Camping Manjastre in August

As I sit here to write this blog for the third time, I realise that technology is great as long as it works.   However it is totally frustrating when it plays up.   I

It all started when my new Chromebook refused to charge.   I spent most of Saturday trying to work out the reason why.  Walter even changed the fuse in the plug, just in case.   In the end I decided that Asus had supplied me with a cheap charger so I bought another one online at a cost of £50.  Very expensive, but it came with a guarantee so it must be an excellent charger!.  In the meantime I went back to my trusty old laptop, which had to spend time updating first due to sitting idle for three weeks.  And last night, for a reason I cannot fathom, Google decided that it would wipe out the first blog, and then not save the second blog.   I can assure you it was not my fault.   It never is,

But all was not lost.   I discovered that the first part of the lead on my laptop charger has the same connection as the first part of the Chromebook charger, and when I swapped them over, the Chromebook started to charge.   Success.   Did I inadvertently switch leads?  But both leads work for the laptop but not for the Chromebook.   It is all too much of a mystery for me.   All I know is that my super Chromebook is back in business again.   And I will soon have two chargers for it, one with a guarantee.

It has hard to believe that it is more than three weeks since we arrived in Camping Manjastre and set up our campsite, behind the restaurant and bar.   Very convenient.    It was great to be there and to see friends again, plus receive the usual friendly welcome from the owners.

It was extremely hot, and putting up the awning and setting up the caravan made us perspire so much we thought we would completely melt.   Luckily Isabel helped Walter with the awning, which saved our marriage.   

We were also joined by Emma, Steve, Jackson and Isabel plus Steve's sister, Rachel and her two children, Elliot and Emily.   They were camped in their caravan and tents a few minutes walk away from us.   We joined together for lunch and dinner, which was great, especially as we had turns cooking dinner at night.   There was plenty of variety in our menus, all very delicious.   We ate well.

While on the campsite we spent our time talking to friends, reading, visiting the local areas, and generally relaxing.   Altogether a really great two weeks.

The swimming pool is always a great attraction, and there is nothing better than floating on the water, while looking out over the bush covered hills.   A well sited swimming pool for sure.   And the water is always crystal clear, and cold.

On the day the photograph was taken it was very quiet with plenty of vacant sun loungers, which was most unusual in August.

Our crew relaxing by the pool.   A lovely warm spot, in which to develop a sun tan, and read peacefully.   The joys of having older children.   it means one can relax in the grown up end of the pool.   The shallow end of the pool is always very busy, with families and their young children.

Drinks and snack time, after a busy day being out and about or just doing nothing.  

We loved our games of Uno.   And we were a very competitive lot too, with lots of laughter and noise.  The game was made all the more challenging by the poor light which made it difficult to work out if one had blue or green cards.   We had one little lamp, which Jackson was using in the photograph below.   The reason why he looks so ghostly.   Walter was observing the game, due to having a very sore neck.   We reckoned it was due to his aggressive card playing.

After ten days of extremely hot weather it suddenly cooled down during the nights, and the mornings were a little nippy.   Time to put on fleeces, except for Emma who was determined to stay in hot weather clothes.   The photograph was taken so we could send it to Rachel, who had returned to a wet and cold Britain.

We arrived a few days after the terrible bush fires which spread through the peninsula behind La Faviere and La Londe.   We went for a drive to have a look at the damage and were greatly impressed with the excellent work of the fire service.   Although it was sad to see so much bushland burnt out, they managed to save most of the houses, all the camping grounds, the village and carpark at Cabasson, and all the vineyards.   The fire came right to the edge of the gardens and many of the vineyards were scorched on the edges, but all were saved.   Fantastic work by the fire service.

Sadly one business was burnt it.   We thought the fire had jumped the road, and burnt the caravan business, but apparently it was a separate fire which was lit by some young people.   All the caravans stored there were destroyed, as well as the workshops and caravan shop, and the owner's house.   We bought our caravan there, and have gone back most years in order to buy caravan and awning bits and pieces.   

A holiday photograph, taken by the beach at Le Lavandou.

It would appear I have written this blog, and managed to save it, so now I can publish it.   Then onto the next chapter of our holiday in the south of France.