LynniB

Geo: 43.1432, 6.3813More than a week now since my last report though I did say that we would be relaxing at fewer locations this year on sites where we feel at home, which is the case here.One of my favourite villages near here is Bormes-Les-Mimosas, a popular tourist hotspot, I know, but I still love to meander its narrow cobbled streets and alleyways such as Rue Rompi Cuou which translates as 'Bone Shaker Street' due to its crazy paving surface. The buildings are all shades of yellow and ochre, cling to the hillside and remind me of some of the picturesque Italian locations such as Cinque Terre and Portofino, not that I've been to either. In the far distance you can also catch a glimpse of the Med too.Anyway, market day is Wednesday so that's where ... read more

Geo: 43.1433, 6.38118Well, Dear Reader, we're off again on our travels (this is our 5th big one since giving up working for a living) with car and caravan, albeit with a new outfit on both counts. Eating into the kids inheritance but our motto lately has been 'live your life'.Unusually, this year I have mapped out a day-by-day itinerary including three contrasting stops where we shall linger longer than usual since we have found sites where we really feel at home. Due to their popularity and the number of nights we wanted to book, we felt it prudent to reserve a pitch, even down to the same one we occupied last year. In addition, we have a few others lobbed into the mix either as night halts or areas that we thought worthy of a look ... read more

Geo: 50.9065, -1.16286Our stay in the southern Loire at Camping Le Cormier at Obterre was very relaxing and enjoyable, particularly as we were blessed with lots of warmth and sunshine in a tranquil and friendly setting. Whilst we got out and about there was also a great deal of chilling out. As Le Tour drew to its conclusion, David was watching the ITV4 daily stages on a large screen which Mike had set up in the barn. On our last day he was out on his bike for a final French ride along the quiet lanes of the southern Loire before settling down to watch the final Paris stage during the afternoon.So we left Camping Le Cormier at Obterre after extending our original one week stay to eleven nights for our final transfer in France before ... read more

Geo: 43.7561, 5.44552Cucuron is one of Provence's prettiest villages and every May it hosts one of its strangest festivals - Le Mai de Sainte Tulle which this year started on 28th May. It must be an intriguing sight to see a huge poplar tree, trimmed of its branches, with a child dressed in traditional costume sitting astride the trunk bearing the French tricolore flag, being carried through the streets to the church square. At the church, accompanied by much encouragement the tree is hoisted into position beside the front door. When the bells are rung, the village is safe for another year, and Provencal dancing ensues. The poplar then stays in this place until 14th August.Le Mai de Sainte Tulle dates back to 1720, the time of the Great Plague that killed 100,000 people in Marseille, ... read more

Geo: 43.1432, 6.38085It's been a while coming, but here's an update on where we are and what we have been doing (not a lot).Whilst the site at Sommieres had all the campsite bells and whistles, for me it lacked the more personal touches and ambience of the smaller owner-managed ones that we have enjoyed so much in the past. So, last week as we travelled to a familiar site which we visited in 2014, we had every intention of putting down roots for a considerable stay, of perhaps, two weeks. Yesterday, we added another week, such is the feeling of being 'at home' and contentment. You never know, we may even go beyond that.We are not alone in liking this peaceful oasis of calm as many fellow campers have been coming for years, some now store ... read more