However we did succeed in leaving on time and the some fuel and then some food for the next 24 hours and off we went to Pont De Garde which we had wrongly assumed you could drive up to only its all controlled and enclosed in a state park which you have to pay to enter and there was a large queue and this is not surprising as it was a Sunday. So we gave that up and started following the first part of the route and was astounded about the mile after mile of firstly vineyards and then the lavender fields and lastly acres and acres of fruit crops. We went through some really lovely villages and then in to the hill;s. The Official Tour De France describes this bit as hilly and yet there were some steep roads at times but clearly not the mountains in the next few sections we are planning to attempt in the coming days. We stopped for a picnic lunch and then continued on and again, because it was a Sunday, the roads were quite busy with cars and lots motor bikes and many cyclists coming at you from all directions on the narrow and winding roads which we had for about 50 miles of more to pass through. It was an enjoyable journey although the lack of public loos does not help.
We planned to stay outside of GAP as we had found this, what you might call, glamping but actually it is five wooden chalets built in a valley which enables self catering, a good money saver, and although we could not locate it initially we eventually located the very small sign and drove down the bumpy track to a large house with its chalets and fantastic views down the the valley. Mine hosts were a delightful couple and they have clearly a love for this place as the chalet was perfect in every way and there is access to a nice swimming pool although we did not use on arrival as we were a bit tired and hungry and so planned to eat early, although it did not fully turn out that way. Noel started on the photos and blog as having free Wi-Fi was great.http://www.domaine-de-malcor.com/
The centre arm rest box on the Land Cruiser is also a small refrigerator which is ideal for storing foodstuffs, bottle of wine or beer and in this box we had the lamb chops we had purchased earlier the day and they were in perfect condition and we demolished them with a glass of wine and then went on to watch a film about the life of ‘Eddie the Eagle’ which actually was very good and quite fun and although I did not know much about him except he was ridiculed quite badly but you have to say for a guy with little or no support he is a person who you have to say ‘never gave up’ and eventually claimed the longest jump ever achieved by a British Ski jumper when considering the British Winter Olympic management would not support him. This film is worth watching.
And so to bed and we think we stay a third night against the two we have booked as its such a nice place and for for £65.00 the price is unbeatable.
