A little waterfall right under the toll road.

SUNDAY 25-5-25

The Chef's first attempt at anything remotely like a Chinese meal whilst touring was very tasty I have to say. It comprised of egg fried rice, noodles with a sweet chilli sauce stirred through them and Chicken Chow Mein. Surprisingly the liquid posing as wine was pretty good too.

We had a nasty surprise early evening when an Italian motorhome arrived and out got an older chap, maybe his daughter and granddaughter. Suddenly we thought we'd hit the half term school holidays and even more of them would be pouring across the border and arriving here. I Google's school holiday dates and I think we're safe, but it was a worry for a time.

Predictably the gobby Frogs were late to bed having sat outside their campervan talking loudly until 23:00 which is passed everybody's bedtime on campsites, especially as the sea air and sunshine is quite therapeutic.

The Chef suggested that this morning we'd take a packed lunch with us and have a picnic during our walk up to Villeneuve Village, which I thought was a good idea, and so while she popped round to the supermarket for a baguette and some milk I got myself ready and emptied the unwanted items out of the backpack since I would be the one carrying it.

It was a very warm morning and we were glad that quite a lot of the walk is beside the river in the shade of numerous trees along the way. There were a number of families who chose to sit beside the river and sunbathe whilst their kids and dogs played close by, and all in a lovely cool peaceful setting.

Eventually we arrived at the village which has a really nice community feeling. We came across a couple of markets, the first was a craft market and across the road and at a lower level was an Italian Farmers Market. Neither were terribly busy but perhaps they were earlier in the day. The smell as we walked past the Italian cheese sellers could take your breath away.

Villeneuve-Loubet is the birthplace of the renowned French chef Auguste Escoffier, known as the "King of Chefs". He is considered a pivotal figure in modern French cuisine, and his legacy continues to influence culinary arts today. The town also hosts the Musée Escoffier de l'Art Culinaire, a museum dedicated to his life and work. I believe the UK equivalent, Jamie Oliver, will open something similar soon in Essex to be called 'Bish Bash Bosh Puka Tucka".

We sat and enjoyed lunch on a park bench whilst watching one or two men practicing their Petanque skills on one of numerous pitches. By the time we left there were quite a few there and about to crack on with some kind of competition.

The walk back was lovely and as always on return journeys seemed to be completed much quicker than the outward walk.

When we returned to the campsite I popped in to Reception to complain about the gobby Frogs. When I asked what the silent hours were he said there weren't really any rules, which surprised me. All campsites have such times, usually 22:00-07:00. He really couldn't have been less interested. I did point out that annoying other campers is bad for business and could lead to some bad reviews, again just a shrug. We just have to hope that the Frogs are here for the Grand Prix and will leave in the morning, they certainly set off early this morning so I guess that's what they're up to.

Some would say that today's Monaco Grand Prix, which has been won by Lando Norris is today's major sporting event but for me it's the UK's 'Match of the Day' because it's the last time that awful, grossly overpaid TV presenter Gary Lineker will be working for the BBC. How that organisation can justify paying the man 1.3 million pounds a year to sit and talk football is beyond me. They could have found lots of equally good people willing to do the job for a fraction of the cost.

I'm hearing rumours that Lewis Hamilton may face a time penalty because after the race his car was found to be overweight. it seems Hamilton forgot to remove his bling watch, gold chains and rings before the race.

Tomorrow we are off to Nice using a different bus service this time, the 622 which stops just round the corner from the campsite and does most of the journey along the seafront.

Blackpool-sur-Mer?

This is the marina for paupers.

Coming in to land at Nice Airport.

Clearly this is the correct side to take a picture of those fish on the central reservation.

SATURDAY 24-5-25

The gobby young French chaps and their young male companion about ten or eleven years old were rather loud all evening and beyond the start of the 22:00 silent hours. I think some insecure people just want to be heard. It was made worse by them being joined by one or two chaps from another campervan two pitches further down. I don't know what's going on there but perhaps it could be a Rally of the Bum & Barbie Camping Club of France (BBCCF) Currently they're out playing sandcastles on the beach, or dogging or whatever it is they do, and so the campsite is nice and quiet. We're just hoping they're here for the weekend and they'll be on the move tomorrow.

