The sun came out more strongly than on any day since the return from London, so off we went to Saint Tropez and its neighbouring village of Ramatuelle.
You know more or less what to expect in St Trop. At this time of the year, the grand yachts berthed in the harbour are a little less grand than in the summer, and there is not so much jostling for mooring space. They still look mightily impressive.
But every so often, even in St Trop, you come across a sense of proportion ...
At the Sénéquier, people still find the front tables irresistible - even when it is a squash to be seated, and you then have to contend with freshly painted woodwork dangerously close to your place and puddles beneath the chairs.
While snacking on basic goat's cheese or César salads - €50 for two, if you add the least pricey 50cl of rosé on the wine list - there is the chance to gawp at passers-by in case they are identifiably famous. That's why it costs 50€ for such modest fare.
I gawped at the biker couple who parked up on the quayside and then produced a small terrier from the saddle box (OK, I didn't actually see it being removed but can think of nowhere else it might have been stored).
And then on the way home, one of the lanes leading to or, more accurately, from the celebs' favoured Pampelonne beach - occupied mainly yesterday by those following a regatta - presented this appealing sight ...
It's chillier again today, and chillier still in the house where, since the mishap of the first weekend, the log fire must not be lit. At least the weekend appearance of the sun brings hope that more routine warmth is just around the corner.
A few miles out of Saint Tropez lies Ramatuelle, a peaceful and understated village but still part of an area of the Var dotted with stars; Johnny Depp and Vanessa Paradis live with their family in nearby Gassin.
Signs invite visitors to explore the heart of the old village, where the narrow streets and alleys, and beautifully kept buildings bursting with character, are well worth a look.
I liked the wall painting inside the old lavoir
But best of all, perhaps, is the view over the village and out to the Mediterranean. It's good to be back
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