Now I am playing catch up!
It has been many days since thinking about the blog and still haven't published one.
Either I am too tired, too busy socialising or just too much driving or no internet connection.
I struggled driving through Aix en Provence to find an Acsi campsite about 10 kms outside the city at Beaurecueil with views of an escarpment. It seems to me that when it is a well run campsite the people are more friendly. I had some pleasant Dutch neighbours to enjoy a glass of wine with.
The next day I left Sacha in the can -oops mistake I meant van and did a whistle stop tour of the city. Literally! I went on the little train ride. It is a cultural city lively with many young students. The gracefulCours Mirabeau with all the fountains and cafés is a pleasant wander. Cezanne is treasured here and there are Cezanne tours. He went to school here with Emil Zola and they remained friends thereafter.
I decided to have a ailoii a local dish written up on the boards. I asked what it was and was told it was a garlic mayonnaise on fish. Waited in the first restaurant for 10 minutes only to be told that it was finished and I was the 40th person to ask for it. Why didn't they take it off the board?
I moved on to another restaurant and was able to order it. I was given a huge plate of fish, snails and loads of vegetables with of course the garlic mayonnaise.
I was worried about Sacha as it was hot so didn't have time to go to the Granet museum which has Cezanne paintings. Took the bus back to the campsite; found Sacha was fine and the van wasn't at all hot under the tree.
The last night a girl camped next to me. She had a huge tent and was travelling around with her little friendly playful cavapoo dog. After some initial barking the dogs became the best of friends.
The next day we hiked up into the hills to a lake and a reservoir. It was tough going up hill at first and then it plateaued out with great views.
An English couple had recommended an aires in Comps which was a little past Arles where I was heading. Sure enough it was beautiful right next to the Rhone and in a wood. It was Sunday and all shops were closed so having run out of wine I had a glass in a little local village bar.
The next day I visited Arles of Van Gogh fame. There are many roman buildings including 12000 seat theatre and a 20000 seat amphitheatre. So it was a substantial port that once eclipsed Marseille.
I went to visit the only gallery that had some original Van Gogh paintings (on loan from Holland). There was absolutely nowhere for me to park Sacha. Although there was a little courtyard in front, the marble benches and planters were untiable. Have I just made up a new word?
Now I drove onto Saintes-Maries de la Mer in the Camargue.
Recommended again was an Aires right in front of the beaches. I parked there and set up the van. Then took Sach for walk on one of the little circular beaches. When I returned a Belgian couple had parked so close to me that I couldn't open the door properly. It was annoying as there was plenty of room for everyone. The next morning I shunted the van away by just detaching a bit of the screen at the front.
I took my little electric bike along a trail into the marshes and saw many beautiful flamingos. There are other types of birds but the flamingos outshine them all. The Camargue horses were a delight too.
However I did find it too hot and now and then there would be a gust of wind which left gritty sand in everything including your mouth.