Two days in one as really apart from driving we did nothing.

Monday 23rd September

Précis:- started on journey home, drove a lot, spent night on Aire, drove some more. The end.

We left Beach club Charlemagne around 10am and drove to Agde where the entire population were apparently intent on buying food so having managed to get a tank full of diesel we decided to get out quick. I am convinced that France is determined to rebuild it's roads to get out of the recession. Everywhere we've been there are major road works, it's amazing.

Anyway we finally got to the Aire at Cournon d'Auvergne which is attached to a campsite so we could easily walk in and us the facilities, however ours were cleaner so we didn't bother. We arrived at about 4pm and it was red hot.

All the way there Joan had been worried because it only took 15 vans and it might be full by the time we got there. (Joan, as you all know, has to have something to worry about otherwise she is really worried! ) There was one van there and we were able to park in a quiet little shaded corner and relax with our chairs out and long drinks, smashing.

After a very peaceful nights sleep we awoke very early and because we had no Baguette I settled for cereal with a promise of bread for lunch. We really needed to get to a supermarket for food and also of course diesel. Being early we thought it would be simple, big mistake! Clermont-Ferrand is a very big city and like the rest of France is being rebuilt with the resultant traffic jams. We managed to fill up with extremely cheap diesel and after   Circling around for half an hour I lost it, and drove out of town ignoring the b....y sat nav. who had been recalculating every few feet!!!!

When you are heading north from here it is virtually climbing straight up. I'm not kidding it is a long climb up and up for ages and really the rest of the journey is spent going down hill pretty steeply. Our destination was just past Limoges and when we finally had a break I said to Joan, surely we are so early if we go diagonally across on some smaller roads we can go direct to Airvault saving a day?

The total distance was 215 miles and Joan was worried as it took 7 hours, but I did get two snoozes on route. This little campsite at Airvault is really funny, it's like I imagine Singapore was in the 30's, it is full of English people being very English. Don't get me wrong they are all very nice but it is so strange not to see any other Nationalities here plus, they all seem to know each other and come every year. We haven't seen a rolled umbrella yet or copy of the Times but there's time.

Happy Birthday Carole we hope you have a good one xxx

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Well all good things etc but, WOW, we've just seen a humming bird!

Sunday 22nd September

Précis:- very hot again, paid bill, saw humming bird and prepared van for journey home, went to beach. The end.

Another really hot one overnight but this time we left all the skylights open and ignored the noise. Then it was time to get the van ready with water etc for the journey home as its free here and you pay for it on the aires. Plus we don't normally carry much but from now on we will be using the shower quite a bit.

I should have thought of this sooner because Joan has gone into wifely overdrive with the van cleaned, washing done and she's baked a cake! The van smells delicious I can tell you, I can't wait to taste it. Then around to the office to pay our bill and we are all set for a fairly long drive tomorrow.

As we leave we see an amazing sight, it's a humming bird. Oh boy this is an amazing thing, it is so very tiny but you can actually see it's tongue sipping the nectar from the flowers. We may try to get a picture before we leave tomorrow but it is so very small and moves so quickly it might not work.

Next of course is a last trip to the beach and it's definitely time to get into the sea if we are ever going to do it. Gosh we did it and it was freezing, but fun as well. Can somebody please tell us why it's so cold, the Mediterranean is supposed to be warm isn't it?

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Good grief it's even hotter today and the wind has dropped completely.

Saturday 21st September

Précis:- we went to a market then a car boot and had two trips to the beach. The end.

Last night was soo hot we had trouble sleeping, then I realised I had shut the skylight as the noise from the road last night was bad. Opening it didn't make any difference as there is no wind at all. It was so hot that we felt it would be best to keep off the beach.

We had been told about a huge car boot sale and a local market so decided to wander around those until the heat of the day had subsided a bit. I should explain that we have lost a washer to our "hose to tap" attachment and have been unable to replace it. It's odd because I was sure I would be able to get one in any supermarket but we've been trying for days with no luck. Still it gives us a reason to wander around and if we see any suitable wine glasses as Joan would like two.

Most places only sell them in sixes but at a boot sale we might be lucky. Having been assured it was only about 15 minutes away, (we never learn), we did finally get there and it was huge as we had been told. Wandering around for ages we had finally given up and were all ready to leave when we saw a huge van with just about everything you could possibly want for caravans or campers. I didn't see what I needed but Joan said I should ask, and after I had managed to explain what I wanted, the lady turned around rummaged in a box and sold me one.

After a leisurely lunch we stupidly went straight to the beach where we both struggled to stay awake. Realising that to fall asleep in sun this strong would be stupid we rapidly returned to the van. About 4 O'clock we returned to the beach for a very pleasant couple of hours. Then it was time to shower and change and return to the restaurant for a really delicious Thai Green Curry.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

What's that? Oh yes I remember, it's clouds.

Friday 20th September

Précis:- it was very cloudy and hot, then it was sunny again so went to beach. The end.

We awoke this morning to wall to wall cloud, but it's still very warm. We decided as our time on this site is getting short and after that we will be on aires a lot we would take the opportunity to make sure everything is fully charged. Next we catch up with all the Internet stuff and by lunch time normal service has been resumed and although it's still quite windy we are back to sunshine and blue skies, so off to the beach.

I'm afraid we have been let down by the French postmen, they obviously have not had the full training.  I have followed a couple of them but they have NOT thrown a single elastic band on the pavement and a couple of mine have broken, I'll have to buy some. Tried a restaurant recommended to us by the Norwegians we met and an English couple here. They were right, it was excellent although a bit more expensive than most of the others, and we plan to return tomorrow for a Thai Curry.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Well we certainly made the right choice coming here.

