Three Go Adventuring Again
- Thread starter DBK
- Start date
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
I forgot to mention I saw another snake yesterday evening, another brief glimpse but it was very distinctive because it was black. A bit of research suggests it was probably a Western Whip Snake. I stole this picture off the web. It is normally green and yellow in the rest of Europe but there is a black variant in Italy and Malta. Non-venomous I believe but I didn't try and pick it up as they can still bite!
- Jul 29, 2014
- 862
- 2,083
- Funster No
- 32,603
- MH
- Adria Twin
- Exp
- Had one for 5 years many moons ago. Now starting again.
That first village didn't stand much chance of being nice with a name like that did it.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
The campsite we are at is a great base for walking and mountain biking with several routes starting directly from the campsite.
It had rained overnight but when we woke this morning there was blue sky though with a lot of low cloud down to tree top level but this soon burned off and at ten we started on a circular walk of 7.5km.
We should have learned by now to distrust free campsite maps, even this one, which looked like a copy from the Italian version of the OS. It looked good on visual detail but the first part of the path wasn't described well at all and we had to backtrack several hundred yards and lose a lot of height gained in order to get on the right path. However, once we realised we were following a GR route it was much easier to navigate following the red and white marks. The problem was the map showed the path as a straight line going directly south and there was a track, marked correctly for the start of the walk, which went in that direction. It turned out to be a dead end and coming back we found the GR sneaking off into the trees. This climbed in a zig zag up the mountain, which wasn't shown on the map.
But it was a pretty walk through the trees, if a little humid lower down although it became much pleasanter as we ascended.
As we neared the top we got a good view of the valley we had come down through yesterday after the Passo de Rolle.
At the top there was a font with very cold water and a little wooden refuge hut, which was open. There were a wide variety of flowers, including this lily.
And Common Spotted Orchids in profusion.
The walk was level then gradually descending for about 2km until we were above the local town of Predazzo.
Then it was more or less a repeat of the ascent with a zig zag path down through the trees. The paths had been very recently strimmed but the bottom half of this stretch was overgrown so we not only got wet from the grass but it was hard to see where to put your feet amongst the rocks and tree roots. Our walking poles were very useful!
We joined a road just before entering the town and found wild strawberries growing on the verge. We started eating them which gave Charlie the idea he should try them too. With much lip smacking he decided they were good for dogs and he started looking for them himself.
Not a great photograph as his head was moving so fast as he snuffled around for the strawberries!
From Predazzo we returned to the campsite along a path by the stream. Although only 7.5km long and with 400m of ascent it was still a demanding but satisfying walk.
Tomorrow we will do just a short walk and I'll try and photograph some of the other orchids I've seen in the shrubbery near the campsite. I'll also decide whether to do a long walk on Sunday on my own! I have one in mind but it will be a lot more demanding than today's.
It had rained overnight but when we woke this morning there was blue sky though with a lot of low cloud down to tree top level but this soon burned off and at ten we started on a circular walk of 7.5km.
We should have learned by now to distrust free campsite maps, even this one, which looked like a copy from the Italian version of the OS. It looked good on visual detail but the first part of the path wasn't described well at all and we had to backtrack several hundred yards and lose a lot of height gained in order to get on the right path. However, once we realised we were following a GR route it was much easier to navigate following the red and white marks. The problem was the map showed the path as a straight line going directly south and there was a track, marked correctly for the start of the walk, which went in that direction. It turned out to be a dead end and coming back we found the GR sneaking off into the trees. This climbed in a zig zag up the mountain, which wasn't shown on the map.
But it was a pretty walk through the trees, if a little humid lower down although it became much pleasanter as we ascended.
As we neared the top we got a good view of the valley we had come down through yesterday after the Passo de Rolle.
At the top there was a font with very cold water and a little wooden refuge hut, which was open. There were a wide variety of flowers, including this lily.
And Common Spotted Orchids in profusion.
The walk was level then gradually descending for about 2km until we were above the local town of Predazzo.
