The Patel-Muxlow Factor: Well today is our last day in France, (other than dropping off the car in late September) and as we sit on the beach eating pizza and watching the sunset, we can reflect that we've had a pretty good time so far. Today though has been one of those days for all of us, a bit of a "factor" day all round. It started first thing this morning when an email from the bank advised Raj's credit card had been scammed - here we go again. So busy bus...

Vikki: When you hear about the French Riviera, it conjures up a picture of beautiful people, flash cars, glamour shops and endless money. Well you wouldn't be wrong. While there are lots of tourists like us (at the other end of the scale) you can't help but just stare at everyone and everything. It really is a different world. We are in Villeneuve Loubet, a smallish village between Nice and Cannes, nicely placed for checking out the general area over the next few...

Vikki: As I sit here typing, looking out our door at torrential rain and hail thanks to a passing storm, it's hard to believe that 2 hours ago we were in 35 degrees with blue sky, no clouds and scrambling around the remains of Chateau des Baux. One could say our timing is impeccable, as we were back at our digs, cooling down with a swim as it started and are now having hot chocolates with marshmallows to warm up. The thunder and lightening are still going for it,...

Raj: My turn to drive yesterday as we left Barcelona and headed back to France, to Castillon du Gard, halfway between Nimes and Avignon. After 5 hours negotiating conflicting directions from the GPS vs road signs, an involuntary stop at a highway junction trying to decide which way to go (not a good look), and holding in pee until we could no longer (so we went in view of people), we finally arrived, in good time. I enjoyed driving on the toll roads and putting...

Raj: We've had a great couple of days. The sun has appeared and we are basking in late 20's temperatures - great for swimming, sunbathing, and today, an enjoyable canoe trip along the La Vezere river. Even as the sun appeared yesterday though, we got up early and queued to ensure we secured tickets to view 14,000 year old engravings and paintings in two caves, which are still open to the public. Tickets are limited to 70 per day to preserve the ecology of the...