Thursday 19th September

Précis:- Wall to wall sunshine, check out beach, swim in heated pool. The end.

Not a cloud in the sky but a bit windy. After breakfast we visited the beautiful beach with miles of lovely fine sand in each direction but it's a bit early so we went for a wander around the shops and cafes close by. After lunch we decided, as it is a bit windy to go to the heated pool for a swim, there are 2 pools BUT only one is heated. The other is b#@$#y freezing!

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Off to Avignon, well yes, but we didn't actually get there!

Wednesday 18th September

Précis:- still very windy so off to Avignon but too much traffic so back to coast near Agde. The end.

Oh boy, woke up to sun but more storm force winds so decided enough was enough and left for Avignon. I have always wanted to be sur la Pont etc and Joan thought it might be fun. As we approached Aix-en-Provence the traffic started to build just as it had when we approached Besancon and I said right that's it, head south, so we set off for Agde on the Mediterranean just past Marseilles.

Lunch and major shopping for heavy things like potatoes, water and booze then off again.

My trusty navigator looked up a campsite at a place called Marseille-Plage we had heard of from Thor and his wife, a couple of Norwegians  who had the biggest camper van we have ever seen. They took us in for a look around and it was just pure luxury but how he drives it is beyond me, it's the size of a huge luxury coach but he swears it does 20 mpg.

Anyway, this campsite has 5 stars, a heated pool, close to the beach and 4 hours free wifi daily, ideal. It had been red hot all day and the winds had dropped so by the time we got here we definitely needed a Radler ie shandy. We found a lovely spot with full sun most of the day and amazingly the couple next door, Allan & Lorraine were the people that Thor and his wife had been telling us about at Frejus, it's a small world.

We lay about in the sun for the rest of the day then ate half the £10 chicken we bought, then went on line, gosh 43 emails, 3 of importance!

One from Pam & Colin in Ibiza enjoying the sun, and one from Joe & Ingrid down in Croatia, hope your weather has improved and your having a good time, were so glad all went well at the wedding. Then Kathleen & Ken are in Germany with iffy weather but hopefully that will improve soon.

Watched a few episodes of "Modern Family" and to bed.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

There's wind and then there's WIND!!!

Tuesday 17th September

Précis:- terrible high winds as we went to the market, found easy cycle path for last bit. Exhausted and scared we got home safe. The end.

Wow, the winds are really strong but as we have been looking forward to going to a proper market we decided to chance it. This sounds a bit dramatic but I assure you we were lucky that there is a cycle track all the way, as twice when we got to a place where there were no trees or bushes to shelter us, we were blown almost onto the road! There was a lot of traffic as the road runs right through the market and there are several zebra crossings

There are a lot of Bamboo bushes along the side and they were whipping around in the wind making it even more difficult. Then we suddenly came to a tree that had been ripped out and thrown across the route with just enough room to squeeze through. At this point a little voice said,"do you think we should go back?" No way I said we are nearly there!

Then I looked at Joan and she was as white as a sheet and totally out of breath. I assured her we were almost there and just then we came to a cycle track sign which we had wondered about in the past and decided to try it. It was perfect and sheltered, plus it took us straight to the start of the market and had somewhere to lock the bikes, brilliant.

The wind had obviously depleted the number of traders who'd come but it was still pretty good and we bought a couple of things, olives & fruit. Then braced ourselves for the journey back. I foolishly assured Joan that the wind would be with us now, but of course it wasn't and when we did finally arrive back we were exhausted.

At times like this you have to admit perhaps we are not as young and fit as we were and actually spent the rest of the day just resting, eating and drinking. Time for dinner and Sister act.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Same old same old really

Monday 16th September

Précis:- it was sunny again, went to beach and swam in sea, the end.

The female of the species is very strange as all chaps know. When do they get the chip inserted that means Monday is washing day? Well it is, apparently and as the sun is shining and I stupidly put a line up for our towels we're doing washing today. However we did spend the rest of the day on the beach plus the sea was actually quite warm so we swam in it, great.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

That will teach us to talk about the weather!

Sunday 15th September

Précis:- it rained, the sun came out again so we went to the beach, the end.

Blimey! Well that will teach us to talk about the weather lasting. It started to rain about 4am and of course we had forgotten to bring the towels in so somebody had to nip out and get them in quickly.

When I got back...... ( well you didn't really think Joan would go did you? ), the trees that provide the much needed shade during the day had also kept the rain off the towels so they were only a little damp, unlike me!

This morning it was still raining and a lot cooler, but about midday the sun broke through and it was nice and hot again. So we missed the big market we were looking forward to but did get to spend a bit of time in the pool. The evening is again really warm but windy and the Norwegian couple we've been talking to say it's going to be hot again Monday so fingers crossed.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

I said it was near the post office!

Saturday 14th September

Précis:- finally found Lidl, went to beach, ate Pizza the end.

As there is a market in Frejus today Joan wants to go so we determine to get an early start and also catch the tourist office in one of it's rare open phases and locate Lidl for supplies. The market like the previous one was a disappointment, I think Harrod's are cheaper! We were in hysterics when Joan said can you imagine the crowds and mass hysteria if Primani opened over here.

Anyway having spent a while wandering around and managing to get the map from the tourist office we located Lidl and realised how close we had been the day before. It was actually the next blooming street We then proceeded to overload our bikes and stagger home (still no brandy! How can you buy 30 kinds of whisky in France but not brandy).

After lunch we relaxed for a while and at about 4.30 went to the beach for an hour. As we walked back to the van an English bloke engaged us in conversation. This came as a great surprise as we had on a couple of occasions wished him good day and been ignored so naturally we thought he was just a miserable bugger.

