Europe 2 Jul Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon

Day 27. 2 Jul. We left the Var valley and drove yet another very beautiful route to our next stop at Sainte-Croix-du-Verdon, following part of the Route Napoleon along the way. En route we passed some stunning locations, again worthy of further exploration, and encountered our first sight of the famous Provencal lavender fields. We parked up in the aire in the town and met a mad German couple who parked up next door. Just along from the aire is a fantastic restaurant overlooking the lake where we enjoyed the best bruschetta and warm goat's cheese salad ever!  However, there was more steep hill climbing around town and the lake - we will be glad to get to the flatlands!

 

Europe 1 Jul 14 Entrevaux

Day 26. 1 Jul  Entrevaux. Visited this lovely old town and climbed to the castle up the hill - and what a climb that was! Luckily all of our Alpine training had stood us in good stead for this ascent. The 17th century castle at the top was very interesting with superb views along the Var valley. The citadel was last used during the First World War as a prison for 50 German officers and life was harsh as they were only allowed out of the cells for an hour a day. This prompted retaliatory treatment of French POWS by Germany at the time in an effort to gain better conditions. 

In the charming walled town there is a fascinating little museum containing about 70 motorcycles, all in working order. They date from around 1901 to 1965 and the owner took great delight in showing me photos of his own Norton which he does not display as it's too good.

We have decided that one day we should go on the little train that goes from Nice to Digne les Bains.

 

  

 

  

 

Europe 27 Jun 14 Var Gorge

Day 22-25.  Dossing about. After 3 weeks of travelling we decided to lay up for a while and catch up on some reading, relaxing and admin. We haven't been to this area before and it has a lot to offer. Unfortunately, so do the sun beds.....

 

 

 

 

 

Europe 26 Jun 14 Monaco and France

Day 21 Thursday and back into France. The road from Imperia to the border followed the coast and consists of a series of bridges and tunnels. Finally we reached the border and crossed into France, dropping down into Menton to visit the tomb of William Webb Ellis. Unfortunately the area of the cemetery has now become a tourist attraction in itself and was rammed. On the advice of a very friendly bus driver, who wished us "bon chance" on our attempt, we were forced to negotiate our way out of the area down some streets that were probably 2" narrower than the van. We eventually found our way out of Menton, collecting much needed fuel on the way (France is cheaper for fuel than Italy) and then onto the immaculate boulevards of Monaco. Monaco is a series of pedestrian crossings so it took a while to get through (and the flash cars gave this big motorhome a very wide berth), then we drove along the corniche and into Nice, again hitting heavy traffic in Nice, before finding the Var river and following it north and west until we found a site near Entrevaux. The Var Gorge is beautiful with a little railway line running along. We probably won't have time to go on the railway as we have a few days rest and relaxation planned just lazing around doing nothing.

 

 

Europe 25 Jun 14 ...and so to the Med

Day 20 Weds. In yet another thunderstorm we packed up and said goodbye to the beautiful Lake Como and headed south towards the med and, hopefully, some sunshine. Once again we were caught up in some fairly heavy traffic and downpours around Milan, but soon got onto the clear roads and hit the med around Genoa, following the bridges and tunnels along the coastline before arriving at a small campsite at Imperia. We walked along the coast into town and were unimpressed. Imperia could be stunningly beautiful, with lovely architecture and a beautiful setting. However, it is dirty, shabby, litter-strewn and very run-down. There must be plenty of money around as there are huge private yachts moored in the massive marina, but let's say that none of that dosh appears to be being spent on upkeep, although they were laying some lovely new paving (why, when the rest of it needs so much work). The site itself was probably once very nice, but now more of a Dale Farm. We were pleased to move on.

 

Dale Farm