MONDAY – 29TH SEPTEMBER 2014

After another breakfast with plenty of fruit, we said goodbyes Sinead’s uncle & aunt – Martin & Joan and their daughter Gillian and her husband Nick and daughter Savannah.

Then off to pack, and we were on the road  just after 9.30am, with a course plotted for the ancient village of Vence, some 30 klm away.  The journey had spectacular views as we wound our way up the steep hills, with Dot clicking away furiously on the camera.  We passed through a number of small villages, one with a castle perched high above the village.

We  made Vence some 1.5hours after heading off and the entrance seemed just like any other town on a steep hillside.   However we entered the town centre and parked and made our way to the Tourism Office, where we got a map and were told of the ancient city part……roman roads, walled city. engraved stones dating back to 229AD.

It was a fascinating walk around the old town inside the wall, and taking in the 28 points of interest.

3 Euros for parking and we were then off to Nice, arriving near our apartment around 2.00pm, BUT NO PARKING NEARBY AND OUR GPS LADY taking a lot of time to come with routes to alternate parking facilities.  After much driving around, we made the decision to head to the Nice Airport and return the rental car and then catch a taxi to our apartment.

We had fun getting to Terminal 2 at the airport, taking wrong turns on a couple of occasions, which necessitated a big loop often through narrow streets to get back to the airport entrance.  Rental cars by the 100s were being returned and collected.  Then our challenge was to find the location of the taxi rank……a number of different directions ended retracing our steps.

We got to our accommodation, after 4.00pm and have a small little apartment with a couch that doubles as fold out single beds.  Dot confirms our Monaco tour booking for tomorrow afternoon and then attempts to connect with Wi-Fi for her various electronics.

We went for a stroll on the promenade, above the beach, which consists of very large pebbles…no sand to be seen!!    The various hotels or restaurants have umbrellas and “banana” lounge chairs or cubicles on their section of quarantined beach.

Did some shopping at the supermarket for breakfast and lunch tomorrow.   Following dropping off the shopping we went out to a Chinese restaurant nearby for our evening meal after no lunch.   The Seafood clay-pot and the sweet&sour shrimps was enjoyed by us both.   The clay-pot had black seaweed, which was very tasty and nutty.

SUNDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER 2014

After a leisurely refreshing breakfast, predominantly fresh fruit & yoghurt, we went back to investigating via the web Air France’s current domestic flight situation, given we are flying next Thursday from Nice to Paris.

In addition we did some work on updating the blog.

We caught a taxi at 12.00 noon back to the Bastille for a BBQ around the pool with the wedding party.  Apparently this day in Irish weddings is more important than the wedding day as everyone looks forward to it, so they can mingle with all the guests in a very relaxed fashion, especially the bride & groom.

The hosts cleaned out  the supermarket of its 30 baguettes and a range of meat supplies.

Michael & John were the BBQ cooks and required about 3 to 4 restocking of the large BBQ to feed the hordes who descended upon the food area once it was known it was available.   Upon completion of the meat cooking, all the bread, salads & potatoes were gone, so John & Michael missed out on the latter.  Just as well we put a sausage & burger aside.  Sinead’s sister was overheard saying “Now what are we going to eat for the evening meal?”

Michael & John caught up with the rest of the family who were on chairs and lounges at the end of the pool.   Gary unveiled his “budgie smuggler” imitation of Tony Abbott, before heading to the pool.

A bocce challenge between the “Fiji Twins” of John G. & Michael Joe against Billie & Michael G.  The 3 set test was keenly fought with Bille & Michael coming out victors 2 sets to 1.

It was a very relaxing afternoon and we caught a taxi around 5.00 and headed to Best Western Elixior Grasse, where we had an evening meal at the hotel restaurant.

The for a bit of reading and TV……Zorro in French, followed by a little bit of Arnie dubbed  in Total Recall…..not the same without Arnie’s gruf voice!!!!

SATURDAY – 27TH SEPTEMBER 2014

Last night we caught up with Gary & Glennis, John & Margaret, following Gary picking us up and taking us to the hotel/mansion venue for the wedding.   A great setting!!!  We also met Michael & Kathy – Sinead’s parents, as well as her sister Charlotte and partner Jamie.

We then went off to a restaurant some 20klm away to meet John and Bille & Pam, Michael & Sylvie.   John somehow got lost and instead of arriving at around 8.00pm like us, they did not turn up until 9.30pm.   Apparently at one stage they were following a man on a motorcycle who was trying to lead them to the restaurant.

