Collobrieres

 Collobrieres.    A favourite little town, nestled in a valley, not too far from the campsite.   The main industries of the town were producing cork, from the cork oak trees, and chestnut production.   There is still a little chestnut (marron) factory still in the town, which produces chestnut ice creams, jams, and other items, which they import to other countries.   

The drive over the range of very high hills, in order to get to Collobrieres is nerve wracking to say the least, as the road is very narrow and twisty, and with a long drop down to the valley below.  This would be enough, but the road is popular with French cyclists, the racing variety, who ride in the middle of the road, at a very fast speed, well going downhill anyway.   Terrifying for motorists.    

The first stop was coffee, much needed after the drive there.   So we found a lovely little cafe, for our cafe cremes.  

 We walked around the town, such a quiet place, and very picturesque.   However the quietness was disturbed last year, when two police women were killed by a young resident.   A fugitive from Toulon, I believe.   All very nasty.

The beautiful blue shutters on the Presbytery.

 The church of Our Lady, which has a beautiful 3D statue of Mary, set in a recess above the altar.    The blue of the shutters in the Presbytery most likely symbolize the blue of Mary.

 Back into the streets again, and we continued the walk through the streets, admiring all the beautiful buildings.

 David decided to run up this narrow alleyway.  Unfortunately there was a dead end.

 A very old archway between the houses.

 And what is this that has attracted the attention of our group?   A large concrete mixer.    We all had a look inside to see how much cement it could produce at a time.  Amazing conversation piece.

 

And I found a bicycle, no longer used for cycling, but an ornament in the front of this house.

 The town hall and square.   I never tire of taking photographs of this lovely scene.

 And then off through the one of the buildings to the restaurant on the terrace at the back, which is above the river.   Such a pleasant setting, and we all enjoyed our choices, mostly very large salads.   A perfect place for lunch.

After eating a chestnut flavoured ice cream, at the local ice cream shop, we set off back to the campsite, with me driving the lead car.   We decided to come back on the easy valley road.    Great, except that I got lost around Pierrefeu, and our guests spent the next hour viewing all the run down farms, and glasshouses, as I tried to find my way back to Hyeres, and onto the main road.   I knew where I was but I just could not find the correct roads.    We still have not put the maps in the car.  Great.