3 week hols in Europe!

[(RIP) Johno23]

You don't realise how big Provence is until you try to cross it on minor roads,and after an hour you've barely moved on the map
So we got onto the A8 which runs East to West across the region.This was all going swimmingly well until just after Frejus when despite the weather being very warm and sunny, the wind picked up!!
Now when I say "picked up" I mean FUCK ME did it pick up. Not sure if this was the famous Mistral winds but we had a 50mph Northerly wind gusting to 70mph which effectively was a huge right to left cross wind Which loaded up with tent sleeping bags etc made for a few arse twitching moments along the way.So we decided to come off the motorway in the hope of a little more protection from the countryside than the motorway offered.This and now starting to head South west did help a little,although in the small valleys the wind would just swirl around and come from all directions.
Packed Provence roads as always

We arrived at Sanary Sur Mer around 5.00pm. The wind was still unbelievably strong so I thought " I'm not putting a fecking tent up in this " so we found a very central hotel with its own locked parking area and only 70e inc breakfast so I popped off to park the bike, Rhian checked us in! top result....................until I saw the room
The look on her face said it all. But it was clean! so bollox to it we were staying.I just wish I had photographed it for you all to see.Especially the bathroom suite................Still not sure how to describe the colour.
BUT it did have a decent view from the window

Had a walk round and a beer before going for some Nosh.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

If your ever in Sanary Sur Mer, you have to visit Thierry Rabat restaurant.
Thiery Rabat is an ex pro french football player, played for a number of French clubs by all accounts inc Toulon. The restaurant is Moroccan, the food is fantastic. But the best part of the place is the man himself! He loves his restaurant and his music. He gets the place rocking.
He has a great personality and is very entertaining. We had a great night there.
Anyone know how to post a video from an iphone?

 

[geordie156]

Great report and great pics

 

[Rocky01]

Brilliant...thanks so much for the report an quite excellent photos,

 

[Deleted account 210609001]

I did a runner from a campsite in Sanary in 1985. I still feel nervous about going back there. (It was very expensive, though).

 

[Micky]

Good read, great photo's

Ta

 

[GSGIRLY]

Great pictures and report.. Youve inspired me to venture further next year on my GS. The mountains look fantastic.
Thanks for sharing with us and well done to the Mrs for on bike photo snapping!

 

[Danny88]

If your ever in Sanary Sur Mer, you have to visit Thierry Rabat restaurant.
Thiery Rabat is an ex pro french football player, played for a number of French clubs by all accounts inc Toulon. The restaurant is Moroccan, the food is fantastic. But the best part of the place is the man himself! He loves his restaurant and his music. He gets the place rocking.
He has a great personality and is very entertaining. We had a great night there.
Anyone know how to post a video from an iphone?

Dad, upload vid to youtube in private account if you want then paste the link on here for people to see, can always take it down later.

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Thanks Dan
Now where was I?..................short video of Thierry Rabat, won't bore you with any more, but this guy was great fun.

Robin, what did you do?
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/3h1M0WuVzpQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

Next day, was spent around the Sanary, we checked out and moved to a nice camp site a km from the town centre. 22e for the night and came with rotating toilet seats in the bogs.New to me. You move your hand over a sensor ,then the bog seat roatates around the pan and is washed as it goes..............very strange
So after setting up camp, we strolled into the town for a long boozy lunch of Moules et Frites washed down with a pichet or three of Rose.

Then a stroll around the harbour.

Sky was looking a little threatening,but didn't come to anything.made pics more dramatic though

A wedding was taking place in the centre.

Mrs J then fancied a few biscuits..................8e for 4 fecking biscuits they were my birthday treat..........nice though.

We wandered back to the tent late afternoon, collecting a poulet Roti (roast chicken) bread,wine etc for our evening soiree.
getting a little pissed now

Dived into chicken...................then the rains came and we were forced in to the palatial surroundings of the tent to finish dinner.(this is where the picture quality deteriorates as using phone, and we're slightly
Caption competition for this pic

I spy..........................

And then she was gone..............

 

[(RIP) Johno23]

26 E p/n sounds a little overpriced , how much average price is at most of camp sites down there?
.

Normal price we paid was about 18e a night but on the coast about 22e.These were the posher sites too.Further in land we often pay 15 or less.