MONDAY 12-5-25
Thankfully last night the thunderstorms failed to materialise which made our going to bed with tin hats on quite pointless, though we did get quite a lot of rain.
We woke this morning to sunshine and cloud with a real fresh smell in the air after the rain.
After scrubbing up we were on the road about 10:00 heading for Manosque. Google Maps gave it as something like a two hour journey, but I was going the long way road. Not only using the D900 road heading east via Apt, but going up to Forcalquir before heading south on the A51 toll road for a short distance. This made sure 'It' didn't take us across country on crappy minor roads, we've already had that pleasure on a previous trip.
Apart from having to make our way through a few villages enroute, the journey was a delight offering us lovely scenery along the way.
Our first stop was the large 'Hyper U' supermarket (N43.819325° E5.798313°) on the edge of Manosque to stock up on supplies before then making our way to the campsite Camping Provence Valley (N43.829885° E5.763837°). They were closed for lunch when we arrived and so we took advantage of the situation and sat in the car park outside and ate ours while we waited.
At 14:00 on the dot The Chef was in Reception booking us in. Because this campsite is part of the ACSI out-of-peak-seasons discount scheme it is costing us just thirteen Euros a night plus another two added for tourist tax, and that includes electricity. We've committed to staying here a week before we move down to the coast at Villeneuve Loubet from where we'll visit various locations along the Côte d' Azur as well as having some chill time on the beach etc.
Whilst getting set up on the pitch I managed to impale my forearm on a thick twig with a sharp end on it. I guess it was a little under a quarter of an inch thick and it punctured my arm to a depth of over half an inch. Fortunately it went in at an angle and so the damage was under the skin rather than penetrating deep in to my arm. When I pulled my arm of I expected a bit of a gusher, but fortunately it wasn't too bad, and I immediately poured iodine in to it and dressed it. I think it will take a while to heal properly though my biggest challenge will be to keep it dry in the shower (and the rain!).
We've a few bright, dry morning followed by a bit of the damp stuff in the afternoons with Thursday at the moment looking like the best day, although they have been known to be wrong. If only we could be enjoying the same weather as the folks back home. They're having a lovely long, hot, dry spell.
Tomorrow I shall start a new chapter.
SUNDAY 11-5-25
We had a bit of luck this morning, that's if you can call it luck. The weather forecast for today was one spot rain starting at 10:00 lasting all day but increasing to two-spot rain and a grand finale of thunderstorms for hours.
We were thinking that by the time we got up, showered and had breakfast the rain would be due to arrive and we'd have to spend the rest of the day indoors. But fortunately the forecast was a bit wrong and we were able to sit outside right up until 13:00 when everything had to come in as the rain began. That was so much nicer than sitting in the vehicle all day. At least we have a bit of room in which to relax which is so much nicer than a small campervan with a raised roof. Spending a day in one of those would send me stir crazy, but to be fair, folk buy what suits their lifestyle and circumstances.
One of my jobs today was to cut a hole in the bag within the box of Rosé drain cleaner and pour it away at the dump station. A very fitting end to it.
Uploading the blog yesterday was an absolute pig. It's the pictures that cause the grief, so much so that I have now decided that I will only load up to three pictures a day, unless circumstances favour a few more. It took over two hours last night and I still didn't manage to get all the pictures on there that I wanted, but I can no longer justify spending so much time doing it. When we return home and I proof read all this nonsense I will attempt to add a few more if it is appropriate.
There have been a few new arrivals during the day, mostly German. We had one, a van conversion, park one pitch down from us and across. Just a while ago another one arrived and in order to park in the empty pitch across for it, drove in to their pitch so that they were side by side, then proceeded to reverse across to his pitch at an angle. He came so close to scraping the side of his van on the bikes on the campers bike rack even his wife was getting worried. I've never seen anything so rude and incompetent, but that's what we're getting these days since Covid - a different kind of camper, with no idea about campsite etiquette, and I know it's not my imagination, they're not as friendly these days, most of them seem quite insular and don't even seem to want to wish each other good morning as they pass. I will always greet a passing fellow camper with a 'good morning' in the language of the country we're in, or in that camper's native language if I know where they're from. These days every time I get ignored I say "F**k you then" as we pass and hope they hear it and take it onboard.
Tomorrow we leave heading for Manosque and a campsite we enjoy visiting which is such good value. Our route will take us across country on the D900 road passing through Apt. I have made a note of a few GPS co-ordinates which I shall pump in along the way to make sure 'It' doesn't decide to use some really crappy minor roads.
Mount Ventoux 1909m, in the distance
The memorial on the left marks the site of a guillotine erected during the French Revolution. 332 were executed.
