Cannes to Italy

Sunday 24th January, 1982                     fine and cold.

Camping in the Street in Cannes

A restless night, not the quietest of streets.  Rose about 8:30 a.m., and when John returned from his early morning walk with news of the town we decided to go to mass after breakfast.  Walked up the small narrow streets to the tune of the bells calling everyone to devotions.  Stopped at the market on the way to buy tomatoes, 1F.20 a kilo and wandered through rows and rows of spring flowers, then off up many steps to the church.  Nice church - lovely service - then out to find John and kids waiting, so off on our way to Grasse - the perfume centre - a good road took us up the mountains to "la Parfumerie Fragonard"  for a tour.

We learnt it takes 1 tonne of blossoms to make 1 kg of essence.  Sandra learnt that soap is made from Whales fat (never going to wash again) - was a quick tour, but interesting - bought five cakes of French soap for presents - we all smelled like spring when we came out.

Back into Cannes to the beach front for lunch, then around the beach drive to Cap-d’Antibes of Robbins fame.  And then to Antibes - these are holiday resorts similar to Church Point - lovely homes on the waterfront.  It is a beautifully sunny day - cool but pleasant.  The spring flowers are lining streets and gardens now.  From St Maxime onwards, we have noticed the pansies and flowers.  Eucalyptus trees again in evidence here.  At the market we saw Australian wattle for sale per bunch.? Would be pleased.

We are now at a Marina in Antibes to free Park for night about 11 p.m.

Monday 25th January, 1982                     fine and cool.

Free camping on the Antibes Marina.

I woke early ready to find hot showers open, oh boy, what a luxury.  Cost five francs but worth every minute.  John did some filming whilst Sandra drove.  The day before we saw a lady in a wheelchair, taking her dog for a walk, well San took John for a walk.  He filmed while Sandra drove. Off up the winding coast road on our way to Nice.  Through La Siesta, C‘Agnes du Mer and at Pont St Laurent we noticed gypsies in their luxurious caravans, Mercedes-Benz cars, fur coats etc on the side of the road.  Stopped at a super 3000 to fill our larder - a huge supermarket with Nouvelles Galleries and lots of specialty stores.

In to Nice along the promenade "Promenade Anglais's" till we found American Express - our usual luck too late - gone to lunch - so we set up our lunch, parked in the promenade - supplied the strollers with lunchtime entertainment.  An Australian/Frenchman stopped by the van - he was from Mount Isa and was on holidays visiting Nice, his birth town.  2 p.m. found us waiting for doors to be opened at American Express - good mail drop - 2 from Karen, one from Billy and one each from John Romeril and Beth Kennedy, with her marvellous news re Lucy Kate.

We stayed the night in Beaulieu sur Mer Marina. A good hot shower with needle like rose for 1 franc.  We had met 4 young Aussies in American express.  One young girl was from Mona Vale - the newsagent’s daughter.  They were all from Sydney.

Rae received two letters from Jenny, Sandra one from Jenny Watson, Jan and Marie and Marsdens.  All were pleased but Sean - but Marie explained how mixed up she was in geography.  A hot shower and into bed after writing a few last French letters.

Tuesday 26th January, 1982                     fine and mild.

Up about 8 a.m. after a good sleep - had another needle sharp shower - beautiful!  On then to Monaco.  On the way here we noticed houses way up on the hill with the only access a monorail straight up.  Coastline is very winding - the Med - very blue and quiet.  On through Cap d'Ail to Monaco.  

Monaco

We found a Park in the Marina with Prince Rainier's yacht nearby, and explored the 180 ha - it is very hilly - three towns built on different levels.  

Monte Carlo up many stairs on the left.  La Condamine  the port area and Monaco the Palace - an impressive pink plain stone building on right head land. 

We sent our mail so all would have a Monte Carlo stamp - then sat outside a cafe, and had our morning cafe au lait.  Then back to van for lunch, and to rinse some undies.  We haven't any clean, not having had a camp since Mus.  Was hanging undies on a little mini line when the police doing their lap of the Marina stopped and said we could lunch but couldn't stay after 7 p.m.  Well, we knew that but we had met people who had stayed, but mostly in unobtrusive Volkswagens.  Our Advanturar is far too big.  John brought Sean back a letter from Brett.  So he was happy, said I had some but they wouldn't give it to him. So up Sandra, Rae and I marched at 2 p.m.  Up stairs and hills - to receive a newsy letter from Eileen.

