Cherbourg

The last night spent in a tent,  we rose around 8am , temperature was 13.5 so the inside of our tent was wet. We ate breakfast outside with Tim and Gill.  With a few hours to kill we set off to Granville.  A lovely town, but as usual getting a late morning latte was a struggle but we managed.  For our lunch we parked next to the sea with a little frizby after and a paddle. 25 degrees at Cherbourg so we are soaking up the last of the sun. Just awoke from a little snooze on the ferry,  next our late night drive home. Can you believe it, the last car to get off the ferry and get through passport control, 45 minutes, real pain. but our 4 hour journey went well, arriving home, 3am.

We filled the car up for the last time, 34 litres, 519 miles.

total distance, 4470 miles, average 59 to the gallon, pleased.

Home, the end.

Cancale

Drove over to the coastal town of cancale this morning,  very pretty,  quite busy and there was a market on. Usual munch and drink, none could be persuaded to take a dip in the sea. Could see saint mon Michael in the distance. 

Combourg

Another day travelling but arrived just after 1pm. Got on the bikes out and me and Nicki went to finance.  Lovely town with a port on the river.

Coulon

We left under a dark cloud this morning and said goodbye to Pat and Sarah. After a short distance we saw a little rain but as we drove north the sun came out again.  Around the Condom area the crops are desperate for rain,  they've had the hottest  dryist spell in many years.
We stopped for a shop then for a pan chocolate but late afternoon arrived at Coulon. A steady ride around on bike then out with the tepenaki (salmon).

Coulon goodbye

Began as usual in sunshine but we got a downpour midday. Went looking for birds in the 'marais'. Not like our open marshes but reclaimed fields and forests crisscrossed by canals and rivers. It's called 'green Venice'. Not many birds so off to the bird park- a bit of a ramshackle series of caged areas but full of lots of interesting species. Lunch back at camp then a walk to town for Nicki  and  David while Gill and Tim did a bit of a bike ride. All very flat around here and a Cotswolds feel. Rain set in again including downpour at breakfast. On way north again for last campsite before home.

Condom.....yes Condom!

We left the mountains behind and headed for the heat of Condom, a town between Bordeaux and Toulouse. We are staying with Sarah and Pat, friends or Gill and Tim. They have an amazing converted farmhouse with swimming pool! First afternoon was incredibly hot. Sat out until 11. Next day Sarah took us into Condom for the market. Then back home for lazy lunch and lazy afternoon swimming - well Gill and Nicki did. The men hacked at the undergrowth. Can't believe we leave tomorrow for the long trek north.

Filled the car again,  60.5 litres, 783 miles. 

Lac du tech

Drove over the hill this morning to a recommended lake for a walk. Started up the hill...Up and up and up and still nowhere near the top. So a second breakfast of croissants then back down, then lunch! Eating features a lot for Dave and Tim. Return to camp for a chill then Dave, Tim and Nicki completed the road on bike up to Lac Estaing. Sadly back on the road in the car tomorrow.

Couraduque

8.30 start out the gate straight onto the first col of the morning. Bits of it bit steep for Nicki but only 1 get off! Lovely road ride through villages. The next turning was onto couraduque.  Dave and Tim went ahead and Nicki did it in her own time. Only 3 get offs. But blow me we forgot about the climb up the valley back to camp! The setting is amazing. You couldn't paint a more beautiful picture- mountains, rocky stream, green pastures and forests. Cheated this afternoon and drove into town (argelas gazost) then up col d aubisque , stunning road and views and  myrtle tart/cream.

Long drive, Pyrenees east to west

Steady journey, very picturesque but long day. Rewarded with increasing temperature 35 at highest but settled at around 29 by arrival. Site prettiest yet. Quiet setting half way up valley. Lots to explore so Nicki tried river first.

Font romeu , leaving camargue, out of sequence

A windy day for traveling heading up the Pyrenees.  Leaving in the cool of the morning  (24 degrees ) into the cool of the afternoon  (15 degrees ) was a big shock for all of us,  around 1800 metres altitude. Pizza in the campsite restaurant,  then a warming shower.

Telecabine

Took the tele cabin, 2 chairlifts up to over 2000m then dropped into beautiful area of 9 lakes for 5 mile trek. Lakes picture perfect as was weather. Sky and water cobalt blue. Only problem was the walk is very popular! The rides took an hour. This is a very popular ski area apparently. Then Dave and Tim just had to have a 'gaufre' -guess that?

walk

It was so cold last night!!! At 7am the car showed 3.5 degrees! As we started at 29 it was a shock. We've loaned an extra sleeping bag from TIm and Gill so optimistic for a better nights kip. We are at 1836 metres above.
Lovely walk today finishing about 3pm. Saw an amazing techno site-a 'Fours Solaire'. See the photos! Then Dave did a similar route on bikes with Tim while Nicki and Gill 'chilled'!

