2013 France

Found a private Aire through the CCI web site that sounded ideal. After some discussion we decided to make our way there.

On a arrival at the France Passion Aire we found that Mike had damaged his trailer in the first aborted gas stop in the morning. The farmer and his son gave Mike a hand in trying to make a temporary repair by levering the trailer back straight.

In the afternoon went up to the town. Shops were open even though it was a bank holiday. We also looked around the old church. The town was lovely and would like to return some day.

Sad to leave the commercial site. Lovely hosts who made us welcome. Got stuck on and had to be towed off ygd wet grass.

Did some shopping at the local supermarket before arriving on site. Quite wet and the view could be better. Stopped raining later in the morning and the sun came out.

Looking to get some gas tomorrow so will need to move on.

Decided to go to a commercial site after a lot of rain and my concerns over the batteries. We arrived at the ACSI site and was made welcome. Tina did some washing and organised the drying. Rained most of the day & night.

Late Sunday morning we went to a street market in the village centre. It was nearly over. Bought some shorts… let\’s hope that we will get the weather for me to wear them. Fixed the TV cupboard and the single seat back.

Lazy day Monday and showers still persisted. Bought Tina a scarf for her birthday.

Tried to move on Tuesday morning and the front wheels began spinning on the wet grass.

Decided that we would make for Greasque for an overnight stop. We shopped at Auchan on the way and did a big shop.

When we arrived at Aire I serviced the van and then looked for somewhere to park. There was a small circus there and therefore no room. Left in search of somewhere else. Found a carpark but not really suitable. Then made our way to Vauvenargues. It is a small carpark next to a cemetery. Very quiet. Only one here.

We stayed at the beach site and had a very lazy day. Tina started to read her book again and got into it. I updated the New Forest DA website with this months Picket Post by using the iPad connected to the mac with a USB cable.

Took the dogs over to the beach in the afternoon. Woody was so funny in the water. He seemed to love it.

Watched speedway in the evening. Plan to move on tomorrow.

Moved down to the beach this morning just down the road form the Aire last night. Serviced the van.

The view across the water is fantastic. Flamingos and birds are everywhere. Very hot all day. Finished my book on the kindle. Put in approximately 100 amps during the day. Received last Picket Post from Ray for publishing on the website.

Today we left to go to an aire in Avignon. We stopped at LeClerc on the way and did some shopping and got a recharge for the IPad Internet.

The first Aire was full and we would have been to big. Went and found the alternative which was a park and ride car park. After some lunch we decided to move on to Ales.

The Aire at Ales was full so we decided to try the third of the day. We drove down to Salin De Giraud in the Carmague. The site is a car park on some waste ground. There are 16 vans here for the night.

We had temperatures of 28 deg today and was able to put back 50 amps back into the batteries.

Left Aigueze this morning. Very windy during the night. Overcast and some showers.

We made our way towards Bagnols sur Ceze where I wanted to pick up the WIFI at McDonald\’s. Went shopping at Carrefour and then found no parking available at McDonald\’s. Decided to go down the road to a small village. Arrived Laudin L\’Ardoise.

Listened to Bournemouth match and Radio Solent on IPad. Watched Brentford draw on Sky which gave promotion to our team to the championship. Excellent.

Left Vallons Pont D\’Arc to travel down the Gorge. Paid €6 to stay overnight in big carpark with many others.

The Gorge was spectacular. Well worth making an effort to see it.

Found a parking site on CCI on a vineyard. Lovely for the dogs. Became very windy and some showers. There were a number of other vans there.Would use it again.