Wednesday October 19, Carpentras

Back in Provence and The Rhone

I certainly have end of holiday-it is….didn’t get yesterday’s blog done so have decided to include two days in one.

Yesterday…October 18.

It was a two hour plus drive to Carpentras using the toll road and three hours on the less roads. So we split the difference and used the toll road to take us around Montpelier then onto local roads. And surprised it was only a €5 toll. We really enjoyed the drive, although there certainly were so many roundabouts!!! We decided to fill up with diesel although we were only half empty, and the first two garages we stopped at had no fuel. Surprised to see a fuel tanker stopped trying to top us his own tank! Called into one at a supermarket and although there was some tape around it we noticed people filling, and we were able to top the tank right up.

Enjoyed a coffee and a really nice treat at the nearby boulangerie, and picked up a few supplies at the supermarket before heading on for the last leg. The weather had been very grey with a few spits of rain when we left this morning but as we got near Provence and the Rhone River the sun was shining and not a cloud to be seen. It felt good to be back into this area.

We drove around the edge of Avignon which was really busy and the navigator managed…just and onto Carpentras.  Our apartment was not available until 3 and our host sent us the information of the free parking area nearby. Lots of traffic and we finally got into the carpark (after a navigator mishap) which was huge but very full. Managed to get a  park but it was a long walk back to the apartment.  Spotted a nearby café and sat outside under the trees and had a cold beer and a sandwich while we waited till 3.

Met our host Isabell and amazingly there was one spare carpark just outside the door. She quickly got her car from a private parking garage across the road and parked in the space, and then came with us to our car and we drove back to the spot, she hopped out, drove off in her car and we took over the spot. What a stroke of luck.

Isobell would have to be one of the best hosts we have struck, she even helped us up the two flights of stairs with our luggage to the apartment, and what a find. Its not big but newly redecorated and opening out onto a huge deck with trees around us and hills in the distance.

Unpacked and after a bit of a rest walked into town for dinner. Being a Tuesday night there wasn’t much available and ended up at a pizza place. Had a really good rose and an excellent pizza.

Today….With the issues with parking we have decided to leave the car parked in the street and enjoy a relaxing few days here until we drive to Marseille on Saturday for our flight back to Manchester.  I wandered into town this morning and had a look around but it didn’t have the charm that we have seen in many of the towns in Southern France and has quite a diverse population with many from the middle east. I walked down to the E.Leclrec store this afternoon as have decided to cook dinner for a change, and I have never been in such a huge and wonderful store. The prepared food in the deli counters was amazing and such a variety of fresh fish. Enjoying sitting out on our deck as I write this, just so peaceful.

Plane tree lined roads.

Cooling off in Carpentras

View from our apartment.

..and this morning when the mist was down
and the sun was just shining through.

In town last night.

Walking around Carpentras
this morning.

Decaying beauty.

..and the ugly.

A very impressive supermarket fish section.

It was huge, the biggest I have been in.