Los Angeles to Palm Springs Not surprisingly we woke quite early and were showered, dressed and having breakfast by 7.15 nicely in time to meeting the Tropical Sky rep. at 8 am in the lobby. Marc appeared complete with maps, a useful guide to our tour and all our hotel vouchers. He took us quickly through the trip and left us to get on and enjoy it. Having checked out we went straight back to Dollar Car Rentals as Marc had been quite clear that we really needed a navigation system and we had not got one. He was right ! Armed with our Garmin we decided to head for Hollywood via Sunset Boulevard. One wrong turn later and we found ourselves heading up through an area of rather expensive looking houses to the hills with ... read more

Last night’s thunderstorm had abated by morning but was replaced by very strong gusty winds. Decided not to walk up into town, as I normally do, to get bread, as likely to get blown away. We did stop at the Intermarche on the edge of town for our “take home shop”. For Bob this means bottles of wine. For me it means some of the foods which I can’t get in England – walnut cheese being a prime example. Rat poison was also on the shopping list as Mr English Rat seems to respond better to the French variety and by that I mean once eaten, hopefully can be forgotten. We managed to fill the trolley and then the checkout counter with a reasonable quantity of bottles as we get quite irritated paying UK wine prices ... read more

We have experienced our third rain shower of the holiday and, just like the first, all the rain fell while we slept. Something rather magical about that. Up and ready to go bright and early today. In fact at reception ready to pay before they were open. Then discovered they don’t take card so had to wizz along to the Intermarche to get some cash and while we were there top up with cheap diesel (£1.07 a litre, not to be missed) and pick up the coffee I forgot yesterday. Still on our way from the campsite by 9:30 and with the errands done so a good start to the day. The first section of the drive was sensational. We went cross-country along a spectacular river gorge and the scenery was made more dramatic by the ... read more

Had a lovely, quite busy day today. We started off with a leisurely scoot into Vallon Pont D’arc town – just a couple of kilometres across the bridge and up the hill. We had no idea what was there so we (me especially !) were delighted to find a market. Not a little market either, but one which filled nearly every street in town as well as a big area down at the bottom. Had a lovely wander and found some Montelimar nougat, just what I was wanting as well as a few other must have bits and pieces. A most eclectic selection of goods on sales really and not all traditionally local. Provencal yellow and purple tablecloths, of course. Lavender, Sausages, olives, cheeses, local wines but also mattresses (!?), Thai ornaments, ethnic clothing, lots of ... read more

Despite the rather pessimistic weather forecast there has been plenty of sun around today. We have made the most of it as tomorrow we start our slow drive north and the temperatures can only go down from here onwards. Bob, having read my blog of yesterday, very kindly suggested we spend the morning in Sanary-sur-mer as we did yesterday but this time with the shops open. Great idea. We scootered in and then went our separate ways for a couple of hours. Bob armed with his book, me with my shopping bag. As we arrived on the harbour front the sun came fully out and it was gloriously hot for the rest of the morning. I was delighted to discover that the small fresh food market of yesterday was hugely expanded today and included several fish ... read more