Activities

At camping Manjastre life is not just about sitting around, reading, eating, drinking and socialising.   Plus a few dips in the pool.  The temptation to do nothing much at all is very strong.

One activity, which we adhere to strictly, is our fitness routine.   This involves getting up early, 6.30 am in June, before it becomes too hot.  Such a beautiful time of the day.  All the other campers are still sound asleep, so all is quiet and peaceful.  Then we walk down to the road at the back and onto one of the tracks in the bush.  A purposeful walk, or in Donna's case, a run, takes place.   

Sometimes we venture further afield or take the circular route up and along the ridge behind the camping ground, and then back along the fire track.  This takes about 2 hours.

A view from the ridge.  Now how did the owners of this house manage to get a permit to build their house in the bush.  

The track in the photograph below was actually quite steep.  Quite a few rest stops were required, even in the coolness of the early morning.

There are many walks in the area of the campsite, as it is mostly national parks or forestry land.   All very picturesque.   Scrubby and dry, mostly corkoaks or mimosa, with plenty of wild lavender.  There are numerous wild pigs in the bush, and it is important to check that there is no pig shooting taking place, otherwise one could find oneself with a few unwanted bullet holes.

But onto other activities.   An evening walk in Le Lavendou is always very pleasant,

with the main purpose of buying an ice cream.

Poppy had already eaten her ice cream, with one gulp, and was looking longingly at Patrick's ice cream when the photograph was taken.

We always make a visit to our favourite village, Collobrieres, which is the centre for the chestnut industry, and also for cork oak production too, although that has decreased due to screw tops and plastic corks.  Chestnut ice cream is made and exported from here.

Mind you the trip over the top is fraught with danger.  A very narrow road, with a long drop on one side, and favoured by mad cyclists who come pelting down, with a view that the road is theirs.  I would hate to think how many near misses we have had with cyclists.   The less stressful, but much longer, journey is around the range of hills, and along the valley.

But once there, it is all worth the journey.

Lunch at our favourite restaurant.

Poppy looking out from under the tablecloth, hoping for a few crumbs to fall on her.  Dogs are allowed in restaurants here, and always get treated to a bowl of water.

Blue is definitely a popular colour. And it certainly looks great in the bright sunshine.

A quiet backstreet, in Collobrieres.  Such a beautiful village.

A lovely cat, snoozing in the sunshine.

A view of Camping Manjastre, from high up on the ridge.

And I must not forget our favourite cafe, Cafe du Centre, the pronunciation of which we always turn into English. They now have even more chairs facing the front.  A great pastime, drinking coffee and watching the passing parade of people.  And they always provide a little dog biscuit for the pooch or rather le chien. Poppy loves it there.

And so life goes on, day after day.