Bit cooler today, but good day for washing Bessie, poor girl has got very road weary and dusty.
Drove her to the washing bay, Tony washed and I hosed her off.
Good job done, all spick and span inside and out ready for next journey in a day or so, it's so nice and peaceful here, very relaxing.
Monday, 30 January 2017
Sunday 29 Jan 8° misty over the bay
It warmed up and the sun came out.
Got the highlights of Aussie Tennis open Federer and Nadal, very close and emotional game, shame one has to lose, both such deserving players. Thanks Vera for posting on Facebook.
Good to have time and a lovely sunny day to clean, tidy and sort Bessie. It's so nice here may stay another day or so.........
Relaxing afternoon in warm sunshine doing some forward planning and looking at the view.
We got a tap from the office ndnd filled up the tank, every pitch has its own elec hook up and water.
At 12 o'clock Tony went to pick up our hot roast lunch, adds new meaning to bringing home the bacon, haha
Washed down with a local rose`
Good to have time and a lovely sunny day to clean, tidy and sort Bessie. It's so nice here may stay another day or so.........
Relaxing afternoon in warm sunshine doing some forward planning and looking at the view.
Saturday 28 Jan 12° scattered showers
Lovely quiet night, very peaceful here at campsite Saint Mitre Les Remparts. Tony walked to local shop for fresh croissants and baguette. Used tokens for Wasing and Dryer good job done. Got some vegetables from local shop and ordered a hot rotisserie chicken and vegetables for tomorrow lunch €8 chicken cooked and €4.50 for potatoes with peppers and mushrooms.
After some 'housekeeping ' got the bus into the local commercial shopping area. Spied some slip ons like crocs and cut off slip on wellies, saw how useful they were at Tish and Stu's thought we would get some. Got shopping at a Price leader store including some little goodies, rice wafers with dark chocolate on yummy.
Tony cooked Toulouse sausages for dinner with a refreshing glass of beer.
No TV satellite signal here, so watched a movie.
After some 'housekeeping ' got the bus into the local commercial shopping area. Spied some slip ons like crocs and cut off slip on wellies, saw how useful they were at Tish and Stu's thought we would get some. Got shopping at a Price leader store including some little goodies, rice wafers with dark chocolate on yummy.
Tony cooked Toulouse sausages for dinner with a refreshing glass of beer.
No TV satellite signal here, so watched a movie.
Friday, 27 January 2017
Wed 25 Thurs 26 Jan Photos
Roussillon 2nd even tighter squeeze this time getting to our stop for night at Roussillon
First sight of the Mediterranean blue sky and sea Ste.Maxin en route to Saint Tropez
Saint Marie Bio winery
Fri 27 Jan 11°
Correction from yesterday the wine was Shiraz Cab.........that's the auto correct for you.
Slept in till 9.30 thought we would be woken by digger, but pleasantly surprised. Overnight storm and rain dripping on roof from trees, but it freshened everything up.
Left at 10.30am the camp is so steep they had golf buggies to take people up to the cabins. Checked euro millions ticket......don't give up your day job. Sat nav decided to take us up and over again today, instead of coast route, to show us more mountains and mountain villages. Drove past Paul Ricard car racing track, Tony remembers from Pernod Ricard days. Also past a large western theme park OK Corale with teepee and huge goat heard. Massive car park must be busy in summer. Stopped for diesel at BP €1.35per ltr so just €30. Roadworks and major motorway construction, bit like Auckland. Round and round Marseille, sat nav lost the plot and completely shat itself.........must be a better way to get round cities..........Pat says pay the toll road.
Eventually got on to NW motorway to Istres and camp at Saint Mitre Les Remparts. Very nice camp closed till 5.30 so had late lunch enjoyed seaside walk then booked in €15 per night had to buy an electric adaptor for the camp hookup another €15 but hope to be able to use it at many other camps when we want electric hook up. Lovely site with a water view looking over Etang de Berre, massive inland harbour.
Set up camp in dark, thought we would go to local bar brasserie for dinner, but no cuisine tonight so just had 2 beers €5 then back to Bessie for back up instant meals, good old poundland, and more beer. No photos today.
