All posts by Ray

France

Mont Ventoux

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Tuesday 10th October 2017

Today the plan was to drive over to Mont Ventoux, the famous mountain in Provence, topping out at 1912 metres above sea level. The mountain has been climbed many times by the riders of the Tour De France, with stage finishes there numbering ten. The wind at the top has been measured at over 200mph at times but we were lucky as the wind was relatively calm, and the temperature was a balmy 8 degrees as we reached the top. The temperature as we started the climb was 22! On the way up we enjoyed some excellent autumnal colours of the trees.

Autumnal Colours of Mont Ventoux
Autumnal Colours of Mont Ventoux

As we continued to climb we passed a number of cyclists pursuing their dream of climbing this mountain. How they endure the stress of the continual 21.8km climb at an average gradient of 7.43% is beyond me. This must be an extremely welcoming sight to them all.

The Summit

As you climb, the trees start to thin out and the terrain starts to resemble the surface of the moon.

Virtual Moonscape

At the peak there is a weather station, constructed in 1882, but it is no longer in use.

Weather Station

We wandered around the peak taking in the superb views for a while, then rewarded ourselves with a coffee & madeleines as we watched more & more cyclists complete the climb. On the way down, whilst using engine braking to save our brakes, we were overtaken by one keen descender, he must have been doing 50mph! Chapeau!

On the way home, because we are huge fans of the regions work, we detoured to pass through Châteauneuf-du-Pape, the famous wine growing village & region. The whole of the surrounding area is dedicated to growing grapevines, an amazing sight.

Super Sunset by The Rhone

Back at the caravan we enjoyed a marvellous sunset with a cheeky G&T while watching the bats overhead.

England, France

A Catch Up Post

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Friday 29th September to Saturday 7th October

On our return from the drink fest that was the Devon holiday, interspersed with National Trust visits, steam train rides and longish walks, we camped on Kims’ folks lawn for two nights. I took advantage of the time to properly fit the 240v inverter & rewire the solar panel so that it charges without the caravan power having to be switched on.

On Sunday we moved on to Apple Acres Caravan & Camping Farm, near Tunbridge Wells for three nights to meet up with my folks & my brothers, Steve & Geoff.

01.10.2017 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 95 – Cumulative: 2,796

We have used this site before and received a warm welcome from the owners. On Monday Kim & I visited NT Sissinghurst Castle Gardens, the former home of Vita Sackville-West, poet & writer, & Sir Harold Nicolson. They had a rather interesting marriage described in her book Portrait Of A Marriage.

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens
Sissinghurst Castle Gardens

On Wednesday we packed up ready to leave at 9am for our ferry crossing from Dover to Calais.

04.09.17 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 331 – Cumulative: 3,127

The plan was to get to the South of France as soon as possible as the weather was good & forecasted to stay like that for at least two weeks. I suggested making a base around Avignon, as I had been there a few years earlier and knew The Pont du Gard was nearby. A stunning place to visit.

The ferry crossing courtesy of P&O was smooth & on time and we made good progress on the autoroute system down to Camping du Viviers aux Carpes, near Saint Quentin. This is a Camping Card site and cost €17 plus local taxes for the one night we stayed. We wandered around the town and found a bar then returned to the van as darkness fell.

Thursday dawned dry & a reasonable temperature and we packed up and got on the autoroute again making our way to our target that day of Macon.

05.10.17 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 510 – Cumulative: 3,637

We arrived in reasonable time at Macon Municipal Camping, a large site that suited us for a stopover but not sure I’d want to stay there for long. It was very noisy from very early on Friday morning.

We packed up ready to move on after breakfast to our target for a few days, Campsite Lou Vincen in Vallabrèques.

06.10.17 Route

Towing Kilometres – Today: 322 – Cumulative: 3,959

Good progress was made on the autoroute. Then, within 15 miles of the site, my sat nav guided me down the most unsuitable of roads on which to tow a caravan. A few hairy miles followed with a suitable amount of cursing on my part. On arrival we were given a warm welcome by Hèlène & Myriam. In glorious weather, we set up with the caravan windows open for a change & put up the awning without the prospect of it getting wet. As I write we have been here 6 days and the temperature in the afternoon has been above 22 degrees every day, and no rain at all. What a change from Wales & Ireland!

All set up at Lou Vincen

Saturday dawned bright and it happened to be Kims’ 60th birthday! We ventured into Avignon to try and locate a restaurant that I had visited in 2008, but couldn’t find it. The search concluded when we were ‘attacked’ from all sides by a medieval re-enactment of some sort and a fleet of noisy, horn blowing, wedding cars. At this point we headed back to the van to change for a birthday dinner at Le Vintage in Avignon. Happy Birthday Kim x

Ireland

Into County Clare

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Tuesday 5th September 2017

Another towing day today, from our pitch at Woodlands in Tralee to County Clare as we travelled across North Kerry on the N69, through Listowel and on to Tarbet on the mouth of the River Shannon.

A roll-on roll-off ferry between Tarbet and Killimer operates hourly throughout the day, taking only 20 minutes, saving a long drive around the Estuary.

Shannon Crossing, The Tarbet To Killimer Ferry
Loaded On Board The Ferry

Towing Kilometres – Today: 114 – Cumulative: 1,356

Our journey took us through Kilrush and onto Kilkee on N67. We decided not to take in Loop Head, as we were towing the caravan. We paused briefly at Kilkee, a large horseshoe bay, with many seaside buildings, including a water park. Although the bay was stunning, it was very built up, with numerous dwellings and imagine it is very busy during peak times.

Kilkee Bay

From Kilkee we were back on The Wild Atlantic Way heading north . As we approached Doonbeg we spotted signs for ‘The Trump International Links Golf Course’. Having stopped to take a few photos, we realised that our budget definitely wouldn’t stretch for a round here. Plus, I’m not sure Donald would appreciate our caravan in the car park!

The Trump Golf Links

As we journeyed on, we drove through Quilty,  Spanish Point and as we approached Lahinch, we decided to stick to the wider N67 to our destination Doolin and save our exploration of the Wild Atlantic Way to another day.

At last we arrived at our new home, O’Connor’s Riverside Caravan and Camping Park. It’s selling point to us was ‘within walking distance to pubs‘. The camp was small, with some interesting ‘Glamping’ dwellings, including a Mongolian Yurt and a Native Indian Tipi.

We set up, or rather, Ray set up, and then we headed off to one of the nearest hotels/pubs, Fitzgeralds, to quench our thirst and savour some Galway mussels. Just the ticket after a long day in the car.

Mussel Supper In Doolin