So, up at OUR crack of dawn and after our amazing Italian coffee/croissant experience, we head off to quit Italy driving around the Southern Italian coastline which is extremely pretty. It is quite hard to get the GPS to stay on the coastline because it is difficult terrain with rocky overhangs but the struggle is definitely worth it. Cruising along we hit San Remo, centrum again, on a Saturday and slap bang in the middle of their market day which just happens to line the main street. Add a few hundred scooters and people and it was chaos. Gary loved it but I was too scared to even get a decent photo. People were just coming from everywhere, jumping in front of Molly, on or off crossings and as we finally exited the centrum Gary said "Can I open my eyes now?"!!!!!!!!
Ventimiglia, another crazy, congested township: Latte and then Grimaldi where we finally crossed the border into France.
Still trying to stick to the coastal road to Nice through Monte Carlo, Monaco and Eze we somehow got lost firstly in the back of Menton and then in the back of Monaco. Remembering these places have very steep, narrow, extremely pretty, winding roads this makes for an extreme experience with a campervan. Following Kate(GPS) we turned left at her instruction straight into a hotel carpark!!!! Jumping out to guide Gary and Molly forward a YOUNG man strolled over asking me what we were doing? Explaining the best I could in broken French there was no way he would allow us to turn round in the carpark - Private Property!!!!!! The situation forcing Gary to reverse I firstly had to stop 2 fast flowing lanes of French traffic, coming up on to the brow of a hill. Feeling very embarrassed and being watched by this young man I promptly walked out, stuck up my hand, everyone came to a halt and, guiding Gary backwards out on to the main road, I managed to thank them profusely, jump in the cab, give the fingers to the young man and Gary drove away.........job done. We finally arrived at our amazing campsite -Campsite Colombier in Cagnes-sur-mer - settled in and started exploring.
High above Cagnes-sur-mer, sitting on a mountain top is the medieval village and castle - Haute-de-Cagnes and that's where we headed. It was undescribably amazing as those who have seen the facebook photos will confirm. We spent hours there then walked down to the township proper mainly to try to buy data for our phones. Do not be ungrateful for our NZ cell system and pre paid price structure - it is great. 50Euro each was what we were expected to pay just for 1GB of data, nothing else, for 1month. Sadly we were not prepared to do that but in France Wifi is not too bad so we should be OK.
Next day we walked to Cagnes-sur-mer beach - a bit like a mini Nice - sunbathed on beach (the weather has been awesome), found an Irish pub with good beer, lunch and free wifi, strolled along the front with an icecream then walked the 5km back to the campsite. Whenever we needed wifi we would stand in front of the Irish pub - it didn't open that often - hook up, send a few texts, download the current NZ news and then head home.
Next day we cycled to Antibbe - that was a pretty tough 12km ride, the wind in our face and the weather was looking a trifle doubtful. We took our togs though just in case. Arriving in Antibbe we discovered a place we had no idea was sooo gorgeous and the sun came out on cue. Antibbe is cute, quirky and a delight to visit. The harbour of course is home to the most amazing boats which can create a little envy. My love, but huge respect, of the sea is getting stronger and stronger and we would love to own something less lavish but as safe as some of the smaller boats. So we explore, have a bite to eat with a glass of French wine and decide to have a swim on the teensy, weensy beach there. (Well we were going to toe test the water whatever). Just as we walked through the archway the heavens opened and we had 12kms to bike back!!!!!! The torrential rain did not let up till the following morning so the rest can be left to your imagination. Exhaustion is what I recall.
But, gluttons for punishment, the following day we cycled to Nice - 13.5kms each way. This time though we were prepared - we took our raincoats with us but no togs. It was an easier ride as the cycle ways are continuous but as we biked it got hotter and hotter. That day we definitely neeeded the togs not the raincoats - foiled again!!!!! We had a lovely day in Nice - once again just strolling along the promenade and around the old city finding a fabulous authentic French restaurant for lunch - with Free Wifi of course - stopping on the way home at the infamous Irish pub for a beer and yes.......free wifi!!!!!! The day was sooo hot that all the dye came out of my M&S dress as I cycled my little heart out. Going home was better though because Gary let me lead?????? There is nothing more despondent than seeing your cycling mate trucking off into the distance with graceful ease whilst you lag further and further behind!!!!!!!
