and on a beautiful Wednesday we all went to Orange. After parking we saw an interesting apartment block beside a concert hall adorned with this sign. We take it the current council is not a socialist one!
The Roman theatre is one of very few with an intact stage, and although some repairs have been necessary it is still impressive. They have also found remains of an adjacent temple. In the museum we saw a fascinating exhibition of photographs by a bloke who had the project of documenting all Greek and Roman amphitheatres in Europe, Turkey and North Africa. Some are in a bit of a state, and some we have seen. Good stuff! Later in a bar we asked for a glass of tap water to accompany J's strong coffee. La patronne said it would be 50cents - or everyone would want one - not so good! We also wanted to see the Triumphal Arch, but it turned out to be a long and boring walk to the outskirts.
In the afternoon we had a treat! We visited a vineyard in the Chateauneuf du Pape area and "did" a degustation:- a first for us as we have been too worried about shelling out, and a first for regulars A & J because this time they were stiil (just) harvesting the grapes! We came away with a couple of bottles and a feeling that we might do it again! (St Siffrein) We then stopped on a hill immediately above C du P itself and got some great views - including of the meandering Rhone.
Later in Carpentras we discovered that it is rather a small and dull town with few restaurants (well on an October Wednesday, anyway!) but it does have good sunset views and a beautiful mimosa smell.We paid too much for dinner that was sound but somewhat overblown!