This morning we awoke to a nice warm, sunny day, but rather than rush to get up we played the waiting game before getting up and going to the shower block in the hope that everybody who wanted a shower had already done so.

Today we'd decided to take a walk back to this end of Cagnes -sur-Mer  for a coffee and cake before wandering back again via the supermarket.

It was a long walk because we'd spotted one of the two options we'd spotted a couple of days ago but missed the second, and in the end we gave up, turned  round and walked back quite a way before seeing that second option.

As time was getting on we added a very nice filled baguette to the order which we shared. Unfortunately everything had to be eaten with the fingers as not a spoon, fork or knife was in sight, just silly wooden sticks. It's a good job we carry hand sanitiser with us. With the toilets locked we were able to wash our hands at a water fountain kindly supplied for walkers and riders who pass.

Nice Airport was noticeably busy with planes continually landing and taking off. I guess that's due to a combination of holiday makers beginning or ending their stay and racing enthusiasts arriving for tomorrow's Monaco Grand Prix. It's interesting to see how Lewis 'Mr Bling' Hamilton hasn't been doing so well since he stopped driving the best and fastest car on the circuit. He's now regularly beaten by Mad Max and Red Bull, and now even kid drivers barely out of their teens. He's good, there's no doubt about it, but he's had his day and I think Ferrari may well regret signing him.

Rather than pay thousands of Euros for a couple of tickets to the race, we'll be going along next Friday when it's all over and can watch them dismantling the circuit which takes weeks. Everything is then loaded on to lorries and stored in a huge warehouse in France until it's needed again for the following year's race.

This evening's meal is to be something a bit different. There's been a Chinese Restaurant up the road ever since we've been coming here, but generally you don't see such restaurants in France. But things are changing and we've seen a lot of them on our travels this time. On top of that supermarkets are now stocking many of the ingredients necessary to produce a Chinese meal. We did consider buying some spring rolls as part of The Chef's attempt to create our own meal, but what with her shellfish allergy and a degree of uncertainty regarding the ingredients we're giving them a miss, but with having just purchased some fresh chicken breasts we now have all the ingredients needed to go for it. The Chef has drawn a line at having two different meats and sauces as it would be too much like hard work to cook it all. I have purchased a bottle of chilled Provence white brush cleaner to accompany the meal and shall post a photograph of the finished article.

Tomorrow we're walking inland to Villeneuve-Loubet Village. The path to it runs alongside a river which naturally ends up joining the sea. Only a fool could get lost.................watch this space.

These are probably more in our price range.

FRIDAY 23-5-25

We had a bit of a scare yesterday evening just as The Chef was about to start cooking outside on the large table. The sky suddenly darkened and looked very threatening indeed. It was hard to detect any thunder because we get to hear the roar of the jets in the distance as they take off from Nice Airport, but we took all precautions in preparation for heavy rain and The Chef cooked indoors. Fortunately it all came to nothing.

This morning we were up earlier than usual as we were going to Antibes for a visit. Fortunately it was a lovely blue sky with sunshine, so we were hopeful of a pleasant visit.

In the past we've walked up the hill from the campsite to the bus stop to catch the 200 service which runs regularly from Cannes to Nice. But oh no, it looked as if there had been changes as there was no mention of the 200. Clearly there is a different company running he service now and they've renumbered it to the 620. Not only was it a new number but in was a new fare costing us five Euros for two singles, but it's still a very reasonable price to pay.

The French can teach us a thing or two about public transport, and before too long the bus pulled in to Antibes bus station which is right next door to the railway station. How sensible and logical is that?

It felt nice to be back again wandering through the marina on our way to the entrance to the Old Town, which predictably is a tourist hotspot full of restaurants and bars and quality gift shops.

