Monday, September 10, 2007
Lyon, France
11th Sept.
Well, we've made it to Lyon where we will be spending a week firstly with friends from Bellingen then our English friends. It's a change sleeping in an ordinary bed.
After leaving Avignon on Sunday we headed south to the Camargue, a wild and partly untamed area of France where the Rhone River enters the sea. Famed for its white wild horses and bull fights it was very different to the rest of France with its Spanish flavour. From there we headed to Lyon via the bridge at Millau. Built a couple of years ago it is the most beautiful bridge I think you will ever find. It stretches 2.5 km, supported by 7 pencil thin legs the highest over 340 metres in length. The French sure have a flair in design though this one was actually designed by an Englishman.
We made a good decision basing ourselves in Avignon for the first game in Marseille. It took 30 minutes on the TGV, very fast train, to travel the 100 kms to Marseille, it was then a case on getting on the Metro down there to the stadium. The stadium was fantastic with the seating very close to the field. A pity Italy didn't put up more of an opposition.
Well, we've made it to Lyon where we will be spending a week firstly with friends from Bellingen then our English friends. It's a change sleeping in an ordinary bed.
After leaving Avignon on Sunday we headed south to the Camargue, a wild and partly untamed area of France where the Rhone River enters the sea. Famed for its white wild horses and bull fights it was very different to the rest of France with its Spanish flavour. From there we headed to Lyon via the bridge at Millau. Built a couple of years ago it is the most beautiful bridge I think you will ever find. It stretches 2.5 km, supported by 7 pencil thin legs the highest over 340 metres in length. The French sure have a flair in design though this one was actually designed by an Englishman.
We made a good decision basing ourselves in Avignon for the first game in Marseille. It took 30 minutes on the TGV, very fast train, to travel the 100 kms to Marseille, it was then a case on getting on the Metro down there to the stadium. The stadium was fantastic with the seating very close to the field. A pity Italy didn't put up more of an opposition.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Joan's word 2
Prespa Lakes ,Greece
25th August 2007
Hello from Joan at last!
Here we are relaxing on the shores of these beautiful lakes which meet on the border of Greece. Macedonia and Albania.
Thought I'd better do an update now as when we leave here tomorrow will be on the move through Croatia Italy and Marseille for the first game on the 8th September. From there we have dates for the games and to catch up with Adam and other friends on so this may well be my last big contact.
Have had a very quick trip through Greece but have seen some worthwhile sights and stayed in some beautiful spots especially on the Mediterranean. Staying on the island of Samothrace was a very relaxing and reflective experience surrounded by a natural beauty and history going back to 7th Century B.C.
Found this spot by the lake ,not a camp site as nothing or noone here although evidence of locals coming for the day (nearest town 5km). It's shady and overlooks a lake which is full of birds. So decided to stay for 3 days and then drive quickly to France.
We are enjoying the different countries and experiences. Starting to meet other camper vans now mostly motor homes from Italy or Germany, no Aussies yet.
Food isn't as good as we remember and we are dying for a steak but think it will be a while.
Have cooked ourselves some good meals at times,we are going to drive over to the village shortly where we hope to have a long leisurely Greek meal with a Retsina of course.
There are periods times when feel a bit tired and fatigued as it is still quite hot here 37-40 degrees but cooler at night here by the lakes (there are 2) as it's up 800metres.
Gary has got his inflatable kayak out for the 1st time and we have had fun in that. There is even wild blackberries to pick and dessert last night was fresh peaches topped with yoghurt and blackberries (and I'm complaining about the food!)
I can't even imagine what it will be like to work or be at home these days. It becomes a way of life as we know from before but will be so good to have some time with Adam and all our other friends from Europe and Australia from next week.
14 weeks on the road and 8 left to go
Take care till we see you all back in Oz.
Joan
25th August 2007
Hello from Joan at last!
Here we are relaxing on the shores of these beautiful lakes which meet on the border of Greece. Macedonia and Albania.
Thought I'd better do an update now as when we leave here tomorrow will be on the move through Croatia Italy and Marseille for the first game on the 8th September. From there we have dates for the games and to catch up with Adam and other friends on so this may well be my last big contact.
Have had a very quick trip through Greece but have seen some worthwhile sights and stayed in some beautiful spots especially on the Mediterranean. Staying on the island of Samothrace was a very relaxing and reflective experience surrounded by a natural beauty and history going back to 7th Century B.C.
