Last spring while enjoying a beautiful day in Vaison-la-Romaine I turned a corner and noticed a number of tables and chairs set up for what looked like a banquet luncheon.  A group of women were putting out baskets with the typical picnic fare of des sauscisses, du pain, du fromage et du vin. Others began to arrive, some with baskets of additional items or even more of the same.  I was a bit baffled at first but insight came quickly as I read the sign hanging in the shop windows on that block…it was indeed a “block party”.  Not sure now what they called it, but clearly the neighborhood was gathering for a midday meal.

According to Malcolm this is not unusual and is in fact part of neighborhood life in France.  It happened that his quartier was having just such a gathering on Saturday.  It was billed as a “sardinade” as the theme was sardines.  A large drum was retooled to be a BBQ and not long after the noon bell the Q was fired up and the sardines were grilling.

We were joined by friends of Malcolm’s, Lesly and Geoff.  We each brought some extra goodies along and plenty of vino and set up around the square of tables as did the other neighbors.  The day was very windy and the temperature hovered around 12 degrees (<54 degrees F).  It was chilly indeed and lavish helpings of wine seemed the only rational defense.

Even the sardines went down well with the wine of the day.

Our Chef

The Neighbors

More Neighbors

Our Table Mates

Geoff, Lesly, and Malcolm

Leslie Sharing Her Delicious Cake