Tuesday June 6, Digne-les-Bains

Last night promised some wonderful weather, but this morning, with the chairs and table outside ready for breakfast we had some drizzly rain. It was much cooler and very grey. Had chats with family and friends back in NZ so a little later getting on the road. Said farewell to our German and French neighbours and off again.

Debated as to heading west into the wonderful little towns of Provence or to head South East towards the Mediterranean as we had planned – and that won the day. With July and the busy summer period not far away we really wanted to see the Cote d’Azur before it gets too busy. We will head back to Provence after doing some of the coast, or well that is the plan today!

Set off for Nyons, then to the D94. Passed through some wonderful bustling little towns but today we were on a mission so no stopping. It was a very windy road, but no steep climbs as we wound along the gorge with many olive groves, the first we have seen of them. Amazing to see the size of some of the trunks, obviously have been growing for hundreds of years although they have been well pruned and they are not that tall. We really enjoyed the drive, stark stony country with some really nice valley’s. By early afternoon we were back in Serres, which we had passed through last week, and are continuing where we left off.

A very old olive tree, and below a much newer grove.

I guess there is no reason not to have a statue in the middle of the lavender!

Love these oversized corks in the middle of the round a bout.

The windy road through the gorge.

A very old tunnel that thankfully was now one way,
with traffic lights.

Stopped for lunch beside a canal then into Sisteron for a bit of shopping in the newer part of town. Continued onto the older part which was quite a sight with the Citadelle of Sisteron high on the hill and a very busy main tucked underneath it. There were people and vehicles everywhere and although we would have enjoyed a look around finding a parking spot for a car would have been difficult let alone a motorhome.

The Citadelle at Sisteron

Last week, Phil and Paul had recommended and Aire in Digne-les-Bains which seemed like a good stopping place for the night. It is near a big thermal spa with a large carpark set aside for campers. I think a number may have been here for a while, taking in the waters. Found a good quiet spot tucked away in the corner and settled in, doing hand washing for the last few days and hanging it on the rack out my window. Nice breeze blowing and by the time we went to bed it was dry. We are in a rocky ravine which is very pleasant and it is extremely quiet. Wandered up to the spa tonight, but everything was closed. The almost full moon had appeared above the rocks.

Mostly “drive by” photos today, trying to capture this very interesting region as we passed through.