August 24th L'Isle to St saturnin les apt!!!!!

Dave painted in the morning and then a quick lunch in L'Isle after I had a catch up on line with people via the office de tourisme. Then off with just 32km to go to St saturnin. Even though the main roads in this area don't appear to be too busy we went the scenic route via Godes, billed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. As we approached and the incline began I started my usual diversional  therapy strategy of singing Down in the tube station at midnight. However I could have covered the whole Jam back catalogue by the time we approached the village. Luckily the description is warranted especially from the approach.

Unfortunately unable to find an appropriate place for coffee so after a quick look round (very posh really) we headed back down the hill, onward to St saturnin. Storm clouds gathered as we approached but it didn't diminish my excitement. A quick coffee in the village itself and then to the house. Very cute little place, everything we need and feel so lucky to have this for the next week or so, woo oo!!!!

big hill!!!!!!

St Saturnin at last

August 21st Nimes to La pont de gard

Lovely relaxed cycle to La pont de gard along the little roads, no big lorries  to contend with. Camped at a camp site which on the web looked a bit naf but is really quiet and shaded, with a pool and all for 16 euro, 8 euros cheaper as we are on velos :) went to look at the Pont Neuf and were flabbergasted to find out it costs 15 euro to view it!!!!! About turn!! Back to camps site where the couple next to us with the cutest little camping pod ever, told us ways to get in via walking track or to go later when the turn lights on and no-one there to charge. relaxed by pool and then headed to Pont at 8pm where Dave did a quick painting though he could barely see the colours he was putting on, so could have an abstract feel to it. Beautiful structure, the clever Romans, though not sure what they ever did for us??!!

Looking forward to stay in Vauclouse, there looks so much to do and looking forward to normal living and cooking. keep discussing the meals we shall have, it is a bit like I'm a celebrity, getting obsessed with food!

13th august to 20th August

Ok so much to say and so little time. Has to be summed up briefly really as Montpellier gorgeous city on 13th. 14th realisation lost passport for Natalie which after chat with British consulate looked ok for return on the 20th without it so continued to near grand motte for two nights wild camping.1st one ok and fun second one woken by men clearing beach following lots of walking around  trying to find appropriate place to sleep and fireworks set off near tent.

off to saint maries de la mer where i lost the will to wild camp again so headed to campsite 9km away which ended up as mosquito hell!!!!

next day birthday breakfast enjoyed though bitten to death, and headed to the sanest night in lovely hotels with day at pool then birthday meal in the very picturesque hispanic capital of the Camargue, saint maries. Dave managed two paintings in time there and then we headed to Arles on continuation of Van Goghs footsteps.

Arles a lovely place, lovely colliseum and fab buildings, ok campsite. Dave painted in the morning with two sales of the Saint maries paintings.

Off to Nimes to lovely Youth hostel to camp at, very relaxing prior to Natalie and Harry's journey back. relaxed evening  then up early for bus to train, missed bus but next bus got there, a bit tense but then both safely on train to Lille. Phone call from Lille though at 12.00 looking bad for natalie to return without form for travel, tense wait for all concerned, though harry sensibly got on allocated train on order to meet his leeds festival commitments. A relieved natalie then contacted is to say that British passport control guy came good and on way 2.30hrs late from lille, to London. Holiday to remember and be laughed about in the future!!!!!!!!! will follow with pictures soon. Having can of beer now xxxxxxx

montpellierr

wild camping

birthday evening

birthday sunbathing

wild horses of camargue behind hotel

saintes maries

bbq

sign of camargue

bbq