Day 9 Wednesday 2nd October 2013
According to Tuesday night's weather update on the BBC internet service,a large low pressure was somewhere fairly close, unfortunately my wifi time had run out so we knew no more this morning. The plan had been to head down to Perpignan & then across to Collioure on the coast & spend a few days there before heading northwards.
Fortunately, we had arranged to meet up again with my friend for a morning coffee, so out comes the classic mountain bikes so as we can risk life & limb by cycling the wrong way up one way streets. Oh & before l climbed on board l did get husband to check my handlebars as l really was not up to another wobble & crash ride! Well, so glad that l did as, guess what, the flippin' basket had not been put on correctly so there's no wonder l was having problems steering, nothing to do with the bottle of wine! Vindicated.
I had heard all about the renovations & improvements to No 11 & it was great to see this ancient, as in Renaissance, apartment up & running as a successful B & B. I remember when she moved in, the apartment was an epitome of chic living 1970s style that had remained untouched for, well, years. Mind you there was just so much potential there, wonderful skylights, huge fireplaces, ancient tiled floors & a close proximity to all the sights & sounds of this historic town. Anyway, over coffee all 3 of us checked the weather. Not good. Heavy rain speeding across the south west heading for the Mediterranean in the next 48 hours followed by what looked like the onset of Autumnal weather patterns. What was needed was a change of plan, Husband had read about the Pont du Gard & wanted to see this before the rain hit, so after saying our goodbyes & altering course we set off aiming to do an overnight stop on a coastal aire du camping car near Sete,
The drive took us via the autoroute towards Montpellier, the closer we got to the sea, the busier the roads became. Eventually we turned off the A9 & headed towards Adge & then along the narrow piece of road, La Corniche separating the sea from salt flats & lagoons. The landscape was not exactly inspiring though the sight of flocks of pink flamingos was rather exciting.
The planned overnight stop turned into a bit of no go. For those not in the know, aires are overnight camping places designed for motorhomes, they may have electric, they usually have water & emptying points, they could be free or you could pay for which services you choose to use. Now, these areas, often car parks, are available for usually no more than 48 hours, you may not put out your awning or take out your picnic tables & chairs. Get the picture? The whole area along the Corniche had been redeveloped, new car parks, straight cycle tracks, new motorhome stop. We pulled into the aires de camping cars, then pulled out. The book said there were parking places for 30 vans. OK, the French were parked up for eternity, spread out enjoying the beach & sunshine, no room for a one night visitor. Nothing like obeying the rules!
So we drove on, all car parks came complete with height restriction bars. Eventually we stopped further along the coast at Frontignan, pulling up on a lay by opposite the sand dunes & beach. It was great to have reached the Mediterranean at last! As to overnight stop, with there being no Free parking, we ended up amongst the pine trees on the Camping Le Parc near Lattes which had the added bonus of 24 hour wifi for 2 euros!
Total mileage = 108 miles
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