Today’s post is from my regular series of weekend non-recipe mini blog posts, “Postcard from…”
Mont Ventoux is the highest point in Provence and quite possibly the highest place, bar a skiing trip to Meribel, that I have been. Situated 20km north east of Carpentras in the Vaucluse département, it was a little way off from our usual stamping grounds of St-Remy-de-Provence and The Camargue and it took six or seven trips to the area before we visited.
1912 metres at the peak, Mistral wind speeds of 200mph have been recorded there, hence the name Ventoux which means “windy” in French. Locally nicknamed “The Bald Mountain”, the bare terrain is a memorable stage in the annual Tour de France cycle race. A website showing daily webcam conditions of the area is called “Cycling on the moon“.
1912 metres at the peak, Mistral wind speeds of 200mph have been recorded there, hence the name Ventoux which means “windy” in French. Locally nicknamed “The Bald Mountain”, the bare terrain is a memorable stage in the annual Tour de France cycle race. A website showing daily webcam conditions of the area is called “Cycling on the moon“.
We cheated and drove up there. Although a very pleasant September day, it was very cold at the top and during winter would often be covered in snow. Mont Ventoux is geologically part of the Alps but has no similar size peaks around it and stands alone. The view, it goes without saying, is breathtaking.
TOP 20 WIKIO.CO.UK RANKING!
I am feeling high as a kite myself having been nominated for web awards by 3 different bloggers, details of the first of these can be seen below. I have also just found out that this month Maison Cupcake has rocketed 54 places up to Number 17 in the Wikio.co.uk Gastronomy February Top 20 UK Food Blogs (site no longer available). Since I have been blogging my little socks off in January, I am delighted about this but at the same time nervous it’s a mistake meaning someone will email me, “sorry we transposed the figures and you are actually still number 71 like last month”. It also comes with the pressure knowing that unless I sustain my recent level of activity that I will slide quickly back down again. But until either of these things happen I will continue to do my happy dance around the kitchen. If I get feet with my macaroons this month, some serious damage may be done to the ceiling.
I had better go now. It is the calm before the storm. From Wednesday to Friday this week I am running 3 cupcake sales and taking umpteen cupcake orders for Cake A Difference, a fundraising week for Bliss, the premature baby charity. If I go a bit quiet this week, this is why!
WOOT Sarah. This is great news. Love the way your rankings are climbing…YAY!! You deserve it all the way, and I'd love to see you dancing on the ceiling!
Thank you for the Sunshine Award … I'm BEAMING from ear to ear. Thank you my dahling! You are not just 'Caking a Difference', but you are absolutely 'Making a Difference' too. {HUGS}
Thanks Sarah dear….you make me smile!!!! Congrats on the Wikio rankings…..regardless of what happens, keep enjoying what you're doing, that will always win the day!
Bonjour Sarah,
Congratulation on all your awards, they are so well deserved. And great news with your rankings. Enjoyed your postcard about Mont Ventoux, you really describe it well, you are making me want to visit.
I'm so glad you are getting so many orders for Cake with a Difference. Don't work tot hard.
Bonne weekend and happy baking!
Oh Sarah, thank you SO much for this! I was having such a dreadful morning and then your note appeared – making everything sunshiny again. 🙂 I love your postcards – love them! 🙂 And I'm tickled pink about your awards!!! YAY! YAY! I'm so delighted that you are being honored for all your hard work. 🙂 Happy dancing!!!
Congrautlations on being #17! :O Hehe you are too funny bout the #71, there is no way you'd be #71! Thankyou so much for the award too! I'm so flattered and honoured Sarah! Thankyou for the sunshine (it's a grey morning so it's very timely) 😀