A pleasant evening meal was had by all.

At  the hotel breakfast we introduced ourselves to Martin & Joan and their family – Martin is Sinead’s uncle.  We had a very casual enjoyable morning talking to them, before it was time to go and get ready for the wedding.

A bit of a disaster with the taxis, as we were assisting with transport for Mark and Indie, however other taxis were arriving but our booked one.   We went in a taxi with Michael & Bernadette, who had arrived this morning from the UK.   It was a real shuffle, but everyone got there in the end.

The wedding was great….The wedding party looked stunning.   Small polaroid photos were taken of the guests as they arrived and later provided as a gift, in conjunction with a small bottle of whisky/port/brandy.

Michael felt a bit overdressed with a tie, so it was off with the tie not long after the ceremony.  We were on a table with MC Gary & Glennis plus John & Maggie’s four friends we met last night.  It was a great afternoon and evening, with great food, great camaraderie, good speeches followed by dancing inside late in the evening.    The evening air was quite cool when sitting outside and we were all glad of a wrap or coat.

The young ones kicked on, whilst the older brigade headed home via taxis around 12.00 midnight.

The hotel room was not cool despite the windows open, so doona was off / on throughout the morning.  We both arose next morning around 9.15am for breakfast a little bit drained.

FRIDAY – 26TH SEPTEMBER 2014 – GRASSE

We did not have any alarm this morning, so slumbered in bed to near 9.00am

After the Express Breakfast [ juice/hot drink/toast or croissant], we caught the bus into town to explore.

We got off at one of the earlier stops and started with a visit to the  Parfumerie – Fragonard.  It was quite busy with a few tour groups going through the museum and retail area.  In the shop section we tagged onto a tour group who were being given smelling samples of a range of their products.   No purchases made so we moved on.

A  right turn, instead of a left turn led us through narrow descending laneways to a much lower level, necessitating us to climb back up, coming out near the Notre Dame Cathedral.  We could hear singing coming from inside, so we went in to listen.   It was a lady rehearsing, accompanied by the huge church organ, both located on a mezzanine level.   She had a coach down amongst the pews critiquing her efforts.  The acoustics in this stone/masonary church were great.   Dot taped her signing on her phone.

From there we started wandering again, with our next stop the Guy Bouchara Parfumerie.
Dot was able to generate some cashflow to the owners in exchange for some of their products.

Further meandering through the narrow lanes….not wide enough for any vehicles… and we came upon another “Place”    Place Aux Aires with many different restaurants offering their fare in open air seating.   Lunch with a beer, sitting watching the other tourists and locals go about their business is very enjoyable.

We head off to the Tourist Information Office for a range of brochures, then pick-up a free “courtesy” bus that circles the city centre and off to the Molinard Parfumerie for a visit.  No purchases…Dot does not like what is on offer.    Back on the City Circle bus to pick up our bus back to the hotel.  On the bus, we talk to a couple of UK residents from Beverley in East Yorkshire.  He has a cousin living in Perth,   earlier on the day another UK gent had a brother living in Perth also……told them we did not know them.   Successfully found our way back to the hotel.

THURSDAY – 25TH SEPTEMBER 2014 [TRANSIT TO GRASSE]

We left AIX on a mist hanging about the hills in the morning, and headed for the town of
St. Maximum, which has connections to the Romans and Christ.

The Christ connection is that the tomb of Mary Magdalene is housed in the Basilica of Mary Magdalene.    It is a very old church, with a very unique stone faced walls either side of the front entrance.

As we could not find any public loos we decided to have a coffee break, in order that we could use the restaurant’s facilities.

We then headed to the historic town of Frejus [ approx. 80 klm away].  The remains of the Roman Amphitheatre (founded by Julius Ceasar in 49BC) is not as complete as that at Orange.  It is a great amphitheatre, fragments of an aqueduct, a theatre and part of rampart gate remain.   It has been stabilised with massive concrete causeways and stairs and the central ground facility may still be used today for events.

The sea has receded over the centuries, but there are a few traces of the original harbour to be seen.

We walked around the Cite Episcopale, which contained a cathedral and a fortified enclave.

We took the opportunity to have lunch, whilst the Tourism Office was closed.   Michael had an interesting Provencal tart……….large piece of nice bread, which filled the plate that had a cheese base, covered with a mixture of ham, tomato and goat cheese, with salad on the side.   