It turns out he's 86 years old and has been coming here for 20 years, the last few on his own since his wife died. he's a bit of a card and had us standing there for sometime while he regaled us with stories of 2010 when this place was flooded and he had to rescue himself in the middle of the night as no-one had alerted him when the site was evacuated.

When he woke up at 3am, he battled through a raging torrent of water and mud which was chest deep to find the Police and Fire Brigade at the site entrance who on seeing him were now concerned as to whether anyone else was still in their vans. Last year he burned his bungalow down with a chip pan fire.   He drives to Frejus from Calais with only one overnight stop!

Finally as it was now too late to cook we had an enormous Pizza from the on-site restaurant, opened a box of Cotes du Rhone and finished with brandy, lovely.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

A fruitless search for Lidl works out alright in the end

Friday 13th September

Précis:- cycled to find shop, didn't, had really good meal cycled home. The end.

We awoke to another lovely sunny morning and after breakfast met the lovely little girl who is only 21 months old and nips around here in a little wheelchair. She has Spina Bifida  and is as bright as a button and appears to able to say good morning in at least 3 languages already, Dutch, English & French and probably German but we haven't heard her. Her father told us that here is the only place in Europe with wall to wall sunshine and like us he was getting ready to move on, but we all agreed we will stay here if the weather stays nice.

Having run out of beer and wine and getting low on brandy plus a few other food items, we decided to try and track down Lidl as they don't seem to sell brandy at the other supermarkets. As we had already been unsuccessful our aim was to go to the tourist info and ask. As we'd been doing a bit of tidying etc we didn't get there until 12.32, they close for lunch for 2 hours at 12.30! So we tried on our own but after cycling around a bit we ended up in St. Raphael sea front and as it was nearly 2pm we decided to eat in a restaurant.

I don't know what really makes us choose between one place and another. I know we all look at the menu but it's more than that, is it full of locals? Perhaps we should get a government or uni grant to do a paper on it, about £50,000 should do. Anyway as we stopped outside "Les 2 Filles" something made us stop and look at their menu. Moules Provençal, leapt out at Joan and grabbed her attention, plus a very cheery owner sort of pulled us in, while a lady just leaving said, "you won't regret eating here." We promptly locked the bikes up and sat down.

About an hour later a very happy Joan hiding behind a huge pan of moule shells refused a desert. As for me I was supposed to get one but could not manage it so they knocked a bit off the bill, very nice. Then we went down onto the beach and promptly fell asleep! By the time we got started again and cycled home it was too late to go to the pool even.

Lots of Love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Well it looked like a short cut!

Thursday 12th September

Précis:- found they had other bread, went on long bike ride by mistake. The end.

Well at last we managed to get a really nice baguette from the shop, they obviously sell the rubbish first. But sadly the Carole & Joseph's Oxfordshire artisan deluxe gooseberry conserve ran out, and unlike Harrod's they don't deliver. Quell disaste!

We then headed for St Aygulf, the next village, on our bikes as they said there was a market on. As it turned out it was a flea market and not very big either so a bit disappointing really.  The journey there had been a bit hairy over the last bit as there was no cycle path, but when we were ready to go back we saw a road which looked as though it cut the difficult bend off and went where we wanted to go so we decided to take it on the way back. BIG mistake!

We cycled for mile after mile and finally arrived on the other side of Frejus at the point where we had come in off the motorway the day we arrived. I knew where we were immediately and just had to convince Joan. We had managed to convert a simple 2 mile trip into a very long ride plus I had NOT put my little bike computer on so I was definitely not flavour of the month. As I've said, my fitness is not great but I did it without a problem and after a spot of lunch I slept for ages, so we did very little today but relax, ho hum.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Went to McDonald's and taxed the van

Wednesday 11th September

Précis:- it was very hot, we did the blog, taxed the van, went to beach and pool. Had bad news. The end.

Today is supposed to be the cool cloudy dull day. Obviously this was one of Michael Fish's weather reports because it was the hottest this week! So we delayed our trip to the beach until after mid-day and only stayed an hour then returned for a swim in the pool as it was at least 12 degrees hotter than the blooming sea.

Earlier we'd been to publish the blog and get emails and thanks to Pam we've managed to get the van taxed. You don't realise, (well we didn't), that by the time you come home from such a long holiday your road tax is out of date. You can do it on line but you need the special number from the form the DVLA send you. We were getting a bit worried because Pam & Colin are off on holiday but it arrived just in time, thanks Pam.

I've just had a bit of bad news, my dear friend John Douglas has died and sadly I will miss his funeral, but we are thinking of Mavis and his girls and will be next Tuesday. The thing is, in a way it's a happy release because he was pretty ill but he will still be missed greatly.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Lots of sun but really strong winds, hot though.

Friday 6th September

Précis:- very hot, went to Mac Donald's and published blog but couldn't manage to get photos on. Swam in lake, had huge thunderstorm. The end.

Another red hot day dawned and having nipped along to Lidl for a few supplies and a baguette, of course, our next job was a short ride to MacDonalds to finally publish the blog. This proved to be as easy as pie except we had a problem getting pictures on it. First Joan had all the pictures so far on her iPad mini and secondly it wanted us to use Flickr or Picaso neither of which are at present on my iPad and I am not sure how to get them either. So here is more blog sans pictures.

Next it was down to the lake for a swim as we would hate to wake up tomorrow and find it cold and miserable and miss our chance, Joan said. I was not so sure and when somebody daft enough to swim in the North Sea says, " oh it's lovely and warm!" You tend to be a bit cautious, well I do as I am a bit of a wimp. However it was actually really warm and so hot out of the water that I was almost dry before I got back to my towel.

I really hate it when she's right, so when a bit later it really got dark and then a huge thunderstorm erupted, Joan of course crowed about insisting on the swim.  Being in the mountains the storm was great to watch as it flew around the tops but we made sure we didn't get caught in the rain when it finally came, as it came down in buckets!

