Tuesday 9th May (Day 15)
We awoke to something different - sunshine. We had planned a four hour drive and were off by 10.00am. We needed some shopping, diesel and gas. Our first attempt to do this had a height barrier the second nowhere to park and the third, well third time lucky. As an added bonus it was one of the biggest L'Eclerc supermarkets we have been to In a long time. So all sorted we drove to Viviers our stop for the night. It was a bit of a problem to find the stopover which was an old camp site but now a free stop for motorhomes. We eventually found it, settled in and walked into town and then walked for a long time around it. It has a lovely Cathedral, battlements, an old town and a port. Some of the old part of town you could see or imagine some of the Duke de Richlieu's men coming around the corner. It is a lovely old town. We then returned and sat in the sun which was glorious and the hottest weather to date. The day finished with planning where to stop tomorrow.,
Wednesday 10th May (Day 16)
So a good night was had by us although the morning donkey / ass decided to let us know he was awake at 7.00am. After sorting ourselves out we were off for a three (ish) hour drive to our next stop Palavas-Les-Flots on the coast of the Camargue. Before we did so the obligatory filling / emptying took place. In doing this I disovered that the water cap had gone. I clearly put it on and locked it without actually engaging the lock and the journey bounced it away. This meant we were on the look out for a motorhome / caravan place with a accessory shop. A brief stop at a supermarket and shortly after, at Nimes, we saw the place to replace our lost water cap. Soon after this we arrived at what was described as 'a large site with motorhomes parked liked sardines'. We found the description was erroneous as the space between units was quite reasonable. The Camargue is known for gauchos (cowboys), bulls, flamingos, cranes and egrets, all of these birds we saw on our way in to the site. After lunch we walked into the town and it was a place with potential for a longer stop with good weather and at a busier time. We went into the church, St Pierre the saint of fisherman, and while an old building the stained glass windows were very modern. We returned to the motorhome and decided on a cycle ride to a local cathedral which had road signs for miles around and the tourist office recommended. A six mile ride took us around the bay and on to a spit of land with the Cathedral of Maguelone. It was not overly remarkable as a building but a good destination for a cycle ride. The ride back, however, was against a strong wind making it much more difficult than we expected, especially for our first main ride of the year. We then sat out looking over the marina with a glass of wine enjoying the last of the sunshine before dinner and a laze around before bed.
Thursday 11th May (Day 17)
The tale of water continues .... but in a different way. We woke to grey skies and the threat of some rain, which soon materialised in a light drizzle. Last night we found our toilet floor wet and thought we had a water leak - the clean flush water. After a shower in 'le Capitinaire's' shower block, which was very nice, I decided to investigate. It soon became apparent the clean water was tainted somewhat with wee! The toilet cassette had somehow leaked and the compartment it is housed in was full of, well, wee. So there I was at 8.30am standing outside in the rain bailing out a pint or so of said liquid and then disinfecting and generally cleaning. We are still not sure what has happened or how, but hopefully it won't re-occur. We then had breakfast (much washing of hands first!) - fresh crossiants from the local shop. Then we were off. The plan was a journey of a couple of hours to a place called Le Bacarés. On the journey the weather deteriororated and the rain was so hard that double speed on the wipers only just coped. Arriving at our destination we were not overly impressed and, as the weather was so bad, we decided to move on. First, however, lunch and then a conflab of where to go. We opted for one of two places which were close together, the second of which we knew was ok. Arriving at Collioure 'park and ride' we found it most suitable. And the sun was shining and it was actually hot! Ten euros for 24 hours stay and a free bus ride into town (and back). What a delightful town Collioure is. All cobbles and twisty alleys with a lovely harbour / beach, houses with flowers growing up them and artists sitting in the street hoping you will buy from them. We strolled around taking in the atmosphere and then settled in a bar overlooking the sea for a beer. Here we met two people from Perth, Australia and we chatted for almost an hour. Another stroll around followed by the obligatory church visit - which was drab from the outside but quite impressive inside. By now it was 5.00pm and we had been informed that the bus (navette) was every half hour, at fifteen and forty-five past the hour. 5.15pm came and went and eventually at 6.00pm it arrived and took us back. (It would appear it was one an hour on the hour and not at 5.00pm as it doubled for the school bus!) Then it was time for dinner - steak, tartiflette, mushrooms and mangetout - very cosmopolitan. The weather was still balmy but the park and ride is a bit remote so a stroll was out of the question so we finished off the evening with a film which was a gentle easy watch called 'Finding Forester' with Sean Connery; most enjoyable.
Friday 12th May (Day 18)
A good start to the day. We were only going a short 120 miles to the next stop but the roads were both dramatic and slow. It followed the coast and, with sea mist and hairpin bends, was a slow journey but with good views during which we crossed the border into Spain. Eventually we arrived at the stop over, St Feliu de Guixols, and space was available But only just. A short walk in town to get acquainted with the area and then lunch. We were still having issues from the 'malfunction' of the toilet and so an hour or so was spent taking it apart, using You Tube as a help. By 4.00pm we were ready to go for a walk and had a lovely walk in glorious sunshine around the headland to the next bay, all in all a walk of around 6 to 7 miles return. It seemed all steep ups and downs and when we arrivied at the next bay we stopped for beer a just reward for our hard work. We then strolled back and sat outside in the late sunshine before retiring to have dinner inside. A good day.
