avignon – short stop

From the TGV station into town to pick up a local train – a reed bed in a contemporary water feature is a surprise. The station building itself is a thing of wonder . . .

http://www.guardian.co.uk/culture/2001/jul/23/artsfeatures1

. . . jumping off the bus at Cours Jean Jaures – more water and time for a chat and gentle reflection.

Down the busy Cours in full festival mode – a joyful holiday feeling. It’s fun here.

. . . but off the main drag, there are shady places for sitting around and contemplating . . .

Luscious foliage on the rocky water feature and equally on the magnolia.

Must return!

Dont tug que may tot jorn prendo plazer. . .

Verses, chansos, siruentes, pastorelas,

Dansas, descortz, redondels, viandelas,

Am bel so gay, melodios, plazen,

Balan, trescan o lors obran fazen;

E motas vetz, per fugir ad enueg,

Per los jorns loncz, o can fa longa nueg,

Legen dictatz, gestas o bels romans.

 

From which a great number of people always take pleasure. . .

verses, chansos, sirventes, pastorelas,

dansas, descortz, redondels, viandelas,

with pretty tunes, gay, melodious, and pleasurable,

as they dance and leap around or do their work;

and, frequently, to raise their spirits

on long days, or when the nights are long,

they read verses, tales or romances.  Raimon de Cornet