Cavaillon

We have arrived in Cavaillon, some forty kms south of Apt, after two days of quite pleasant walking, though by the end of the day we are both quite tired.

Boronia finds it impossible to walk past any walnut tree, blackberry bush, fig tree, pear tree, apple tree, grape vine, rocket plant, almond tree, melon patch or other source of fresh food without sampling the wares. I live in fear of being accosted by an irate landowner, or worse still, the gendarmerie, but we seemed to have survived so far. If necessary, no doubt she will claim the pilgrim's right to forage, though whether this is an accepted rationale I am not sure.

Boronia is resting in our hotel room, I have been checking emails and the newspapers from Australia, but promised I wouldnt be away too long so will keep this short.

We have essentially been following the path of the roman road between Spain and Rome built some two thousand years ago. Many of the towns along the route were established as staging posts by the romans. In places, the remnants of the actual road are still visible underfoot, along with three or four quite beautiful bridges.

All this imperial history underfoot leads me to wonder what will remain of our cities,work and lives in two thousand years? The answer is probably not much, but what is important is the cultural foundations which we continue to build on our forebears own cultural contributions, and which will in some way continue to find expression in the quality of life of our descendants. One of the very positive things we have noticed in France, apart from a general friendliness, a sense of community politeness and formality which engenders and promulgates respect amongst all, is something which we will try to bring back with us to Australia, namely, a concern to respect and appreciate quality and the value of personal contributions. This has been most apparent in the way the French prepare and present their food, and is perhaps more apparent to us given the time we are spending in small farms, gites and so on where the values of personal contribution are emphasised and are still strong. Nevertheless, it is a noticeable difference overall, and worth emulating in all parts of life.

Enough philosophy for one day.

Regards to all our friends and family

mike