France May 2003

                

Went over to France with a few mates using the tunnel, most got lost in the first few kilometers, so after a bit of rounding up we stopped at the services. A bit of faffing later,we set off again and after about half an hour later they wanted to stop for a break again. After some snacks, started heading South, and about an hour later, they wanted to stop for lunch. After most had eaten, one of the group decided he would also like to eat, and I started to realise that I would have to leave the group, as I was supposed to be picking my wife up from Nice airport, and at this rate, I would be a day late, so set off on my Pan European alone.

   One of the villiages I went through had a fountain in the middle, that someone had added soap to.

There is some stunning scenery in the South of France, and I eventually arrived at the Gorge Du Verdon. The campsite was right next to the river, cost 3 euros,  and was really nice, the lady that ran it was very friendly. The next day, my friends turned up, complaining about the distance they had to ride, so I went off to explore the gorge on the Pan. That evening the lady that ran the campsite cooked us all spaghetti bolognaise which was lovely. Next morning I rode down to Nice via Cannes, which is a really nice road, and picked up my better half and 2 hours later we were back at the campsite

After a bit of a break, we decided to have a ride round the Gorge

 After a night in the tent, we decided to find a hotel for the next night due to our very noisy friends drinking the night away, and found a nice hotel just off the D23 near the gorge. we then decided to do some more touring in the area

The next day, I took Laura back to the airport, and headed North and found some nice gorges on the way back

 

 I was surprised by how much the colour of the rock varied, and as usual the scenery was great. I stopped at a ski slope in the mountains on the way back, which looked strange with no snow

  

I found a nice campsite on the way back, didn't bump into my friends again  until I got back to England.

Nice trip, although I now choose my travelling companions a bit more carefully!