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Castellane has become a bit sticky. We got up and walked the dogs along the river via the 15th century Pont du Roc. We strolled into town for a coffee at our new favourite café where all the locals hang-out. Bought some fresh bread. Leisurely breakfast. Perhaps took a peek or two online at the,Continue reading “Pressing Pause – Castellane, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France”

This morning, realising no crampons and ropes were required we decided to scale the Roc. The 720m altitude rock which dominates the skyline of Castellane on which a small church has been built in the amazing way that religious buildings can be in apparently inaccessible places. The church which dates back to the 9th centuryContinue reading “Views, views and more views – Roc and Verdon Gorge – Castellane, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France”

Today we *should* have been visiting Nice then Monaco. Then this morning I got a random Facebook post which talked about the Route of Napoleon, an iconic must-do drive through the Alpes and a new plan was born. We had toyed with a crazy run to Tuscany, Pisa and Florence then trip through the SwissContinue reading “Route de Napoleon – Castellane, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France”

We had a leisurely start this morning as it was a Sunday and drove the 15 minutes to Ménerbes down narrow but very scenic country roads flanked by vineyards and lavender fields. Ménerbes looked above us on the approached stretched across the hillside ahead. The honey colour stone village commanding views right across the Luberon.Continue reading “Provençal Village 5. Saving the best until last – Ménerbes, Provence, France”

We arrived back from a stroll around Fontaine-de-Vaucluse last night to find a U.K. plated Sprinter van conversion at the barrier to the campsite. The young couple had just driven straight from Calais (over 1000km) for their 1 week holiday in their self-converted (during lockdown) van. We warned them that though the display said oneContinue reading “Provencal Village 2, nearly 3 and 4 – Lumières, Provence, France”

After what seems like slot of city touring on this trip and also having read A Year In Provence by Peter Mayle. We decided that today was the day to go rural and go to the hills of Provence. We have selected a week’s worth of villages for our tour and we are looking forwardContinue reading “Provence Village #1 – Fontaine-de-Vaucluse, Provence, France”

Today started with a nice walk around the ramparts and stroll through the town in Aigue-Mortes with the dogs before the usual routine of services and paying for parking. I have still not found out why the town appears to be called sudden death (from my basic French understanding). Perhaps a good thing we leftContinue reading “Roman Amphitheatre – Nîmes, Occitanie, France”

We had a nice dog walk along the river in Lagrasse this morning before having breakfast and completing departure jobs. The weather was still rather cool and very windy and coats were donned for the first time in some weeks. We had arranged to meet Pete and Cheryl for a farewell coffee in the villageContinue reading “Au Revoirs, Oysters and Fortifications – Aigues-Morte, Occitanie, France”

We started the day with a lovely dog walk to La Pied de Charlemagne (The walk of Charlemagne) which takes you to Cagaliere rock overlooking the village. This was another recommendation from Claire and Guy, which Pete and Cheryl had walked a couple of days before in lovely sunshine. It was great to have theContinue reading “Rain does not stop play – Lagrasse, Occitanie, France”

Today was the day we had coordinated to meet up with our friends Pete and Cheryl in France. They happened to be holidaying in Lagrasse in the gîtes of their previous neighbours in the village where we live in Cornwall. We realised we maybe in the region at the same time back in March andContinue reading “Friends Reunited – Lagrasse, Occitanie, France”