Found this spot by the lake ,not a camp site as nothing or noone here although evidence of locals coming for the day (nearest town 5km). It's shady and overlooks a lake which is full of birds. So decided to stay for 3 days and then drive quickly to France.
We are enjoying the different countries and experiences. Starting to meet other camper vans now mostly motor homes from Italy or Germany, no Aussies yet.
Food isn't as good as we remember and we are dying for a steak but think it will be a while.
Have cooked ourselves some good meals at times,we are going to drive over to the village shortly where we hope to have a long leisurely Greek meal with a Retsina of course.
There are periods times when feel a bit tired and fatigued as it is still quite hot here 37-40 degrees but cooler at night here by the lakes (there are 2) as it's up 800metres.
Gary has got his inflatable kayak out for the 1st time and we have had fun in that. There is even wild blackberries to pick and dessert last night was fresh peaches topped with yoghurt and blackberries (and I'm complaining about the food!)
I can't even imagine what it will be like to work or be at home these days. It becomes a way of life as we know from before but will be so good to have some time with Adam and all our other friends from Europe and Australia from next week.
14 weeks on the road and 8 left to go
Take care till we see you all back in Oz.
Joan
Avignon France
3rd Sept. Avignon
We came and went from Marseille. The camp sites were over 30 kms from the city and quite isolated. The city itself was a typical busy place and hard to find your way around. Avignon is an hours train trip away from Marseille, the station is a short walk from the camp site here, ideal to catch the train down on Saturday, watch the game then head back after. We are parked on the banks of the Rhone with the old city walls and pope's castle on the other side of the river. The famous bridge is to our left. Avignon is also well on the way to Lyon where we will be heading after the game.
Last night we stopped at a small village called Fontvieille, a short distance from Avignon. Five years ago we had two couples stay in one of the cottages, Very nice people who left the card of their restaurant in Fontvielle. I kept it and thought that if we are in the area we would call in. Marie and Thierry were so pleased to see us, they remembered Jelga from the chooks that busied themselves around the cottage and walking into their restaurant we could see they had a mania for poultry. There were plaster chooks in boxes chooks on the roof, chooks painted on the walls, They were everywhere. We had a delightful meal for Fathers Day, missed the closing time for the camp site but they insisted we park in the restaurant car park for the night. There are many restaurants in the small town but theirs has a very good reputation and a Michelin award. Thierry showed us the travelogue of his trip to AU & NZ and the photos he took at Jelga included one of the chooks of course.
We came and went from Marseille. The camp sites were over 30 kms from the city and quite isolated. The city itself was a typical busy place and hard to find your way around. Avignon is an hours train trip away from Marseille, the station is a short walk from the camp site here, ideal to catch the train down on Saturday, watch the game then head back after. We are parked on the banks of the Rhone with the old city walls and pope's castle on the other side of the river. The famous bridge is to our left. Avignon is also well on the way to Lyon where we will be heading after the game.
Last night we stopped at a small village called Fontvieille, a short distance from Avignon. Five years ago we had two couples stay in one of the cottages, Very nice people who left the card of their restaurant in Fontvielle. I kept it and thought that if we are in the area we would call in. Marie and Thierry were so pleased to see us, they remembered Jelga from the chooks that busied themselves around the cottage and walking into their restaurant we could see they had a mania for poultry. There were plaster chooks in boxes chooks on the roof, chooks painted on the walls, They were everywhere. We had a delightful meal for Fathers Day, missed the closing time for the camp site but they insisted we park in the restaurant car park for the night. There are many restaurants in the small town but theirs has a very good reputation and a Michelin award. Thierry showed us the travelogue of his trip to AU & NZ and the photos he took at Jelga included one of the chooks of course.
Pende France
1st Sept.
In France at last! Thought we would've made it to Marseille but the road we took from Torino in Italy went over a high pass with windy roads that slowed us down. Instead we're half way down from the pass at a beautiful camp site along side a flowing stream. It means we will hit Marseiile tomorrow about lunch time.
It has taken us three months one day since leaving Chennai. I had thought it would be about that long. Yesterday morning we woke up to strong gusty winds blowing off the mountains on the Croatian coast. We had decided to forego the motorway north for a 200 km drive along the coast before leaving this part of the Mediterranean. The wind became stronger as we headed north and became so bad barriers had been put up on the road stopping caravans and large motorhomes from continuing. The gusts came racing down the gullies over the road and down to the sea which was a mass of white horses and spraying foam. It was very impressive but my concentration was more on holding the van on the road. This stretch of coast was quite deserted apart from the odd old house near the waters edge. There were stone walls built alongside the road on the mountain side of many of the gullies to reduce the chance of overturning. The bloke at the servo laughed when I commented on their strength, reckoned they would only be about 100 kph, that during the winter they get up to 180 kph.