Saturday 13th May (Day 19)
What is it about about water problems? We awoke today to a nice blue sky and the promise of a good day to come. However, we had our showers and the water was very slow to drain away, indeed close to overflowing the tray. A bit of clearing of, well, hair but still it did not resolve the issue. Some 'stuff' to sort it did not work either so we need to give this a bit more thought. Well, ignoring the water issue, we had a morning of deep cleaning before lunch. Indeed the locals were treated to me being on the roof and vacuuming the roof top fly screens as last night we were under trees which shed their blossom with just a glance at them; and the breeze didn't help either. All things sorted by lunch time and afterwards we strolled down to the beach to have a laze and watch the triathlon people strut their stuff. While some of them managed the first part, the swim, in 20 minutes others took 45 minutes or more so the whole thing spread out over a long time. But enjoyable to watch. Having said that the last swimmers got a bigger applause than the first which was nice. Eventually we had enough sun (so I was informed) and so we went back to the motorhome for a relaxing time and, eventually, dinner. A really good lazy day.
Sunday 14th May (Day 20 )
Sunday is market day here so, apparently, it could not be missed. It was quite a large market, clothing in one part and food in another. We were strolling through it after 10.00am but some traders were still just setting up, clearly a lazy slow start for them as well us. Lots of 'Oohs' and 'Aaahs' as we walked around the market were to be heard from Chris as she had somehow, pulled a muscle to one side of her back , so I suppose pulled a muscle in her back side might be correct but wrong at the same time! Developing this theme it could be said she is a pain in the backside .... but I would never go that far. Having spent a few euros we returned to sit in the sunshine to rest her back but on our return to the motorhome we visited the Chinese Bazaar again and obtained a sink plunger to try and sort the shower problem. It worked and three years of sand and hair were extricated. All good now. Lunch and then further lazing about as Chris lay down to try and sort her back(side) out. Eventually, around 3.00pm, we went for a bike ride (a bit of 'kill or cure'). We found a 'green route' an old disused railway line and cycled about 6 miles to Santo Cristina. On the way we passed some young boys, one of whom had cycled off the track down a fifteen foot culvert. Being ex-scout-type-first-aid-helpful sort of people we did what was best for the boy ......and rode on! In our defence the parents were only a few minutes away. In Santo Cristina we found a lovely restaurant / bar at an old railway station. The odd libation was called for. Then a cycle back. It was out for a meal tonight and off we went into town in search of food. Unfortunately a Sunday evening is not a time to eat in a restaurant in this town, all that was on offer was kebab. So we ate in the motorhome - a Spanish omelete. Tomorrow we are moving off.
Monday 15th May (Day 21)
Today we are moving off and, as we have a prime position, there is much potential jostling of motorhomes to take our place. We have agreed with a Dutchman to allow him to have first chance, something he took with the speed of Lewis Hamilton. We left about 9.40am and slowly exited the aire as several motorhomes have grounded when leaving. We were alright. Before we were fully underway we had a stop at a Lidl for food then a fuel station for diesel. Here I managed to drop the credit card down into bits of the motorhome electrics; I will try and retrieve it later. The journey was only about 130Km but in between us and our destination was Barcelona. As to be expected the roads were much busier here and with the kamikaze motorcyclists and ludicrously short (non existent) run in for traffic joining us it made for an interesting time. The M25 and London have given us a good grounding to cope though. Eventually we saw our destination sandwiched between the sea and the four lane dual carriageway. We did not fancy a backdrop of incessant traffic noise so, while I am sure the '3 Estrellas' is a lovely camp site, it is not for us. A quick plan B and off we go another 40Km. What a lovely journey this was to be. The sea to our left, the hills and cliffs to our right and a twisty, turny, hairpin bends road. One minute climbing then swooping back down. One quick stop was called for at a supermarket but it was very disappointing as it looked like it had been burgled - so we gave up shopping and eventually we arrived in Callafell, or more correctly Comma-Ruga. Unfortunately the railway was between us and the camp site and the lovely lady in the satnav tried twice to take us through a tunnel under the railway with a 2.4m height limit (we are 3.05m). Ignoring her we found our way to the one bridge under the railway with suitable clearance and pulled up at 'Vendrell Platja' camp site. A lovely campsite full of Dutch people and very few other nationalities. It was well tended and spotless. First we set up and had a late lunch. Then washing; followed by a laze around the pool and a swim. A notice at the pool informed guests that loungers could not be reserved by the use of towels and they would be removed. Perhaps that may explain why there are no Germans on the site? We decided to eat at the restaurant, especially after last nights failed meal out. we were pleasantly surprised with a nice meal at a really cheap price. The evening finished sitting out under the stars as the night came in watching the bats flit about while we drank a night cap.