Slept in till 9.30 thought we would be woken by digger, but pleasantly surprised. Overnight storm and rain dripping on roof from trees, but it freshened everything up.
Left at 10.30am the camp is so steep they had golf buggies to take people up to the cabins. Checked euro millions ticket......don't give up your day job. Sat nav decided to take us up and over again today, instead of coast route, to show us more mountains and mountain villages. Drove past Paul Ricard car racing track, Tony remembers from Pernod Ricard days. Also past a large western theme park OK Corale with teepee and huge goat heard. Massive car park must be busy in summer. Stopped for diesel at BP €1.35per ltr so just €30. Roadworks and major motorway construction, bit like Auckland. Round and round Marseille, sat nav lost the plot and completely shat itself.........must be a better way to get round cities..........Pat says pay the toll road.
Eventually got on to NW motorway to Istres and camp at Saint Mitre Les Remparts. Very nice camp closed till 5.30 so had late lunch enjoyed seaside walk then booked in €15 per night had to buy an electric adaptor for the camp hookup another €15 but hope to be able to use it at many other camps when we want electric hook up. Lovely site with a water view looking over Etang de Berre, massive inland harbour.
Set up camp in dark, thought we would go to local bar brasserie for dinner, but no cuisine tonight so just had 2 beers €5 then back to Bessie for back up instant meals, good old poundland, and more beer. No photos today.
Thurs 26 January 8° fine
Winter must be a good time as not much traffic. Noisy, rocky night on roadside last night. Good chat with Pat and Les, who advised bad weather coming on way North, best stay down this part of the country till it blows over. Les found campsite open all year in Toulon, that's where we head this morning 9am.
Oh no climbing up advised gain, but 11° down on the coast and sunny. Impressive white arches coming into Ste. Maxim. En route called in for a wine tasting aye Saint Marie Bio vineyard. Bought a Shirakawa Cab €13, new vintage rose, light and thin as was Cinsault.
Climbing again, winding roads, heavily forested mountainside. First look at Toulon city skyscrapers and traffic. Stopped for morning tea and fresh pastries en route, very challenging drive through industrial estate like being in the back of beyond. Eventually found campsite, where he was doing winter groundwork to improve access. This guy has obviously bought a plot of land, developed the hillside with holiday cabins which have golf buggies for access it's so steep. A few pads for motorhomes and using off season to create more so unfortunately part building site, part muddy bog. Clean facilities €19 including shower and waste dumps, washing machine but no dryer, so will take to next site.
Tony found nice looking site at Saint Mitre Les Remparts near Istres, looks open so will head there tomorrow, via Marseille.
Our storm tonight, loud thunder claps, good job the skipper moved us from muddy pad to firm higher ground. We see what Les means by being under trees in the rain, very forested site so no escape the drips and odd foliage dropping on roof. Fortunately Bessie kept weather at bay and us warm and dry.
Had a lovely meal cooked by the skipper seems aid back in the galley as skipper had big drive. Chicken and vegetables stir fry with little boiled potatoes and Brussels, washed down with nice glass of Bordeaux Rooy red.
Oh no climbing up advised gain, but 11° down on the coast and sunny. Impressive white arches coming into Ste. Maxim. En route called in for a wine tasting aye Saint Marie Bio vineyard. Bought a Shirakawa Cab €13, new vintage rose, light and thin as was Cinsault.
Climbing again, winding roads, heavily forested mountainside. First look at Toulon city skyscrapers and traffic. Stopped for morning tea and fresh pastries en route, very challenging drive through industrial estate like being in the back of beyond. Eventually found campsite, where he was doing winter groundwork to improve access. This guy has obviously bought a plot of land, developed the hillside with holiday cabins which have golf buggies for access it's so steep. A few pads for motorhomes and using off season to create more so unfortunately part building site, part muddy bog. Clean facilities €19 including shower and waste dumps, washing machine but no dryer, so will take to next site.
Tony found nice looking site at Saint Mitre Les Remparts near Istres, looks open so will head there tomorrow, via Marseille.
Our storm tonight, loud thunder claps, good job the skipper moved us from muddy pad to firm higher ground. We see what Les means by being under trees in the rain, very forested site so no escape the drips and odd foliage dropping on roof. Fortunately Bessie kept weather at bay and us warm and dry.