SATURDAY 10-5-25
It was a nice peaceful evening and nights, helped by the fact the kids on site were in bed at a reasonable time. Had this been Spain the feral little beggers would have been running riot until gone midnight.
This morning was cool and mostly cloudy, but it warmed up eventually and made it more comfortable for wandering around Orange. We were surprised that we still remembered the route in to town, passing the Arc de Triomphe where there were indeed motorhomes parked across the road in the large car park. We checked for signage and there was nothing which said parking overnight was prohibited.
We were soon in town and wandering around the streets, although there's not a huge amount to the historic centre. We were surprised how quiet it was down there, given that it was a Saturday. We expected the locals to be out and about, well, out and doing something rather than sitting and doing nothing other than drinking and feeding their faces. The last time we were here I had difficulty taking a car-free photograph such was the volume of traffic, but today was no problem at all.
We'd never sought out or been in to the Notre-Dame de Nazareth Cathedral before, and so made a point of visiting. To me it was another dark and gloomy coal shed. An old coal shed (1208) mark you, but dull and gloomy nevertheless. I couldn't even see the settings on the top of my camera and so had to find a lit candle to see them allowing me to select 'Flash On'.
After a bit more wandering around it was time for lunch. The restaurant we ate at last time remained shut today and we ended up at one just off the main road passing the Roman Theatre claiming to specialise in Pizza's. We thought that would do us. We were the only customers to be seated, so didn't get the opportunity to see plates of food coming out for other diners to see how good it looked or the portion sizes, so we must had to go for it. We decided to share one Margarita and one bacon and mushroom, washed down with a coffee for The Chef and a polite sized glass of red wine for myself.
After some nifty cutting and sliding we both had half of each which filled large plates. It was a struggle to work through it all. I did better than Rosina, and by the time she'd finished her plate looked like a pile of something you avoid stepping in on the way home after pubs shut at night. To top it all the waitress offered her a box to transfer it to takeaway, which was politely declined. The pizza's were quite nice actually, they just far too big for us and there were no size options.
Once we'd let the food get down we made our way to Saint-Europe Hill which is a nice park above the rear of the Roman Theatre. Annoyingly there were small construction works going on up there right where we wanted access to so that we could look down on the theatre stage. I had been relying on that for a half decent picture as we saw no reason to pay for another look around inside, even though it is very impressive. So back down we came and made our way back to the campsite.
We spent what was left of the afternoon sat outside in the sunshine reading our books. Before going online and lifting a couple of pictures of the theatre on the internet.
Tomorrow we plan to stay on the campsite. Perhaps we'll go over to the Petanque pitches and see if there are any Frenchman The Chef can thrash in a game.
FRIDAY 9-5-25
I was another peaceful night on our not-very-popular Aire in Laudun. Today we were off to Orange for three nights to avoid getting stuck for somewhere to park over the weekend.
After scrubbing up we went to dump our recyclable waste in the bins at the poncey wine boutique down the road before popping in to the 'U' Express supermarket for a few bits and pieces.
Then it was on to the dump station then away. Unfortunately, even though 'It' is only about four years old, already the maps are becoming out of date. No more so than this morning when we try to make our way towards Orange. Twice we were taken down roads which after some distance were restricted to small vehicles and bikes with bollards in the road. Never mind, we got clear eventually and slipped on to the A9 toll road for just one interchange.
It didn't take us too long to arrive at Camping du Lavandin www.campingdulavandin.com (N44.146878 E4.795682°) formerly Camping Manon on previous visits. We wanted to arrive in good time to make sure we got a pitch otherwise we'd have had to park down the road on a car park across from their Arc de Triomphe but we weren't sure if they allowed overnight parking. We needn't have worried. After The Chef had popped in to Reception and done the deal we were allowed through the security barrier to an almost empty campsite.
That is the advantage of starting this trip earlier in the year than we would do normally, there are more vacancies, though the weather could be a bit warmer especially first thing in the mornings.
The first pitch we were allocated was unsuitable as our mains electric lead wasn't long enough to reach the hook-up box and so we were allocated pitch 35, which was nearer. The price here is twenty-eight Euros an night which at today's business exchange rate is £23.72, so that would be £47.44 for two nights. Compare that with two nights right now at Southwold Caravan Park in Suffolk which is nothing special, but in a great location, and you'd pay £92.00, or €108.63. That's why we don't like touring in the UK. Everything is overpriced and mostly substandard.
After lunch and a sit in the sunshine we wandered up to the Petanque pitches with our balls and where The Chef trimmed me up by two games to nil.
While we were playing lots more campers arrived, some bringing their children for the weekend. Thankfully they seem to have segregated old gits from families which is appreciated. I love to hear young children playing and enjoying themselves, but only during the hours that suit me.
