Escape to the Green Gorge

As it was our only non 'tour' day and the site was quite crowded and still very wet and muddy, we decided to take a trip in to the Gorge du Verdon. It was quite spectacular and we stopped to have a picnic lunch in a little area by the side of the road where there was a decent amount of shade as it was pretty hot.

We then headed off to a beautiful little town, Castellane, where we had a wander around, stopped for afternoon tea and Mum bought some fabric.

The town was set, nestled amogst sheer rock faces. Perched above one of these cliffs was a little church.

Good timing

Today's travel was much shorter than the previous travel day and we mananged to arrive in Draguinan at 6.58 just making it to the office before it shut. They had just had a huge storm and there were leaves everywhere. There had been streams running through the main camping area so it was just as well that we had a decent vehicle or we would have been in major trouble. The people opposite had a pile of hail sitting next to their awning which I guess they had swept off it. Not quite the welcomeing we were envisioning!!!! I guess we should be glad that it didn't hit while we were setting up.

Defying Gravity

Having done all our washing, checked our emails on the newly found onsite wifi yesterday we headed out for Glen's choice for the holiday, a tour of the A380 Airbus site. We were not allowed to take our cameras but did manage to get a few shots after the tour. The tour started in a mock up of a control centre where we saw clips from the inaugural flight of the A380. A bus then took us around the site, stopping for us to go inside one of the hangars where the planes are put together. Tieve was very keen to 'get on the big plane' and was a little upset when I explained that we were just looking as they hadn't finished building them yet. Lots of money was then spent in the gift shop before we headed off to try and get some photos.

We managed to find a Baluga (plane used to transport parts of planes from one manufacturing site to another) and soon after, another landed.

We then headed into Toulouse to have a picnic by the Canal du midi where it meets the Canal du Maxi and Canal du Mini.

The day, once again, ended with a swim and a late dinner.

In search of the Canal du Midi

Nancy and Sasha were leaving today and as Dad was keen to see the Canal du Midi, we all headed south together, stopping at Mazamet for lunch and then going onto Carcassone where there is a gorgeous medieval village. We had a look around, did some shopping, had an ice cream and went inside the cathedral.

On the way out Tieve had a ride on the carousel, first with Sasha and then with Mum and Seren.

We then split from Nancy and Sasha and went in search of the Canal du Midi. We soon found it, took some photos and headed for home for a swim.

A boat ride into Castre

After a leisurely start to the morning we took a boat ride from the campsite into the town of Castre. It was only a 10 minute ride but was very picturesque and just long enough to put our sunblock on. Being 1pm it was then time to ear as restaurants serve between 12 and 2. The owner was lovely and charmed both the girls, giving Seren a big cuddle when she was grizzly. We then took a little wander around the town and found a small park where we sat in the shade and chatted while Tieve played on the equipment.

As it was so hot, we stopped to wet our hats on a fountain on route to the park. On the way back, Tieve ended up taking it a step further and ended up completely drenched but nice and cool. We had planned to have a bbq but due to the lack of fuel in the site?s bbqs we just grilled the meat but still had a lovely meal.

Meeting some Cousins

Yesterday was a very long day, up at 6.30, away at 10 and arrived at the campsite in Castre at 10pm where we managed to talk our way into a meal at the restaurant. The girls were very good though with not one complaint or winge from Tieve and I managed to finish my book, reading 3/4 of it in one day. Today was therefore a well deserved rest day.

The girls were a little hungry this morning and got tired of waiting for breakfast so decided to help themselves.

Seren still seems pretty happy but the rash is worse and is now also at the tops of her arms and legs. Mum and I spent several hours at McDonalds looking up rash illnesses and checking our email and grocery shopping while the boys looked after the girls.

Dad's cousin Nancy and her Russian husband, Sasha joined us with their tent and we all had a lovely dinner at a restaurant 10 min walk away as the park restaurant was fully booked.

Spotty Seren

Today Seren woke up rather spotty. She seems much better and is pretty chirpy but as the day went on the rash that started on her front, slowly worked its way around her sides and up her back.