Love Bryan & Joan xxxx


Saturday 7th September

Précis:- Still hot, disappointed with crossword download. Rode bikes again. Another storm. The end.

The storm has definitely cleared the air a bit. It's still warm but a bit fresher with a slight breeze. Off to MacDonalds to download Saturdays paper only to discover that unless I am prepared to draw the crossword out on a piece of paper it's useless. Damn! Well never mind, time to get ready for the off tomorrow. Nipped on our bikes to the supermarket, popped down to the lake again and noticed another storm brewing. It didn't start until about eight o'clock so it didn't spoil the day but unlike last night, this one was to last all night.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Sunday 8th September

Précis:- it was raining a lot, we left early, couldn't get parked for the night so went somewhere else. The end.

It is still chucking it down but fortunately almost everything's done and we paid last night so we were away by 8.15am, something of a record for us. Apart from refuelling we had an uneventful journey to Sisteron where there is a hilltop citadel with an Aire for camper vans just outside. The weather had improved as we drove South and it was now very warm and sunny again.

Unfortunately several of the dedicated motorhome spaces had cars and even a lorry parked in them! ( now we know how Alison feels). When we mentioned it to a French woman she just shrugged and ignored us.  I wish I'd had the guts to park across in front of them, but hey ho. So although I was a bit tired and hungry we carried on.

A few miles down the road we stopped, ate and checked the maps for another Aire and found a really nice one overlooking a large lake about 35 miles further on. This did entail driving on some very narrow twisting roads and at the end, going down a very steep hill with several hairpin bends but I think the marks where Joan's door handle and seat were gripped will come out. Tomorrow we will get to the seaside, hurrah!

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Monday 9th September

Précis:- we drove to a campsite that was supposed to be by the sea. It wasn't! So we drove to one we knew. The end.

Ever since the flooding in 2010 Joan and I have been a bit cautious of going back to Frejus. However having tried a few other places like Port Grimaud and found them lacking as the beach is lousy, we were not sure where else to go? Eventually we found an ACSI sight at Cavalaire-sur-mer which was purported to be only 200 metres from the sea. Now the French have a really weird idea of what being actually at the seaside is. So if you see a place name with sur la plage or a la plage it may be some distance from the actual beach.

Having left really early this morning, (8.15), we were pretty pleased with ourselves at having missed the long horrendous traffic that is always present around St Tropez but could see it building as we approached our target campsite.  We found ourselves looking down a very steep cliff at least a quarter of a mile to the beach, if indeed it was accessible. We would also of course have to climb back up again!

So exclaiming golly gosh a lot, we turned around and joined the now long traffic jam back, and here we are sitting in Camping du Pont d'argens, now called La Plage D'Argens which is about 250 metres to the beach. I had intended to do a 67 mile day today and as it was through the Gorges of Verdun on tiny roads it took nearly 3 hours but I had a further 24 to get to here, poo!

The campsite has changed it's name but it is still pretty easy going and if you can get over the very French fact that the toilets and showers are now unisex, but NOT the urinals Pam, it's great.  That is until you read the bit that says incase of flooding gather your valuables and leave, do not attempt to drive your car/van/caravan. Well apart from Joan, my most valuable asset in France is my bloody campervan mate, so if it rains heavy we'll be off!

We should be ok though as the temperature has been 31 today and is supposed not to fall bellow 25 this week so we've booked a week and will see about next week. The only down side is there is usually a wind here and although it's not cold it can get quite strong. However the supermarket is a short ride away and there are several very good street markets around if we want to bother. One sad thing is the greengrocer we used in the past just across the road seems to have vanished but Joan thinks it may just be it's Monday so we will see.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx


Tuesday 10th September

Another lovely day, but the baguette from the site shop wasn't great, still we managed to eat it. However as the two main reasons for being here are to enjoy the warm sunshine and eat French bread we may be moving on soon whereas we were thinking of staying a lot longer. Still there are several really good campsites in the area just not as close to the sea, but as the sea was so cold today we won't mind.

Then out with the bikes and off to the supermarket where we bought a baguette that hopefully will be ok otherwise it's cereal until we go somewhere else. Stupidly we bought quite a lot of stuff which needed to go in the fridge which has to go in my panniers so we had to return without finding McDonalds, so no blog today.

However we did finally get to the beach and have a short swim. The swim was short because although the chap on the radio this morning assured us it was 24 degrees in the sea, he lied!!! It was really cold. Still we tried it then after a bit we decided to get back and go for a swim in the site pool. This was a good plan as it was about 36 degrees and the pool was 26 and had been 28 earlier, so tomorrow we'll give the beach a miss.

Talking about the radio station it's a hoot, it's a commercial station which broadcasts some of BBC world news and gives the market news as well as playing really good music. The adverts are great, we have been invited to a yacht show with yachts to suit all tastes and several people in Monaco will apparently help us with our investments.  We also know where to hire a private jet or find someone to build us a swimming pool/jacuzzi, it's great.

Funny we've been really busy today but when I wrote it down it doesn't seem much? Oh well we're exhausted and it was fun so God bless you all.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Friday 6th September

Précis:- very hot, went to Mac Donald's and published blog but couldn't manage to get photos on. Swam in lake, had huge thunderstorm. The end.

Another red hot day dawned and having nipped along to Lidl for a few supplies and a baguette, of course, our next job was a short ride to MacDonalds to finally publish the blog. This proved to be as easy as pie except we had a problem getting pictures on it. First Joan had all the pictures so far on her iPad mini and secondly it wanted us to use Flickr or Picaso neither of which are at present on my iPad and I am not sure how to get them either. So here is more blog sans pictures.

