Author Archives: perfectusvarrus

About perfectusvarrus

I am an adventurer. The thrill of adventure and exploration keeps me strong; through rock climbing, backpacking, cycling, exploring, and trying new things, I love the rush of adventure.
Aug4

A hike up Mt. Puget

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Saturday, 06-July-2024



I had some time between leaving the B&B in Allauch and when I could check in at my rental in Cassis… So I went for a walk. A long walk. Up a mountain.

Because that’s how I walk.



I found the hike by way of AllTrails – an app that I started using in Oregon, and have found to be passably useful here in Europe. I’m sure that I’ll find a better option once I get settled into Dublin… but for now, it’s serving me just fine.

And, in an interesting coincidence, the hike I chose happened to be at one of the spots that I went climbing, back in 2014! I didn’t notice it until I was parked and heading in, but the University of Luminy stood out in my mind, harkening my memory back to ropes and climbing and baguettes.

I headed in, and headed up.

I melted, a bit, but the hiking was lovely none-the-less. I walked when I wanted to, rested when I wanted to, and snacked when the urge hit. I enjoyed the views, enjoyed the adventure, and appreciated the fresh air.

In short – it was absolutely glorious.



I finished up strong, timing the completion almost perfectly. I had just enough time to grab a quick salad before getting back on the road to Cassis… not too bad, if I do say so myself.

Aug4

Sunset over the Notre-Dame du Chateau

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Friday, 05-July-2024


Now, first off. Notre-Dame du Chateau is in Allauch, in Southern France. We’re not talking about the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, which is noticeably larger and subtly more well known internationally.

This was, instead, a medium length walk from the Bed and Breakfast where I was staying in Allauch, and made for an absolutely glorious evening stroll – It had been recommended by my host, and after a warm day of lounging in the garden I was feeling the need to stretch my legs out a bit as the temperatures started to follow the Sun as it dipped down toward the horizon.

I didn’t want to stay out past dark, of course, since that just adds a whole different level of complexity to navigation, but I also wasn’t in a rush… it was a simply magical evening, and I enjoyed taking my time to walk, stretch, and explore the small town that I’d found myself in.



Of the walk itself, all I can say it that it was lovely. It started out hot, when I left the front door, but ended just below warm by the time I found myself back in my own rooms. It wasn’t quite cool, but… close enough to be perfectly comfortable.


Of the “church” itself, it was magical. It may or may not be an active church; I couldn’t tell you. What I can say it that it was a perfect example of Southern French architecture, partially in ruins, evoking a lovely calm from its perch high above town.


Of the town… well, I’ll let the photos speak for themselves. Suffice it to say that I stopped quite often to take pictures.

Aug3

Exploring Marseille (Technically Allauch)

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Thursday, 04-July-2024 through Saturday, 06-July-2024


My plan for France was to stay in a small town called Cassis, that I’d visited before in 2014 as a climbing trip with a whole group of friends. It was a lovely town; small, touristy, and that grand combination of authentic feeling, but also welcoming. My Mom and Stepdad would be joining me for a bit over a week, and we’d adventure, vacation, and test the waters of group international travel.

I’d found a good place to stay, then went looking for plane tickets… but found that they wouldn’t quite work out with the dates in mind – In the end, it all shook out that I’d arrive two days early, and find a spot to stay in Marseille.

It complicated things, to be sure, but I wasn’t against the complication – it gave me the opportunity to relax a bit, in a spot that I didn’t feel pressured to spend a lot of energy exploring, and just rest and catch up on photos, this blog, and do a bit of reading.


Allauch was the ideal spot for this, and I’d found an ideal bed and breakfast in that ideal spot.



I stayed, I relaxed in the garden, and had breakfast at the B&B itself. I grabbed elevensies at a bakery nearby, generally skipped lunch in favor of a nap (and the food from elevensies), and then had dinner at a nearby pizza place, ironically run by a guy who’d just finished his MBA in Dublin – though not at the same school I’m going to.

It was, simply put, absolutely lovely.

Nearly infinite flowers, lovely warm weather that just bordered on hot, and streets that seemed designed specifically for wandering. And, of course, amazing food!

  • Le fournil de la Pounche – Amazing bakery, and they put up with my absolutely mediocre French with far more patience than I ever expected.
  • Venchi Pizza – Amazing pizzeria, sort of a town pizza place like “<Blank> house of pizza” back in New England. But… you know, better pizza. I ate in both times I visited, and was the only one staying in to eat – but it was really fun getting to chat with the folks working the oven!