After a good look around we decided it was time for lunch which then meant we had to decide what we were having. Was it to be a baguette or pack of sandwiches from the Carrefour Market shop together with a drink, or was it to be a proper sit down meal? In the end we opted for a sit down meal so that The Chef could have the evening off when we returned 'home'.

The eagle-eyed Chef had spotted a restaurant which was selling half a chicken with chips and salad for about thirteen Euros, which for this part of the world is very reasonable. So off we went to find it and plonked ourselves down. The meal was very nice indeed, in fact there was so much chicken that I had to leave a piece. With drinks it came to about forty-four Euros, so fifty with the tip. We'd enjoyed it, so it was worth the money.

Feeling bloated we carried on walking until we found a nice spot on the promenade where we could sit and watch the world go by.

Eventually we had to persuade ourselves to move on, but now we were making our way back, and it was downhill which was a blessing.

We had quite a long wait for a return bus. When one almost empty 620 drove past, a couple of ladies wasted no time in phoning the bus company to complain. The next one stopped, and probably dared do no other.

When we reached the campsite we rolled out the awning, got the chairs out again after yesterday evening's weather scare and sat and enjoyed a nice hot drink.

It's been a very pleasant day though we do have new neighbours next door, it sounds like two or three gobby young Frogs with a campervan. We'll just have to see how it goes.

You can see how hard the rain hit the ground during the thunderstorms.

THURSDAY 22-5-25

Last night's television entertainment was the DVD of Peter Kay's 'The Tour That Didn't Tour -Tour'. A very talented comedian who doesn't need to revert to filth or foul language to be funny.

This morning we awoke to a cloudy start to the day and a pretty stiff breeze. Never mind, it was dry and that's the main thing. The Chef and I are being rebels at the moment. The campsite 'upgraded' the shower block which used to have about five cubicles in both male and female with much larger cubicles, only there's just two of them in each. Yes they're very nice, in fact too nice, because on the mats at the doorways is a sign which tells you to remove your shoes before entering. Now for me that's a big no-no. Walking around in bare feet in an area shared with other people is the quickest way to pick up foot infections. It was always a problem in the navy, so I don't take my flip-flops off for anybody.

On the first day we ignored it, but now we have come up with a compromise. The Chef has two pairs of Flip-flops, so wears one pair up there then swaps at the door. I wear my sandals at the door then change to my flip-flops. This is all done in full view of the Reception Office next door. This morning when I arrived there was a chap doing just the same as me, so that will be the new norm from now on and if I get told off by the management we'll have a 'conversation' about it.

Bang on time the sun came out but the wind didn't go anywhere. So it was a wander down to the supermarket for a few bits before making our way back.

I decided that as the campsite was fairly quiet, with a number of vehicles having left this morning, we'd move the vehicle over about eighteen inches. This also gave us the opportunity to dry the sandy soil under the large mat outside the habitation door following the six hours of non-stop thunderstorms a couple of days ago.

Yesterday I said to The Chef that what I fancied having one day for lunch was just a bowl of fries and a large beer, so bless her, that's what we had today, and it was enjoyable I have to say.

One of the new arrivals this afternoon is a Brit motorhome, so now that's five we've seen since we left the UK. A pretty poor show I have to say.

It is now a lovely warm breezy evening and The Chef is outside having a little read while I knock this off. It's not very long I'm afraid, but that's because we've done nothing.

In the news I see that ignoring the fact that the UK government bought the Chagos Islands off Mauritius in 1965 for three million Pounds our Prime Minister Starmer has managed to pull off a deal whereby he gives the island which we own, to Mauritius for free and then we pay their government one hundred and one million pounds a year to rent it back off them, and only for the next ninety-nine years.

If I were ever kidnapped by a group of murdering desperado's I sure as hell wouldn't want that idiot to be the hostage negotiator.

Tomorrow we are off to Antibes.

Nearly back.

I'm sure it was all rather grand along here once upon a time.

WEDNESDAY 21-5-25

Both The Chef and I had a fairly sleepless night last night. I think it's because we've managed to bank a few extra Zed's and have been a bit slow getting out of the starting blocks in the mornings. This lying awake did give me the opportunity to confirm that the first bladder to break cover from the three campervans across from us, did so at 04:40. Whoosh-boom went the door....you get it.