On hitting Italy it was our plan to get on the autostradas and head west in a hurry. That plan was dented by the stretch from Trieste just over the border to Venice which was only 2 lanes each way. It was bumper to bumper both lanes then the signs began flashing that there were congestion further on. Sure was. Took something like 15 minutes to go a kilometre, that made us decide to take the ordinary road, a bit slower but at least we moved. After Venice the autostrada became clearer and we made good time turning off to find a camp site for the night around lake di Garda, near Milan. A nice site overlooking the lake but at 29 euros ($47AU) perhaps giving us a taste of what to expect in France and the UK. Up to now the prices for camp sites have ranged from about $6 to $30 per night. They add a fair dollop for the use of electrcity but we haven't plugged in once the whole trip. The solar panels we installed the day before we left have worked a treat.
In France at last! Thought we would've made it to Marseille but the road we took from Torino in Italy went over a high pass with windy roads that slowed us down. Instead we're half way down from the pass at a beautiful camp site along side a flowing stream. It means we will hit Marseiile tomorrow about lunch time.
It has taken us three months one day since leaving Chennai. I had thought it would be about that long. Yesterday morning we woke up to strong gusty winds blowing off the mountains on the Croatian coast. We had decided to forego the motorway north for a 200 km drive along the coast before leaving this part of the Mediterranean. The wind became stronger as we headed north and became so bad barriers had been put up on the road stopping caravans and large motorhomes from continuing. The gusts came racing down the gullies over the road and down to the sea which was a mass of white horses and spraying foam. It was very impressive but my concentration was more on holding the van on the road. This stretch of coast was quite deserted apart from the odd old house near the waters edge. There were stone walls built alongside the road on the mountain side of many of the gullies to reduce the chance of overturning. The bloke at the servo laughed when I commented on their strength, reckoned they would only be about 100 kph, that during the winter they get up to 180 kph.
On hitting Italy it was our plan to get on the autostradas and head west in a hurry. That plan was dented by the stretch from Trieste just over the border to Venice which was only 2 lanes each way. It was bumper to bumper both lanes then the signs began flashing that there were congestion further on. Sure was. Took something like 15 minutes to go a kilometre, that made us decide to take the ordinary road, a bit slower but at least we moved. After Venice the autostrada became clearer and we made good time turning off to find a camp site for the night around lake di Garda, near Milan. A nice site overlooking the lake but at 29 euros ($47AU) perhaps giving us a taste of what to expect in France and the UK. Up to now the prices for camp sites have ranged from about $6 to $30 per night. They add a fair dollop for the use of electrcity but we haven't plugged in once the whole trip. The solar panels we installed the day before we left have worked a treat.
Starigrad. Croatia
Starigrad, Dalmatian Coast
30th August
Due to confusion of instructions as we passed through Split heading north along the coast we found ourselves heading inland. The road climbed over the mountains that follow the sea on to a plateau sparsely settled and for over half the 200 kilometres we went on this road not populated at all. The houses were there and villages but were shells that appeared to have been bombed or burnt. Not old stone houses but newly built and in some cases still n the process of being built but that process had come to a halt. There were no animals that you normally see in the countryside, no old men sitting outside cafes talking. It was all quite strange, spooky almost. I need to read up a bit on the break up of Yugoslavia.
The place we are at the moment is fairly north along the coast. Less villages and more laid back than the French Riviera style setting further south. More our style. From here we will cross into Italy and travel quickly to Marseille. The van needs servicing and Joan wants a hair cut, we thought Marseille might be the place.
30th August
Due to confusion of instructions as we passed through Split heading north along the coast we found ourselves heading inland. The road climbed over the mountains that follow the sea on to a plateau sparsely settled and for over half the 200 kilometres we went on this road not populated at all. The houses were there and villages but were shells that appeared to have been bombed or burnt. Not old stone houses but newly built and in some cases still n the process of being built but that process had come to a halt. There were no animals that you normally see in the countryside, no old men sitting outside cafes talking. It was all quite strange, spooky almost. I need to read up a bit on the break up of Yugoslavia.
The place we are at the moment is fairly north along the coast. Less villages and more laid back than the French Riviera style setting further south. More our style. From here we will cross into Italy and travel quickly to Marseille. The van needs servicing and Joan wants a hair cut, we thought Marseille might be the place.
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