To Barcelonnette

Travelled: 178km

Stay: Barcelonnette Aire € parking, € services N44.38222 E6.65778

It was a lovely drive down Mont Ventoux to Sault, which is in a valley in Provence filled with lavender fields. It is also a town dedicated to bike riders riding to Mont Ventoux. 

After our walk around we set off  to Laragne-Montéglin and stopped there for a three course lunch. We found out that that parts for Bluey would be available on Saturday,so to Italy we go! We continued our drive through a valley filled with fruit trees, especially apples. It looked incredible. We then passed Lake Serre-Ponçon and then on to Barcelonnette. Found the aire just as the afternoon storm came in. Later we went for a walk after doing some bookkeeping and tiding up.

Mont Ventoux France

Travelled:171km

Stay: near Mont Ventoux in an open area close to Le Chalet Reynard  44.1518, 5.31785 

Our 100th day away. It sure goes quickly. Today we drove across to Mont Ventoux. On the way we stopped in Vaison la Romaine, a very busy town with it appears, lots to visit. We looked at the Roman Church  before heading up the mountain. 

We had a walk around at the top with the tower dominating the top. It has an unusual landscape with the surrounding hill being predominately rock.

 

 This is also where the 15th stage of the tour will finish on the 14th of July, also Bastille day. It is a very popular spot to be this day and we were astounded at how many Motorhomes are already here, with 4 days to go. It is however very well set up, with 20 or so portaloos and even a dump point for the Motorhomes to empty their canisters. There is also a van that comes around every day to sell fruit and vegetables. The day was very entertaining with a Netherlands Rally driving past with their most unusual decorated cars and blasting their horns. We managed a walk around the camp before the surrounding storm finally got us. Even though the rain is annoying, we welcome the cooler climate, as this morning it was in the mid 30.

Bourg en Bresse & Montluel

Travelled : 66km

Stay: 2 nights 7 & 8 June cousins home

Arrived early in Bourg en Bresse to locate the building where Mark had to attend the immigration course. He went in at 10am along with 20 or so people from various other nationalities. An English interpreter was supplied but unfortunately was not very good. But he still managed to learn about the French civil rights, some history and general knowledge. Coffee, along with a 3 course lunch was provided. At 4pm he was awarded his attendance certificate and was relieved that now we may finally head off on our holiday. Unfortunately Mark had another tooth issue. The dentist kindly fitted him in, did a small repair job and didn't charge us anything. We are constantly amazed at the kindness and generosity of the french people we have met so far. We finished the end of the day enjoying another lovely BBQ with my cousin, Isabelle and family. The next day we relaxed at her home and did a bit of work around the garden. The Aussies challenged the french to a game of pétanque. The home team won! Then it was a challenge in a card game and they won again even though we have been playing the game for 25 years. What a disgrace! 

Arles & Aigues Mortes France

Travelled : 114km

Stay: free carpark at Intermarche at Aigues Mortes    43.57289, 4.1757 

Travelled along the Rhone, through the Carmague rice fields, vineyards, cattle farms and horse (white) studs. We were lucky to get one of the five camping car spots in Arles. We rode into town and visited the roman ruins - the amphitheatre, the roman theatre, the cloister of Saint Trophime, Constantine's Baths, the Cryptoportico of the Forum and the Espace Van Gogh. All for 9 euros each. A delightful and most interesting town to visit. 

We then decided to head down the road closer to Nimes. So we found ourselves in Aigues Mortes. Unfortunately, one of the Aires(P4) has been barred to Motorhomes and the other, in Port Road, was full.  We managed to find a spot and walked to the fortified village. We visited the Tower built by Louis IX and were able to walk all the way around the town on the ramparts built in 1278. Absolutely fantastic.

Salin de Giraud- La Camargue

Travelled: 115km

Stay: Free/wild on the beach of the Mediterranean out of Salin de Giraud   43.35389, 4.88108 

Destination 'The Camargue'- the marshes of the Rhone. We stopped at the shops to get Mark's new bike fixed as it was not changing gears. Then we visited Port St Louis du Rhone, where the river, Grand Rhone, disperses into the Mediterranean Sea. We also saw our first pink flamingoes. We had lunch in a restaurant, eating the local specialties of moules (grown just out of port) and a steak from the Carmague beef. We took s short ferry trip over the Rhone and looked at the vast salt pans of Salin de Giraud. We stopped at the free aire in town and filled up with water etc. We then drove along the salt pans to the beach. We were surprised at the amount of caravans along the beach. An owner of one, explained that this the only free beach left in France where you can leave a caravan and stake out land around it. Some had built shelters around them as well. Not very attractive, looking like a shanty town. Anyway we found a spot well away from the nudist colony, with a great view of the Camargue and the sea.

Cap Couronne

Travelled: 0 km

Stay: free/wild -carpark at lighthouse.  43.32767, 5.05332 

Decided we needed a chill out day. Strolled up to the Boulanger and felt very french walking back with our baguette and pain au chocolate. After lunch we walked around the coast to Carro and watched the wind surfers tackle the mistral winds. Some got up to incredible speeds. The Aire there was still quite full. We have noticed that the french love the  outdoor pursuits as much as their bread, wine and cheese! Everywhere we go people are enjoying a picnic, walking, running, cycling, pétanque, fishing etc. There are campgrounds everywhere and some are absolutely huge, I would hate to be there in summer when it's full. We haven't eaten at many restaurants as we haven't got used to the main meal at lunchtime, so by dinner time ie 6pm when we are hungry, most of the restaurants aren't open! We have met and chatted to numerous French and they are always friendly and have visited Australia  or know someone that has been there.

Cassis - les Calanques - Cap Couronne France

Travelled: 97km

Stay: 1 night free/wild camp at Cap Couronne   43.32767, 5.05332 

Woke up to a beautiful sunrise. Headed down to Cassis from the Routes des Cretes early and went to have a look at the official Motorhome parking area, Gorgettes. This Aire was full with overnighters so we drove in town and managed to find a parking spot.  We took the bikes to the head of the trail to the Calanques (a narrow inlet, some with up to 500m limestone cliff face). Cassis is very hilly, so felt quite exhausted before even starting the trail! The first Calanques is Port Miou, where up to 500 yachts and boats moor. So it is quite long and narrow. We then we trekked up and down to the Port Pin Calanques, which offers a lovely little beach that is a very popular spot for bathing and picnicking. Onwards we went up and up to see the Calanques, En Vau, which has spectacularly steep limestone cliffs down to the aqua coloured water. We then doubled back and rode through the quaint and picturesque port, then back UP to Bluey. All this and it's only 11:30. Phew! The mistral winds are strong today (we were told that the Routes des Cretes was closed due to the wind, we were lucky to have gone there yesterday). 

We then drove down to Marseille. Camy took us through the centre. Lucky the traffic wasn't to bad as it is Saturday. We got caught in a one way street with only a narrow road as an option or a u turn for escape. A very kind man held off traffic for us as we tackled a u turn.  We then managed to find the Rimor dealer so we could by a replacement water cap that we carelessly left behind when we did our water refill. (it was bound to happen once). Then off to the shopping centre for more supplies and a bike for Mark, as the 20 euros  bike previously purchased had no brakes! No good for all that down hill riding! We then headed to an Aire in Carro, but it was wall to wall motorhomes. Another option we were told about was to go to the lighthouse, so here we are! There are a few signs saying 'motorhomes prohibited', but others are here, so we will see if anyone comes to ask us to leave or give us a fine! We had a walk out on the rocks near the lighthouse, where there are great views of Marseille. The mistral wind keeps blowing.