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Tuesday, 24th April 2018
Sunny with a few clouds today, 18C when we leave Tain-L'Hermitage at about 08:30.
We had been intending to head for Vichy today, but, Robin and Ruby gave us a glowing recommendation for a site at Meursault, Camping La Grappe d'Or, N46 59' 8.5" E4 46' 7.00". It so happens we had a previous recommendation for the same place, from a couple in an Autotrail, heading north a couple of days ago.
Even although our route takes us through Lyon, or at least on the Lyon Ring Road, it is 156 easy miles.
The site at Meursault lives up to the recommendations, it is beautifully located on the edge of the village, among Vineyards.
However the praise is somewhat tarnished, when we meet with the "other" couple who recommended the place, (the Autotrailers as we christened them). They have been here since they left Tain-L'Hermitage, but, apparently, they were burgled last night, along with several other Motorhomes / Caravans.
They had money and jewellery stolen, while they slept!
Despite this rather off-putting information, we book in for a couple of nights.
Although the site is not in the ACSI book, as far as we can see, they accept our ACSI card, and charge ACSI prices (15Euro/night, including EHU).
Unusually for a French, or indeed mainland Europe Campsite, they want paying upfront.
There are, according to the information leaflet, numerous cycling opportunities.
Wednesday, 25th April 2018
We are much further North now, and, the weather reflects this, 12C this morning, with a high of 20C, with blue skies.
Good cycling weather, so, we follow one of the several signposted cycle tracks, through the vineyards to Beaune, via a couple of small "wine villages".
The cycle tracks are excellent, good surface and traffic free, but, despite the overall "flatness" of the landscape, the route is more than a little "up and down".
Despite the "ups" Kathleen made it all of the way without having to get off and walk, sadly, not without complaint however!
I offered my usual advice "if you save your breath for peddling rather than moaning, you will have no problem". Don so quietly, from a distance of course, no toll me.
There are many people working in the vineyards, mostly, it would appear (I have zero farming knowledge), ploughing up weeds from between the rows of vines, using specialist tractors.
But, we also come across this chap, doing it "the old fashioned way" with a horse and plough.
Beaune is a beautifully preserved small French town, with the usual church, dating back to the middle ages, (uninterrupted by Henry VIII).
There is also a market in full swing, to keep Kathleen occupied.
There and back is just short of 14 miles, which is a little more than the 8km (5 miles) each way, in the information leaflet, presumably, we went "off route" at some point.
Thursday 26th April 2018
A much cooler day today, 10C in the morning, and only rising to 18C, by lunch time, brisk wind from the North.
Working from the leaflet supplied by the campsite, we cycle along the cycle route in the opposite direction to yesterday, ie, to Santanay.
Even more "up and down" than yesterday, or, perhaps, our legs had not yet recovered from yesterday.
The wind, it appears, is blowing in our face on the way there, so, promises to give us a helping hand on the return.
But, on the way back, appears to have turned a little, and is blowing from the side or, in our faces again. Proves that God has a sense of humour I suppose.
Just under 20 miles there and back, refreshments in Santenay and Banana Split in Meursault.
Friday, 20th April 2018
Blue skies a pleasant 18C in the morning, but rising to 25C in the afternoon
A cycle ride along the banks of the River Rhone, to Bourg-Lès-Valence, 13 easy miles, in the cool of the morning.
We decide we need lunch, but, none of the places actually look too appealing, eventually, we choose what appears to be the least worse option.
What a pleasant surprise, behind a not terribly impressive facade Restaurant San Marco has a delightful terrace, with efficient staff, and, very tasty food!
Weighed down by a lunch, plus dessert and a substantial amount of wine, we cycle 12 miles back to Tain-L'Hermitage, in the baking heat, to make 25 miles for the day.
Sunday approaches, so into town to checking out the Mass times, for Kathleen.
A balmy evening of sitting outside, drinking cocktails (purchased ready made from Lidl), and watching the barges sail up and down the River Rhone.
Saturday, 21st April 2018
Another scorcher, 27C by lunch time.
After yesterday's cycling, we have a more laid back day, we cycle along to Tain-L'Hermitage, and the town of Tournon-sur-Rhone, on the other side of the River Rhone.
Both places have markets on a Saturday, Tourney is the larger of the two.
Kathleen dips into her purse and buys herself some shorts.
In the afternoon a couple (Robin and Ruby) arrive (English) who typify the sort of characters you meet, roaming Europe in Campervans. They were born in 1937, so, that makes them 81 years old. Still roaming Europe in a VW Campervan. They admit, they have not yet mastered how to use a Sat-Nav, so, do it the "old fashioned way" with actual maps.
Sunday, 22nd April 2018
Blue sky and 27C again today.
Kathleen does Church, in Tain-L'Hermitage.
Church duties over, then, before lunch, we cycle 14 miles along the River Rhone, following cycle track on the other side (ie Touron-sur-Rhone side) of the river, and, going North.
Our (my) first and second choice restaurants ( and Le Comptoir Gourmand) are full, a vindication of my choice perhaps?, third choice (La Terrasse), is a disappointment.
Monday, 23rd April 2018
Another sunny day, although with a little cloud, unlike previous days, which have been clear blue sky. By lunch time it is 24C, which inevitably leads to to a brief shower and thunder by 18:00.
