Early Sunday morning everything is packed and ready for the car. We have food for the journey and aim to break the trip in Beaune as usual.
At 7 am on a Sunday the M25 flows freely and we made good time on our way to LeShuttle. The terminal seemed extra busy this morning, perhaps all the building work happening concentrated the cars into a smaller area.
We charged up the car to 80%, the maximum for this busy spot. As soon as we moved to park a steward approached and suggested we board now.
Fully charged we headed south on the empty French motorways. We stopped for one maximum charge in the grounds of a closed LeClerc store. Both Maggi and I needed the toilet and we walked around the whole estate. Eventually we both hid behind some bushes. Many people had used this quiet spot before us.
Maggi drove for an hour and I had a sleep for the duration. I took over and finished the trip. We found our Hotel, Henri II, at the north end of the town centre.
Everything up to standard as far as the room and the general set up of the hotel. As we left to find somewhere to eat the receptionist said that many of the restaurants close on Sunday in August.
We walked into the centre and found a busy restaurant and choose it. The food didn’t excite either of us. Maggi had gazpacho and a main course. I just had an omelette.
Monday 19th
Very tedious journey from Lyon to Avignon which was all stop start. We even left the motorway in order to save some time and some of the boring aspects about looking at our fellow motorists sitting in their hot cars.
After Avignon the road cleared and we made reasonable progress back to La Colle. Mel and Graham gave us a lovely greeting with genuine hugs of welcome. They had prepared the evening meal and because we didn’t arrive until 7 o’clock we more or less sat down to eat straight away.
Tuesday 20th
Our trip out today as a group altogether saw us on the beach at Villeneuve-Loubet Plage. We took all the gear and most especially our parasols. Mel had already bought sun shades so we were well equipped to keep the sun off. Most important because Maggi had been warned about exposure to the sun recently and both the Popplewell kids are very fair.
Wednesday 21st
Today’s adventure saw us in Tourettes. The entrance to the town always makes new visitors drop their jaw as you see the village perched on the hillside and the sea and miles of trees in the background.
We wandered around the old town, with the girls looking in the arty and clothes shops.
We ended up having a very poor drink in one of the bars just off the square served by two people who seemed more interested in smoking than serving their customers.
Thursday 22nd
Today we returned to the beach at Cap D’Antibes, a beach we had never visited before called Plage De Salis, We parked in the car park and found a place on a fairly crowded beach. Again we had brought plenty of shade with us. The kids loved the sandy beach and Elsie and Graham spent quite a time making a sand castle city.
The sea was refreshing without being too cold. We swam, read and drank coffee for most of the morning. Very enjoyable just watching the kids play.
Dinner time and Graham took the role of chef. We dug out Adam’s pizza oven and Graham showed us his culinary skills. I couldn’t say it was the best pizza I’ve ever had but it was good fun and we all enjoyed our time at the dinner table.
After dinner we all walked down to the town where I watched while the others danced to the local dj playing salsa and assorted rhythms.
The DJ demonstrated his excellent dancing skills and amongst the punters you could see dancers with equal panache.
For some reason I didn’t take part, maybe Graham’s non-involvement encouraged me to stay on the sidelines.
Friday 23rd
Friday we had a meal at St Eloi. I had the Salad Nicoise which was up to the usual standard and then Mel and Graham left. The occasion meant we could move from the flat to the main house. I could sleep in the back room and Maggi wouldn’t complain about my snoring.
In the evening we wandered down to the Lys d’Or where we had a very ordinary meal. After eating we walked onto the town centre where we stopped for a little while to watch the night’s entertainment which consisted of a tribute band to JJ Goldman. They had brought plenty of support. Apparently JJ Goldman is highly regarded in France and the audience seemed to know his songs and sung along. I thought the singer poor and we didn’t stay long.
