Well

This has been intriguing me all the time we've been here: a well set in the garden in front of the house. 

This morning, the Minx and the miniMinx set off to spend the day in Avignon, whence the latter was setting off home, this afternoon, while I had a German lesson and then the rest of the day to myself.

Thus, the opportunity presented itself to open up the grate on the front of the little building and take a look inside. 

I'm not sure what I was expecting. Perhaps a narrowing, circular shaft, with some branches, leaves, and other natural detritus at the bottom. 

But no! A square duct, descending a few feet to what appeared to be the surface of some water. I found a stone and dropped it down and, judging by the acoustics, it was a substantial and deep pool, sat in quite a large space. 

I wondered whether it was accessible from anywhere else; if there was, perhaps, a passage leading to the room. And also when it was last used as a water supply for the house. 

Given how hot and dry it's been, it was quite a surprise, especially in a house on top of hill. But perhaps in some way it does explain how lush everything is around here despite the weather.

Anyway, I parked my curiosity before I ended up trapped in the bottom of the well, treading water until the Minx's return, and instead recorded teh radio show and dabbled with some music. 

And when the Minx did come home, we enjoyed our final evening at the house, eating on the terrace and reading our books.