Did a little shopping.  Then off to Mentone where we are now to stay the night - then tomorrow into Italy.  Buongiorno Italia - au revoir Francais.  Rachelle is a lady today.

Cannes to Menton, France

Perpignan to St Tropez, France

Wednesday 20th January, 1982                fine and sunny

John rose early and put out the washing, a bit of luck it will dry enough to get on our way.  The camp site is incredible - no hot water and squat toilets.  It is a permanent camp.  So we were only tolerated - but we were allowed to put our washing out to dry, thank goodness.

After breakfast we clean the van inside and out, have lunch and on the road by 12:30 p.m., with most of the washing dry.  Drove through Narbonne and Beziers on to Agde, where we tried to find a hot shower, but no luck - out to the Port Richelieu, back into town and free camping in a car park beside the river. 

A lick and a promise tonight!!

Thursday 21st January, 1982                    sunny and crisp.

We survived the night okay, slept for some hours at a time which is unusual when free camping.  Was disturbed by the chimes of Big Ben au France.  We arose about eight - John came back with the info of a market around the corner - a place Sandra had suggested we parked for the night.  But as it was on an incline we camped by the river.  Just as well, we could have been sold before we woke up, as the Frenchies usually commence their markets early.

Took photos of a minicar and mini horses.  Walked around the markets, tried the phones -  no go and found a dry food shop and bought 2 kg of bran 43 francs about $.48 - the only trouble was where to store it.  Convert a bucket with a lid as we had no bran container, and then we were on our way.  

Passed through Sete, a large small ship Harbour and on to Le Grande Motte, a rich man's resort, with the most unusual architecture like something out of the future, huge concrete buildings, with unusual windows, roofs and wings.  John got lost and took a while to get on to the highway again.  On then to Porte Camargue; all with their beautiful yachts.  Whilst in this Camargue-Languedoc area, we made a tape for Tony and Karen, much nonsense and laughter.  This area is noted for its pink flamingos and white Camargue horses.  It is on the Rhone River.

We lunched in the grounds of the giant Casino hypermarket.  It was monstrous, the casino I mean, not the lunch.

In the PM we visited Aiges Mortes a walled city built in the year 1248 - we walked around the city. It functions just as the village today with a square, homes and shops.  Wine seems to be one of the major products of this area, also salt.  Huge mounds of salt lined up side-by-side beyond salt beds.

Aiges Mortes, France

On over good roads to Mus, where we have all had a lovely hot shower.  Slept well.

Friday 22nd January, 1982                       fine and sunny.

Awoke to a lovely fine day.  I had washed the night before, and they were nearly all dry.  We can't get over the weather - cold in the morning and lovely during the day - chilly at p.m.  A little camp manager put it over us for three francs.  We told John not to feed him good wine - he would think we were Rich Aussies.

Pont du Gard, France

Off on the good roads to Ponte du Gard - a fantastic Roman viaduct 275 m long and 48 m high.  We all walked across. It is a marvellous work. 

We left there and continued to Avignon - a walled city, where the Pope's lived from 1309 until 1376.  We didn't go inside, but it looks as if they lived in opulent splendour.  Modern city has been constructed side by side with the old.  We lunched in the car park.  Saw a real modern toilet.  It will give you music while you wee.

Back on the road to Aix-en-Provence,  through flat Vineyard country.  Coming along one nice straight road, I waved to this fellow, he blew his horn and passed us - then flagged John down and introduced himself - an American with an Australian wife? Gave John a present with fast talking, and before we could say Jack Spratt had given John all these clothes and said now I want money for a bottle of champagne - no said Sandra and hoisted all the gear back to him and he drove away as cross as could be.

We found the "camping Chanticler.", and then caught bus into town, three Franc ride, walked around saw a demonstration, police and Sirens everywhere, had tea at a Quick hamburger joint.  The boys and Rachel had a crepe, while waiting for the bus.  Sandra brought Rachel her first bra tonight at Monoprix - our little girl is growing up into a 34A. looks good too.  Home to hot showers and writing, then bed.

