It was a good trip and a worthwhile visit. The resurgence (which is what the Fontaine de Vaucluse is, of La Sorgue river, which bursts, trickles or surges out from a vast underground river and cave system, still only partially understood, explored and mapped) was looking rather calm but deep, at the foot of the towering limestone cliffs. But the rocky river bed leading away from this initial, unearthly green pool, which the resurgence wells up into, was loud with white water and seething pools: so it was going some. I understand on occasion the Fontaine can be even more impressive but this was fine for us. At our age we need to keep excitement down to modest levels. The Chinese visitors we encountered on that rainy day seemed reasonably pleased given the number of 'selfies' they set up in the public viewing area: they dedicated a good ten minutes to securing the snaps and may have even given the fontaine landscape a glance or two to back up their visit. Conjecture of course, I am sure they will have done the F-de-V justice pictorially. Hmm.
In 2022 we agreed to take Dr G. to see the phenomenon on the basis that it was very early season, so the hordes might may even yet have not descended (we were right) and that the resurgence might be in full flow as we were just coming out of winter (we were wrong). Luckily Dr G is pragmatic enough to accept matters as they are when it comes to natural wonders —knowledgeable enough about limestone systems, rivers, caves and all that sort of geography (she lives in similar environments back in the motherland) to appreciate the evidence of what the resurgence must be like when on top form from the evidence exhibited by the river in repose.
Madame Melling decided to capitalise on the low water levels appertaining and ignoring interdit notices concerning the risk of falling cliff faces etc., gamely took herself over the public guard rails to get a closer view of the gaping maw from which the river issues. The rest of our party followed suit I am ashamed to say. No cliffs fell on us and we were able to wonder at the hidden depths at first hand. Worth it. No on-the-spot fines were issued. You'll note that Mrs M is well below the apparent winter water level as witnessed in our November 2019 excursion: the shrub in the 2019 picture is just visible on the left, coming into leaf, in the 2022 picture. See what I mean?
