Autoroute going North

This is our first opportunity again since Sanary- wow that was a long time ago! Have sent a few texts via Craig but expect they will appear shortly.
Sanary was one of those campsites that looked pretty grim as we approached it - the pitches were a bit rough and a chappy was trying to mow the grass but there was so little of it amongst the sandy patches that he was really having quite an easy day! But the site had everything else to offer - the warmest loo block with very hot showers, a lovely swimming pool if it were hot enough and the free wifi. Since then, we have had the most beautiful of pitches - by the sea, beside a river and beside 2 very different lakes - but none of them had any internet access, either at the sites or in their towns/villages. Le Lavandou - where the site was just along the coast at La Faviere and perched on a hill and down to the sea - we decided against paying 9€ just for electricity (the site was costing an arm and a leg for overnight anyway! and we were high up on the hill, where everyone else were by the lapping shore. Spent a day out from here, cycling through Le Lavandou and all along the coast on an old railway track above several pretty little coves, two of which we stopped off at for a lie in the sun, almost 11 miles round trip. Then we turned away from the sea and began a slow journey north. We spent 2 lovely days by Lac de Ste. Croix which is a man-made huge EDF lake and stunningly beautiful. The water is turquoise and no motor boats allowed on it. It is surrounded by rocky hills and perched villages. The second night we stayed at Les Salles on the eastern side of the lake - their old village had been flooded and a new one built in the late 70s, very very tastefully. Definitely somewhere we want to return to see more. From there we planned to stay a couple of nights at Digne les Bains (had seen an article in a mag) but although the town looked lovely, the campsite was closed for a very very long lunch and we'd have had to have waited till 4 pm to get in, so we continued along the route Napoleon to Valonne, where the campsite was beside a river and we could pitch right beside it at no extra cost! Also the sun was brilliant and the wind was blowing, so I got a load of washing done and dried within 2 hours. The day that we meant to stay at Digne, was replaced by a visit back to Digne, for a trip on the Chemin de Fer de Provence or le Train des Pignes (pinecones). The line actually goes from here to Nice - a journey of 3.5 hours. We chose to go as far as Annot, 1.5 hours high up in the mountains. Cost, by the way, just €13 each. It was terrific - a little push me pull you diesel railcar weaving its way through narrow gorges and tunnels and passing little villages with names such as St. Andre-les-Alpes. We had just over 2 hours before catching the next train back to Digne, and enjoyed our picnic up a little path in the woods behind the village,beside the "meteors" massive rocks precariously perched on the steep wooded hillside, then exploring the delightful ancient village streets. A very memorable day.
From Volonne on to Lac de Paladru, north of Grenoble and east of Lyon. A small natural lake this time, and we were the only tourers there. Others were fishermen who were up bright and early this morning despite the ground frost and out on their boats. All looked very tranquil. And so we move on northwards, today finding an autoroute stop with wifi at a reasonable cost. But time is now running out, so till next time ...
Love to all and thanks for messages.

While at Cassis

We have discovered that we have free wifi at this campsite at Sanary-sur-Mer, so have had time to put on a few photos from the last couple of days. They are of our stay in Cassis, the second and third pics show our long walk to the calanques (inlets) on Sunday, and the last is us after a ride on the petit train on Ann's birthday!

Cassis and Sanary-sur-Mer

We arrived on the Med again on Saturday - this time at Cassis, a beautiful small town tucked behind Marseilles. Lovely campsite so we decided to stay for 3 days. There was one drawback, it was half hour's steep climb up from the harbour and we did that each day! The sun just didn't stop shining the whole time, so we took advantage and spent Sunday walking ... and walking ... the paths take you round several stunningly beautiful inlets and we followed one down into a pretty sandy cove for our picnic lunch. This was Sunday and we are in France, so we had to share the beach with tout le monde! There was quite a lot of uphill involved and it was very rocky and then once back into the town, we still had the climb - not surprised when the GPS told us that we had walked 8.6 miles! The whole harbour area of Cassis is lined with restaurants spilling out onto the quai - on Sunday they were packed to the gunnels, so it was really lovely to go back down there yesterday and have a great birthday lunch at La Veille Auberge with people about, but not packed. So apart from the climb, we spent a very enjoyable lazy day. This morning the clouds had come up and its quite chilly with the odd shower. We've moved a little further along the coast to Sanary-sur-Mer to a slightly scruffy campsite, so will only do one night here. Have come down to walk along the sea front and harbour here - it is lovely but would look so much better if the sun was shining. Forecast for tomorrow is much warmer.
Shame about the snow back home - keep yourselves warm!

Aix en Provence

Left the Luberon yesterday and drove south to Aix, stopping during the day at Roqufavour Aqueduct. This is not Roman, only built in early 19th century, but it is an amazing construction with 3 tiers of arches spanning a huge valley. It was built to carry drinking water to Aix. Not only did we view it from below, but we followed instructions in our Green Guide on a walk to the top level. Turned out to be 2.5 miles up to a very very windy cliff top overlooking one end. An enjoyable walk but it was a bit scary on the top! Today we are exploring the town - came in by bike from the campsite then parked them as things started to get busy around us. Been for a trip on the petit train to have all the interesting buildings and fountains pointed out. A lovely place on a very busy sunny day. We ate our picnic in a little park (Parc Rambot!) along with hundreds of students doing what students do in their lunch hour! Now we are making our way back to our bikes - hope to find them again and in one piece, to ride by the river with the possibility of another geocache hunt - if we have the energy. Aiming for the coast again tomorrow. Good to receive some comments - many thanks.

The Luberon

Our first oppotunity to put on a bit of blog ourselves since the weekend. At Bonnieux, a beautiful ancient town on a rock - like lots of them round here. All stunning scenery. Went in search of a geocache here this morning - we went up hills, old cobbled sreets, steps till we realised the first clue was right near the bottom - still carried on and found the other clues up where we had already been! Found the 'treasure' right on the top, having walked about 3 miles! Great views and then came down lower to a super pizza and free internet access.
Lot to tell you about other days in between, but we think the cafe may be closing!

Brilliant stunning sunshine! Explored Gordes, another village perched on a rock. Very scenic. Also village of Bories. Dry stone vaulted dwellings from 200BC.