Then it was more or less a repeat of the ascent with a zig zag path down through the trees. The paths had been very recently strimmed but the bottom half of this stretch was overgrown so we not only got wet from the grass but it was hard to see where to put your feet amongst the rocks and tree roots. Our walking poles were very useful!
We joined a road just before entering the town and found wild strawberries growing on the verge. We started eating them which gave Charlie the idea he should try them too. With much lip smacking he decided they were good for dogs and he started looking for them himself.
Not a great photograph as his head was moving so fast as he snuffled around for the strawberries!
From Predazzo we returned to the campsite along a path by the stream. Although only 7.5km long and with 400m of ascent it was still a demanding but satisfying walk.
Tomorrow we will do just a short walk and I'll try and photograph some of the other orchids I've seen in the shrubbery near the campsite. I'll also decide whether to do a long walk on Sunday on my own! I have one in mind but it will be a lot more demanding than today's.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Not much to report today, we walked into Predazzo, about 3km, on the forest track on the other side of the stream to the path we walk on yesterday. Predazzo is a nice little town, with good shops and obviously catering for the many tourists who visit.
It started to rain just after we got back to the van but it stopped after lunch so I nipped out to try and take some flower photographs.
Lesser Butterfly Orchid:
Another orchid, the Common Twayblade, not easy to spot as it is green!
Unfortunately, the botanising was cut short by the return of the rain so I had to return, but not before I got a shot of the local volunteer fire brigade practicing.
Tomorrow's plans are all up in the air as the weather forecast is for more rain so my idea for another walk is on hold. If it looks poor when we wake up we will leave a day earlier than planned. We will be heading west, past Milan and Torino then entering France via Briançon, Gap, Orange then down the coast to Perpignan and finally into Spain.
It started to rain just after we got back to the van but it stopped after lunch so I nipped out to try and take some flower photographs.
Lesser Butterfly Orchid:
Another orchid, the Common Twayblade, not easy to spot as it is green!
Unfortunately, the botanising was cut short by the return of the rain so I had to return, but not before I got a shot of the local volunteer fire brigade practicing.
Tomorrow's plans are all up in the air as the weather forecast is for more rain so my idea for another walk is on hold. If it looks poor when we wake up we will leave a day earlier than planned. We will be heading west, past Milan and Torino then entering France via Briançon, Gap, Orange then down the coast to Perpignan and finally into Spain.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Last edited:
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Forgot the Common Spotted Orchid growing on a stump.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
The westward journey continues. We woke on Sunday morning to the prospect of more rain so my idea of a long walk was shelved. This was disappointing but when it rains the clouds come down and cover the mountain tops and not only does this make route finding tricky it also means when I had got to the top of the mountain I was aiming for there would have been zero view, and the view was the main attraction!
So we drove a goodly distance to one of the less popular Italian lakes, Lago d'idro.
This larger scale map shows we are just west of the much larger and considerably more popular Lake Garda.
We are right down at the southern end of the lake at ACSI #2892 which is directly on the lake shore with plenty of well shaded pitches. The altitude here is only about 350m and it was noticeably warmer in the evening compared to our last stop.
Overnight it rained on and off but not heavily, but there was enough noise to wake me so I could close the roof lights which we had left open because of the earlier heat.
The next morning there were still clouds hanging about but the weather prospects looked good.
The sun came out later and cheered things up considerably. This is the view looking up the lake from the shore at the campsite.
A path along the shore took us around the bottom of the lake and over a bridge into Lemprato, a little village well stocked with bars and cafes for its size. We had pizzas at the Bar Pizzeria Cinzia sitting at a nicely shaded outside table. The pizzas were huge, a good 16" in diameter I estimated and overhung the plates.
Two pizzas, half a litre of house red and a big bottle of water €19.50.
After lunch I went to try a get some shots of the birdlife on the lake.
A Coot on what I think was it's nest. There were one or two cootlings in the reeds but too far away to photograph.
Two juvenile Great Crested Grebes. (plus Coot)
A younger GCG with what I assume is Mum. Very young chicks will often ride on their parent's backs.
