Blogs from Languedoc-Roussillon, France, Europe
Surfing in Languedoc-Rousillon
Published: May 22nd 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » Leucate
May 22nd 2012
Pilotis restaurant, with it’s open, windowless dining room, sits overlooking the pristine, white beach and the blue Mediterranean. Sitting in Pilotis, not only do you enjoy the gambas. calamari, and other sumptuous dishes, accompanied by the ever present, pungent, aroma of garlic, but you also have a front row seat to enjoy the beach and the sea. Summer evenings, Phillipe, the owner, has Catalan groups performing for his guests. We seemed to be the only English speakers and brassy, robust French was the predominant language. In the French tradition, the restaurant closes between two in the afternoon and seven in the evening. Then, you’re on your own. Parasols and lounge chairs can be rented for a half day, or day. A parasol is a definite necessity for protecting those pink, northern bodies from the relentless sun. ... read more
Surfing on the étang de Leucate, France
Published: May 21st 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » Leucate
May 21st 2012
A spot for great surfing in Languedoc-Rousillon is the étang (salt pond) de Leucate, near Leucate village. When the wind is up, the étang is chock full of colourful sails and kites tacking back and forth. In the distance the Corbières hills are dotted with wind turbines. A short, rough road, off the D627 turnoff to Leucate village and Port Leucate, leads to a small, parking area and beach. The parking lot is always jammed with caravans from France, Germany, Holland and Britain, with the odd Italian and Swiss vehicle also visible. Avid surfers wait for the mistral to blow and then race to the étang for the action. At nearby la Franqui, a small beach resort on the Mediterranean, a stretch of smooth, white beach beckons sand sailors.... read more
April 25th 2012
Bonjour, ca faisai un moment que je n'avais rien ecris, entre le déménagement et tout ce qu il s en suit, je n'ai pas eu vraiment le temps. Me revoila donc dans ma chambre, chez mes parents, c est plutot pas mal en en fait, je n'ai plus trop a me soucier de savoir si mon frigo est vide, ni si mes factures doivent etre payer lol. Je commence donc a économiser pour partir. J'ai acheté mon billet d'avion pour le 16 septembre 2012. Je part avec Air Transat. Le billet m'as couté 862€ aller et retour Open pendant 1 an + 55€ pour une option pour rajouter 10kg de bagages, le choix du siège ect..... Voila pour les news, je pense qu'il ne se passera rien de particuler pendant les mois a venir jusqu a ... read more
April 21st 2012
Folkestone – Dunquerke – Rouen – Chateauxroux – Limoge – Caze Mondenhard (Near Limoges) Blowing my fuse; Up at 5.00 am for ferry at 8.00. No lights on caravan! What you need in these situations is a cool head and calm thinking. So I reflected on why I had planned for every eventuality except this one, I reflected out loud in a very shouty voice and included some words that wont appear on this blog. I asked questions of myself and swore at the Gods of caravanning asking why they had deserted me and decided the best thing to do was call the trip off and go home. Dee decided neither to agree or disagree but allow the calm thinking to take it’s course. Of course the lady at the recovery service ... read more
Karen and Bob’s place;
Published: April 22nd 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » Montpellier
April 21st 2012
Just outside Caze Mondenard (near Cahors) on the side of a valley nestling in the contours of the hill you’ll find two dwellings that have been restored over the last 20 years by our friends. They have taken time and made the property a haven. They bought it all those years ago because of the view down the valley and they have done it tastefully and beautifully. Luckily they are also excellent hosts and after four days of travelling they made us so welcome that we relaxed immediately, helped, I may say, by copious quantities of wine and food. Thank you to them both for the best stay in a friends house in France this year! Also thanks to Dik and Hennie, a Belgium couple who live in staggering distance from chez Karen and Bob. They ... read more
Internet connection and other technologies
Published: April 22nd 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » MontpellierApril 21st 2012
A big thank you to Virgin mobile for telling us that our phones will network in France when they wont, thanks also for telling us on the website that if we have any problems with our phones abroad to call them on 789 from any Virgin mobile! Um! We can’t cos they don’t work! Thanks also to the French internet provider who took 4 Euros from our credit card to give us internet connection then sent the username and password by e-mail which we couldn’t get because we needed it to get on the internet to get our e-mails which we couldn't read because our internet needed a username and password to get………. Merci Beaucoup!... read more
April 21st 2012
21st April 2012 Saturday After our weekend shopping in Vauvert we went to Pont Du Gard - we were last here 25yeras ago Pete was 12 and Beccy was 9!! Obviously things change, now you pay! Not allowed to walk across the top of the actual bridge! However still very spectacular and Barney enjoyed his swim for he was quite hot with all the climbing!! Home via Nimes which we enjoyed revisiting tomorrow we are moving on to Cote d’Azur.... read more
April 19th 2012
19th April 2012 Thursday We travelled to Aigues Mortes formerly a sea port but now well inland – it historically received its revenue from the imposition of the “Salt Tax”. The salins du midi is still worked outside of the city and produce over 90% of the sea salt in France. The rectangular ramparts of Aigues are 1640 metres long. The old port is now popular with pleasure craft. The town within the walls is full of tourist shops and Cafe/Bars- the French certainly stop for lunch!! The church was interesting as the stained glass windows were so different.... read more
April 18th 2012
18thApril 2012 Wednesday. We have trouble with our water heater- managed to track down a Trauma specialist- He only wanted 700 Euros to put in a new element decided to boil a kettle!!!!!!!!!!!!! Went off to visit Les Saintes Maries de la Mer crossing over the Carmargue area which is a very large estuary formed by the various branches of the Rhone. Passed lots of the famous white horses and the Camargue Bulls with their large horns – they still have bullfights here though the animal is not killed. Plenty of bird life – herons, swifts, little egrets but as yet to spot a flamingo!! Enjoyed lunch in the sunshine, visited the Church of the Saintes – Maries – very different. The Original Cabanes (cabins) were built by the horseman – the walls were made of ... read more
April 17th 2012
16thApril 2012 Monday A day of rest!! Mainly because torrential rain and cold northerly Gales!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 17th April 2012 Tuesday Today we bid farewell to Carcassonne and the campsite at Villegly- but we will return as there is so much to see!! Hopefully with better weather! Blue skies and still quite windy Arrived at Camping Mas de Morgues- in the Camargue – basically between Nimes and Arles - old vineyard, very warm and able to have dinner outside !!... read more
