France May/ June 2016. Day 23 Die Market, Les Claps and the Clairette Vineyards.

Up early this morning to see Peter and Linda off on their journey north for an overnight stop near Troyes and then the shuttle and home tomorrow.  After breakfast it was time for James and Thomas to head off to Bourg d’Oissans in the Ecrins National Park at the foot of the famous Tour de France climb up to Alpe D’Huez.  We opted to visit Die market.  We enjoyed the alternative atmosphere in Die three years ago, but didn’t get to visit the market.  We were not to be disappointed.  It was buzzing and full of interesting stalls and wonderful fresh produce as well a fair smattering of ‘alternative’ people, both young and old hippies.  We found this last time we were here and loved the atmosphere.  Nothing but aging hippies ourselves.  Once we had explored the market, had a drink and done some food shopping we carried on to Luc en Diois, another attractive Vercors village where we enjoyed a simple and relaxed lunch in the Relais des Claps.  The tarte aux fraises was to die for!  Next up was Les Clap, an unusual geological feature, the result of a huge rockfall from the past.  We returned to Chatillons by a very attractive road over a high col and then went to explore the Clairette de Die vineyards and lavender fields for some photography, but not before visiting the local cave for a couple of cases of Clairette to take home, a delicious, sweet and not powerful fizz.
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The mountains from the campsite