I couldn't identify this species...
It got Charlie hot and bothered. Here he is in travelling mode with the Endless Breeze fan cooling him down. This is how he has been travelling while it has been hot. He spends 99% of any journey asleep. The cool box is also plugged in and running but it sucks air in on Charlie's side and blows warm air out the other.
So we drove a goodly distance to one of the less popular Italian lakes, Lago d'idro.
This larger scale map shows we are just west of the much larger and considerably more popular Lake Garda.
We are right down at the southern end of the lake at ACSI #2892 which is directly on the lake shore with plenty of well shaded pitches. The altitude here is only about 350m and it was noticeably warmer in the evening compared to our last stop.
Overnight it rained on and off but not heavily, but there was enough noise to wake me so I could close the roof lights which we had left open because of the earlier heat.
The next morning there were still clouds hanging about but the weather prospects looked good.
The sun came out later and cheered things up considerably. This is the view looking up the lake from the shore at the campsite.
A path along the shore took us around the bottom of the lake and over a bridge into Lemprato, a little village well stocked with bars and cafes for its size. We had pizzas at the Bar Pizzeria Cinzia sitting at a nicely shaded outside table. The pizzas were huge, a good 16" in diameter I estimated and overhung the plates.
Two pizzas, half a litre of house red and a big bottle of water €19.50.
After lunch I went to try a get some shots of the birdlife on the lake.
A Coot on what I think was it's nest. There were one or two cootlings in the reeds but too far away to photograph.
Two juvenile Great Crested Grebes. (plus Coot)
A younger GCG with what I assume is Mum. Very young chicks will often ride on their parent's backs.
I couldn't identify this species...
It got Charlie hot and bothered. Here he is in travelling mode with the Endless Breeze fan cooling him down. This is how he has been travelling while it has been hot. He spends 99% of any journey asleep. The cool box is also plugged in and running but it sucks air in on Charlie's side and blows warm air out the other.
Last edited:
scousebird
LIFE MEMBER
I like Charlie's travelling style
Langtoftlad
LIFE MEMBER
- Apr 12, 2011
- 9,416
- 163,706
- Funster No
- 16,024
- MH
- WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
- Exp
- Since 2015
He looks as if he's trying to avoid the fan's draught 
...
...
- Feb 14, 2009
- 1,383
- 3,370
- Funster No
- 5,630
- MH
- Burstner TD700 H L
- Exp
- Since 2008
Is that a Funster smiley on the pizza 
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
D
Deleted member 43219
Deleted User
The ones you couldn't identify are Topless birds. We don't see many of those in Scotland, probably something to do with the weather.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Just caught the Coot family all together.
Speaking of the all together, I've identified the mystery species thanks to @Hilltopper. They are Canoodler toplessii but only one is in breeding plumage, which is what threw me.
Speaking of the all together, I've identified the mystery species thanks to @Hilltopper. They are Canoodler toplessii but only one is in breeding plumage, which is what threw me.
Last edited:
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
We need to buy him smaller Crocs though.
Lovely photos of flora and fauna and food! Charlie looks like he is enjoying his holiday and not eating the orchids!!but loving the strawberries perhaps there is hope for your clematis when you return home!!
Safe travels and thanks for sharing!!
Safe travels and thanks for sharing!!
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
We've reached France! Well, only just, we are a few hundred metres across the border at CamperContact #2350 at Montgenevre and at an altitude of a fraction over six thousand feet. Despite the height it isn't cold (yet) and we are surrounded by mountains on the edge of the ski village. It is a huge aire with space for 220 vehicles according to the signs. With electricity it is €10 a night. We wouldn't need the electricity normally for an overnight stop but the fridge is still very questionable on gas so it is convenient and avoids the palaver of trying to light the fridge.
It was cloudy when I took the photograph but now it is mostly blue sky and the sun is shining on us! The French van on the right is a Rapido, that's us on the left. For obvious reasons we are pointing 180° from the French.*
To get here it was a long flog on the autostrada, which was very busy with trucks probably outnumbering cars at least five to one if not more. The route skirted below Milan and Turin and is clearly a main artery for trucks reaching south west Europe.