Whilst in town we ran into a demonstration and police were whizzing around with three police cars and bikes.  We saw 12 at once.  Aix looked a nice town, but we must press on.

Saturday 23rd January, 1982                    fine but icy.

Woke to a heavy frost - very cold, nice when the sun came out, a little later.  On to the highway which was quite a good one, and on through Maximin and to turn off to St Tropez.  Dreadful winding way over the mountains on a narrow bumpy road, who the heck traverses this road to be trendy and visit St Tropez.  At last, through Le Gard Friemet and Grimard to St Tropez, which was a big big disappointment - we lunched in our usual spot - the casino car park, then into St Tropez - what a dull, grotty town. 

Saint Tropez, France

Even John was disappointed, and we travelled miles along a narrow road, and still didn't find the beach.  Returned to highway and off to Porte Grimaud which was supposed to be built like an untouched Italian fishing village.  Another disappointment!  St Maxime along the coast was lovely - clean and nice buildings and a nice town.  On then over the mountains to Frejus where Sean photographed a glider pilot with an engine going over the supermarket.  On then over revolting highway to Mandaleux and into Cannes.  To find a decent free camp, that is the problem.  At the moment we’re parked outside a hotel.

I took Rae to a toilet in the Park.  It was closed - all except the urinal, and we think we ran into a drug drop.  It was weird - all these men standing around pretending to use the pissoir.  Even John wouldn't use it.  Here the men and women all use the same toilets.

Friday night was very cold.  So we have to put our winter clothes to the fore.

Perpignan to Saint-Tropez, France

Barcelona to France

Monday 18th January, 1982                     raining but mild.

Awoke to the resumption of takeoffs.  Hot showered and headed for the super Mercado "Carrefour" to stock up on food.  3400 pesetas for so much, plus four bottles of Romeral plus one bottle of red and one bottle of brandy.  Butter 491 pesetas - 1 kg of yoghurt 22 pesetas, fruit and veggies cheap.  Then into the city to find a Park - impossible and petrol is low.  So here we are parked in the street.  Traffic buzzing by.  Sean and John caught a taxi in to Correous for mail.

They have just arrived back from a hectic trip in. There was no mail for us -2 for John.  Cost them $10 in taxi fares - couldn't tell the driver the name of the street for return journey.  Anyway on the road after lunch, along the Autopista for a few kilometres.  And out to the coast.  Left the coast road and headed for Girona and arrived at transit camping at Figueres about 5:30 p.m. very tired - John does a good job driving.  It was a long drive today.  It's goodbye Costa Brava tomorrow.

Camping El Freoca is only a transit camp but handy to the town and reasonably clean.  We walked into town after tea - through the square and up to a bar.  Had a cafe con Leche, and as we were about to leave, it started to rain again and didn't it rain - the streets were like rivers.  When it eased we started off, leaving Sean and John behind for another brandy and coffee.  We were quite wet by the time we made it back to the camp.  Being on the hill it was like walking up a river bed.

Tuesday 19th January, 1982                     overcast

Left the van and washing at el Freoca and walked into town to see Salvador Dali Art Gallery.  It is a surrealist Gallery.  The square out front was incredible - these monstrosities called art.  A tall column with old TVs and a head on top - columns of old tyres - he sure is a way out artist.  The kids had hysterics - Sean’s wry wit was well to the fore. 

He may have been a great artist had he not been a bower bird to collect wash basins, tyres, spoons and old cars and made them into a mass of junk.  He certainly inspired a debate back home.

Packed up and on to the Autopista and on our way to Perpignan in France - arrived about 4 p.m. after an uneventful crossing of the Pyrenees and the border from Spain.  Found a laundromat and commandeered three machines to catch up on our backlog - due to the rain.  Spent three hours there, but only dried the towels and pillow cases.  Found a camp in town after having tea in the Park, off a line of peak hour traffic.  The odours from our van must have stimulated some driver’s taste buds.

Barcelona/Figueres is Catalonia country.  They have their own flags on their products, and even their own spelling - a breakaway like the other side of Spain-the Basques.  The Gardia Civil were in evidence more than any town we have visited.  We are rather sad to leave Spain - had a lovely 40 days - love the people, weather and the country.  Bye Spain hello France.

Barcelona to Perpignan, France