Where are we now?

About 30 miles south of Pisa on the Tuscany coast, along with lots of Italians, enjoying a holiday weekend. Its busy !!I
I have many posts and photos to upload on our progress, but finding accessible WiFi points is more of a problem than I expected, so they will have to wait. Writing this at the campsite Internet Point which is what I must do in future methinks.

Astonishing Pisa

What a wonderful 2 days we had in Pisa. The site we found is within site of the famous tower so it was an easy stroll on both days to the Piazza de Miricoli where the leaning tower is just part of the group comprising an impressive domed cathedral (Duomo) and an amazing babtistry. Needless to say there were loads of tourists at times but we were able to explore some of the lesser known sites by the river to escape the crowds. We had to have a pizza, in Pisa, just off the square and then back to catch some evening sunshine on the site.

Our Easter Bunny was amazed at the site of the leaning tower.

La Spezia and the bay of poets

A biggish town with a large naval base at the southern end of the rocky Lingurian coast, we stopped just outside for a night on route to Pisa. The area was popular with many English poets as the most romantic village in Italy, Portovenere, is nearby. There is a grotto dedicated to Byron who was a good swimmer and Shelly who drowned near here - not so good. It was liberation day eve, 24th April and also the day that Man Utd beat AC Milan 3-2. Saw most of the match on TV - whilst keeping a low profile!

Cinque Terre - what a surprise

The Cinque Terre is 20KM of coastline having 5 villages perched on the cliffs and connected by dramatic cliff walks, a train and not much else. We caught the train to Riomaggiore and then walked back to Corniglia in the middle of the group (thank heavens for the ecobus for the last half mile to the old centre) which was high up on the cliffs. We lunched on typical foccacia at Manalora and hopped on the train to see Vernazzo, the most photogenic of them all. What a spectacular and scenic day. Stayed the 2 nights outside Deiva Marina on a site which had a courtesy bus to the station and where Rosemary 'bonded' with an old Italian lady - like she does.

Down the Ligurian coast

Left earlyish, for us, on Sunday to make the most of the truck free motorway on our 130 miles to the other end of the Ligurian region. Its was a very 'exciting' drive with literally hundreds of tunnels or viaducts thru the mountains that skirt this part of the Italian coastline. Went straight thru Genoa and made for Porto Fino. Unfortunately there were thousands of others out for Sunday lunch so we could not park anywhere near. Maybe next time.

San Remo first stop in Italy

Sunny and warm - bellissimo. Decided to stay in San Remo for three nights. Excellent site with a sea view and all mod cons. Walked into San Remo past the old mansions and hotels which made the town a popular resort in bygone days. Good sandy beaches and restaurant still line the prom. Had first real Italian pizza for lunch, wandered round the casino (loads of fruit machines) and an unusual Russian church. Very colourful good quality market, bought trousers for Rosemary and a hat for Peter. Climbed up the steep narrow alleys of the old town 'La Pigla' stopping en route for our first cappuccino and cakes. Fine view over the town and harbour from the church at the top. Back by tram for an early meal. Christened the new BBQ with grilled Sea Bass and baked banana with chocolate. Finished off a bottle of Soave, fed the tame blackbirds with grapes and dozed. Freeview box works fine in Italy (provided you speak Italian of course).

Onward to Italy

Left the site at Cagnes sur Mer but the traffic was horrendous, so no chance of parking on the Promenade des Anglais for a walk round the old town. The sea mist was coming in again and it was murky on the A8 out of Nice. Stopped to look down into Monte Carlo from the service station and with the cool mist and previous traffic experiences, we decided to bypass Monte Carlo and Monaco this time. Left France and descended into Italy, the mist dispersed and we quickly found the site, Villagio dei Flouri, at San Remo. We chose a nice pitch with a sea view. Unusual site as it is fully block paved but has lots of flowers and vegetation as its name suggests. A few British motorhomers passing thru, like us, with whom we exchanged experiences on sites and Aires on our ways thru France.

San Tropez to Nice

Drove the 50 miles are so towards Nice along lovely coast road thru St Maxime, Port Grimaud and St Raphael. As we approached Cap d'Esterelle a thick sea mist rolled in and at times completely shrouded the red rocks of the cape. Picnicked on a lay by at the top of the cape and took photos as the mist rolled in and out. Approaching Cannes the traffic became horrendous not helped by frequent road works. The beaches were full of holiday makers and it was impossible to stop anywhere. Same problem in Antibes, we drove round the old walled town but the parking has all been changed, so made for a nearby site in Cagnes sur Mer. Bad sign posting, or navigating, led us up a steep winding hillside again! Disappointing site (for ACSI book) 2km from anything, including bread, so we just stayed one night. Met some Irish caravaner's booked in for 4 weeks!