We then reset the GPS for Grasse, approx 40klm away.    It is a winding road which climbs and falls over a range of cols [hills] up to 350 metres above sea level.  Apart from the stunning views, the descent through tree covered roads was very pleasant.    We did not know much about Grasse and expected a small town catering to the perfume industry, as it is the so called perfume capital of the world.  On examining our France tour book, the population of Grasse is 50,000 and the town is spread everywhere, with 5- 6 storied apartments rising from the sides of step hills.

We arrive at out hotel, which is high above the main business centre and has impressive views.   The room is comfortable, however the air conditioner is required to cool the room, but it is noisy and not very effective.

We decide to have a champagne by the pool, before heading out to a nearby restaurant for our evening meal.    Wood fired pizzas, which overflowed the plates were had in part.   Too much to eat at Mick’Elly….but good with excellent thin pastry base.

Another hot restless night, with the doona thrown off for the majority of the night, until we felt a little cool.

WEDNESDAY – 24TH SEPTEMBER 2014 - [AIX]

Following breakfast – fresh baguette, croissants, brioche, we headed into AIX looking for public parking.  We found some and walked into the city centre, meandering through the laneways and malls.

It was a raining lightly, so wet weather gear was got out for the first time this trip.

It is a bustling city with modern shopping facilities as well as boutiques either side of the laneways.

After visiting the Tourism Information Office we continued our meandering taking photos of the many fountains…apparently AIX has been called “the city of a thousand fountains”.  At the Tourist Office we hear that the Air France pilots dispute is getting close to be resolved…hope so before next week!!!

AIX is still a centre of art and learning and has many museums dedicated to the arts.  Paul Cezanne came from AIX and his statue is very prominent in the City Mall and there is a specialised walk around the city acknowledging different stages / aspects of his life.

We decide to have a sit down lunch at one of the many restaurants…..roast lamb and veggies  for us both…a bit of ruffage needed.   We then head to the supermarket and purchase a couple of salads for our evening meal.

Then back to the BNB for some reading and blog update, as well as route planning for tomorrow’s trip to Grasse.

TUESDAY – 23RD SEPTEMBER 2014 – TRANSIT TO AIX EN PROVENCE [AIX]

We packed up after 4 very good nights with our superb host Edith and she road her bicycle to allows us to follow her in order that we may successfully negotiate the one way lanes/streets and get out of Avignon’s walled city part.

We decided to take the scenic route to AIX, by travelling through the countryside to the attractive village of Gordes perched some 500 metres above sea level on the edge of the “hill-top”.  The village is dominated by a 16th century chateau, with arcaded medieval lanes that wind around the hilltop position.   The views would be stunning on a clear sunny day……..it was very hazy, but still special.

It was market day on arrival and the carparks were filling quickly.  The stall-holders were many and varied…from stalls specialising in garlic, peppers, berries, cured meats, cheeses, clothing, table & bedware, pottery etc.

We wandered through the market then around the village……stunning properties on offer at the Real Estate Agents.  They have a small open air theatre with the cliff face as the backdrop.  A  photographer, specialising in animals of the Artic wastelands had large photographs on display through the village laneways and in the gardens.   It is understandable why Gordes of all the perched villages in the region, attracts the most visitors.

After some lunch, and buying smoked ham and bread for tea we set off again, avoiding on initial GPS instructions to go back the way we came.  Instead we followed the ridge line , taking in the spectacular views.  We went through a number of pretty villages including Murs, on our way to the town of APT, where we stopped and walked through the laneways and then around the old town. It was just after 2.00pm and some shops were starting to open, plus the police we manning the pedestrian crossing, as school appeared to be over for the day.

We continued on to AIX, descending down through windy country roads often encountering groups of club/team cyclists out for a leisurely or training ride.  This was a problem passing, especially with on coming traffic on the narrow roads.   However our route was much more pleasant than the fast motorway.

According to the guide books AIX was founded by the Romans in 103 BC.

Dot was having fun with the car GPS as it would not recognise the BNB destination, though her phone and Samsung Note had the destination as a valid address, despite being free download applications.

We had a little difficulty locating the BNB, but arrived around 4.30pm to see an old three storey mansion set in a large treed area amongst limestone boulders at the end of a 500metre winding drive. 

Our host Dominique helped us settle in and provide drinks including a couple of beers for Michael.  As our bedroom was on the 3rd floor we left our cases in the car.    The property overlooks a nearby motorway, but the glazing is very effective and road noise can only be just heard at the ground level front of building.

We were left to ourselves that evening as the hosts were out, so after some reading it was off to bed, again with a doona too hot to have on.