Had a lovely meal cooked by the skipper seems aid back in the galley as skipper had big drive. Chicken and vegetables stir fry with little boiled potatoes and Brussels, washed down with nice glass of Bordeaux Rooy red.
Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Wed 25 Jan 1° powder snow
Overnight camp was free, so that was a bonus, only 2 motorhomes in parking spot all night. Awoke to a light powder of snow but generally not too cold.
First priority was diesel we took advantage of €1.25 per ltr and got 40ltrs for €50.
Snow got heavier as we headed south to where we thought was the sun, sometimes ignorance is bliss as we headed into national parks and mountains...plural..not just one but several, up and down and round winding bends, snow all around made for difficult driving conditions, masterfully handled by the skipper in his cool, calm way. He took his time meandering through the mountain tracks, as we sang Climb Every Mountain from the sound of music. This was sung 36 years ago at our wedding, by Tony's sister Fiona and here we are years later singing it up in the French Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
More and more snow to be seen, including parts of the river Beleme frozen over. Fields of lavender plants waiting for spring can almost smell it from here.
Weird steep rock formations at Le Mies, tunnel through the mountain side and a hole in the cliff to drive through, it was like a winter wonderland to drive through.
This was Route Napoleon through 3 national parks, Parc Natural Regional du Verdon, Des Prealpes D'Azur and Du Luberon, reaching alts.of up to 2500mtrs above sea. What a day, eventually winding down to Grasse an unbelievable town built on a cliff face, Wellington eat your heart out.
Very difficult to navigate through narrow steep streets in a motorhome, but continued on down to Cannes, rush hour by now, busy city, again very difficult for a motorhome to get parks and get about.
Found campsite only to discover it was now a hotel, carpark and golf course, it was ominous when we passed 20 odd motorhomes parked along the roadside, where we now join them for the night, in Mandelieu-la Napoule.
Driving along I thought it would be good if sat nav had commentary of places of interest passing by.
Plan to deep driving south west, must be warmer here as didn't need heater on this evening.
Unable to post photos again, so will try to do them separately.
First priority was diesel we took advantage of €1.25 per ltr and got 40ltrs for €50.
Snow got heavier as we headed south to where we thought was the sun, sometimes ignorance is bliss as we headed into national parks and mountains...plural..not just one but several, up and down and round winding bends, snow all around made for difficult driving conditions, masterfully handled by the skipper in his cool, calm way. He took his time meandering through the mountain tracks, as we sang Climb Every Mountain from the sound of music. This was sung 36 years ago at our wedding, by Tony's sister Fiona and here we are years later singing it up in the French Alpes-de-Haute-Provence.
More and more snow to be seen, including parts of the river Beleme frozen over. Fields of lavender plants waiting for spring can almost smell it from here.
Weird steep rock formations at Le Mies, tunnel through the mountain side and a hole in the cliff to drive through, it was like a winter wonderland to drive through.
This was Route Napoleon through 3 national parks, Parc Natural Regional du Verdon, Des Prealpes D'Azur and Du Luberon, reaching alts.of up to 2500mtrs above sea. What a day, eventually winding down to Grasse an unbelievable town built on a cliff face, Wellington eat your heart out.
Very difficult to navigate through narrow steep streets in a motorhome, but continued on down to Cannes, rush hour by now, busy city, again very difficult for a motorhome to get parks and get about.
Found campsite only to discover it was now a hotel, carpark and golf course, it was ominous when we passed 20 odd motorhomes parked along the roadside, where we now join them for the night, in Mandelieu-la Napoule.
Driving along I thought it would be good if sat nav had commentary of places of interest passing by.
Plan to deep driving south west, must be warmer here as didn't need heater on this evening.
Unable to post photos again, so will try to do them separately.
Mon 23 Jan 4° Rain overnight
What we thought on Sunday was a quiet road lay by, turned on early hours of Monday morning to be a truck thoroughfare. Noise and rocking Bessie all night from the vibrations of the lorries whizzing by at high speeds.
9am left for Avignon. Good roads, sun came out but still very fresh, had good skype with Lesley on the way, all good in NZ.
Arrived at free camp but we were too long, a campsite nearby closed till 12.30 so drove off to find deisel, €40 worth at €1.35 ltr.