Next it was down to the lake for a swim as we would hate to wake up tomorrow and find it cold and miserable and miss our chance, Joan said. I was not so sure and when somebody daft enough to swim in the North Sea says, " oh it's lovely and warm!" You tend to be a bit cautious, well I do as I am a bit of a wimp. However it was actually really warm and so hot out of the water that I was almost dry before I got back to my towel.

I really hate it when she's right, so when a bit later it really got dark and then a huge thunderstorm erupted, Joan of course crowed about insisting on the swim.  Being in the mountains the storm was great to watch as it flew around the tops but we made sure we didn't get caught in the rain when it finally came, as it came down in buckets!

Love Bryan & Joan xxxx

Saturday 7th September

Précis:- Still hot, disappointed with crossword download. Rode bikes again. Another storm. The end.

The storm has definitely cleared the air a bit. It's still warm but a bit fresher with a slight breeze. Off to MacDonalds to download Saturdays paper only to discover that unless I am prepared to draw the crossword out on a piece of paper it's useless. Damn! Well never mind, time to get ready for the off tomorrow. Nipped on our bikes to the supermarket, popped down to the lake again and noticed another storm brewing. It didn't start until about eight o'clock so it didn't spoil the day but unlike last night, this one was to last all night.

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Sunday 8th September

Précis:- it was raining a lot, we left early, couldn't get parked for the night so went somewhere else. The end.

It is still chucking it down but fortunately almost everything's done and we paid last night so we were away by 8.15am, something of a record for us. Apart from refuelling we had an uneventful journey to Sisteron where there is a hilltop citadel with an Aire for camper vans just outside. The weather had improved as we drove South and it was now very warm and sunny again.

Unfortunately several of the dedicated motorhome spaces had cars and even a lorry parked in them! ( now we know how Alison feels). When we mentioned it to a French woman she just shrugged and ignored us.  I wish I'd had the guts to park across in front of them, but hey ho. So although I was a bit tired and hungry we carried on.

A few miles down the road we stopped, ate and checked the maps for another Aire and found a really nice one overlooking a large lake about 35 miles further on. This did entail driving on some very narrow twisting roads and at the end, going down a very steep hill with several hairpin bends but I think the marks where Joan's door handle and seat were gripped will come out. Tomorrow we will get to the seaside, hurrah!

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Monday 9th September

Précis:- we drove to a campsite that was supposed to be by the sea. It wasn't! So we drove to one we knew. The end.

Ever since the flooding in 2010 Joan and I have been a bit cautious of going back to Frejus. However having tried a few other places like Port Grimaud and found them lacking as the beach is lousy, we were not sure where else to go? Eventually we found an ACSI sight at Cavalaire-sur-mer which was purported to be only 200 metres from the sea. Now the French have a really weird idea of what being actually at the seaside is. So if you see a place name with sur la plage or a la plage it may be some distance from the actual beach.

Having left really early this morning, (8.15), we were pretty pleased with ourselves at having missed the long horrendous traffic that is always present around St Tropez but could see it building as we approached our target campsite.  We found ourselves looking down a very steep cliff at least a quarter of a mile to the beach, if indeed it was accessible. We would also of course have to climb back up again!

So exclaiming golly gosh a lot, we turned around and joined the now long traffic jam back, and here we are sitting in Camping du Pont d'argens, now called La Plage D'Argens which is about 250 metres to the beach. I had intended to do a 67 mile day today and as it was through the Gorges of Verdun on tiny roads it took nearly 3 hours but I had a further 24 to get to here, poo!

The campsite has changed it's name but it is still pretty easy going and if you can get over the very French fact that the toilets and showers are now unisex, but NOT the urinals Pam, it's great.  That is until you read the bit that says incase of flooding gather your valuables and leave, do not attempt to drive your car/van/caravan. Well apart from Joan, my most valuable asset in France is my bloody campervan mate, so if it rains heavy we'll be off!

We should be ok though as the temperature has been 31 today and is supposed not to fall bellow 25 this week so we've booked a week and will see about next week. The only down side is there is usually a wind here and although it's not cold it can get quite strong. However the supermarket is a short ride away and there are several very good street markets around if we want to bother. One sad thing is the greengrocer we used in the past just across the road seems to have vanished but Joan thinks it may just be it's Monday so we will see.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx


Tuesday 10th September

Another lovely day, but the baguette from the site shop wasn't great, still we managed to eat it. However as the two main reasons for being here are to enjoy the warm sunshine and eat French bread we may be moving on soon whereas we were thinking of staying a lot longer. Still there are several really good campsites in the area just not as close to the sea, but as the sea was so cold today we won't mind.

Then out with the bikes and off to the supermarket where we bought a baguette that hopefully will be ok otherwise it's cereal until we go somewhere else. Stupidly we bought quite a lot of stuff which needed to go in the fridge which has to go in my panniers so we had to return without finding McDonalds, so no blog today.

However we did finally get to the beach and have a short swim. The swim was short because although the chap on the radio this morning assured us it was 24 degrees in the sea, he lied!!! It was really cold. Still we tried it then after a bit we decided to get back and go for a swim in the site pool. This was a good plan as it was about 36 degrees and the pool was 26 and had been 28 earlier, so tomorrow we'll give the beach a miss.

Talking about the radio station it's a hoot, it's a commercial station which broadcasts some of BBC world news and gives the market news as well as playing really good music. The adverts are great, we have been invited to a yacht show with yachts to suit all tastes and several people in Monaco will apparently help us with our investments.  We also know where to hire a private jet or find someone to build us a swimming pool/jacuzzi, it's great.

Funny we've been really busy today but when I wrote it down it doesn't seem much? Oh well we're exhausted and it was fun so God bless you all.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

It's all going so well.........or it was!!!!!

