There was confusion this morning in the Vaughanmobile, we said how busy the town we drove through yesterday was for a Sunday and that obviously Sunday trading has taken off in Italy. No, it was busy because it was Saturday! We’d lost a day somewhere lying in the sun and exploring the Cote D’Azure. The exciting moment of the day though, was taking a very narrow road down the hillside into a town called Bordighera. As the walls each side of the road narrowed the caravan looked bigger and bigger in my mirrors I thought we were in trouble but it’ll be ok as long as nothing comes the other way. Then of course to drop into the town a series of very sharp hairpin bends followed, the total length of the caravan and car is ... read more

We have spent three days in St Marie sur la mer. A small seaside town on the med coast and in the Camargue area. The highlights were the White horses of the area and the unique cattle, the mistral wind that blows from the sea and keeps temperatures comfortable. We were surprised to find so much Roman history in the area. The Amphitheaters in Arles, which was the second most important city after Rome at some time in the Roman Empire. Anyway we arrived and I didn’t like the seaside feel of the place, large impersonal campsite and inflated prices for the wealthy boat owners who frequent the place, however Dee said to stick with it and she was right, we stayed for three nights enjoying the long walks along the beach with Horace. As we ... read more

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

Off tomorrow, to Folkstone then early ferry on Thursday. Hope Horace' passport is all in order! The plan is to travel through France for the next few days ending up with some friends near Cahors in the Midi Pyrenes where they have a house. Our route is very flexible but we hope to cross East from Cahors along the coast of southern France then into northern Italy for a week or two and on to Slovenia and Croatia. The north to Austria, Germany and Belgium. Plans could change if we find somewhere nice to stay for while then we'll not move on until we want to.... read more

Will I need a reverse polarity tester? Do I have to have a breathalyser kit in France? How much is vignette for Slovenia? Will the dog get attacked by procession caterpillars in Southern France? In 1969 I hitch hiked from Calais to the Hague via the west coast of France, I remember sitting at the side of the road rolling a ciggie waiting for a lift with not a care in the world. I had a rucksac, a hand full of french francs and a sleeping bag. On two occasions on that trip I was picked up by the police for sleeping in a public area, they put me in a cell left the door open wished me "bon nuit" and gave me a coffee in the morning and sent me on my way. If the ... read more