The intrepid Robin and Ruby leave today, heading deeper into the Ardeche.
We do a circular cycle route to the bridge at Roche de Glun, then across the bridge onto the island in the middle of the river, pause for refreshments at the hotel.
The route is "advertised" on information boards along the river bank, supposedly 8km (5 miles), but, we clock up 13 miles including back up the other side of the river to Tournon-sur-Rhone, then, over the bridge again, to Tain-L'Hermitage.
We were even able to spot our van, from the other side of the river, it is the van on the right hand side of the line of vans visible.
As we peddled along, I promised Kathleen lunch at the very popular kiosk on the river bank, beside the swan's next.
Unfortunately, when we get there, it is closed, apparently Monday is their day off!
Sunday, 15th April 2018
Sunny and 20C, hopefully, this is going to last.
A cycle ride to Port Grimaud, for a very pleasant lunch.
Monday, 16th April 2018
Another sunny day and 22C.
Everything looks so much better, when the sun is shining!
We cycle to St Maxime, and have one final attempt to find the St Maxime Lidl, but, without success.
A snack and a couple of drinks sitting by the Marina, followed by cycling back to Les Mures, gives us eleven miles of cycling.
Lazing in the sun for the rest of the day.
We met a couple in an Autotrail, from County Durham, who are also staying on Les Mures, they call around in the evening, they are leaving to morrow and heading West, toward the Camargue.
Tuesday, 17th April 2018
Another sunny day, 22C.
We cycle to St Tropez, (about 6 miles away), and have a wander through the streets away from the crowds around the harbour / marina.
A visit to the church, as always.
Then we have what I think is the most expensive drink I have ever had, in a bar overlooking the moored boats, a beer and a panache (Shandy), medium (50cl), 38Euro! that is roughly £35!
Kathleen goes to the toilet, three times, just to get her (well my) monies worth.
Don't think we will be going back to that bar!
In the afternoon, we laze in the sun.
New neighbours arrive. Four elderly Italian ladies in a Motorhome, and a young German couple with a small child, in a VW campervan.
The site is becoming more busy.
Wednesday, 18th April 2018
Sunny, blue sky and 22C.
Although we have cycled to Coglin, and, we have cycled past the signs for Port Coglin, as we make our way to St Tropez, we have not, as far as I recall, ever actually been into the Marina area of Port Coglin.
We rectify that omission today, as part of our morning ten mile cycle ride.
What a pleasant surprise!
It is much more "upmarket" than Port Grimuad, and much quieter that St Tropez, very nice indeed.
Thursday, 19th April 2018
A bright sunny morning, as we leave Les Mures and drive the just over 200 miles to
Tain-l'Hermitage, Municipal les Lacs (N45 4' 0' E4 51'6"), an ASCI site where we stayed on our way south, about three weeks ago.
What a difference in the weather, in only three weeks. Last time we were here, the temperature was 10C, today, when we arrive, late afternoon, it is a roasting 28C !
The site is just about full, which we did not expect.
Tuesday, 20th March 2018
A bright, sunny morning in Chateau Thierry, but, at 0C, not very warm!
A leisurely 180 miles to Autun, with stops for food (and wine) shopping, lunch, and coffee.
A good mix of fast dual carriageway, and scenic "N" and "D" roads, all, delightfully empty of traffic!
The Aire at Autun (N46 57'19" E4 18'40") has toilets, and a service point (free, except for water and electricity, for these you have to buy a token, 3.50Euro, from the garage opposite). One downside is, who ever decided to make a motorhome Aire here, clearly did not actually use a Motorhome! the parking area is far from level.
There are restaurants, including a McDonalds, for wifi just across the road from the Aire, but, at the time of our visit, the McDonalds is closed for refurbishment.
The Aire at Autun is located beside a lake and leisure facilities, not that any of them are open when we arrive in March!
Autun is an interesting town, with many Roman remains, plus, a good selection of restaurants, cafes etc.
We have the company of one other van (German), overnight, and two "callers" who use the service point and leave.
Wednesday, 21st March 2018 - Thursday, 22nd March 2018
Very cold overnight, -4C, according to Kathleen, who keeps a careful eye on the temperature! The heating in the van kept us comfortably warm.
Brilliantly sunny morning, with temperatures of 7C on the forecast for today.
Another 180 miles south, to Tain-l'Hermitage, Municipal les Lacs (N45 4' 0' E4 51'6"). This a quite small, but pleasant, ACSI site, on the banks of the River Rhone.
During the day, as we drive, temperatures even reach double figures, just, at 10C.
When we arrive, it is about half full.
This site is clearly a "stop-over" on the way North or South, since, next morning, everyone except ourselves and two others, are up and away by 09:00.
It is a bright sunny morning, so, we decide to have a rest from the driving and linger here another day.
After almost a week of inactivity, we spend the day walking along the banks of the Rhone, into Tain-L'Hermitage and, across the pedestrian bridge to Tournon-sur-Rhone, watching the boats go by, and, generally enjoying the fresh air.
Followed by a period of "chilling" for Kathleen, and, washing 800 miles of road dirt off the van, for me. Well, Kathleen did
help a little.