I had identified some potentially good aires along the route** which would have shortened the day but with temperatures hovering a bit over thirty and very high humidity we yet again stayed in our air conditioned vehicle and drove to somewhere cooler!
As mentioned previously the plan is to cross France and enter Spain along the Mediterranean coast south of Perpignan and having looked at the map I think we will try and do it avoiding any motorways!
This is where we are, at the sign of the blue dot, so to speak.
*Because our door is on the opposite side of course. Did you think it was a political statement?
**Using the filter on the CamperContact app set to those rated 8 or above still presented a good choice. Without the filter there were too many to choose from!
It was cloudy when I took the photograph but now it is mostly blue sky and the sun is shining on us! The French van on the right is a Rapido, that's us on the left. For obvious reasons we are pointing 180° from the French.*
To get here it was a long flog on the autostrada, which was very busy with trucks probably outnumbering cars at least five to one if not more. The route skirted below Milan and Turin and is clearly a main artery for trucks reaching south west Europe.
I had identified some potentially good aires along the route** which would have shortened the day but with temperatures hovering a bit over thirty and very high humidity we yet again stayed in our air conditioned vehicle and drove to somewhere cooler!
As mentioned previously the plan is to cross France and enter Spain along the Mediterranean coast south of Perpignan and having looked at the map I think we will try and do it avoiding any motorways!
This is where we are, at the sign of the blue dot, so to speak.
*Because our door is on the opposite side of course. Did you think it was a political statement?
**Using the filter on the CamperContact app set to those rated 8 or above still presented a good choice. Without the filter there were too many to choose from!
Last edited:
kcy
Free Member
I can see Charlie looking at you through the windscreen, cute
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Charlie hasn't been 100% for the last day or so and he woke us early and clearly very keen to get outside. Suffice to say the short trip required two poo bags but his third effort would have needed a pump to clean it up. 
I think the problem stems from the lake at the last stop. He loves to play with sticks and stones and when paddling in the lake on our last afternoon he took it upon himself to dredge a large pebble up and he kept putting his head completely under the water to try and pick it up in his mouth. The previously clean water was soon very cloudy and I suspect he swallowed quite a lot of the dirty water - and it is now passing through so to speak.
But I did manage an early morning photograph with my phone. That's us second from the right.
For the first part of the day we drove down the Durance valley. The Durance is a major tributary of the Rhône, which it joins at Avignon and it's source is Montgenèvre itself, where we had spent the night.
We soon passed through Briançon, the highest town in Europe apparently at 1,320m, which looked an interesting place. There are major fortifications either side of the valley here as the Col de Montgenèvre is one of the oldest and most important passes into Italy. Curiously, the French are still guarding the pass as there was a police post just below the aire which was permanently manned and stopping and checking the occupants of all vehicles entering France.
The colour of the river higher up was that unique milky blue which you see from rivers fed from high mountains and melting snow - of which there was still a lot on the highest peaks. We left the Durance at the Lac de Serre Ponçon which is a large reservoir with an intensely blue colour. Shortly afterwards we passed through Gap, which had a busy open air market going as we travelled through.
The last part of today's journey was through the Gorge de Sainte May, which is the sort of gorge for those unhappy with steep drops as we were never more than twenty feet above the river and the cliffs either side, though vertical were not very high either.
Overall, this route today was very picturesque and I can strongly recommend this region of France. Great scenery and not too hot in summer due to the altitude.
We have stopped now at CamperContact #12541, the Ferme de la Condamine near Bresignan. This is one of the best aires we have ever been on. Firstly it is free with a proper MH service point and secondly it is on a lavender farm.
The lavender isn't fully in bloom yet so we only occasionally catch a weak scent from it, but in a few weeks it should be perfect.
The only charge is €3 for electricity, which we have taken due to Mr Dicky Fridge. There is of course a moral obligation to buy something from their little shop, which stocks all things lavender and we will visit it tomorrow before we leave.