Aigues Mortes the end!

Spent leisurely morning bird watching a great spot we found on bike ride yesterday then an hour at a reserve. Saw egrets, stilts, glossy black ibis , short toed eagle,  stork and 'ratty'. Lunch again at same cafe. The sandwich deal best in aigues. Nicki and Gill let loose to do some shopping and new top purchased. So back to camp for last afternoon and a big wash! Tomorrow the Pyrenees.

Bike ride

Up fairly early out on bikes,  25 miles with snack at aigues Mortes.  It's hot this afternoon so very sedate before our visit to the pool. Return from the shop and then tepinaki kebab. Cards to follow.

Aigues Mortes 2

Into the local town and stroll around the boundary walls,  very enjoyable.  Picked up a deal,  brushette drink tarte.  A couple of hours chilling before we go for a dunk.

Le grau du roi

Up at 8am, breakfast then down to the beach.  It was nice to see but very hot with no shade and the water very cold, only tim made a swim. ( always complaining ).
Into town for a nosey and drink then we found a bench in the shade for our picnic.
Late afternoon into the pool then prep for tea. Tough day.

Saint gilles

A lot of rain last night but after breakie we kitted up and took to the road on our bikes. Sandwich and coffee at Saint gilles then the return,  about 45 mile and all enjoyed.  Hot and windy at the moment but Nicki's ok!

Bird park

Flamingos,  'ratus francus' ,and others were seen at the park, enjoyed a couple of hours then down to saintes marries de la mer for a drink and cake. Clouds have helped to make a little cooler but still late 20's

Aigues Mortes

Up early for the move. Actually cool-33 degrees y lunch. But if a long winded trip to Camargue but still interesting. Arrived at the port with lots of plush boats. The walled town is a real surprise inside-very medieval. Bakers and Magnier are united! 

Filled the car this morning,  863 miles,  66 litres.

Castllane

Very early start this morning to avoid traffic and heat-7am bike ride into the hills. A very long climb up but fab views and empty roads. Landed back about 10 much to surprise of Belgians opposite. Next challenge climb to cliff top church of Notre Dam for panoramic views up valley. Really is stunning area. Watched  all the kids enjoy rapids on inflatables Alas we don't have rubber rings anymore!

Verdon Gorge

  Thunder storm and rain last night and a bit cooler this morning. The river gorge is awesome. 30 miles round trip. Spectacular views from dizzy heights and twisty roads with rock overhangs. Did 3 hour circular dropping into gorge and reaching river. At one point the river is overun with kayaks, pedalos for about 3 miles.  Weather very hot at around 30. Enjoying a cafe break now. Planning cycle ride tomorrow-one of the easy ones!!!

Popetto

ŪOne of the big driving days,  heading across Italy, finishing in a long uphill on a rough track.  But it was worth it,  we were here to meet Richard from Biddulph and his family in their Italian getaway. It is a very picturesque little village high above the valley behind Aulla which is behind La Spezia   They treated us to a bbq and the next day we went to the beach in a beautiful bay. Seafood lunch, real rustic Italian evening in local village. Lou speaks fluent Italian so we were very well looked after. Sad to leave them as they have a wonderful peaceful spot. Next day's journey was long but really interesting along the French Riviera. Eventually settled into campsite near Castellane in the Verdon. Looks great.
Big thanks to rich, Lou,  Harris.

Birdwatching on th Po delta

Bit of a strange campsite location for twitchers as on a noisy road few metres from a very busy beach.  But Dave munched his first pizza and i enjoyed my first frizante before we planned the day. It all looked straight forward in the guide but the Italians don't have an eye for detail. Got lost a lot but had some unexpected experiences including yet another 3 euro ferry across a river to save a 10 mile round trip. No one seems to be working in the villages. Had ice cream  in a bar where about 15 old blokes were playing cards! Back to the birds-wonderful flocks of flamingos, egrets, stilts, shell ducks, and a swoop past by a hen harrier, beeeater, squacco herron, spotted crake. This is not even best bird  time! Best of all our patient wait a bird lookout tower was rewarded when we spotted family of what we think were coypu swimming towards us and then munching right underneath the tower! Dave's pictures give a bit of an idea. Back to camp and then a swim in the warmest water, great. All in all a great adventure. Wonder what the Camargue will bring? Journey on to west coast-Italian riviera and 2 days with Dave's old colleague-in a bed!

Marina di revenna

Before crossing the top of Italy we called to see the skocjan caves, fantastic underground river,  so big. Heading for dellta de po the temperature reached 36 but after a long drive we were down to 28 and rain starting as the tent goes up. While we were driving in the heat we picked up a latte macchiato and a hot water for Nicki's tea,  how cool are we. The journey was lengthened by us having to take a ferry. Filled the car in Slovenia  (Italy was dear ) it took 38 litres and had done 487 mile.