That evening we spent with an English couple on the camp, Jane and Mike, discussing Spain, amongst other things, till the wee small hours.
Next day we headed for Castallane via Grasse (famous perfume producers), Escrenolles and St Vollier du Thei along the Route Napolean. This route is very high and once again very windy but not half as bad as we had been through in the backblocks of Monaco and Monte Carlo. Gary is a great driver and Molly is a great campervan so we manage most things.
Castallane was a place where we recouped. We were both pretty tired - not getting any younger - caught up on blogs, rested, relaxed but we did walk into the village which was rather a surprise. Once again it was cute and quirky with lots of narrow streets, high buildings, blue shutters and geraniums - oh and plenty of high price restaurants filled with tourists. 2hours was all that was needed here - the tourist information centre was closed and the church on the top of the mountain (literally) was way out of reach. Hiking the 3km home again we came across a restaurant with a Formulae lunch for 8.50Euro. We enjoyed the first steak we have had for months followed by Creme Brulee and a jug of rose wine. It all came to a little more than 17Euro but it was yummy - we love French cooking.
Settling down for an afternoon of blogging and planning we had a visitor to our campsite - a little Alpine Shrew and only a youngster. Protecting this Shrew from man and campervan became my focal point for the rest of the afternoon - I mean where were his parents for goodness sake?
This little Shrew caused us to meet another GB couple - Margaret and Phil - who we hope to stay in contact with as well. We enjoyed our time in that campsite, small, typically French, but great.
Next day we head for Dauphin just outside of Manosque to hopefully meet up with Calum and Jane - good friends who we first met in Split last year. We are heading west to the camperstop they are heading East. We are travelling there through the Gorges du Verdon - Frances answer too the Grand Canyon - and we are a trifle disconcerted by tales we have been told. Bravely we travel forward! We spend a spectaular day travelling through the Gorge, stopping to take breathtaking pictures by the side of the road. We are sooooo high and we are sooooo proud of Molly who doesn't miss a beat. Coming out of the gorge we pass through Riez, through fields and fields, acres and acres of lavender - unfortunately not in bloom as this would have been spectacular - and our pot of gold at the end of this rainbow? Our friends Calum and Jane who we always have an amazing time catching up with.
Arriving within half an hour of each other and after a "cup of tea" I get to work cooking an easy curry. Another van arrives, Jen and Glynn - GB as well, and we all get together eat curry and drink wine till 1am. Have to say saying farewell again the next morning was hard but recovering from the night before was even harder!!!!!!! See you around March time Calum and Jane.x
Moving on from our free night at the camperstop we head for St Remy. Love it, love it, love it. It is hot and sunny and great.We have arrive on a weekend where everything cultural in France is Free so we head into the village to take advantage of this. Van Gogh is here as well as many other artists. We were fortunate enough to be able to purchase a Van Gogh at a very reasonable price as it was in this town that he painted 160 paintings whilst in hospital with bi-polar disorder. It will look nice on the wall in the Lodge. Natural museums explain how the land use has changed over the years around here. There are lectures on the archaelogical aspects of the area etc etc. We are spoiled with a free Jazz session in the square as the sun is burning hot and we share Pizza at an Italian restaurant in France and drink Rose wine. We are replete and happy.
Today we catch up on house stuff and of course the blog. The washing is drying in the sunshine, Molly has had her mudguards sanded and painted and her rust medicated - she tells me she is feeling good, for tomorrow we expect more of her as we move on.
And finally the blog is 100% up to date - phew! Till tomorrow that is!!!!!!
Bye for now xx
No comments:
Post a Comment