Out and about - Cote A'Azur

We made a visit to La Londe, the carefully kept secret of the local people.   A delightful little port with a small beach and lovely restaurants.    The area is never overly busy.    We headed to a favourite restaurant, where Walter and I ordered moules (mussels), which of course were delicious.    Brian ordered lamb chops, French style, which he said were excellent.  Susanne ordered steak, which was also very good.  

The photographs of us at the restaurant made us look like we had all partaken of too much alcohol, with very red faces caused by the red plastic awning.  I can assure you, that it was the reflection of the red plastic, although there are people who may not believe me.  So I have included a view of the harbour instead, with its lovely boats and very blue sky.   

Brian and Susanne posing on Cabasson beach, with Cap de Bregancon in the background.   The French President has a holiday house on this little island, or out crop.    He is not there at present, of course, being too busy saving the country from economic ruin, but the holiday house is certainly worth the fight to become President of France.

And we made a visit to Collobrieres.  But first we drove over the hills, on a very narrow road, which is popular with cyclists practising for the Tour de France, I think.   By the way some of the cyclists ride, I do not think they will ever make a race.   Anyway I managed not to hit a cyclist, which was not an easy task.

Collobrieres is a little French town famous for its chestnut production, which still is a thriving industry here.   A sleepy little town, with men sitting around discussing the local news, as they have always done.

But Collobrieres hit the news this week.   Murder in the town.   Sadly two, highly qualified, policewomen were shot and killed when they went to a house to make an investigation.   The murderer, from what I could glean from the local newspaper, was young and had a police record, with time spent in prison as well as a multitude of crimes already committed.   Toulon was mentioned quite a bit, but also Marseille, which has quite a dodgy reputation.

So the peaceful scenes of a rural small town in the photographs below, have been shattered.  The cafe below, with its lovely coffee and hot chocolate, is a favourite stopping place for cyclists too.

The shady plane trees outside the town hall.   A lovely square.

Colourful washing drying outside one of the houses.

A picturesque and very quiet street.

Brian and Susanne trying out the chestnut (marron) ice cream.   I do not think they were impressed.   It is an acquired taste.

And yet another visit, this time to Bormes les Mimosa.   A delightful hill top town above Le Lavandou.  Our intention, after enjoying the views, and an early cup of coffee, was to go shopping in the little boutiques.   And we did so, and made sure we helped the local economy by purchasing quite a few items.

And luckily we are still here to tell the tale.   Brian, who was crossing a narrow street, which was blocked to traffic, suddenly found himself face to face with a small car hurtling around the corner.   He jumped out of the way, and watched the car weaving about until it hit a group of people a hundred metres away.  Although one lady was knocked over, and went under the car, according to Brian, the driver did not stop, but continued on his way down the street, weaving in and out.    Susanne and I were in a shop, luckily.   The lady was not killed, thankfully, but was seriously injured all the same.  Poor Brian was really shaken.   Normally, this town is very quiet, with safe streets for meandering about, visiting the little shops as you go.   And the accident did not make the papers either.  All very strange.

The bougainvillea's are in full bloom at the moment.   A mass of flowers.   Absolutely spectacular. 

Tomorrow we reluctantly leave Camping Manjastre, and drive back to the United Kingdom, where the weather hopefully will have improved.  

Brian and Susanne have already left, by train, from Toulon station.   They have visited Monaco, Venice (very expensive) and Siena (beautiful), and are currently driving towards Rome.   And then back to New Zealand, via Dubai.