St Remy-de-Provence

Monday 26th March 2018

Clear blue sky, sun shining, 17C.

We decide to go for a bicycle ride.

Kathleen had previously obtained a map of local cycle rides, from reception, so, today, we decide to "do" the shortest (approximately 12miles, 15km) and simplest on the list.

The campsite must be sheltered, because, once underway, we have a very strong headwind, blowing from the North.

Undeterred, we reach Maillane, a typical French village, little more than a cluster of houses, but, it manages to support two cafe/bars, and a Pharmacy (possibly more that we do not see), how does it work?

A pause for refreshments, Kathleen decides on a healthy non-alcoholic option, freshly squeezed orange juice. 

It is Kathleen's turn to pay, and, the orange juice is 7Euro, I suspect she will be on the beer from now on, at least when it is her round!

The wind is behind us, on the return leg, and, we find a dedicated cycle track, which does not appear to be on our map, but, which brings us back to St Remy-de-Provence, and, passes an Aldi store, where

we are able to buy forgotten ingredients, for this evening's meal.

The EHU on this site is "only" 6amps, so far, we have managed to "trip" the power twice. 

This afternoon, Kathleen begins a "hair-care" frenzy, wielding 2kw hairdryer.

Something tells me, this is not going to end well.

If we have managed to "trip" the EHU with a 1kw electric fire, a 2kw hairdryer does not seem a sensible option.

I am frequently "got at" for bringing things along "just in case". If the hair dryer is to be used, "in the facilities", a Continental two pin to UK three pin adaptor will be required. Kathleen does not have one in her "hair care" bag (which is as big as a small suitcase. Fortunately, I have one in my box of "useful bits". For this, great gratitude is shown. Actually, I made that last bit up.

Kathleen retires to "the facilities" to plug in. None of the electrical sockets in the "facilities" appear capable of driving the 2kw hairdryer, so, she is reduced to using the supplied hairdryer, which, to me, does a perfectly good job.

After several weeks of not being used, the battery on my action camera does not appear to be to healthy, so, we have only a short section of our ride, recorded for posterity. 

Tuesday, 27th March 2018

Warm (17C) and sunny, but, cloudy with light showers in the afternoon.

After yesterdays cycling exertions, today, we do walking. Just under 5 miles, taking in two supermarkets (Aldi and Intermarche). on the return journey, I have a small rucksack full of groceries on my back and, a carrier bag full of groceries, I feel like I am on a route march! 

To St Remy-de-Provence

Friday, 23rd March 2018

Dry but dull this morning at Tain-L'Hermitage.

Time to move on, 120 miles further south, mostly easy going, except for Orange, where the N7 takes you right through the middle of town, and, there are major road works!

We stop off for lunch, but, still arrive at St Remy-de-Provence, Le Parc de la Bastide (N43 47'24" E4 50'39"), during the French "lunch hour". We are told to go and find ourselves a pitch and come back "after 15:00, or, maybe, after 17:00, to sort out the formalities", the French know how to do "laid back".

Le Parc de la Bastide, is an ACSI site, 17Euro/night, including "free" WiFi, EHU.

Taking a leaf out of the French Book, we laze around in the sunshine, drinking beer and doing absolutely nothing!


Saturday, 24th March 2018

Cloudy and a cool 6C this morning, but, the forecast promises better things, 15C and some sunshine.

The site is not the tidiest we have ever been on, but, everything appears to work, is clean, and water is hot!

As the photograph shows, it is not exactly busy, perhaps about 20-25 vans here, but, it is quite a large site.



Sunday, 25th March 2018

A cloudy start, but, mid-morning, the cloud breaks and warm and sunny.

Kathleen on church attendance duty, so, I explore, checking vital things, like, where to eat at lunch time and where is the Supermarket.

Lunch at Bistrot de Alpilles, and very enjoyable it was too.