The vines on this passion are just flowering and the foliage really lights up in the morning sun. We leave and drive towards Crest then follow Grete's scenic route to Bourdeaux, Dieulefit, and around the south of Montelimar. France never ceases to amaze us, just when you think that you've seen every side, something different comes along. This route is more woods and climbs and bends and drops, but somehow the shape of the land, the colours of stone and buildin...

Luckily the electricity stayed on all night. The first van starts and chugs off just after 06:00 then the 'Hannibal Raiders' camp wakes up with tannoy and music. We loiter until nearly 11:00 then set off on the D900 towards Gap. The road winds through gorges of grey rock speckled with broom, and alongside the Ubaye river. In places there are large rock falls and on one face a large pinnacle has cleaved away from the hillside. The river is pale blue with occ...

Lovely birdsong from 05:30 and sunny from the start. Grete says there is a market in town so they go for a look and return with a few things before we set off towards France. It starts as a gentle ride along the valley with wooded mountains around us but it's deceptive and we are climbing all the time. Soon we are in the mountains proper, with milky meltwater streams tumbling over rocky riverbeds. There are flower meadows, green pastures and alpine chalets. W...

Another really warm morning. As we are using the service point workmen are putting up signs. They tell us this aire has only been here a month. The waste well has a magic eye and every time anyone walks near it there is a fine spray of water. We leave and drive up through the piazza. The market has gone but marquees are being erected for some other event. A twelve mile drive through pretty tree covered mountains brings us to the roadside restaurant I-Lauri, ...

It is warm from the minute we wake up. Nick W sets off on the bike and Grete leads us to the funicular which runs up the hillside to the town. A short walk leads us to the huge square, entered at each corner through arched gateways. Tuesday is market day and the square is filled with stalls and white vans. We amble through the aisle of clothing, shoes and houseware before meetng Nick W at the far side, right beside a convenient coffee shop. From the square w...