Avignon (day3), Provence–Alpes–Côte d'Azur

Being near to a river means you are prone to an early morning mist. That is exactly how our day began. But it soon disappeared and we decided to hand wash some more clothes whilst we had the use of a deep sink and clothes line.

Chores complete we took the small boat across the river to the city walls. The boat is free, so therefore popular. With no need to rush we walked the streets of Avignon, and visited the indoor market where we saw the biggest assortment of cheese ever, the photos are just a fraction, and John bought some omelette herb mix from another stall.

Once again ate lunch in the gardens and visited the Palace of the Popes.

Whilst in the town centre we could smell the familiar scent of a Lush store. Poole where we live is where Lush have their H.Q. 

We stepped into the shop and we're greeted by Mary. A very pleasant enthusiastic sales assistant. When we told her we'd come all the way from Poole she was delighted. We felt like celebs. After chatting for a while and telling her we knew one of the managers at Lush, who she also did, it was time for a selfie. Mary, we will no doubt mention you when we talk of Avignon in the future. This is our third night now on the campsite. Each evening our neighbours change. Margery appears to be parked in the German section. Tomorrow we are leaving Avignon and heading down to the Mediterranean coast. The weather in southern Spain, where we are headed, looks a little unsettled until the weekend, do we are in no rush to arrive there.

A beautiful evening to end the day. A peach of a sun lights the city as it slides away. We watch it from the river bank. Beautiful Avignon. We are so glad we returned to this interesting and stunning medieval city.

Avignon (Day 2), Provence–Alpes–Côte d'Azur

Yesterday lunchtime 27c. Lunchtime today 17c. This morning when we awoke it was raining a little, so we wound out our awning to give us some extra shelter. The forecast was for dry warm weather to arrive about one o'clock. So Angela hand washed some clothes and we put them on the line as soon as the better weather arrived.

Then a walk into town. There was no need for us to rush. We have seen all the sights here.

It was nice just to leisurely stroll along the streets, stopping to buy lunch which we ate in the gardens down near the tourist office. Before we left the campsite we booked on for another night, so we'll now be leaving on Wednesday. We are in the south of France now. We have already decided that we may not have time to visit Portugal. But that's O.K. This is not a 'how many miles can we clock up holiday', it's just about being in Europe, enjoying the sunshine, revisiting old and new places. So at the moment our destination is Southern Spain. Another beautiful evening this evening. The sun as it lowered in the sky lit the citadel. The view across the river towards it is something we always relish. Disappointingly the pizza van did not open.

We are not sure why? Yesterday we were told it opens every evening until 11pm. So it was back to Margery to eat yet another salad. How much cous cous is too much cous cous? Angela feels she may have had her fill. We've eaten it everyday since we last Wednesday. The campsite is very busy tonight. There are some very large motorhomes here, almost like small coaches. But we think a smaller van is better. Easier to drive. Easier to park. And plenty large enough if you pack well. And definitely easier to clean. We can't compete though with some people. One man after polishing his motorhome proceeded to use a paintbrush to clean his engine compartment. Some people just  have too much time on their hands.

Avignon, Provence–Alpes–Côte d'Azur

As always a Saturday night stop in a car park in a town gave way to a disturbed night's sleep. Shouting and loud music. A long time ago we decided to avoid these stops on a weekend. Why on earth didn't we stick to our plan? The annoyance of the night gone we woke to a beautiful morning. Today we were off to Avignon hoping to arrive early afternoon.

A pleasant drive took us along roads that passed through medieval villages and criss crossed over bridges that spanned the Rhone river.

However we didn't expect a stop of an hour in traffic in a riverside town that was hosting a carnival. After a while of waiting Angela needed the loo. With en-suite facilities on board she was sorted. Soon after back in her driving seat she noticed two policeman talking to the driver of a car two back. Fortunately they were checking people weren't on their mobile phones, not indecently exposing themselves whilst perched on their boxio loo.

Avignon as some of you will remember was where we rested up on a campsite for a week for Angela's knee to heal after she came off her bike. This time we are settled on the towns four star Municipal campsite on a pitch amongst the trees, with electrical hook up. 

Living the dream Margery. We have been looking forward to returning to Avignon and were soon ready to walk out. Soon after Angela tripped on a raised area on the pavement landing on her already damaged knee and face planting the ground. She's such a liability. Not too much damage done we continued with our walk along the river and down to the bridge. The 'pizza guys' we're still trading and we stopped to buy coffee and Moroccan tea. After nearly eighteen months they recognized us. ' How were we'? We paid for the coffee, the tea was on the house. Tomorrow evening we arranged to return for a pizza. We are staying on the campsite for a couple of nights. Oh the joy of hot water and flushing toilets.

Saint-Cyr-Sur-Le-Rhone, Rhone-Alpes

At the aire last night a large six-wheeled German van set up his satellite receiver on a stand, and arranged his plant pots near to it. Talk about home from home.

That's the great thing about aires, always something entertaining happening around you. Joking aside, this aire had been perfect. Beautiful view, nice clean on-site toilet and relatively quiet neighbours.

By the time we departed this morning, just before nine, early for us, at least half the vans had left. Today promised to be yet another scorcher, and by ten after we'd stopped at the supermarket and the Decathlon sports shop it was already 18c. We'd planned a shorter day driving, but our drive over the hills of the Rhone-Alpes was both beautiful and slow. Along the way, at La Clayette, we stopped to look at the chateau de Bourgogne.

It looked stunning, backdropped by a picture postcard blue sky. Soon the pine forests and pretty villages gave way to a fast 'A' road that swallowed us up. As we approached Lyon the signage confused Angela and she took the wrong road. Of course we then had to drive miles out of our way before setting Margery back on course. We have driven through Lyon before. It is busy, congested and chaotic. Eventually the city released us and we found ourselves a couple of miles south just outside the town of Vienne.

Since two, we have been parked in a riverside carpark. The impressive Rhone river silently edging by.

River cruise boats glide elegantly past, whilst men on jet skis and motorised surf boards which emit a sound like an angry wasp, annoy us. By six-thirty the noisy revellers left, leaving us to take stock of the day and plan tomorrow's drive to Avignon. It feels strange to be parked right by the Via Rhona cycle path. We can hardly believe we cycled along here just seventeen months ago. Today the cycle path has been very busy with tourers, and we feel a little envious. It is very hot now, 25c, so once again we will aim for an early start tomorrow, as we're sure the cyclists will want to as well.