Sunday, February 20, 2011

Marseille to Montelimar

After a few relaxed days in Marseille we packed up and started journeying north to Portes En Valdaine just outside of Montelimar. 


Our best campsite on-route to Valdaine. Another stunning sunset.



This is the beautiful home of the lovely Thomas and Marion. They were unbelievably hospitable putting us up and taking us out to some local gatherings and showing us some amazing sites.


Such a stunning setting.


This amazing rock formed a perfect crater like ring and has popular but dangerous walking tracks all around it.


This was a lovely local brewery Thomas took us down to see.


The brewery was closed but luckily the local store sold the brew and we managed to enjoy some beers in the sun.


David taking some snaps out the car window.

Many thanks to Thomas, Marion and family for feeding, entertaining and transporting us.

From here we head back south.

Thursday, November 4, 2010

Marseille

After getting stuck in the industrial wasteland we managed to catch a train the last few km into Marseilles where we met our amazing couch surfing host Diane. A big thank you to her for taking us all round the city and to all the beaches.




No idea what this is. Pretty though.


La calanque du Sugiton


The cliff jumping here was amazing the biggest one was pushing 20m high. 


Diane on the right showing us where she was hoping to buy a small house. Right in town there are a few of these little port villages. Top cool.


Looking out at Monte Cristo.


The coast of Marseille




Dave is Top cool uh.


Diane's place as we left. Thanks again Diane. 

The Industrial Coast

Reaching the coast we found ourselves in a horrendous yet impressive industrial area on the outskirts of Marseille.



Willy Wonka's evil petrol factory.


The air was so thick with fume my chest hurt and I started having trouble breathing.


 We think these must have been some sort of petrol refinery.


Yet when you turn around you see young families on a day trip to the beach.


There is something wrong with this picture. I had trouble breathing yet people were sunbathing. Madness.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

The Road to the Coast


Our first pause on the road was this church surrounded by small shrines.


The warm welcome to the church.


Sunflower fields forever.




Check out David's new Lacoste sunnies.


What I didn't photograph was the view of the valley this spot overlooked or the hill we had to sweat up to get here.


Dinner. Cajin chicken, wedges and apple crumble fro dessert. All cooked in tinfoil. 


Sunset over sunflowers. Poetry.


Dave asked me to take this glory shot.


The square in Carcassonne where we enjoyed a beer and listened to two Finnish jazz musicians.
We spent to long enjoying our beer and the music and all the restaurants stopped serving food we ended up asking Mc Donald's if they had any food left after closing. They didn't but KFC did.


The next night we slept in an amazing spot down buy one of the main canals leading to the coast. This is the canal gate at sunset.


Colour.


Beziers, not far from the coast now.


I don't think words can describe the beauty of this shot. There is nothing better in life than a bicycle stacked with fresh bread.


Some thought it impossible but yes we did double bunk in hammocks. Not to mention the breaking into a campground to do it.


Welcome to Montpellier. Still my favorite city in France.


I think this photo sums up the city better than words. Amazing and fun.


Looking back through the historic centre at the entrance to the city.


Space Invader (yes I remembered his name) prolific in Montpellier.






The crash site. Tip for travelers to Montpellier: Don't chase trams on your bicycle.


The damage. Note that the front wheel is not supposed to touch the down tube.  


Needless to say the bike was irreparable (not that we didn't try). Here is Dave's replacement.


Older and smaller but full of character. We were on the coast.


Saintes-Maries-de-La-Mer a nice location for a Gin Fizz.


Good night sleep tight.