Vauvenargues again - the last home Picasso bought, the scenery Cézanne painted, the bloody mountain that I tried to climb again and failed - on the first day of spring.

This time it was my friend's fault. No honest. Actually, we were both knackered. Another time maybe.

I took a compact with me because I had to carry everything and I remembered the last time. This hideous blue behind Picasso's château is a typical example of "compact sky". The B&W is an attempt to circumvent it. Nothing doing.

Like the first one particularly...and the view and sky in #4 is fabulous. The sign made me laugh...in the uk we clearly do as we are told without explanation...and we are clearly not headed for Paris cariad · 2011-03-20: 15:15

alors là je te le fairais payer la prochaine fois non mais et parce que je sais que tu aimes ça je te dis lol !!!!! karenbeslay · 2011-03-20: 15:15

Why does a compact do this to a perfectly lovely blue sky? I'm sure you are the man with the answer. I love the first shot, in fact I felt compelled to put it into my favourites, (well I have just had a rather large G&T) but I am confident that I will still love it in the morning. SADHYA · 2011-03-20: 15:23

You often here it's the photographer not the camera that captures great photos. I know you are a great photographer, so the camera does make a big difference. I was using a Sony Cybershot all last summer, did not even want to post alot of my images. Great post. joycephotography · 2011-03-20: 15:40

I could live in that house! :) DancingDolphin · 2011-03-20: 16:18

What a beautiful set. Adore the first one. :) I too could live in that house~as long as I did not have to clean it. :) karmankwarner · 2011-03-20: 16:36

I like them.. first one is my the best pezzetta · 2011-03-20: 16:48

I love the first shot and the b&w. jennye · 2011-03-20: 17:29

Love #1. Hope you make it Stefan! danrav · 2011-03-20: 19:02

There's always next year right? Love the first, btw, very nice McMommy · 2011-03-20: 19:15

Nice set. I know what you mean about the sky. A polarizer would have done it but you don't have that option with a compact. I do like the weathered branches. BJ Beejay · 2011-03-20: 20:14

c est un endroit vraiment beau ! photodeclair · 2011-03-20: 22:31

The first shot haunts me. Keryl · 2011-03-20: 22:54

Added the first shot to my favs, so many cool tree posts today great set of shots ilikethat · 2011-03-21: 06:07

Don't worry, you're still in your prime. You'll make it some day. Hope you had a great birthday, btw. Wasn't online so I failed to congratulate you in time, but, as they say, better late than never, whether it's about reaching the top or instructing someone to have a happy birthday. Bet you're still celebrating! :-) ????? · 2011-03-21: 07:00

Love the gnarly tree in No 1... Annbramwell · 2011-03-21: 08:02

I like the first one too. MoMac · 2011-03-21: 08:06

LOL, perhaps it'll be third time lucky?! Does your compact do RAW? That would solve the sky problem! girafferacing · 2011-03-21: 16:29

Love #1......wonderful set and of course, belated birthday wishes Stefan!! :) Nukee · 2011-03-21: 19:52

"Faut pas insister " dit-il ! Donc à quand le musée ... Merci pour cette magnifique balade :) helys · 2011-03-22: 05:18

Nice post -- especially that very interesting tree in 1. ????? · 2011-03-22: 15:07

love the contrast and texture of the first thebronzebow · 2011-03-22: 23:29

That is a great sign. I think he covered all the bases. ????? · 2011-03-23: 11:02

Bonne chance! miclaud · 2011-03-27: 07:11

the sign is priceless; how far away is Paris? equivalence · 2011-03-27: 15:39

Tagged: vauvenargues