It just keeps getting better!

Monday, I left the flat in Villefranche sur Mer and spent the day in Nice with John and Pedro.  Unfortunately, it was raining and it put a real damper on our day - pun intended!  I left them in Nice as their flight was later than mine and headed for the airport to meet Sue and Keith (my friends who live in Alsace), pick up a rental car and drive to Bandol where we will spend the next week in an apartment there.  The drive there was not much fun; driving a car that you've never driven before in nasty weather conditions in heavy traffic never is!  We finally arrived at "Le Plein Sud" thanks to good navigating by Sue and Keith (oh yes and Mindy as we are using the Garmin again). 

We were met by the owners' assistant who let us into what turns out to be one of the most amazing apartments we have ever seen.  It was a bit dark and drizzly but we could see that the views across the bay as well as out to sea were fabulous.  Almost better, however, is the flat itself.  It has been decorated in what I would describe as "upscale quirky" and it has every modern convenience.  All the windows have electronically operated blinds; the temperature in each room is controlled by a remote control; there are flat screen TVs in the living room and bedrooms; and the kitchen has everything you could possible ask for.  What really sets this place apart, however, is the furnishings - everything from the odd looking but very comfortable chairs to the sculptures and paintings and the smattering of bright colours and the lighting.  The few pictures below do not do justice to this place.

The living room looking toward the wall mural - a great trompe d'oeil
Sue really likes look of the "petal chair"

The outside patio



Looking toward the inside eating area and hot pink bar

Looking out to the fabulous view

And, we have not even begun to explore this part of Provence.  It is market day here so our first "to do" is going to be to walk to the port, explore the market and stock up on some food and wine.  Luckily, Bandol is considered to be the premium rose wine area of Provence so you can put money on what kind of wine we are going to be buying!