France Pyrenees, Provence

Hi all

April 5 Tuesday. Bonjour Français.
Only a stone's throw across the border in France we beat the Côte de Vermeille and our Web site at Argelès de Mer. We again a trip in Andorra skiing as had delayed but not enough information with us.

It was strange that we traveled a few miles in France had and yet it seemed so much green and clear as Spain. There were not many people around on the site as it was still early season so for 2 very we hot days the outdoor swimming pool, all to us had. Wednesday was market day in Argelès old town, so we are in danger and took a look around the place. Ran a pretty old town with a mix of Catalan and French influences and also an eccentric old English women, an English book shop. Many of the Catalan beret carriers this area to and they were more friendly when we met that in Spain, nodded and Bonjour, said.

Thursday 7 Although most of our journey so far off the coast we had decided that a drive in the country to Carcassone would pay. Once clear of Perpignan

We left the main streets of the route de Cathars by the robust wine-growing areas follow landscape of the département of Aude. The walled city of Carcassonne is now a UNESCO World Heritage site and is steeped in history. From the oldest tracks in the sixth century BC by the Romans, Visigoths, Franks, and many other rulers the city had seen many battles, while once stunning 'Cité' it supplements in DIS repair, but fell back a century to its current state with some new black tiled turret... We stayed longer a beautiful afternoon hiking around the buildings and walls, learn the history of the site spent and up to the Pyrenees, it is definitely to reconsider a place and we would have views overlooking South this time had local campsite open, but it was not so tea time we decided to go back to the coast and Cap d ' Agde.

Cap d'Agde is a seaside resort in nearby Montpellier, it; s on a headland consisting of all complex from several beaches around a central Marina, there are plenty of entertainment and activities on offer. Our campsite was a short walk from the

Beach of Rochelongue and 5 minutes by bicycle from the main centre. As the forecast for the weekend was ended 5 days stay and make the most. The days he spent either from the van just chill out in the Sun or by bicycle along the coast paths or on the beach in the shallow waters ball play. There were 32 degrees on the Wknd as the Temps hit many of the locals of.

Tuesday 12 leaving the Côte d ' Améthyste and heading inland over Montpellier we entered the National Park of the Camargue. The Park is on low lying wetlands around the Rhône Delta where it discharges the Mediterranean Sea. On both sides of the street fish pool shallow our way towards St Gilles waters with birds as we made. An other campsite, which had opened it so again only for the season was a late to an another quiet pool almost on us as we took the afternoon dip.
Wednesday. We took the van next to the National Park and parked up on a nature reserve. She had to foot/horseback riding and cycle paths to some housing/wet-lands and a lake. How was my bike now

We went to the scrap heap over the Lake and through some channels. Read info boards (in French) about this area, it seems, is that the Camargue is fighting bulls and a unique generation of white horses famous for it. As we through the reserve we strolled they both saw first hand, we also more pink flamingos, giant dragons saw fly and even muskrats in the channels.

Thursday 14 as I was disappointed so far with my many attempts to get a little art culture in this trip (I'm trying, educate these children!) The perfect place seemed Arles to remedy. We found arrival in Arles the assigned spot for RV parking a travel fair adopted by, the city for the upcoming Ferias (running Bull Festival), so after fuel/food and a new bike for me we parked near the city centre and went in looking after the tourist information. We picked up a map and route Guide and a set on 2 trails around the city. A path was, some of the places to see where Vincent van Gogh painted his 200 pictures during life in Arles between 1888

and in 1889, was the other way to see impressive Roman buildings during the reign of Julius Caesar.
First we saw sites were van Gogh works as courtyard of the Hospital of Arles, Cafe terrace in the night and starry night over the Rhone where painted. The city has put up info boards at these locations the a replica of the artwork, and if it was painted. It was in Arles, that his ear during a TIFF with Gauguin cut off and then voluntarily an asylum. Where he spent painting many other works of art almost 2 years. Did you know that he was only 37 when he is shot back in Paris and that he sold only a painting while he was still alive?
Our next trail has us on the almost intact Roman amphitheatre, in the first century was built home chariot racing and relevant shows, it is currently under major restoration work. Close to the Roman Theatre antique is still in good condition and is used today for playing as it was back in the days of the Romans.

In the evening, we were now Provence in leave Arles. We entered the regional park

where did we find embedded Alpilles our campsite under steep cliffs on the edge of a town called Orgone. The Vallée Heureuse, the we now in the were is very popular with climbers and when we went on a long hike around the selected studies we saw up beginners and advanced way groups of school children on the faces on 200 foot sheer faces. Our Trek took us deep in the Eastern woodlands Alpilles before we arrived after a large loop on a vantage point which saw North of Avignon, and South to Marseille. Once a Roman Fortress now here, the a 19 State century Abbey is in it is. We sat and looked way National Park East of the River Durance towards our next place off in the distance in the Luberon.

Saturday 16. After 2 days in Orgone, we made the short trip East in the Luberon. The Luberon is in the area of Vaucluse in the Provence and stereotypes, roles, it is quite full of Provence countryside, stony villages, rugged slopes and when in bloom endless fields of lavender. It is what you would image of Provence. Our website has been in the vicinity

Cadenet and although it does not really heard the famous towns of the area it was still a very nice place. Perched on a rocky limestone which looked even cave houses it has occupied South after the Durance in the direction of Pertuis and Aix-en-Provence. We 2 days spent and made the most of the site, which had a Lake & Beach, a swimming pool and proximity to the River Durance was, he had many things open as the bar now, that the French on Easter holidays were.

Monday 18 April. We had quite a few long drive us as we preceded back to the coast so it up early and turn off SE towards who was Côte d ' Azur.

Take all care.

Neil Dan & Harry
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