Finally arrived home.

Spent the last 6 nights parked outside Tim's house in Caversham, Reading. Most of the time was spent entertaining Flossie and Elliot as well as picking them up from school. However yesterday the sun came out and we went to Henley on Thames and enjoyed a delightful walk along the river a nice lunch and coffees.

Last day.

Last day of a really good trip. Discovered some new places and revisited some old ones and here we are back at where we made our first stop... Arras. Nice beer in the square not too cold with the sun trying to peek through. Ferry tomorrow.

Bar Sur Aube

What a pleasant little town Bar Sur Aube is. Quite a few old majestic buildings. Some decent looking bars and cafes. All within a 5 minute walk of the Camping Car Parks aire. The aire is relatively small but quiet and about 600 metres from a Carrefour (with fuel) and an ALDI. Good stopover.

Villefranche sur saone. Fire! Fire!

Yesterday was a reminder of how relaxing jaunts can spin out of control. The campsite aire was 2 minutes off the motorway in Villefranche but as we approached the city we could see thick black clouds of smoke pouring over the city. A plastics factory had gone up in flames and with the risk of toxic fumes the mayor and police decided to shut off most of the major routes around the city. Campsite 2 minutes away but all roads blocked. Every road I took I was blocked by officers telling me to go back. Spotted a retail park shot into it and wormed my way through another exit. Eventually got to site. Few hours later it looked like the fire was under control and all the "Pughs and Barney Mcgrews" were off home. So off to the vets we went to get Jonesys passport stamped. Vet found a severe ear infection and supplied us with two treatments, annual booster completed, wormed and physical examination 105 euros. Quite good. Back outside and the fire had reignited. This time "Cuthbert, Dibble and Grub" made a better job of it but not after all the police had shut the roads again, quick return to the retail park,into the campsite and bottle of wine opened.

Monday 13th October. Codolet

Set up on The camping Car Parks Aire at Codolet. Pleasant little village and aire in a nice lakeside location. Single toilet and electric etc for around 14 euros.

Pool on site.

Each of the 4 days we've spent in Sanary, the temperature has been 24c.

Plage de Portisol

Everyday I try to swim a third of a mile and so far I've nearly always reached that target. First 3 days in Sanary I've swam in the town beach... Fabulous. But today Sunday 12th we took a walk to the beautiful beach at Portisol. The rocks and ledges about 75 yds from the shoreline attract the fish and although I only had goggles I could clearly see the marine life and vegetation. It was an excellent swim / experience. Nice but expensive coffee at the nearby cafe. Brisk walk back to the site for lunch and afternoon swim in the pool which Barbara occupied for herself. It really has been a tremendous first visit to Sanary. On the road tomorrow, heading north of avignon.

Sanary sur Mer video

Sanary sur Mer

I've always believed that the most important skill in life is listening. It creates opportunities, directions and understanding. About 20 years ago a guy (paul joynson) on Ladram Bay in East Devon told me he regularly goes to Sanary sur Mer in the South of France. It stuck in my memory bank and was always a targeted place to visit. Well we're here now and what a gorgeous place. 4 days here with temperatures set at 24c.Going to enjoy it.

Diano Marina beach.

Completion of four days in Diano Marina.

What an enjoyable 4 days. To be honest I wasn't expecting too much from this resort as I was mainly attracted to it by virtue of the fact that my parents hollidayed here in the mid 60s. We stayed on Camping Rose in San Bartolomeo. Spacious avenues and pitches overlooked by the town church that rung its bells too

often for Jonesy who can't resist a good howl to harmonise with any tolling bells. Beaches at far end of DM much better with soft sand. Still plenty of bars restaurants open to keep us occupied. Hope to return.

Cervo.

Really fab day today. Up early and washed and hung out the washing. Out walking to Cervo at 9.30. What a gem of a town. One of the hundreds of towns that claims to be the most beautiful in Italy. Perched on a cliff overlooking a nice sea front it justifies it's claim. Only about a 20 minute walk from our campsite Rosa which is actually in St. Bartolomeo. Even at 11am the temperature gauge was recording was 22c where it remained until 5.45 when we left the beach bar. Another 25 minute swim along the beach. Mustn't forget to inform the Blog... Jonesy is 10 today!!!

Diano Marina

Had an overnight stop in Cecina south of Livorno. Nothing to write home about with one long street of bars and restaurants lined along a grey sandy beach, a warm blustery wind prevailed. Managed to cycle to lidl for supplies. Decent enough ACSI site at 19e with amazingly hot shower. Only stayed one night no pics decided to head for Diano Marina West of Genoa. Sunday free of lorries on the motorway. Arrived at Diano Marina just after lunch, really nice place. Temperature hit 25c and sea temperature 22c. Enjoyed a late afternoon swim followed by a beer and cheap and cheerful meal. Looking forward to 3-4 days here before slipping into France.

Lake Bolsena

Last stopover at Irpino was basically a cheap sleepover. Powerful electric so heating on all night to keep Jonesy snug. 9c when we woke. Hit the road early but as it's out of the way in the mountains it was a swine to get back on the main Naples bound highway. Skirted Naples and Rome and eventually got to Bolsena mid afternoon. Temperature about 18c. Walked from site along the lake to Bolsena lovely town square draped in beautiful autumn sunshine but not a bar open. Quick turn around to a lakeside bar. Sat in the sunshine and Barbara reminded me that I haven't had the Spritz I've been promising myself. Definitely tomorrow in a sea side resort with 20+ temperatures. Watch this space.

Left Otranto with weather across not of southern Italy a lot cooler.

Best temperatures we can hope for today are around 19,slthough some as low as 16. Decided to push the miles in with it being cool. Filled up with diesal 1.58 a litre and lpg gas 0.65 around Lecce. Stopped off at Lidl Monopoli filled up with wine and beer for the journey ahead. Stopped off at little village up in the hills called Savignano Irpino. Fantastic Sosta/camperstop with 16 amp electric, tap and drain. Virtually got our own toilet and shower all for 15 euros. Early set off tomorrow, haven't got a clue where we'll end up but about 200 miles further north.

Leaving Otranto tomorrow. Summary.

Well worth the extra miles. Weather was really good although we had a terrible thunderstorm at midday today. The campsite has approx 14 pitches so booking is necessary. However the Sosta up the road always has pitches and despite reports has plenty of shaded spaces. Price at both sites is 25 euros with showers priced at 1 euro. The ACSI site is closer to the town... 5 mins. There are loads of restaurants and bars to choose from and the city (it has a cathedral) is quite beautiful with its fortifications, promenade and tiny avenues. There's a decent market over the road from the site and although the beaches aren't massive they do the job. There is also a bus service to Lecce which is well worth a visit. All in all a place not to be missed if you're travelling this far south.

More Otranto photos