It is a France Passion listing and has convinced me we need to join for our next trip to France.
I must add the MH service point doubles as a very good dog washing point. Charlie, who is clearly recovering, managed to roll in something unpleasant while we were stopped for lunch so the first action on arriving here was to give him a thorough shampoo and a rinse down with cold water from the hosepipe.
I think the problem stems from the lake at the last stop. He loves to play with sticks and stones and when paddling in the lake on our last afternoon he took it upon himself to dredge a large pebble up and he kept putting his head completely under the water to try and pick it up in his mouth. The previously clean water was soon very cloudy and I suspect he swallowed quite a lot of the dirty water - and it is now passing through so to speak.
But I did manage an early morning photograph with my phone. That's us second from the right.
For the first part of the day we drove down the Durance valley. The Durance is a major tributary of the Rhône, which it joins at Avignon and it's source is Montgenèvre itself, where we had spent the night.
We soon passed through Briançon, the highest town in Europe apparently at 1,320m, which looked an interesting place. There are major fortifications either side of the valley here as the Col de Montgenèvre is one of the oldest and most important passes into Italy. Curiously, the French are still guarding the pass as there was a police post just below the aire which was permanently manned and stopping and checking the occupants of all vehicles entering France.
The colour of the river higher up was that unique milky blue which you see from rivers fed from high mountains and melting snow - of which there was still a lot on the highest peaks. We left the Durance at the Lac de Serre Ponçon which is a large reservoir with an intensely blue colour. Shortly afterwards we passed through Gap, which had a busy open air market going as we travelled through.
The last part of today's journey was through the Gorge de Sainte May, which is the sort of gorge for those unhappy with steep drops as we were never more than twenty feet above the river and the cliffs either side, though vertical were not very high either.
Overall, this route today was very picturesque and I can strongly recommend this region of France. Great scenery and not too hot in summer due to the altitude.
We have stopped now at CamperContact #12541, the Ferme de la Condamine near Bresignan. This is one of the best aires we have ever been on. Firstly it is free with a proper MH service point and secondly it is on a lavender farm.
The lavender isn't fully in bloom yet so we only occasionally catch a weak scent from it, but in a few weeks it should be perfect.
The only charge is €3 for electricity, which we have taken due to Mr Dicky Fridge. There is of course a moral obligation to buy something from their little shop, which stocks all things lavender and we will visit it tomorrow before we leave.
It is a France Passion listing and has convinced me we need to join for our next trip to France.
I must add the MH service point doubles as a very good dog washing point. Charlie, who is clearly recovering, managed to roll in something unpleasant while we were stopped for lunch so the first action on arriving here was to give him a thorough shampoo and a rinse down with cold water from the hosepipe.
scousebird
LIFE MEMBER
naughty Charlie
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
kcy
Free Member
I'm sure you know but a rice dinner should clear up Charlie's 'runs'
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Hi and Welcome.......
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Charlie says thank you.Hi and Welcome.......
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
We had a really pleasant evening yesterday, watching the sun set and drinking some well chilled wine.
As it got dark a very new moon appeared.
This morning there was more than a hint of lavender scent in the air and when I looked more closely at the flowers they were covered in bees.
These come from over sixty hives in a nearby copse.
One of the best places we have ever stayed at. http://www.campercontact.com/en/fra.../motorhome-parking-ferme-de-la-condamine.aspx
And the farm dog is very nice.
We didn't plan to drive far today but it was an interesting trip - we drove through the Gorge de l'Ardèche which is nearly thirty kilometres long by road. It is well catered for tourists with several viewing platforms or "balcons" from where you can look down into the Gorge.
The sides of the gorge are quite steep in places.
The balcon I was standing on was right on the edge of a cliff like the one on the left.
The river is very popular with canoeists.
These start from Vallon Pont d'Arc at the head of the gorge where there are numerous companies renting out canoes. The idea is you float down the river and are picked up at the bottom and brought back to the start. From a board I saw trips varied in length from 8 to 30 km.
