Avignon

9.00pm. Sitting outside a cafe in the Avignon campground. It's chilly, the French Cup Final is on the tv and there is a beer next to me to keep me warm. There are 5 francais also sitting near me in the cold getting excited by the football. It hasn't really been warm here in Provence but today it was sunny with a cool breeze. We had a great day. The campground is directly across from the original Pont d'Avignon and we have stunning views of the half bridge and the Papal Palace beyond it. The fortified walls of Avignon are high and continue all around the main city.

We visited the daily indoor market at Place Pie and bought some.... quiches and veges and noticed some nice poultry (ducks undressed but with feathery heads in tact - Anika was a bit shocked especially as there is a platoon of ducklings living with their mums in the green campground pool). We also found an authentic patisserie off the beaten track where we bought  delicious pastries from  a lovely, enthusiastic owner. She loved my high school french. We also spent about an hour in an English second-hand book store to find some more reading for Anika.

The old Pont d'Avignon is beautiful and we walked all over it, taking in the many views of the river and the fortifications. The river below flows quite swiftly and the railings are very child-friendly - for climbing and falling.

In town we had just finished visiting the giant FNAC store (electronics, books, cds, dvds etc) when  out on the main Rue de Republique a carnivale atmosphere was building.  Arkady had just purchased a series of Mr Men and Ms Women books for french - you know Mr Fat, Mr Lazy, Mr French Pastry, Mr Butter, Ms Wine  etc. when we  heard the sounds of drums in the streets. Fearing the worst - street performers.... we ventured out cautiously. There was a street march to promote a theatrical festival with drumming groups, jazz bands, parkour style gymnastics involving the shop balconies and lamp posts and statues. 

There were also many families and kids dressed up to add to the atmosphere. 

Confetti was liberally thrown around and the cafe owners were bemused.