Christmas in the Camargue

I had been out for a ‘wander’ last night, in fact putting my feet into the Mediterranean for the first time this year, and dodging along the rocks on the seafront..I hadn’t realised how tired I was , until I got back to Wally, made a cup of tea, and settled down…and promptly fell asleep !, I blame it on the warmth, I didn’t actually need to fasten my sleeping bag, and had pleasant dreams …and awoke fairly early to lovely blue skies, sunshine..and a wonderful day ahead..

First stop, the camp shop for 2 pain au chocolat, for breakfast, and then kitted up ready for a ride on the roads somewhere, although I wasn't quite sure where…I set off just before 10, straight away into the fierce wind that was blowing ( I thought) on to the seafront…into my face, so I ploughed on, at least it was flat, unlike my most recent rides in the Pyrenees… I rode along, and then diverted ready to cross the river ‘petit Rhone’ on a ferry..which as you can see ,was the first ‘halt’ of the day, as the ferry only went every half hour, and that wasn’t for some time, and so I went back to the road,, and carried on riding, towards the main road, and feeling good, I turned left towards Aigues Motte, still some distance away…although I eventually reached the outskirts of it, as I passed over the Rover Rhone, and saw to my right some sort of tower, so away I went and ended up at La Tour Carbonniere ,http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tour_Carbonni%C3%A8re  a great looking stone tower, now in the middle of the road, and was once a ‘watchtower’. I climbed to look out onto the Marais de Camargue (marshlands) with lots of birds and wildlife in it… then it was back the way I came, seeing a sign ‘St Marie de la Mer 28 kms’…that makes a round trip of (at least) 56kms …at least on some of the bits on my way back I wasn’t riding into a headwind, although not often ! I did have a cheap view of the motor museum though, I think the colour suits me !

Then it was onwards, and back to the campsite..for a welcome swim in the pool, before lunch, and a ‘siesta’, although in fairness I couldn't do much, as the wind had become quite fierce, blowing out onto the sea..

Late afternoon, I rode into the town of St Marie de la Mer, about 1 1/2 miles away, found that the tourist office had ‘free WIFI’, and so rode back to the campsite, and into town to check what was happening..then back to the campsite, to open my ‘Christmas present’, wonder what it is… ??? Oh yes, some cleats for my road shoes, thanks Fr Christmas, they are much needed, although you could have made it easier to change them – but thanks to another Englishman's’ tool kit, I was able to change them…and settle for another days ‘epic ride’ ??  

The wind is easing slightly, so hopefully tomorrow will be a nicer day…at least I was able to BBQ, with the assistance of my umbrella (an old campers trick !!)

Bonne Nuit !