The drive through the gorge is best done in the opposite direction to the way we did it. Starting at Vallon the "balcons" will be on your right so you won't have to cross the traffic as we did to park. Not that there was a lot of traffic and half of what there was seemed to have come from Belgium. Most of the population must be here for some reason. The journey is easy except the first bit after leaving Vallon where there are some narrow unlit tunnels (one with a 3.5m height limit) and fearsome looking rock overhangs where the road has been cut into the rock. But once passed these the driving is easy with no sense of vertigo as the road doesn't follow the gorge edge but is set back and the view is often obscured by bushes. To see into the gorge you have to stop and get out at a viewing point.
There are also numerous campsites at Vallon and we are on one now for a couple of nights. Tomorrow is another laundry day.
As it got dark a very new moon appeared.
This morning there was more than a hint of lavender scent in the air and when I looked more closely at the flowers they were covered in bees.
These come from over sixty hives in a nearby copse.
One of the best places we have ever stayed at. http://www.campercontact.com/en/fra.../motorhome-parking-ferme-de-la-condamine.aspx
And the farm dog is very nice.
We didn't plan to drive far today but it was an interesting trip - we drove through the Gorge de l'Ardèche which is nearly thirty kilometres long by road. It is well catered for tourists with several viewing platforms or "balcons" from where you can look down into the Gorge.
The sides of the gorge are quite steep in places.
The balcon I was standing on was right on the edge of a cliff like the one on the left.
The river is very popular with canoeists.
These start from Vallon Pont d'Arc at the head of the gorge where there are numerous companies renting out canoes. The idea is you float down the river and are picked up at the bottom and brought back to the start. From a board I saw trips varied in length from 8 to 30 km.
The drive through the gorge is best done in the opposite direction to the way we did it. Starting at Vallon the "balcons" will be on your right so you won't have to cross the traffic as we did to park. Not that there was a lot of traffic and half of what there was seemed to have come from Belgium. Most of the population must be here for some reason.
The journey is easy except the first bit after leaving Vallon where there are some narrow unlit tunnels (one with a 3.5m height limit) and fearsome looking rock overhangs where the road has been cut into the rock. But once passed these the driving is easy with no sense of vertigo as the road doesn't follow the gorge edge but is set back and the view is often obscured by bushes. To see into the gorge you have to stop and get out at a viewing point. There are also numerous campsites at Vallon and we are on one now for a couple of nights. Tomorrow is another laundry day.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Lovely photos. Been to that area a few times, will go back again sometime.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
My brother and I cycled through it four or more likely five years ago. Driving it today I hadn't realised how many hills there were and how steep some of them are. I couldn't do it now, lost my cycling legs, such as I ever had.
MotorhomersRus
LIFE MEMBER
@DBK
We did this route last year it was fab!
Did it same way as you and found it ok as not to busy but it was interesting meeting a very large minibus with the canoe trailer on the back going like a madman in the unlit tunnel
These start from Vallon Pont d'Arc at the head of the gorge where there are numerous companies renting out canoes. The idea is you float down the river and are picked up at the bottom and brought back to the start. From a board I saw trips varied in length from 8 to 30 km.
The drive through the gorge is best done in the opposite direction to the way we did it. Starting at Vallon the "balcons" will be on your right so you won't have to cross the traffic as we did to park. Not that there was a lot of traffic and half of what there was seemed to have come from Belgium. Most of the population must be here for some reason. The journey is easy except the first bit after leaving Vallon where there are some narrow unlit tunnels (one with a 3.5m height limit) and fearsome looking rock overhangs where the road has been cut into the rock. But once passed these the driving is easy with no sense of vertigo as the road doesn't follow the gorge edge but is set back and the view is often obscured by bushes. To see into the gorge you have to stop and get out at a viewing point.
We did this route last year it was fab!