Monday 2nd September

Précis
We went to Heidelburg ate, shopped, went home, the end.

What a lovely morning it's going to be a hot one so on with the pack for carrying water, cameras etc. Off to catch bus which turns out to be totally painless and we have two 24 hour tickets to travel back and forth to Heidelburg. The annoying thing is if the lady in reception had told us yesterday we could have gone in about 3pm had a stroll around and gone again today, oh well.

They have these bendy busses which are great and very comfortable and before we knew it we were in the town. Having totally failed packing of plugs etc my first task was to buy a charger for my iPad. It's still a mystery to me how to put pictures onto our blog but next time we will have to bring the laptop or pull my socks up! The only other job was to wander around and generally sight see, so we did.

Before we knew it, it was time to sit in the main square and drink huge glasses of excellent German beer and of course eat a huge lunch. Sadly the main Schloss was wreathed in scaffolding and sacking so we did not bother to go up there. This didn't spoil the day though and having walked for miles we returned to the van tired but contented. There was still loads of sunshine so we sat outside and chilled.

Tuesday 3rd September

Précis:- We drove a long way to a place called Baume le Dames, the end.

The weather seems to be getting warmer by the day and today is no exception I'm glad to say. We are moving on, not to the Bodensee as originally planned but into France to Annecy. It's a distance of about 400 miles give or take a couple so we will be stopping today at a little place called Baume le Dames.

Getting out of Heidelburg was an absolute nightmare and needed a couple of 'u' turns to finally get us onto the motorway and going in the right direction, aren't these sat navs' great, NOT!!! I think we will seriously be looking for a new one very soon, so any info regarding what's best will be appreciated.

Anyway the journey was pretty straightforward and most of the 225 miles we did today were on German motorways which are really superb. We arrived at about 3.30pm and found a nice spot in between an Irish couple and a Frenchman. I again provided much hilarity for the French as I murdered their language, but hey I like to spread a bit of happiness as I go along. He seemed pretty impressed when I gave him a beer so that's ok.

There is a little river with some boats moored there and just to stretch our legs after all day in the van we went for a wander and came to a supermarket, so first thing in the morning we'll be there to fill up with diesel @... No it wouldn't be fair to brag about how cheap it is, ha ha!  It has been so hot today, 30+, so when we got back to the van we just sat out in the sun until about 7.30pm before attempting to cook dinner, good old wagamamas sauces, chicken and lots of veg. Off tomorrow to Annecy and my first Baguette, yummy!

Lots of love
Joan & Bryan xxxx

Wednesday 4th September

HAPPY BIRTHDAY Reena xxx

Précis:- We set off early, had major traffic problems in Besancon and got to Annecy at 3.30pm, it is very hot and sunny, the end.

We all knew I would be up early so no surprise. We are on the road by 9am on a lovely hot sunny day. Filled up with diesel and bowling along as happy as Larry, the roads are good what could possibly go wrong?  20 minutes later we entered Besancon a big city in France where, Oh joy of joys, they are having a brand new tram system installed. I kid you not, it was like a war zone with huge craters and piles of rubble everywhere. However no problem, they have deviation signs, labelled deviation 1, deviation 2, deviation 3!!!! Now I may be a bit of a deviant but they totally confused me as there were no destinations mentioned so we aimed for the motorway sign. This was made more difficult as every roundabout exit with a motorway sign was dug up or BARRED! So round we went yet again............

Joan was getting very worried, the lady in the satnav was shouting all sorts of instructions then frantically recalculating until we turned her voice off.  Eventually we followed a motorway sign and turned down a steep hill on a fairly small turning to find a huge, no I mean "HUGE" lorry and trailer loaded with straw bales reversing towards us, Joan nearly flipped. I just had room to pull over and waited until it was ok to pass, ignoring the horns blasting only to then find we are on a one way street heading along an alley with the last building covered in scaffolding! Having all the other traffic following "deviation 2" behind us, all I could do was continue slowly, VERY slowly.

We were now in the middle of the old town, i.e. little narrow streets not designed to take traffic. (I still cannot work out where they would need all that straw?). It was a bit like a scene from the Pink Panther: there's an old Frenchman sitting at a little table drinking his coffee and looking nervously at my bumper inches from his chair. I felt it necessary to wind down the window and say "pardon Messieur" to which bless him with, a very Gallic shrug he replied "Pas de probleme".  At this point Joan's blood pressure was off the scale and only by an illegal 'U' turn and jumping a set of lights did we finally get out on the right road. It took us nearly an hour and I swear we passed several people at least twice!

When we finally stopped for lunch Joan tried to get me to have a nap but we both had so much adrenaline flowing we just continued. As we drove into Annecy Joan nearly screamed, as we hit major road works. Not helped by me missing the easy turning, but I knew I needed to aim for Albertville as we have been here before and there were plenty of signposts to follow. We arrived at 3.30pm at the site and were amazed it was almost full! But we got a nice little pitch with both sun and shade. Normally I avoid anywhere with shade but it is around 32 degrees so we will probably be glad of it.

I must confess having driven here with only a short stop plus all the problems, we are absolutely shattered, still we are here for at least 4 days if not longer. Having had a long snooze and a cuppa, about 6pm we strolled down to the beach where people were swimming in the lake, apparently it's not too cold so we may try it another day.

Lots of Love
Joan & Bryan xxxx


Thursday 5th September

Précis:- It is still very hot and we cycled to Annecy a return trip of 8 miles. Had an anniversary meal, the end.

