Monte Carlo or bust

Since we last gave you an update we've traversed the whole of the Cote d'Azur, raced round the Monaco GP circuit, popped into Italy for a visit, left the Med behind and peaked across the Alpes.  Not much for a few days?  Now up to 3700kms, whew...

So we've seen lots of coastline which is properly rocky and has tiny beaches.  Some of the beaches are already getting busy with sun-worshippers, but sharing a 10 metre depth bit of beach for the day doesn't really appeal.  We have stopped a few times and chuckled at the madness of it all, but not been for a (full immersion) swim.

We stayed in a great camping village near St Tropez and ate salad on the beach as the sun set.  And tried a "typical" Italian campsite, which if it is typical will not be tried too many more times! 

We went to Monaco to try and find some of the GP sights, and they we in preparation for some racing so most of the armco and stands etc were all set out.  Following the course was therefore a doddle and we did virtually 2 laps taking in the tunnel, casino hairpin, swimming pool, start/finish straight etc...  I loved it.  Fran was unsure about the fuss and yelps..!!

Last night we stopped in an Aire in the ski resort of Montgenevre just into France from Italy.  We woke a few hours ago in beautiful Alpine scenery (and 6 degrees), but we wouldn't have it any other way.

The plan was to drive over a few col's and pass through Val d'Isere, but it's that weird time of year when there's still snow around but not enough tourists for the authorities to justify keeping the roads open.  So we can't go up and over and we need to go round!  Grenoble and Geneva here we come.

Other weekend news

Well done Pete - London Marathon in 3:44.  Maybe one day I'll have a go.

And welcome home Bob and Phoebe!

Beautiful Barcelona

Oh Wow, what a city. We had a wonderful two days in Barcelona. The first day was spent doing the proper tourist thing. The unfinished Gaudi Cathedral is just incredible. It has two completely different facades at the front and back. One to celebrate Christ's birth and the other to remember his death. How he had such a vision is completely beyond me! The inside still leaves a bit to be desired but we will return one day to see it finished.


This is a photo of Horace in the mouth of a tortoise who is holding up the Cathedral!!!!


The musical fountains were spectacular - thank you so much for the recommendation Angela (from work!) I just loved them. There were loads of people watching them and a really lovely atmosphere. We stayed for ages. The fountains perform every half hour with music and as the evenig goes on they are lit as well. Such a beautiful location.
Other highlights on the second day included people watching. We saw an amazing drumming group who made a huge noise and danced around a lot with great energy. Also we took a walk to the city cemetry, this is a huge a beautiful place with family graves piled 7 high in places. Not everyone's idea of tourist attraction but the kind of place I always find interesting.

Return to France

We've now left the hustle and bustle of the big city and are cruising along the mediterranean coast, ultimately towards Monaco.  So far we've made it almost to Marseilles.  And Ronald is providing a good service again this morning.  Satnav has picked some very small roads for us, which can be a bit of fun, but a little un-nerving at times too.  Spent last night in a really nice campsite near Nimes(ish), which was strangely full of brits - we haven't seen too many on the trip so far.  And I went for a little run in 28 degree heat!
Best let Fran have a go now, speak soon!

Barcelona

Excellent free bus service - took us about 40k right into the centre of Barcelona, and then picked us up again, two days on the trot!  First day was St Jordi / St Georges which is a big celebration here because of the large English population...  Actually he's the patron Saint of Catalunya, and they actually celebrate rather than us rubbish brits.  So Friday was a mad day in the city with flowers and books everywhere.  And people - everyone seemed to be in town for the day.

Undeterred, we went sightseeing and started at Sagrada Familia, nuts and how it will ever be finished is beyond me.  After lots of walking we went underground (metro) to save Fran's legs and flitted around other sights and sounds of the Gothic quarter, the Ramblas, magic fountains and other bits including the parks full of people and parties.  Day 2 we went to the beach bit and enjoyed a really hot saturday.  Having walked a fair bit on friday I was planning on letting fran off on saturday, but I think we actually ended up walking further!  Oops.  There'll be a few days of low activity to follow as we cruise along the coast.

We took a drive out this morning to get some LPG for the van - only a 50 km round trip but oh boy what an adventure. Spain is mad! The roads are crazy and the views are quite something else. We are going in to Barcelona on St George's day which they appear to celebrate by exchanging flowers. So on every street corner there are people selling flowers (and if you're not in to flowers then it seems to be books!). I also noticed all the catalan flags. So many of the balconies have them hanging over the side. They are a very strong red and yellow stripe. All very colourful. I think we might see some interesting sights in the city today!

I should have listened more at school

So since I wrote last I have had my first real day of sabbatical leave and what fun it is. I did spend the first couple of days working out what time it would be in England and what everyone would be up to at school! Life on the road is fun. You never know at the beginning of the day where you will end it. We woke this morning in a carpark in a small corner of France and we are now in a huge campsite by the Mediterranean sea. This campsite has every sign in six languages. I was so impressed to hear the Spanish receptionist check in the lady before us in French and then turn to us and say hello and ask us how she could help us. I say impressed but also jealous. I have managed my first real interaction with a petrol station assistant (without Mark). She took me off into a very strange office to pay and then our card would not work so we did a bit of shrugging and I seemed to do a good makaton sign for cash so she smiled as I went away a returned with a 50 Euro note.
Hunton and Horace are behaving well although Hunton is very jealous that he is not coming to Barcelona tomorrow.
We have just booked in to this campsite for 3 nights. I think that is the longest we will have ever camped anywhere in the world! (That makes it sound like I am a well travelled person!)
I'm off to bed now but will add some photos in the morning! Good Night