The cloud and sunshine of the day now seems to be giving way to just cloud with a threat of some light rain showers. Never mind, we'll be hunkered down indoors with maybe a spot of heating from our ceramic heater I've bought in from the garage. If we don't use it this evening we'll have a drop of it in the morning before venturing over to the toilet block.
Tomorrow we'll walk in to Orange and spend the day there, and I'll even buy The Chef lunch. I spoil her, I really do.
THURSDAY 8-5-25
We treated ourselves to a lovely hot shower this morning with no limitation on how much water we used. Firstly because we were next to a dump station to refill and secondly I wanted to drain the fresh water tank anyway as we've been topping it up for about eleven days now I felt we should drain it completely and give ourselves a full tank of fresh.
We have binned a few potential destinations on the way here including Montpellier because the Aire there is on a marina complex which of course is near the sea rather than the city, and I couldn't really find anywhere else suitable to stop and Nimes because there is absolutely nowhere to park there and the plan was to visit it by train from Montpellier. This means we're jogging along a little quicker than I had in mind. To this end I suggested to The Chef that we stay here another day and take a look around the village.
On the way out we took our recycling rubbish and a few other bits intending to put them in the dumpsters we could see in the winery next door. Unfortunately as we passed by the gates were all locked up as was their wine selling shop across the road. Clearly the busy period for wine production has passed and they're in no hurry to sell it. Not to worry, the 'U' Express supermarket had rubbish bins outside so that's where it all went.
I suppose when you've seen one small French village you've seen most of them, but it was nice to wander around and get a feel for how the locals live. Clearly the opening of the supermarket has had an impact on the local shops as the small Carrefour min-market had shut as had the greengrocers, and the Boulangerie didn't have much for sale either.
Once we'd had a walk round we popped in to the 'U' Express for a baguette. Although it wasn't a big shop I was most impressed by how much stock they'd managed to squeeze in to it offering a good range almost everything folk would need. As well as the baguette for lunch The Chef bought a couple of small Quiche Lorraine's for this evenings meal.
Upon our return, out came the chairs and we enjoyed the rest of the day sat out in the sunshine reading, and while the sun was out I took advantage by deploying the folding solar panel which looks to have fully charged the new habitation battery. Our next door neighbours have a few chickens and I can confirm that French chickens do like crumbled Weetabix.
This evening will be spent watching another episode of 'Endeavour' which I'm introducing The Chef to.
Tomorrow we will indeed be leaving after a quick pop to the supermarket heading for a campsite we've used before in Orange where we'll spend three nights to see us through the weekend. I've suggested to The Chef that while we're in town we should treat ourselves to lunch out. I thoroughly spoil her.
Back home we have the national celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day. We owe the generation that fought and suffered through WWII so much, a debt we can never repay, and having stopped the winter fuel allowance for those few survivors, this government didn't really try to.
WEDNESDAY 7-5-25
Sadly things don't always turn out as we would wish.
After a peaceful night parked right beside the River Lot, grateful that there wasn't a flash flood during the night and we ended up floating further down the river.
We were away at 10:00 allowing a Belgian couple to slip straight in to our vacant spot. They'd spent the night parked sideways across from us having asked if we minded, on the understanding they got out of our way this morning when we were ready to go. They asked so nicely I didn't like to say no.
First stop was the Carrefour supermarket on the way out of town where we topped up with fuel and a few bits and pieces. We tend to spoil the vehicle back home with fuel from BP or Shell as my theory is what you save by buying cheap fuel you spend further down the line on engine repairs. To counter the cheapo supermarket fuel I carry engine additive which I add at each tank refill. This adds what the supermarkets leave out of their fuel.
The journey started with a bit of a wrestling match with 'It' until it got the message that we would be using the toll roads and motorways to Chusclan. Once it got the message it was fine and even bought us off the motorway towards the end at our intended exit number.
Sadly on arriving at the intended Aire (N44.145448° E4.677239°)owned by the wine growers co-operative across the road, we found it closed. This was not well received as we'd been motoring pretty hard for about six hours which included a lunch break.
The Chef popped in to the shop www.sinnae.fr/boutique which has got a lot more poncey and expensive over the years. When we first came locals would bring their own containers in and get them filled from a large barrel in the shop. She was told the Aire was closed temporarily for refurbishment, but looking at the length of the grass around the edge of it I don't think they're in any hurry to reopen, if ever.
Despite our disappointment, as we were hoping to spend a couple of nights here to look around the village and play a game of Petanque on the village pitch, I bought some wine, four boxes, sixteen litres for a price which leaves me hoping it's a good drop of glug.