St Tropez and Pampondelle

It was as short drive from Roquebrune to St Aygulf where Rosemary enjoyed here first French market. Bought a cockroach fridge magnet and lots of fruit and veg and coffee'd French style. On to San Tropez where we found a convenient parking place and wandered round the old port which is now full of very expensive boats. Browsed the pavement artist works and strayed into the old town itself where Peter enjoyed a Grand Marnier crepe. We managed to get separated and spent an hour literally going up blind alleys before being reunited over a (very expensive) coffee. Went to look for an Aire (from the Guide) book which was excellent. Right on a superb beach, the other side of San Tropez, and 200yds from a site shop for morning bread etc. We were the only GB and smallest of the 20 motorhomers overnighting as usual. It was only 5 euro a night, cheaper than the coffee and run by an English chap who was very surprised to see us!

RoqueBrune break

Whilst having breakfast outside we heard some rustling in the leaves and to our great surprise it was a tortoise! We told the receptionist about it and worked out, with a lot of sign language that it was her escaped 'turtle' - she was very pleased to get it back First day without driving we spent in Roquebrune, an old town with a lot of history and its famous red rock as a back drop. Tried to find the restaurant we ate at many years ago but could not really remember where it was or its name. But we had a good meal (menu du jour) and some wine by the old town square, posted Marks birthday card and picked up some bread. Took some photos of the rock and the lake before returning after a relaxing day.

Arrived on the Cote d’Azur

Arrived at the Cote D'Azur on Sunday afternoon having just clocked up 1000 miles since leaving Croft. Staying at a site beside the big rock at Roquebrune which brings back memories of a Eurocamp holiday with the children over 20 years. On that occassion we were in a tent at St Aygulf and were flooded out after a torrential thunder storm - while we were out having a meal in Roquebrune.

Friday the 13th on the Autoroute du Soleil

Stopped for first big supermarket shop at Beaune before joining the A6 Autoroute to bypass Lyon and make some miles due south. After gloroius weather earlier it was starting to become overcast with some drizzle by the evening. Having averaged over 200 miles per day for the last 4 days we decided to have a rest day and stop two nights to avoid the expected busy traffic on Saturday. Found a nice site in the Ardeche on the side of the Isieux valley - after taking a wrong turn and going 4km up a 1 in 8 hill with no way to turn round. Good van test. The site in the ACSI book has only us and 3 other Dutch caravans and has just opened for the season, so a lot of clearing up winter ravages. It would be a lovely site when in full swing with very friendly owners. The nearby village of St Laurant de Pape is a nice strole away and has a boulangerie and chacuterie for Rosemary to drool over. Its me off down to get the fresh croisants on Sunday morning then its off to Provence on the A7/A8 autoroute to complete 1000miles and the first leg. Expecting to find a site with WiFi to make my first post.

Wine Country

Decided to use a combination of A26 to avoid Troyes and then the old N74 to follow the Siene valley south. This is a picturesque route up and down the valley and passes within 2km of the source. Unfortunately it does not pass Dijon as we hit the outskirts of the town in the rush hour. However it is the start of the Grande Cru wine route and we passed through some places we had 'drunk before', then spent the night in Nuits St George region on campsite that was part of the Chateau Pressey Primieux domain. The wine was pretty good too and only €4 from the site. Met a British couple with big caravan on their to way to Provence for the first time. Walked into village to stretch our legs and take a few photos. Interesting remnants of Easter festivities and offerings to the 'wine gods' for a good harvest. A lot of activity all around trimming and tending the vines.

Next stop Soissons

We headed south down an almost deserted A26 before leaving it to find a lunch stop on the Somme. This we did in Perronne picnicking in the town centre on the river, where Rosemary bought some frites from a 'Frites Van'. Then on to the municipal campsite at Soissins which is obviously a busy transit stop for GB and NL heading north and south. We walked along the river (Ainse) into the old town which was largely destroyed in the 1st war. There are two memorials, at either end of the main square, to the French and British who died in the conflict.

Over to Calais

We had an uneventful drive to Dover, boarded the ferry and left for Calais, arriving an hour later than scheduled, after a smooth crossing. The official Aire de Service appeared to be full but we spotted about 20 French motorhomes on the West Quay and joined them for the night. A lone lady on her way home to England after 4 months in Benidorm arrived later so we chatted about overwintering in Spain, with a dog, before bedding down for a quiet night.

Italy here we come 2007

This year we plan to tour Northern Italy taking in a mixture of history, culture, scenery and of course, lounging about on the beach. Time permitting we also plan to venture briefly into Slovenia and Northern Croatia. We also need to have an overall objective and this year it is - to visit as many countries as possible in the round trip from Calais to Calais. If we include Monte Carlo, San Morino and Leichenstein then we should fit in about 11 on the return leg.

That's the plan but we just have a departure date, 10th April and a provisional return date of 20th June and nothing definite in between. So anything is possible until the insurance runs out in early July.

Watch this space for progress. Not that we plan to spend all our time on the Web, but Peter may find a few hours to spare on a camp site with WiFi or the occasional internet cafe.