Arrived back at campsite had lunch then booked in €19 including water and showers. Got map and walked over bridge into the old city. The new city was inside with modern boutiques beside the usual shops Boulangerie etc a real mix down old cobbled streets and big wide main Street. Had pastries for avo tea, they had a grand Mercure Hotel and Hugo Boss in amongst all the history.
Paid €4 each to go onto the Pont D'Avignon (Pont Saint Benezet) well worth it, with audio guide and video of history and 3D reconstruction of how it might have looked 1200 joining both sides of the Rhone river with the Kingdom of France.
Back to camp, cool shower brrrrrrrr, had a Jameson to warm up, Tony had made entre of baguette, pate and mini pork pie slices, enjoyed with glass of Le Val Merlot.
No wifi so will do this tomorrow, no TV signal, so quiet night.
9am left for Avignon. Good roads, sun came out but still very fresh, had good skype with Lesley on the way, all good in NZ.
Arrived at free camp but we were too long, a campsite nearby closed till 12.30 so drove off to find deisel, €40 worth at €1.35 ltr.
Arrived back at campsite had lunch then booked in €19 including water and showers. Got map and walked over bridge into the old city. The new city was inside with modern boutiques beside the usual shops Boulangerie etc a real mix down old cobbled streets and big wide main Street. Had pastries for avo tea, they had a grand Mercure Hotel and Hugo Boss in amongst all the history.
Paid €4 each to go onto the Pont D'Avignon (Pont Saint Benezet) well worth it, with audio guide and video of history and 3D reconstruction of how it might have looked 1200 joining both sides of the Rhone river with the Kingdom of France.
Back to camp, cool shower brrrrrrrr, had a Jameson to warm up, Tony had made entre of baguette, pate and mini pork pie slices, enjoyed with glass of Le Val Merlot.
No wifi so will do this tomorrow, no TV signal, so quiet night.
Tuesday, 24 January 2017
Tues 24 Jan 8°
This morning in Avignon is sunny but feels a lot colder in the wind, went to shop for fresh baguette and croissants as you do, leisurely morning and left at 11am for our drive East. We are following in the footsteps of our friends Bruce and Barbara who recommended these places to us. So let the adventure begin.
First stop l'Isle Sur La Sorque, very busy, pretty little village, called into Lidl's for supplies, drove through and around but sadly nowhere to park. Almost went under a bridge that was too low, sat nav no gps signal at the time, narrowly avoiding it.
Drove on to Fontaine de Vauclause, gorgeous little river town with water wheels and mini rapids and other very pretty place.
Onwards and other and upwards, literally to Gordes, up, up and around narrow bends, higher and higher spied the tiniest vineyard you would ever see. What a place magnificent, we'll worth the drive. Managed to squeeze through 2 buildings as we departed Gordes with 3 cm to spare.
Lots of old English lampposts along the villages roads on way to Rousssillon. Coming into it the cliffs were all pinky red and the buildings made or painted to match.
Now looking for our camp for the night , the coordinates took us through an even tighter squeeze through village of Rousssillon . Search for sites have come up trumps with this one, would be fabulous in summer and pretty good now, just an overnight park no services but free in winter. Went for a brisk walk around the village, school coming out late at 4.30, not much open went back to Bessie for a warming Jameson at Chez Nous.
First stop l'Isle Sur La Sorque, very busy, pretty little village, called into Lidl's for supplies, drove through and around but sadly nowhere to park. Almost went under a bridge that was too low, sat nav no gps signal at the time, narrowly avoiding it.
Drove on to Fontaine de Vauclause, gorgeous little river town with water wheels and mini rapids and other very pretty place.
Onwards and other and upwards, literally to Gordes, up, up and around narrow bends, higher and higher spied the tiniest vineyard you would ever see. What a place magnificent, we'll worth the drive. Managed to squeeze through 2 buildings as we departed Gordes with 3 cm to spare.
Lots of old English lampposts along the villages roads on way to Rousssillon. Coming into it the cliffs were all pinky red and the buildings made or painted to match.
