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squiz Member Member#: 6644 Location: Registered: 27-05-2007 Diary Entries: 3688 |
2nd October 2014 Mt. Biking: Avignon Wind Direction: Wind Stength: Surf / Sea State: Air Temperature: Sea Temperature: Weather: sunny Max Speed: Distance Covered: 12 (Nautical Miles - unless stated otherwise) Thursday 2nd October – travelling, bike ride **** 12 n. miles - sunny We woke up quite early and did our exercises as the sun came up – beautiful sunrise:) Didn’t rush off from our spot on the heath above Lagnes and spent the morning relaxing, reading and knitting! Packed up and drove through Fountaine de Vaucluse and up to the Saumane de Vaucluse Chateau. We could have gone up there as a detour on our bike ride yesterday but are glad we didn’t because it was a huge hill up and the chateau was closed and you couldn’t really see it very well either. On through L’Isle sur la Sorgue where we stopped at the Super U to get a new battery operated toothbrush as ours gave up yesterday. Through La Thor which looked big and not very intriguing and finally to Avignon. Neither of us are keen on big cities but decided that if we parked on the outskirts on the river Rhone and cycled in to have a look at the famous bridge and cathedral it might not be too bad. Trying to find somewhere to park we drove through Villeneuve les Avignon just as lots of 4x4 vehicles driven by women were setting off on some trek or other – there must have been 30 or more cars all blaring their horns and women waving. A commentary was being carried over speakers and it all appeared to be a well sponsored and organised event – Cap Femina Adventure was the sticker on all vehicles so we must look that up when we get home and see where they are going:) We found a good place to park on the Ile de La Barthelasse – the island between the River Rhone and the Rhone Canal. Had our lunch sitting on the banks of the canal then cycled into the city which is the Capital of the Cote de Rhone. We were there very quickly and saw the famous bridge – Pont D’Avignon, which stops about 2/3 the way across the river - from the Pointe Daladier which led us to the old walled city. After having a look at the river cruise ships moored up along the river bank, we cycled all the way round the ramparts and this actually turned out to be the best part of our trip. When we got back to the Pont D’Avignon it turned out to be 5 euros to walk along which didn’t seem worth it as you could see more from the bank! We also discovered we had left the bike lock at the van so we just went up into the old town pushing our bikes and got to see all we wanted of the small streets. The famous Palais Des Papes was an impressive building and the square it is in was virtually deserted. It is a very strange place in that there are squares with outdoor restaurants just inside the ramparts then nothing joining the bits in the middle except odd buildings and a hospital. Very disjointed. We cycled out and over the bridge we came in on to the Island and along the park which is opposite the Pont D’Avignon. We sat on the grass here for a while then continued a bike path (No. 3) which we found ourselves on. This was really lovely, following the path along the river and through orchards where we pinched a couple of apples! We also found an overnight spot to aim for. Back to the van for our tea then when it was dark went and parked where we sat this afternoon in the park to take photos of the city lit up but it was all rather disappointing:( Hardly any lights at all. There were more lights on one of the river cruises which came in just as we arrived – absolutely glaring with fluorescent green lights down both sides! We walked over into the town and had a mosey through the streets then got completely lost! It was actually a bit scary in places, very dark narrow old streets with a lot of dubious looking people with dogs! Anyway we finally found our way out of the maze to the Palais Des Papes square, took some photos and watched people going into the Palais to see some illuminated spectacular. Walked back via the Pont D’Avignon and took some more photos and watched a Viking River Cruise boat (proud sponsors of ITV drama!!!) cruise right up to the Pont with an accordion player playing the famous song ‘sur la Pont D’Avignon’!!! By the time we got back to the van it was 10.45 and we were both tired out! Drove out into the Island orchard roads to try and find our overnight spot and after getting lost a few times found it and very quickly sorted out and went to bed. Although we are right on the river bank in a very tranquil place there is a main road into Avignon on the other bank and it is pretty noisy with heavy traffic. There is also a pile of shrubbery off-cuts smouldering about 100 yards away from where we are parked. Friday 3rd October – a little travelling, relaxing – sunny Had a good night and woke to the sound of the heavy traffic at rush hour around 7.45. We did our exercises and had breakfast then I chucked some water over the smouldering compost as it was starting to really smoke and flame – don’t think it would have caught light but you never know! Left Avignon and drove down towards the Parc Naturel Regional Alpilles stopping at Chateaurenard to walk up to the chateau then at St. Remy le Provence to see if the Tourist information was open but as ever it was lunchtime! It looks like there is going to be a fete there tomorrow where they run the bulls through the streets! There have also been a couple of bull rings on the way down so you can tell we are approaching the Carmague! The Alpilles are very strange, great big lumps of rock which look as if they have been strategically placed and in some places looking a bit fake! We went through a golf course at one point then up towards the Chateau des Baux which is in one of our booklets as being Provence’s majestic medieval site attraction – a castle which looks like it is part of the cliff. It is certainly impressive from afar through vineyards and olive groves and with a medieval village built just underneath it but as you get closer turns out to be just another ruined castle but with a lot more cars in the car park than we are used to! We stayed in the hills above for our lunch, finding a lovely little niche just the right size for our van and as it was sooooo hot we just whiled the afternoon away sleeping and reading. When it cooled off Mag typed up diary entries for yesterday and today outside. Went for a walk up the road to the top of the rocks to get a great 360 degree view around the Alpilles, the castle and the village. Went for a short walk up there then after a great sunset back for tea. When it was dark we walked up the road again to take photos of the castle lit up. |
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