It's our anniversary today so having discovered that neither bus or river boat will allow us to go to town in the evening and get back, and Colin's or Joe's excellent taxi services not being available, we decided to cycle in to Annecy which the book says is only 5 kilometres, about 3 miles. In the event it turns out its just over 4 miles, but it was ok and we had a very nice meal then wandered around the lovely old town returning about 4pm to sit in the shade with a gin & tonic and chill.  I am surprised that I still get very tired after any exercise  but I am sure I will get fitter soon.

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxx

Well we seem to have managed to get something on here but no titles and sadly so far no pictures.
God only knows why no titles but the no pictures is because they are not on my iPad yet so we will keep trying to get some on. We hope you are all well and having fun.

Love Bryan & Joan xxxx

Sorry everybody but this is the first time we've managed to get on line and post. Joe gave us Internet access at their house but it was not the time or place to do the blog.

At last we are off to Europe


Stephen and Andy, we left home, got to tunnel on time and are now in Germany and it's raining! The end.

Sunday 25th August
As usual I awoke really early and could NOT get back to sleep, it was 4am! I was worried that somebody had parked across the front of the van and we could not get out.  At 4.30 I gave up and got up, dressed and Joan followed me down stairs. We were on the road by 5.10am, it was pouring with rain and there were huge puddles flooding the road everywhere.

So far so good, we were at the tunnel in time and everything went smoothly. I even managed to sleep on the train. Then the pleasure of driving in France, it's so easy. Before we knew it we were in Belgium and approaching our destination for the day with 185 miles done from Angela's.

I have promised Joan and Angela NOT to over do it so although it was only 12.30pm we stopped. Unfortunately we were told that they had done away with the campingplatz at Grimbergen so had to move on to a campsite further on. On arrival we found several people also waiting to get in as they close for lunch until 3pm. We had a leisurely lunch while parked outside and I went to bed and slept for an hour and a half.

Being fully refreshed and not liking the look of the campsite, plus knowing Angela would not know, I convinced Joan that I felt great and we set of to the next days stop in Monschau. It was only 97 miles further and we arrived at 5.15pm, great. Well it would be if we hadn't had to drive down a very steep hill to the site. I hope we can get out tomorrow, damn, another sleepless night.

We are relaxing now after our meal with a lovely bottle of red wine.  The only down side is that it has been chucking it down for about 3 hours now and doesn't look like stopping, guess whose face looks like a slapped bum?

Love Joan & Bryan xxx


Monday 26th August.

Wow, we've done four days planned driving in two!

Andy & Stephen, We got up, drove some, more slept mid day and drove another 123 miles to our target for day 4 on day 2, met our German friends and relaxed. The end.


We awoke about 7.30am and it was NOT raining but there's time. Joan has had a lousy night worrying if we will be able to get up the bank out of the campsite, I slept like a log!!  In the event, we drove straight out no bother at all, proving that the expensive chipping we had done to the van was worth it.

Next stop was Limberg an der Larn this turned out to be a motorhome dealer and although very nice, after a kip I decided to continue as it was only 2pm and I felt refreshed. Joan threatened to tell Angela but I insisted. German roads are so good, even the side roads, that we were in Thungersheim by 4.30pm
 As this was day two and our destination for day four, I was delighted. It was a lovely spot by the river with electricity and drinking water if you can find it. We found the power but failed water devining!  Having finally found a place to completely chill we did, and slept until 8.50am. Joan was all for staying put until Wednesday, our original arrival day but we needed water so we left. As soon as we got to Veitshochheim we phoned Ingrid & Joe, who came straight over and took us back to where we could get water free. It was so simple we felt pretty stupid, but they said they had had the same trouble when they went there for the first time.

Next we returned to the Aire in their village which is on the river front. This is a really beautiful place with restaurants and a riverside walk. Having enjoyed a light lunch in a biergarten and having ensured we were ok, they left us to chill out for a while, lovely.  Later that evening they took us to their home where we had a great night with fabulous food & conversation, finally driving us back to our van at 11.30pm.  We both agreed that having done four days travel in two days, we felt totally at ease and finally ready to chill out and enjoy our holiday.

Love "US" xxxxx


Wednesday 28th August

Oh hell we may need a new windscreen!

Stephen & Andy: We had our normal expensive holiday disaster which was quickly solved with money and enjoyed our friends company. It was hot and sunny, the end.


Waking up in this lovely place the sun shining and all seeming well I was alarmed to see a huge chip in our windscreen. This wasn't helped by, after 30 minutes on the phone, our insurance company telling us that we weren't covered for glass and that it was our problem! Fortunately just then Joe & Ingrid turned up, made a phone call and took us to a windscreen place who did a repair but were concerned it might not work. The alternative was a new windscreen for. £900.00!! So far touch wood it looks good but it still cost £110.

Then we followed Joe to the campsite we are on now which is very close to town and there is a trolley bus stops right outside if we wanted to venture off on our own. At last we are really relaxing and I am certainly getting a mid-day nap which is good for me. With nothing to worry about, Joan is really chilled and loving it. Again Ingrid & Joe took us back to their home and we enjoyed convivial evening of food, drink and chat. Joe showed us his collection of ancient Roman coins and we again tried to get them to come to us and visit the Roman wall. Back to the van about 11.00pm





Off on our bikes at last.

Thursday 29th August

Andy & Stephen:- We finally use our bikes on a flat path beside a river. Hot and sunny again. Did a Coconut Raita dinner in our van for Joe & Ingrid, the end.


Wow, perfect holiday weather, red hot wall to wall sunshine, great!  Joe and Ingrid arrived about 11am to take us and our bikes out to the country for a bike ride. They have earlier on taken their bikes and locked them up on a riverside cycle track about 7 miles away and they say they will still be there, wouldn't it be nice to live like that. They are appalled when we tell them they would be lucky if the frame was there if we did that in England! Anyway we cycled for a few miles to a riverside cafe and had a really superb lunch and a radler (a shandy). Then back to repeat the process of getting us back then getting their bikes, they really are a lovely couple.

