-2C and snow in Avignon and Perpignon . . .

For a week we camped under cyrstal clear blue winter skies and so when we arrived in Avignon to the same we were all pretty excited - the only difference here though was that it was really really cold.  The following morning we woke to dead silence in camp and pitter pattering on our roof - it was snowing!  Glenn and the girls have never seen snow fall and so we threw on gloves and hats and ran around the campground like crazy people trying to catch snowflakes as they fell. Fellow campers from the Netherlands and Germany watched us out thier windows - probably laughing and wishing they were further south (they were all trying to escape this weather!).  With tummies grumbling we got back into Swifty and watched the world trying to turn white (even though the snowflakes were melting as soon as they hit the ground).  A break in the weather saw us rug up and walk across the river to explore the walled town of Avignon where it began to snow in ernest.  With nowhere to shelter we just kept on walking, laughing along with the locals who came out of their homes not realizing that it was snowing, and then enjoying it as much as we were.  Avignon was a stunning town with its grand Palace, its winding streets and its walls and ramparts.
From Avignon we drove to Perpignon - deliberately waiting until the weather forecast was a bit better before we hit the roads.  Weather forecasts aren't always correct and halfway to Perpignon we found ourselves driving through snow showers that got heavier the further we went.  Having never driven in conditions like this before, and in a big motorhome, Glenn and I were a little nervous - the girls were just excited!  We made it safely to camp which was only 500m from the beach in Perpignon and where we found ourselves pitched up with our very own private bathroom next to our van.  Sadly it was open, freezing cold and the hot water cylinder was tiny and held only a few litres - on the plus side we didn't have to share a toilet with anyone else for the first time in months!  As we prepared dinner we looked out the window to see that it had begun to snow again - this time it was really heavy and the world outside was turning white.  The girls and I ran outside to take photos, write our names in the snow and throw a few snowballs - Glenn lasted all of 5mins before he said it was too cold and went back inside the van.  The next morning most of the snow had melted in the rain but ice still formed thick coatings on cabins and decks around us.  At the local supermarket we were told that it only snows here once every 10yrs - we had been lucky to see it!

Avignon's weather forecast while we were there.

The view across the river from camp to Avignon.

Walking Avignon's pretty streets - inside the walls.

Catching snowflakes in town.

The Palace.

Catching snowflakes in town.

The view across Avignon from the top of the wall.

Looking back down the river towards camp.

Tilly in charge of the map.

Climbing the ramparts.

Heading to Perpignon as the snow started to fall.

As seen from the front windscreen - the further along we got the heavier the snow fell.
Made for some nailbiting driving.

Swifty with a sprinkle of snow - it got much thicker but it was really late at night and
too cold and dark to go out and photograph.

Not rain but snow falling in one of the camps courtyards and floodlit by the camps street lights.

Taashi leaves a handprint on a park bench.

Snowflakes on our eyelashes.

At the start of the snow falling we stuck our heads out the door of Swifty
and saw our crocs covered - later in the night it was all white.

The following morning we could pick up large sheets of ice . . .

and smaller bits of snow not melted by the rains overnight.

Mountains we hadn't even realized were there were covered in snow.

 

An extended stay in Six Fours Les Plages . . .

Following along the Southern Coast of France from Monte Carlo we drove through the big city of Toulon and found ourselves pulling up at a campground perched high on a hill in a little town called Six Fours Les Plages.  Just the name itself sounded so French.  Sometimes we've stumbled across the best spots to stop just by avoiding the bigger cities - this was one of those times.  Situated in a National Park of some 50,000 acres with a fort, small fishing towns and a boardwalked beach, Six Fours Les Plages looked like a fabulous place to stop for a few days.  Only our few days turned into almost a week when Swifty had a hissy fit and started to chew up 50litres of diesel to the 100km - the maximum it could do - while we were out doing a grocery shop.  And so with the engine straining and sounding really bad we limped back to camp and waited the weekend out until we could drive to the nearest Fiat dealership where they hooked Swifty up to a couple of computers and diagnosed and fixed the problem.  This left us with the weekend free to explore the area, to ride along the boardwalks and to ultimately discover the prettiest little fishing town within riding distance of camp and with a harbour filled with brightly coloured wooden fishing boats called Sanary. 