Now looking for our camp for the night , the coordinates took us through an even tighter squeeze through village of Rousssillon . Search for sites have come up trumps with this one, would be fabulous in summer and pretty good now, just an overnight park no services but free in winter. Went for a brisk walk around the village, school coming out late at 4.30, not much open went back to Bessie for a warming Jameson at Chez Nous.
Sunday, 22 January 2017
Sun 22 Jan 4°
Watched people walk along the banks of the Canal du Midi, walking dogs, fishing and changing babies nappy in boot of car, enjoying our Le Val Merlot from,my Siorac Carrefour from Pat and Les. Noisy road all night and rain.
Set off amongs very Spanish looking landscape and new build towns, cream, peach and terracotta coloured buildings and roundabouts with carried in the middle.
Good messenger call with Elliot before he all day Emma head off to Philippines for 3 Weeks.
Sete huge new seaside area would be bustling in summer with tourists, lovely seaside resort. No parking for camping car anywhere had to move on.
So from one good day to a not so good day the roller coaster of motorhoming continues. Our first sighting of the grand Rhone and sign for region of Provence.
Set off amongs very Spanish looking landscape and new build towns, cream, peach and terracotta coloured buildings and roundabouts with carried in the middle.
Good messenger call with Elliot before he all day Emma head off to Philippines for 3 Weeks.
Sete huge new seaside area would be bustling in summer with tourists, lovely seaside resort. No parking for camping car anywhere had to move on.
Drove through port with quaint restaurants, Boulangerie and boucherie, fishing boats and the usual narrow cobblestone streets, where the skipper seems to dare himself to drive taking the road less travelled.
Stocked up with gpl when leaving 17ltrs €12 @ .708 per ltr.
On to Montpellier, vineyards as far as the eye could see. 2 1/2 hours driving around, out, through then around again and again. Eventually ended up on a coast road to La Grander Motte, at a glance like Benidorm. Got out onto road to Arles same story,nno where to park wwe drove all round the houses, found an Aire but got moved on, so drove on and ended up in lay by with huge truck in Rapfele le Arles. So have done as Roger said, just pulled over and didn't stress......well not too much.So from one good day to a not so good day the roller coaster of motorhoming continues. Our first sighting of the grand Rhone and sign for region of Provence.
Saturday, 21 January 2017
Sat 21 Jan 4° Castelnaudary
Canal du Midi frozen over and town closed. Drove to Carcassonne, squeezed through narrow bollards, under very low bridge had to go into middle of road to get under, found a camping car park, wouldn't take our card. Had to reverse back out along a narrow road. Drove around stunning castle on top of hill, looked amazing, just couldn't park, very disappointing. Ended up on road to Narbonnne so kept on going.
We passed ladies of the night on day duty, in very Spanish looking landscape, even had amazing big black Bull on top of hill.
Sun and blue sky we spotted lovely parking spot right on the Canal and decided to park early to enjoy the late afternoon sun on the Canal du Midi in Portiragnes out of Beziers and on the road to Sete, why? because we can heehee feeling very relaxed.
On opposite side of the canal is a vineyard...so much for the Grape Escape haha.
We passed ladies of the night on day duty, in very Spanish looking landscape, even had amazing big black Bull on top of hill.
Sun and blue sky we spotted lovely parking spot right on the Canal and decided to park early to enjoy the late afternoon sun on the Canal du Midi in Portiragnes out of Beziers and on the road to Sete, why? because we can heehee feeling very relaxed.
On opposite side of the canal is a vineyard...so much for the Grape Escape haha.
Fri 20 Jan -8° Farewell maisons-la-boissiere.com
Last breakfast and farewell to family, set off at 10.30....on the road again.
Headed for Carcassonne as Stu had given us lots of tips and information about the Canal de midi so lots to look forward to en route.
Felt very calm and relaxed....very Roger'ed when sat nav lost gps signal...just followed the road signs. Got gpl €.749 ltr cost €5.92
Arrived 5pm Castelnaudary, found a car park camping car site but drove down to the canal to see if anything else, but none....so camping car park it was.
Put tv on Trumps inauguration and we had sound...yahhhh.
Good evening back in Bessie.
Headed for Carcassonne as Stu had given us lots of tips and information about the Canal de midi so lots to look forward to en route.
