Camping but not roughing it.

Camping, not really roughing it, not like camping as I remember it in Australia and New Zealand, in times past.   In tents, and no services as such.   Now it is a caravan, with fridges and plenty of electical appliances, even our own coffee machine, most necessary of course.  And milk frother, second version, due to immersing our last one in water, and then causing an electrical short on our side of the camping ground.

Mind you setting up the annex each time is nearly grounds for divorce.  This really tests a couple's ability to work co-operatively and pleasantly when both people are hot and tired, and the annex keeps collapsing.

But once the caravan and annex is set up,  life is pretty good at Camping Manjastre, with its beautiful big swimming pool, and large pitches set into the hill side.  People are very friendly and the social life is great.   Plus plenty of good food and wine.  Not to forget the mostly sunny weather.   What more can one wish for.

Donna and Patrick's caravan with Lucy's Quechua tent in front. A lovely shady spot. Perfect looking annex too.  Well done.

Of course camping these days comes with wifi facilities.  Lucy sitting comfortably inside our caravan, and busy with tablet and pbone.

Donna relaxing in the shade.  Too hot in the sun.  Great to be able to say that.

Walter also relaxing with his book.

Our favourite June spot, close to the tap, and plenty of people walking past.  Too busy in August though. And not so shady in the middle of the day.

And it does rain here too.  Torrential rain, which we experienced last week.  Tests the effectiveness of the caravan and annex.  Will they leak?  It has happened but not this time thank goodness.

Poppy in relaxation mode in the caravan.  She loves to stretch out on the seat, for an afternoon nap.

Patrick bought Poppy a little paddling pool, as dogs are not allowed on the beach during summer months.  But Poppy did not appreciate the gesture.  She thought she was having a bath.

So Patrick sat in the pool but Poppy was still not impressed.  Patrick got a very cold bottom.   Very funny.

Looking down from our pitch. All very quiet.  Not many campers here.  Very peaceful.

Of course the football has been quite a distraction here.  On the night in the photograph below it was Netherlands playing Australia.   And the bar was full of Dutchies wearing orange.  We decided to support Australia, and amazingly they put up a good fight too.  A close game.  Very exciting.

Poppy looking very French, with her pink neck scarf.  Such a funny dog.  She has settled into camping life very well.

And I forgot to mention fitness activities.  We are surrounded by national parks so there are plenty of opportunities for walking, which we do, very early in the morning, followed by a swim in the pool, swimming laps of course.  Serious stuff.  We need to work off all the good food and wine, and justify spending the rest of the day doing very little at all.

Camping is a great life.  No roughing it here.  Definitely not.