Did it same way as you and found it ok as not to busy but it was interesting meeting a very large minibus with the canoe trailer on the back going like a madman in the unlit tunnel
These start from Vallon Pont d'Arc at the head of the gorge where there are numerous companies renting out canoes. The idea is you float down the river and are picked up at the bottom and brought back to the start. From a board I saw trips varied in length from 8 to 30 km.
The drive through the gorge is best done in the opposite direction to the way we did it. Starting at Vallon the "balcons" will be on your right so you won't have to cross the traffic as we did to park. Not that there was a lot of traffic and half of what there was seemed to have come from Belgium. Most of the population must be here for some reason.
The journey is easy except the first bit after leaving Vallon where there are some narrow unlit tunnels (one with a 3.5m height limit) and fearsome looking rock overhangs where the road has been cut into the rock. But once passed these the driving is easy with no sense of vertigo as the road doesn't follow the gorge edge but is set back and the view is often obscured by bushes. To see into the gorge you have to stop and get out at a viewing point.
OP
OP
DBK
LIFE MEMBER
Yet another change of plan! We've moved from Vallon Pont d'Arc as the site was pretty soulless and most importantly lacked interesting dog walks for Charlie, who may not be able to speak yet but he does cast his proxy vote through me and he voted for a move.
It was another relatively short hop, though it took nearly three hours, wading through the endless stream of Belgian cars coming towards us - what draws them here? Answers welcome.
We are now just outside Florac on a really good site beside the River Tarn. It is Camping Chantemerle which is an ACSI site though ACSI rates end tomorrow. The lady in reception has an American father so naturally her English was quite good.
We are tucked away almost on our own in a quiet corner though there are about five other British couples elsewhere here, but nearer the river where the site is busier.
We arrived here through St Jean du Gard, where we stayed on the aire with the disappearing steam train on our outward journey. But today we didn't stop but took the road along the Corniche des Cèvennes which from the map looks as if it must be following a gorge as it has so many twists and turns but it actually climbs over several Mini-cassette amongst low hills reaching a maximum altitude of around 700m.
The road climbs first through a forest of Sweet Chestnut and Pines.
The driving was easy on the wide road though there are a lot of hairpins in places.
As you climb higher the forest becomes much thinner.
There were some interesting flowers, such as this dyanthus.
The water in the river here at the campsite is clean and not too cold. We shall have a swim in it tomorrow after walking the 4km into Florac along the Stephenson Trail.
On the map we are here:
It was another relatively short hop, though it took nearly three hours, wading through the endless stream of Belgian cars coming towards us - what draws them here? Answers welcome.
We are now just outside Florac on a really good site beside the River Tarn. It is Camping Chantemerle which is an ACSI site though ACSI rates end tomorrow. The lady in reception has an American father so naturally her English was quite good.
We are tucked away almost on our own in a quiet corner though there are about five other British couples elsewhere here, but nearer the river where the site is busier.
We arrived here through St Jean du Gard, where we stayed on the aire with the disappearing steam train on our outward journey. But today we didn't stop but took the road along the Corniche des Cèvennes which from the map looks as if it must be following a gorge as it has so many twists and turns but it actually climbs over several Mini-cassette amongst low hills reaching a maximum altitude of around 700m.
The road climbs first through a forest of Sweet Chestnut and Pines.
The driving was easy on the wide road though there are a lot of hairpins in places.
As you climb higher the forest becomes much thinner.
There were some interesting flowers, such as this dyanthus.
The water in the river here at the campsite is clean and not too cold. We shall have a swim in it tomorrow after walking the 4km into Florac along the Stephenson Trail.
On the map we are here:
Last edited:
Langtoftlad
LIFE MEMBER
- Apr 12, 2011
- 9,416
- 163,706
- Funster No
- 16,024
- MH
- WildAx Aurora FB [PVC]
- Exp
- Since 2015
Lubberly Keep it coming.
Hope Charlie's up to speed again.
Subscribers do not see these advertisements
Join us or log in to post a reply.
To join in you must be a member of MotorhomeFun
Join MotorhomeFun
Join us, it quick and easy!
Log in
Already a member? Log in here.