Our turn to cook dinner tonight and as they had said they preferred to eat vegetarian at night, plus they liked Indian food, we naturally turned to coconut raita. We did take the liberty of adding cauliflower and broccoli to Reena's potato curry but we hope she won't mind. We also Made the egg one which we had enjoyed once as a starter at her house. We had both dishes with some very nice bread from the local baker. delicious!  Needless to say she now has two more very keen devotees so we must have made them right. And remember we did this cooking in our little van kitchen.   Tried The local brandy, very nice.

Love to you all
Joan & Bryan xxxxx

Oh dear after today I think Joe & Ingrid will be pleased to see the back of us!

Andy & Stephen, we gave thanks at the Kepple, had a fair well dinner and lost a bracelet. The end.

Friday 30th September

This was sadly our last full day with Joe & Ingrid. We went up to the lovely church on the hill overlooking the whole city of Wurzburg to give thanks that all our children are well. This was a trip we had wanted to make with our friends because when Jacqueline was very ill they prayed for her there. The church is very beautiful and the views across the city are stunning.

After this we returned to the city square for some grub and then left them, to take a trolley bus ride back to our van. Later that evening they called for us and took us to Veitshochheim where we enjoyed a last meal together. The meal was really good and of course the company excellent.  Then we all went back to the van to check with Joe the stellplatz which would be best for us over the rest of our trip through Germany.

After fond hugs we reluctantly said goodbye to two people who really are the best, and prepared to get ready for the off tomorrow. Suddenly Joan noticed she had lost her brand new pearl bracelet, she was really upset. Then as we got ready to go and see it had fallen off as she had got out of the car she noticed Ingrid's jacket hanging on our drivers seat. We tried to ring them on Joe's mobile but for some reason it would not work. A gentle tap tap on the door and Ingrid had returned for the coat. She was distressed about Joan's bracelet and we all said good night, again.

Joan! I've just seen a knight in full armour with a huge sword getting out of a Mercedes. Honest!!!

Saturday 31st August

Stephen & Andy, we left our friends, went somewhere else, climbed a tower and visited a medieval fayre.

Well I said they were good friends, Joe & Ingrid having left us late last night, drove all the way back to where we'd parked and retraced our steps all round the town, plus asking in the restaurant for Joan's lost bracelet, they are amazing. Sadly their efforts were not successful but they still insist they will ask at the local lost property offices in both cities.

Finally we left and had a really pleasant drive to our next stop, a stellplatz in a town called Hirschhorn. Although we were there by 12 O'clock the van park seemed a bit full and we were lucky to just get in to a spot near the river, very nice. The whole car park was heaving and then we noticed some people in traditional dress of the Middle Ages. I mean it's not everyday you see a family in chain-mail with huge swords wandering about. So grabbing the camera's we followed to find a huge medieval fayre with craft stalls, tents, lots of food and of course beer.

It is amazing how the local people all get into the spirit of things and whole families even little tots are dressed up. As we went in they stamped our hands so we could come and go as we pleased which  Joan was not too happy about as it will not come off easily. It worked for us pretty well though as shortly after we got inside the camera blinked full, so we needed to return to the van and get another card.

But before this we had been amazed at the sights inside, it was as if we had stepped back in time. There was a whole village with blacksmith, carpenter, basket weaver, leather worker, candle maker, rope maker and fletcher. Plus of course sword practice and archery for everybody to participate in. There were minstrels wandering around and a lady playing a harp, plus as I said so many people in costume. It was amazing!

On the way back we decided to look around the village a bit and ended up climbing 425 steps to the top of the Schloss which is high on a hill above the village. It is now a restaurant where a wedding was in progress but nobody seemed to mind as we carried on up. It nearly killed us but I was determined to do it.

Our legs were like jelly when we got back to the fayre and we staggered in, found a seat near the beer tent and had a couple of pints while watching the acts in the arena. We stayed for ages and ended up eating a really good meal. I had Bratwurst and Joan had a pork dish (Joe's favourite) with chips all washed down with a couple of flagons of ale, finishing with a lovely big slice of cake, delicious.

Tomorrow were off to a campsite near Heidelburg. A really long drive, about 8 miles!

Lots of love
Bryan & Joan xxxxx

1st September

Is it us? We wanted the train to Heidelberg and the line's broken!

Andy & Stephen, we left early and arrived at campsite about 10.30am walked into town and back. The end.

Actually if you read the above it's almost all we did really. It was a nice day and we drove into Heidelberg and tried to find somewhere to park and wander around. This proved difficult so we returned to Neckargemund a few miles away where there is a campsite. We thought we may not be able to get in so early but we forgot we are not in England so they were delighted we came and just booked us in. They offered us a riverside pitch for 2.5€ more but we are pitched 4 metres away from it and that's close enough to see the boats and ducks.

Having pitched we wandered into town to see about trains or busses to Heidelberg only to discover the train line is broken and busses only run occasionally on Sunday. There is also a boat trip from here so we tried to find out how and when to get it but as everywhere was closed we gave up and returned to the van and just relaxed.

Tomorrow we will hopefully find more places to get information and buy tickets from. In Wurzburg you buy your tickets from a kiosk or machine not on the bus. But we are keen to go on the boat trip if we can discover how to purchase a ticket and what time it stops here. Apart from that and a bit of washing using the new dryer thing Ingrid & Joe bought us, we did very little really, sat outside the van with a beer, read our books etc., very restful.

Love from
Joan & Bryan xxxx

First post on this blog since

Well it's time to reactivate our blog and work out how to do it, as of course, it's all changed and we've moved over to Apple.