Rugged up against the cold winds, our ride along the waterfront was fabulous.

In Sanary we came across 20 local gentlemen partaking in a friendly game of
boules alongside the main (and only) road and opposite the harbour.

Just down from the friendly boules game we came across this launch
that dwarfed the entire town.

The coloured fishing boats are a major attraction of Sanary.
Not just for show, they are used by the local fishermen who take
them out regulary and then sell their catch in little stalls upon their return.

These wonderful old carousels are everywhere in Europe.

Despite the freezing winter winds, just before dusk all the local surfers
hit the waves which were rolling in beautifully.  We watched as one
girl ran in with her mates, turned around, and then ran straight back up
the beach with her surfboard.  She then threw her board onto the sand,
sheltered next to the break wall and lit up a cigarette - it was too cold for her!

A cold but still beautiful sunset on the foreshore, Six Fours Les Plages.

 

Taashi turns 12 in Monte Carlo . . .

Taashi wanted to have her birthday in France, somewhere.  We weren't too sure where we would be but when we realized that Monte Carlo was a possibility the decision was made.  Taashi was going to turn 12 in the land of the Rich and Famous.  What girl wouldn't want that!
We found a fabulous campground just a trains ride from Monarco and pitched up.  Still milking our gas bottle for every last drop we managed to make a scrummy vanilla cake decorated with maltesers, stars and gold sprinkles on top of rich fluffy chocolate icing - YUMMY.
The next day we caught the train into Monte Carlo and explored the city for the rich and famous on foot, with a picnic in our back pack and our eyes wide open.  It was amazing - I'll let the photos speak for us - suffice to say we had a fabulous day and found Monte Carlo surprisingly very unpretentious. 

Halfway through this tunnel is the Italian French Border.

Taashi tries out her new Kiwido's.

Happy 12th Birthday.

Make a wish . . .

Looking down the tracks towards Monarco and the snow capped mountains.

Reflections in a Monte Carlo Christmas Tree decoration,

Crossing over to the harbour side.

Esculators take you up and down to the different street levels - it's a steep town.

Tourists are not allowed to walk the streets without shirts on.
There was no mention of whether the locals had to abide by this law or not.

The car park outside Hotel de Paris and the Casino - the middle one is an Aston Martin!

All the girls wanted to see was the Hotel de Paris - tick!

The Monte Carlo Casino as seen reflected in a big disc.

What else would be parked outside the Monte Carlo Casino but a cherry red Ferrari.

Glenn beside his dream car - a Porsche 911.

We knew Taashi was getting taller but his is just ridiculous.

Sitting at the red traffic light in downtown Monte Carlo was a new BMW and a cherry red Ferrari!
Only in Monarco!

Looking across an amazing tiled artwork on Monte Carlo's waterfront.

The harbour with it's obscene launches.

Outside the Casino Fountain.

Looking back through the cherry blossoms - the first flowers we've seen in a while.

Little Optimists sail past a couple of the local maxi yachts, dwarfed by thier size. 

Typical lifestyles of the rich and famous launch, resplendant with silver champagne ice bucket on deck.

The Monte Carlo Christmas Fun Fair was still going whilst we were there.

Marshmallows Monte Carlo style.

Ice skating beside the harbour.

Taashi takes a stationary spin on Monte Carlo's famous Grand Prix track.

Gorgeous old carousel.

Monte Carlo's Grand Prix practice track.

Typical street scape.

Looking down on the harbour from up near the Palace.

One of the many little streets winding around the Palace.

Me and my dream car - aaahhh!

Tilly soaks up the city skyline just before dusk.

European men are really short - as attested by the size of thier doors.

The main road up near the Palace.

The view from the top.

The fun fair on the waterfront as dusk set in.

Of course the streets were specatcularily (?) decorated.

Sunset in Monte Carlo - a beautiful thing.

A Silver Shadow - and not just for show - it was someone's car!

The casino lit up at night.