2017-July-22 France, South Coast: Au Revoir

It’s time to say ‘Au revoir’ to France and ‘Hola’ to Spain. We are writing this on a train taking us through the French & Spanish countryside as we head to Madrid.

We’ve stayed in 3 different areas in southern France (Mouans-Sartoux (near Cannes), Six-Fours-Les-Plages (near Toulon) & Montpellier) with 2 couch-surfs and friends of ours from Sydney.

Both our couch-surfs were with fantastic hosts who lived in lovely towns. Once again, we were so pleased to be members of this community and able to meet such kind, interesting people.  

Both the couch-surfing hosts and Christiane’s family in Montpellier have one unifying theme: an interest in food. Simple meals made with quality produce and a relaxed attitude to preparing, presenting and eating. 
Being in the Provence region helps with this as the fruit and vegetables from the area are outstanding. And, of course, there is an abundance of baguettes and fromage. 
As much as we’ve enjoyed the sites we’ve seen, it will be the approach to meals and life that will stay with us in the years ahead.

Picnic With Host Guillaume Near Cannes

Dinner In The Garden With David And Catherine

Jean has been improving her comfort with speaking French and made some real progress which is lovely to hear. Time will tell if that continues when we get settled back in Sydney.

We have travelled through the ages from the Roman aqueduct spectacle of Pont du Gard to 15^th century churches and then to more modern ‘pilgrimages’ to the consumer gods of Monte Carlo shops. All have been equally interesting with the different insights they provide and the contrasts.

Michael And Jean With Baguette At Arc De Triomphe  In Montpellier

Four Waves Thanking French Drivers Who Let Us In

Pont Du Gard - Michael, Anthony, Jean, Christiane and her sister, Francoise