Montpellier

This is our campsite whilst staying in Montpellier. It was quite busy when we arrived on Saturday, but as you can see we are now pretty much on our own.

WE are staying about 4 miles south of Montpellier, so after a bit of a lie in this morning (for me anyway Jim still had to get up and get my coffee & orange), we drove into the city.

We were both surprised at the size of the place, it is huge, with large pedestrian streets and an incredible selection of shops and stores, plus of course dozens of restaurants, coffe bars and pubs. There was quite a lot of construction being carried out, in particular, extending the city tram way, which was causing some traffic congestion.

They have their own Arc de Triumph, very impressive.

We couldn't find out exactly what this monument was all about, it was considerably larger than the picture suggests.

As can be seen it has a small reflecting pond at its base. There were loads of carp in the water, of varying sizes.

This bridge leading away from the monument on the north of the city was closed to the public. It did look as though it was in need of some repair. But just look at that view.

Jane looking at the carp on the other side of the refelcting pool.

Couldn't resist this picture, with the church steeple showing through at the end of alley way.

The top of this building reminded us of an old "diving helmet".

This is one of many enormous traffic free squares. All bustling with people. I can only imagine what it must be like when there are thousands of tourists added to the mix.

Carcassonne

The city of Carcassonne, a Unesco World Heritage Site, is protected by two fortified walls with 52 towers and barbicans. Gauls, Romans, Visigoths, Saracens & Franks have all left their mark on its 2500 year-old history.

This is our 3rd visit here, we came with the girl once, and Dan was with us the 2nd time? back in the 90's.

Carcassonne was also used in the film "Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves"

The pictures below are just a mixed bag of photographs we took as we meandered inside the old cite. It was just as we remembered, with no surprises. As you can see, the weather was superb, bordering on hot !!!. No complaints from us on that score though.

One of the best coffee's I've had in a long time. The food wasn't bad either.

This wall made us think of ?????????????????? Hi Lee x

the church was incredible, inside and out.

Your right Trudy, I see "QUILTS" in everything...... just look at the windows in the pictures below.

This is one of the streets in the old town, below the castle. So narrow, but the cars still go too fast through them.

On the way home we did the coast road, had to put my feet in the Med.

On the beach at Sete, near cap de Agde.

Heading South to the Sun.

Our first night in France, a delightful little camp ground in the Picardie region, about 160 miles south of Calais. It was quite full, with mainly Brits on their way home, and only one or two like us, heading south. We are camped opposite a fishing lake, which made for quite a noisy night from the local wild life.

Very misty, but the sun was trying to shine through, and it didn't take long before it was burnt away.

The mist made for some beautiful scenary.

Our 2nd night was in a small campground in the village of Vignoles, about 30 miles south of Dijon. Also, as a bonus, just a couple of minutes from the Autoroute. By now we are far enough south to have some warmer weather, sunshine and blue skies. BRING IT ON !!!!!

The entrance to the campground in Vignoles. Very well cared for campground, and flowers everywhere.

Back On The Road Again

 

 

It’s been a while since Jane and I sang the above words as we set off on another adventure. It was somewhat of a tradition, that every time we drove off in the motor home, we sang those first few bars to that well known country song. Sad I know,  but…..

 

Anyway, today, Thursday September 22nd 2011, at precisely 07.35hrs, we left our driveway in Solihull, and headed for Folkestone, to get Le Shuttle to Calais, France.  As we started off along our little road, we both burst into song with the above song.

I would like to be able to say we had a smooth uneventful trip to Folkestone, but as usual, a small non-injury accident, at junction 13 of the M 25, caused a tail back to the M 40 junction, and it took us 1 1/2 hours to travel 3 junctions, about 8 miles.  Fortunately we gave ourselves plenty of time, and arrived at the terminal with 12 minutes to spare…..phew !!!!!

Waiting patiently for our turn to get on the train.

Looking at the empty lines, I don’t think Le Shuttle will be particularly busy today.

For anyone who has not been on shuttle train, its quite clever how they load. Our carriage, for tall vehicles and caravans, was on one level. You simply drive onto a ramp at the rear of a carriage and drive into the train.

Once parked, you relax, as the “Train takes the Strain” and delivers you 35 minutes later in France.

You then simply drive off and away. All the immigration and customs formalities are taken care of before boarding. 

Relaxing with a cup of coffee at our first one night stop, just north of Reims. The village is called Seraucourt-le-Grand, in the Picardy region.

The campsite we stopped at is right in the middle of the village, so no need to take the car to go and explore.

There is a British War Cemetery on the edge of the village . There are some 3000 grave stones in the cemetery, the vast majority have no name, just the inscription, “Unknown Soldier”. Of the ones that do have details, most were just youngsters, 18 to 22years old. What a complete waste of lives, but we just don’t seem to ever learn…….

This is just one of many cemeteries in France given to British and allied forces who gave their lives in the so called “Great War”.

 

 

 

So the end of our first day of being Back On The Road Again. I have to admit, sad as it was saying goodbye to our family and friends yesterday, and there is no doubt we will miss them, it does feel great to be “BACK ON THE ROAD AGAIN’.

The English Door puzzel !!!!!!!!!!

Some things in life just baffle us, and the "English Door Lock" was one of them for our American friends. In our week in Yorkshire, Lee could never open the French Window doors. We would all go through the other door and leave him to it. That's why the photo was taken from the inside.

We had to leave Trudy and Alan to their own devices only 2 days after getting to us, as we had a wedding to go to. We gave them keys so they could come and go as they wanted. Now, we have a small porch as you can see. The right way to get out is to open BOTH doors, then set the alarm, lock house door then porch door. Hardley rocket science.

They gave all our neighbors a good laugh when they tried to go for a walk, They opened the house door first, then set the alarm, then stepped into the porch. This is where it all went wrong..... They locked the house door behind them, before opening the porch door. Now they have a locked door both ends. When they tried to open the porch door "NO ROOM TO OPEN IT" We were told after much laughter and wiggling of body's they got out. (The photo is a reconstrution) LOL

,h

A look back at "Rankin's" tours

I was going through all recent photo's, and had a little smile to my self. Maybe "Rankin Tours" should widen its repertoire.

CREAM TEA'S WILL HAVE RO STAY.