This morning we decided to go for a walk along the promenade to Cagnes-sur-Mer since we were lucky enough to wake to a lovely warm, bright day. What a difference a day makes.

We walked past the Hippodrome horse racing track which is just down the road from here, hence the campsite is called Camping Hippodrome, but could see no sign that would suggest there will be a meeting held there whilst we're here which is a shame because I would think it would be quite a spectacle.

We were out for about three and a half hours, which means we walked quite a long way, though my darling Chef wasn't wearing appropriate footwear, not thinking we'd be walking that far, but I'm sure she'll be wearing trainers next time we do something like that.

On the way back we popped in to the hypermarket to pick up a few bits including a pizza for tonight's meal.

After a relaxing drink and sit down we popped back up to Reception. The Chef had been to pay our bill before we went out and enquired about our looking at one of the small self contained apartments they have here. Our thinking is that with Nice Airport being just up the road we could fly there and jump on a bus to the campsite and stay in an apartment. It would be ideal for a convenient little break once we've sold Freddie Fendt. The accommodation is basic and clean and is open all year round. It will be something for us to bear in mind for the future.

On paying the bill The Chef was given a six percent discount because we've been here before. What with that our bagging one of the largest pitches on the site we're quite happy.

The Chef is sat outside soaking up the sunshine whilst I sit inside typing this nonsense. It would be lovely to sit outside doing this but I'm really not good at seeing the screen once the sun gets near it. I'm much the same with the screen on a smartphone. Too much refection for my liking.

Not too sure what we'll be doing tomorrow but it may well be a lazy day. The Chef is proposing we got to Antibes on Friday.

Looking at the news I see Starmers 'deal' with the EU is going well. Despite his claims that UK defence companies will be able to bid to supply some of the weapons Europe will need to rearm itself, there is no guarantee we'll get anything from it at all. What our companies will do is spend millions of Pounds producing volumes of bullshit text for the bidding process only to lose out. And the biggest reason for that is Macron has yet to forgive Boris Johnson and Joe Biden for persuading the Australian Government to cancel its contract with the French to build submarines for the Australian Navy and give the work to the UK and Australia (AUKUS). Macron has already said he will object to us getting anything out of it and will play a major part in persuading other EU nations to give us nothing despite our being one of the two nations in Europe to have and maintain the Ultimate Deterrent, and that we have two of the largest and most successful defence companies.

Never mind, at least we'll be able to buy some cheap Indian flip-flops thanks to their stunning trade deal with India.

TUESDAY 20-5-25

I'm glad we didn't buy ice cream today.

It is refreshing to have a seemingly accurate weather forecast source. It was supposed to rain for a brief period at 23:00 last night - and it did. It then predicted rain followed by thunderstorms at 03:00. Well we got the rain at 03:20, but it only lasted a short while and then dried up - until later this morning, and then it really came down.

We managed to get scrubbed up by 09:00 when the thunder and lightning began, but you don't get wet from thunder. We needed a few bits from the supermarket and so, armed with macs and clothing which dries easily, we set forth in light rain.

We killed time looking round the huge number of products on sale before buying what we needed. That was when The Chef noticed the rain outside. It was full blown bouncy-high-off-the-road-heavy rain. My word, we couldn't consider returning in that and so would sit it out in the supermarket foyer area where there are a few seats. It was a long wait, that's why I'm glad we didn't buy ice cream as by the time we got back it would have melted.

We spent the next six hours indoors enjoying lunch and doing a bit of reading, whilst the fan heater I located in the bathroom set about drying macs, shopping bags and clothing.

I have just finished reading 'SAS Forged in Hell' by Damien Lewis, which is quite an interesting read for those interested in that sort of thing. There will be more about the SAS on our way back north and home.

This morning I did think to take a picture of our neighbours parking to justify why I parked nose-in yesterday having previously moaned about the ACSI lady having done so. The reason was that's the way just about everybody is parking on the site and to have backed in to our space would have meant we took away the privacy of neighbours.