The staff told us they had another facility about fifteen minutes drive away which also had an Aire and it was open. So off we went. It's in the nearby village of Laudun (N44.103735° E4.663820°) On arrival we weren't too impressed. It's small and there are one or two permanent 'residents' in their trash unroadworthy vehicles. I think this is where travellers can buy wine, wooden pegs and lucky heather all at one location. We'll be on the move again tomorrow.
Checking the news it seems Labour's much trumpeted small-change trade deal with India is being well received by some businesses. Nobby Crutch, the Managing Director of the British Rickshaw Manufacturing Company said they are ready to expand dramatically in the Indian market. "Our latest model comes with extra thick tyres and a pair of sandals for the driver with soles cut from Landrover tyres. We feel this all-terrain model will sell very well in the northern part of the country" he said.
Meanwhile descendants of the famous beach footwear inventor, Phillipe Fillope, are poised to sell their latest models to India in a 'Coals to Newcastle' situation. A spokesman said their newest model is designed to help those millions of Indians who all turn up regularly to religious festivals served by just four Portaloo's. The latest style has a thick sole modelled on the tread of a winter 4X4 tyre pattern. After exhaustive testing, the design has demonstrated how well any pooh that is trodden in is efficiently squished out to the sides of the flipflop. The deluxe model has a clear plastic cover over the front, rather like a 'toetector', to avoid any brownie getting between the toes. They come in any colour the customer wishes, as long as it's brown."We have one other new design", he said. "It's a brown and green camouflage design which will be very useful for the Indian Army. "All we need now is a war with Pakistan and our sales will go through the roof. Better still, we can offer the Indians a truly genuine article because thanks to the idiots that negotiated this trade deal we can bring over Indian labour to make them, which we can employ more cheaply because they won't have to pay any National Insurance. That way the workshy, benefit claiming bone idle Brits, most of whom seem to have mental health issues, can continue staying at home".
I wonder why Reform UK did so well at the local council elections?
All being well we'll pop down the road to Orange tomorrow. Somewhere we like to visit, and for us, it will be the last time.
Patients who request Colonic Irrigation treatment get home visits.
TUESDAY 6-5-25
I endured another couple of glasses of my bottle of Chateau la Rotgut 2024 but no more. The rest was shared with mother nature behind the motorhome. It's a shame really, I had expected better as it had been awarded the gold medal at the French Drain Cleaning Awards only last month.
It was another quiet night though we did get the pitter-patter of light rain on the roof from about 07:00.
Today we were on the move. Had the weather been nicer we would have stopped for another day and chilled, but we have to work with what we've got and the time was better used as a travelling day. As it was a wet day Nigel and Belinda had yet to surface by the time we hit the road at 10:00
On leaving the village we were pleased to see that just beyond the car park where motorhomes are banned they have created a new Aire (N44.823714° E1.187274°) and it's quite large which is good for motorhomers but bad news for the campsite owner. Perhaps that could explain why the campsite was much quieter than we had expected.
The journey to Cahors was pretty dire. The route we were taken was mostly along narrow twisting roads requiring a lot of concentration. I was rather hoping 'It' would take us further eastwards along the River Dordogne before dropping us on to the toll road heading south. I'm beginning to think Russia bought a job lot of these satnavs three years ago and fitted them to their missiles for guidance which would explain why Putin's missiles keep landing on innocent civilian targets rather than legitimate military ones.
We finally arrived on the outskirts of Cahors where The Chef popped in to the local Lidl store for a few bits and pieces before we set off for one of two Aires. We chose to try our luck at the smaller one right beside the River Lot (N44.440188° E1.440979°). We were in luck. Although it is much smaller than the other down the road (N44.438747° E1.441061°) with only three spaces there was one left, so in we went.
After lunch we went for a wander in to town. The bit we read online painted Cahors in a shining light. Maybe it's historical but we didn't see much evidence of it. Certainly no house with one of those blue plaques on the wall saying 'Joan of Arc Lived Here'. We expected a much more medieval look to the place.
As we are only days away from celebrating the 80th anniversary of VE Day, I was impressed to see the town celebrating local citizens who had fought in WWII by hanging banners from street lighting all the way down the main street on both sides of the road.
Although the sky looked very threatening and we had foolishly gone without macs or a brolly we only got a bit damp from a couple of showers. Luckily we managed to shelter from the worst of it. After picking up a street map from the Tourist Information Office we were able to navigate to the Pont Valentre Bridge which these days is pedestrian only. It was worthy of a few pictures before we made our way home following the side of the river.
In the morning we shall leave town heading for Provence, first stop Chusclan where we'll pick up some drinkable wine from the growers cooperative, before making our way to Orange. So it's a busy day at the office tomorrow.
Taking a look at the news I see that Smarmer Starmer and Rachel from Accounts have pulled off a trade deal with India which means they can buy cheaper cars and whisky and in return we get cheaper flip flops.