Felt very calm and relaxed....very Roger'ed when sat nav lost gps signal...just followed the road signs. Got gpl €.749 ltr cost €5.92
Arrived 5pm Castelnaudary, found a car park camping car site but drove down to the canal to see if anything else, but none....so camping car park it was.
Put tv on Trumps inauguration and we had sound...yahhhh.
Good evening back in Bessie.
Thursday 19 Jan -7°
No walk this morning, Tish took them on a 1 1/2 hour walk, up and through the village. She cooked us and lovely breakfast with real bacon from UK eggs and tomatoes yummy.
At 10.30 Tony and I went up to Roger and did Gwyneth for morning tea and farewell catch up. Cedric was still frozen over. We had a really good catch up with them and have listened to Roger saying we need to relax more and into motorhome mind set and not to stress it when things don't go to plan eg lose gps signal.
So decided it's not all about the destination it's the journey and to not bury my head in map book, sat nav, Google maps and where to stay tonight. Just relax and go with the flow.
Went to shop with Tish and got the 'winning euro million' ticket.......then had our last walk with the dogs while Tish cooked our final dinner for us and Roger and Gwyneth came too which was lovely.
Tish made us champagne cocktails....delicious.
Lovely last meal good conversation and plenty of laughs.
At 10.30 Tony and I went up to Roger and did Gwyneth for morning tea and farewell catch up. Cedric was still frozen over. We had a really good catch up with them and have listened to Roger saying we need to relax more and into motorhome mind set and not to stress it when things don't go to plan eg lose gps signal.
So decided it's not all about the destination it's the journey and to not bury my head in map book, sat nav, Google maps and where to stay tonight. Just relax and go with the flow.
Went to shop with Tish and got the 'winning euro million' ticket.......then had our last walk with the dogs while Tish cooked our final dinner for us and Roger and Gwyneth came too which was lovely.
Tish made us champagne cocktails....delicious.
Lovely last meal good conversation and plenty of laughs.
Wed 18 Jan -7° Family returns
No wind today so didn't feel so cold, took kettle for a ride down to walks as windscreen kept freezing over.
Moved into Gite ready for Tish and Stu arrival this afternoon.
Lovely sunny afternoon, it even felt warm in the sun.
Got back and Tish and Stu had arrived and unloaded the car, dogs were very happy to see them. We had a lovely evening catching up.
Moved into Gite ready for Tish and Stu arrival this afternoon.
Lovely sunny afternoon, it even felt warm in the sun.
Got back and Tish and Stu had arrived and unloaded the car, dogs were very happy to see them. We had a lovely evening catching up.
Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Tues 17 Jan -3°
Very mild despite the temp, no wind - Lewa got a fright when the frozen puddle cracked and popped under her nose and again a few puddles later.
Beautiful sunny day with clear blue sky, decided to go to Chateaux de Commarque, a ruin in the woods. We were told by the beer man although it was closed we could walk around the ruins.
We meandered down through the forest and out of the sun, the temperature plumeted with the decline -6 and icy. Nothing to walk around other than the outside, nice in the sunshine before heading back up to the car 600m. It would be worth it in the summer. Je suis fier nous marche tres froid ( I am proud we walked in very cold) heehee
Stopped in Saint Cyprien for lunch in a little taverna, cafe, €8.50 for Tarte Plat, soup, choice of tarte, ham or pear and blue cheese, with green salad, bread and crudites.
Drove up into Muzens village to the 'dead centre', very pretty little village going up into the hills.
Sunny afternoon walk but cold wind.
Beautiful sunny day with clear blue sky, decided to go to Chateaux de Commarque, a ruin in the woods. We were told by the beer man although it was closed we could walk around the ruins.
We meandered down through the forest and out of the sun, the temperature plumeted with the decline -6 and icy. Nothing to walk around other than the outside, nice in the sunshine before heading back up to the car 600m. It would be worth it in the summer. Je suis fier nous marche tres froid ( I am proud we walked in very cold) heehee
Stopped in Saint Cyprien for lunch in a little taverna, cafe, €8.50 for Tarte Plat, soup, choice of tarte, ham or pear and blue cheese, with green salad, bread and crudites.
Drove up into Muzens village to the 'dead centre', very pretty little village going up into the hills.
Sunny afternoon walk but cold wind.
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