The weather forecast predicted that the rain and thunderstorms would end at 16:00, and bless me, by 15:50 the rain had stopped and the sun came out. It was time to get out and about. It was to be a wander down to the marina.

There was quite a lot of activity by the crews on the much bigger yachts, presumably they're expecting their owners to join them, maybe to then go down the coast for an hour or so and watch Sunday's Monaco Grand Prix. I did go online this morning to look at ticket prices and clicking on of the grandstands for a price I was told €900 per ticket, and I bet that's one of the cheapies.

As always it was a pleasant walk around and we did also make a point of looking at the menus of the eateries there. Maybe, just maybe, we'll treat ourselves to a meal down there before we leave.

Tomorrow we think we'll move the vehicle over a couple of feet before attempting to erect a washing line. Even if we're not doing hand washing it's always useful to have to dry the towels each morning.

Who knows what tomorrow may bring. We can't really go to  Monaco until after the weekends race because they'll be starting the practicing in a couple of days and I imaging there will be all manner of road closures and restrictions before then.

MONDAY 19-5-25

I had a schedule in mind for today and we hit it spot on, which is unlike us. Firstly it was to be away from the campsite by 09:00 and we were. Having recycled our bits and pieces I popped in to Reception to ask for our ACSI ID card back so that we could drive straight out of the campsite as we left. It would sad saying goodbye to the lovely young lady there, telling her we won't be coming back. She and her partner have been running the site since we first visited  ten years ago on our way back from Istanbul.

Then it was down to the Hyper U supermarket for a few bits and pieces including bottled water and some beer. We normally use bottled water for making drinks but the tap water here is just fine. Then the diesel tank was toped up with some cheap fuel with a dash of additive thrown in. We left there by 10:00 which was another target hit.

The satnav told us the journey to Villeneuve-Loubet would be about two and a half hours but we'd need to add a stop for lunch on the way. Fortunately 'It' planned to take us all the way on the toll roads which was fine by me, it is what we intended to do as I really didn't fancy a cross-country trip. Obviously using the toll roads added additional cost by way of fuel and fees, but it provided us with a nice relaxing, safe journey.

We stopped for lunch at a service area about thirty miles from our destination. This gave us the opportunity to not only eat but to time our final run to the campsite which is strict about arriving only between 14:00 and 18:00. We arrived at 14:02.

So here we are at Camping Hippodrome (N43.641875 E7.137946).

The Chef came out of Reception to tell us we had been allocated pitch number 04A, when we saw it we weren't happy, it was just too small for a two week stay. So The Chef went for a walk around the campsite then went back to Reception to sort things out. Her perseverance paid off and we now have a pitch opposite that one which is twice as big. I think that's only right. We paid them a deposit when booking last October and so I think that should count for something when it comes to pitch allocation. The Chef said the young lady in there was doing a lot of huffing and puffing and everything seemed too much trouble, but we got what we wanted.

After getting ourselves sorted out we want for a little wander to the large local Casino supermarket which has always sold good quality food. Oh dear! It has changed hands and is now owned by 'Intermache', so that's the equivalent of replacing a large Waitrose store with a Sainsburys. What a disappointment that was. It still has the same wide range of food and other goods available but it doesn't shout 'Quality' anymore.

After a good look around for some meal ideas we made our way back where we sat in the sunshine for a while.

Tomorrow is due to be a bit wet, so I think we'll be doing a bit of shopping and maybe a wander down to the marina, but who knows.

Looking at the online news I see our woeful surrender monkey of a Prime MInister and an ardent 'Remainder' has sold us down the river yet again. The EU fishermen get access to our fishing grounds and we get nothing meaningful in return. President Macron of France would have feared the actions his fishermen would have taken if they were barred from our fishing grounds, Starmer had it all to play  for and could have done a straight deal - access to our fishing grounds in exchange for you taking back all of your illegal migrants. But no, the one thing that is infuriating the British public has not been addressed at all. I am quite fearful of how much more damage that idiot can do to our country in the next four years.