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June 2009 :  Summer Holiday in the Luberon Valley, Provence      

Our vacation in the South of France was a success last year, so we decided to rent the same house again this year,  a good decision, as it was a great holiday again,

We split the 1800 km drive into two days, and as expected Bianca was no trouble at all.  She is just happy and content to be with us.  This time, however, we decided not to use her transport box but a dog safety belt buckled to the back seat.  This was a much better solution as it meant she could sit up and watch the traffic, or lie down and sleep, and more importantly she could see exactly what we were doing.

I am almost sure that Bianca could remember the house from last year, because when we arrived she dashed around the garden, then into the house and checked everything out.  tail wagging and very happy.

During the next two weeks, one of which our son Mark visited, (he is her absolute most favourite person in the whole world) Bianca experienced all kinds of things. 

We went walking in the mountains, visited markets and towns and posh restaurants.  On the rare occasion where Bianca felt a little insecure she just looked at me with those big brown eyes of hers and I said (what I always say when she is a little uncomfortable)   "IT’S OK BIANCA”, and she was fine.  She trusts us implicitly, which is great, but also something we take very seriously.     

It’s so easy having a dog with you in France as you can take them with you everywhere (with the exception of the supermarket). In restaurants waiters come with a bowl of water for your dog, and a dog is definitely an ice-breaker as you get to talk to all kinds of people.   Bianca is such a pretty dog (I’m not bias in any way!!) and people do stop and ask what breed she is and pat her.  Something that the little lady just loves, and boy she certainly knows how to turn on the charm when such occasions arise. 

One quite funny incident was in a shopping mall, where a security guard approached us.  My immediate reaction was, okay he’s going to ask us to take Bianca outside, but no, he wanted to know the name of the dog!!  I answered "Bianca".  Afterwards I realised that I had totally misunderstood him, and what he meant was what breed is she. So now there is a security guard in Cavaillion who thinks that “Bianca” is a breed of dog.  My French isn’t that good as you can probably guess.   

The drive home was equally easy, so again it’s not the last time we take Bianca on holiday with us.  

Jennifer