Better late than never.............................................................

Mid August..Now settled in Aigues Mortes for 2 weeks, and here especialy for another fabulous french festival--

The FETE  DE LA SAINT- LOUIS.  As you have seen on previous blogs- the French just love to dress and up celecbrete everything..

This festival relives when King Louis comes to  Aigues-Morte before setting off on one of his Crusades.. His procession comes to the gates of Aigues-Morte where he receives the keys to the city.

So the whole town celebrates his embarkation of his 7th crusade.. The whole city changes into a medivial town, with street theatre, medival ball, historical parades, knights camps, chivalry tournamounts etc, and ending the weekend with fireworks while King Louis leaves on his ship. 

The procession happens twice a day on the saturday and sunday and the last night with the leaving of his ships.

And as anything French - the obigitory fireworks as King Louis finally leaves France.

Some areas of the french coast are not as attractive as others -- these blocks of appartments - all built as you can see in the 60's/70's!!!   They stand out on the horizon like a titanic white elephant ( well we think so ) 

You can decide!

Had a Kiwi boat night out to a lovely resturant Bloem.. good time for all---

And then onto the TIC TAC bar, recommeded by regulars, Hans and Angie, friends moored on a boat in front of ours--  A bar that has every conceiveable alocholic beverage stored on its over crowded shelves - even up a ladder.....

Hans and Angie have the life- a dutch and English couple who have for the last 4-5 years used Aigues-Morte as their base for the summer- returning to Barcelona in the winter. Mayb our next long term summer mooring.!!

And a second trip to the TIC TAC bar with Paul and Claire - on our last night in AM.

So time to move on and back towards The Etang, and Beziers in time for the first Rugby World Cup Game. Some quiet moorings along the way, across the E'tang and up to Beziers- with the last leg- glass and canvas down....

Flight of the flamingoes.

 8th September--- beach head set up - table claimed, tablecloth on, and friends made.

We met lots of Welsh and Irish and others-- SA, NZ and Oz's  It was a lovely balmy night, the atmosphere was relaxing and fun.

Half time entertainment with the musical fountain, and the flower display that has been up all summer in the square.  Great night despite the end score,😢😢😢😢.

Actually got given a 'pity' bottle of wine at the end by the bar manager for being such good sports!!!

So the rest of september spent pottering about, enjoying the end of our time- lazy evenings playing cards and at least its not far from one boat to another to get home at the end of an evening.

Grahame and Max.

                                                         The aftermath of a little shower.

Another fabulous meal out , on the Canal about 20 mins by car away at Cruzy.  Of course even better when the owner photo-bombs your photos.

So the end of our summer- packing up, putting the tent and getting ready to leave.

Despite the rain on the last few days - we manged to get the tent on without getting wet,,,

AND without having another bike stolen ( better than last year!!!)

Grahame Berry has a lovely habit of giving 'useful' things away that he no longer wants to unsuspecting friends--- we beat him at his own game this year- a lovely shirt bought in Holland about 10 years ago..

So our life moves to the winter in Chichester and planning next years activities..😀😀😀😀😀😀

 

 August and Avignon and about. 

 We have had a further 2 weeks in Avignon, with temps being slightly uncomfortable, up in the 30-36 degree mark, and we are very thankful if there is even a little breeze----- thats after last week when the winds were so high we had white caps on the river and our flag plastered to the back sun-shield.

        Needless to say we have had to keep hydrated. 

New drink on the boat is now Aperol Spritz.  Luckily I love plain bubbles so sharing a bottle works really well.

Decided to visit L'lsle-sur-la-Sorgue, a lovely town about 20 mins away by car. But unforunately we went on a big market day, so big you were shuffled betwen the stalls, along narrow streets, like being packed on the london tube trains and no chance to stop and look at the stalls- so we did what anybody would do ----- we left  😥😥😥😥.

 If only we had a garden.

We also visited Chateauneuf- du-Pape, for the Fete de la Veraison. This festival over 3 days, and  celebrates the local wines and the medieval history of the village. All the locals drsssing up - we loved it. Stalls, jugglers, birds of flight, processions and wine- lots of free wine!!!👍👍👍👍👍

So the procession starts with the drums and the scottish bag pipes ( still trying to work out the connection), followed by the 'Pope' and the town council ( of course) !!!

Then various odd and not all together nice looking other medieval characters ..

 

Stalls selling lots of articles of clothing and weapons- they are particularly fond of sling-shots...

NOW, It is said that whenever the Pope walked past the town square, the village fountain would start to spew fine local red wine--but whether a local legend or popular fantasy - there is no smoke without fire..

 

The barrel in the tree is a bit of a give-away😀😀😀

And just some locals hanging about........

Its getting a bit social here again in Avignon-- 3 other kiwi boats in at the moment so a couple of good nights with Aileen, Grahame and Sue-- oh why does 'pop over for a drink at 6 '   always lead to going home at 10pm or later, all very happy but realising you haven't eaten supper!!!  Still its not as if we have to work in the mornings....

 A little bit of cycling around over on the large island, Ile de la Barthelasse which is in the middle of the Rhone river, between old and new Avignon. Things are a work in progress on the green cucleways -- but a "road to no-where"??

This excerise is in the belief we have to compensate for excess food and alcohol intake--and to help the stepz counter. The island is full of acres of orchards with beautifully ripe apples and pears....

View back over the bridge.

We also had a wonderful visit from Peter and Lesley, (Skiing friends from NewCastle) who drove from their place in the Alps to visit us for the weekend.

Due to having Rosie, their beloved dog with them - they didn't stay on the boat but in a place 5 mins walk away - better safe than sorry with the pram after a long night.

Its been a busy few nights ( and Days) here. 

Our last night in Avignon and we have the locals onboard- Max, Grahame, Dave, Ann, Sue, Aileen and me!!!!

Finally setting off from Avignon before 8am, the mist on the river and the early sun on the Pont.

Saw no horses this time as we cruised along the Petite Rhone - only wild goats......

Now finally settled in Aigue-Morte on our mooring for the next 2 weeks-- showing the evening sun on the old city walls.

AND.... always a party boat---

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Thought of the day.....

And second thought of the day.....

Can't think why everything revolves around liquid refreshments......

till next time....