Day 21: Friday 10 September 2010 – No return – Ferry from Genova to Tunis

04h45 the alarm ‘croaked’ the team into action – loading wet washing and wet tents in the Landies, we headed back to Genova for the ferry. Oooh la la! The Italians and their signage... what signage??? One arrow pointing east, the other close by, pointing west to the ferry. We went round and round in circles looking for the Grandi Navi Veloci ferry terminal. And this before we’d had our by now habitual early morning coffee.

Not to mention at the ferry border control that the ‘polizia’ insisted on keeping the door closed - there being no handle on the outside of the door! How on earth we wondered in amusement (from the queue inside) were travellers expected to get inside to fill out their passage forms?

Once on the 9 storey high ferry, Richard commented that this was it... “no turning back.” Africa was before us.

Day 17: Monday 6 September 2010 – Cassis to St Tropez

Yet another glorious day which started with Boudie towing Tasca out of the tight little camp site in order to ‘jump start’ her, due to her flat battery as a result of the ‘fridge kill switch’ having been inadvertently left on overnight!!

Late departure from Cassis. Hot! Hot! Very, very hot – trying not to think about Africa’s heat in the near future! We missed too many photo opportunities climbing the narrow cliff road out of Cassis. Instead, we devoured the unbelievably beautiful views of the bay, cliffs and old stone homes and painted chapels strewn along the way, interspersed with blue and gold onion domes on Orthodox churches. The Cote d’Azur offers a succession of exceptional vistas and grandiose sites which form one of the most ‘prestigious’ shores in the world.

Leaving the coast behind us once more, we passed countryside of vineyards and typical Province architecture. Up and down many more tight passes, where we tailed a white cladded peloton for some time. The scenery dominated by white cliffs we headed toward Toulon, which was very unimpressive!

St Tropez – what a serious disappointment. Tons of tourists and posers.... the little Bridget Bardot beach was, frankly, not worth stopping for. We took the heat off the day by quickly licking our way through a berry sorbet, whilst watching men play boule in a big tree lined square.

It would seem that the very laid back French spend their days drinking cafe-au-lait in their regular Cafe’s, progressing to dejeuner (strictly 12-2pm) before pulling their shutters for siesta. Then its leisurely dinners in sidewalk cafe’s – not surprising that as a nation they have a low heart attack statistic. Oh, and did we mention the moderate quaffing of red wine daily? Yes, we could learn from their lifestyle!
Much later in the day we pulled into the shady, pine leaf covered floor of La Muy campsite - tired, hot, and somewhat prickly.

Day 16: Sunday 5 September 2010 – Time to leave Rodez for south of France, Cassis

Heading SE, the little convoy of a yellow and a blue Landy set off in the direction of Marseilles. It was a perla day, with extraordinarily high spirits having Boudie back on the road, Bronnie gleefully at the wheel.

En route we traversed the new Millau Viaduct over the scenic Millau Valley – stopped for photo opportunities and coffee – an unbelievable piece of engineering and stunning scenery.

The day got hotter and hotter, but Boudie proudly strutted her stuff as they headed up and down windy passes, past chateaux and treasured chapelles, crossing the little Rhone and the ‘big’ Rhone rivers past some truly picturesque French villages and vineyards.

A yummy, cool, crunchy chicken salad was enjoyed at a large fruit & veg farm stall located at a barren cross roads, whilst the temperature continued to rise.

Overnight at a very crowded French campsite (Les Cigales a Cassis), on the seriously magnificent Cote d’ Azure, above the village of Cassis – recommended to all who travel to the south of France, and worthy of a repeat visit allowing more time to walk the white cliffs, loll in the cool, clean Mediterranean, possibly kayak and sample more sensational Provence fare in colourful, narrow streets. It was unanimously agreed that we could so get used to this life style.

Day 15: Saturday 4 September 2010 – Rodez, Layoule becomes a workshop

An early start to the day saw the boys restoring Boudie back to her former happy, healthy self. Much grease, banging and screwing in of floor boards, then cleaning of grease and remnant signs of Boudie’s recent ‘surgery’.

Bronnie watched on whilst staying busy, before announcing a serious bout of ‘camp fever’, resulting in the team wandering down to the river around 17h00 in the heat of the afternoon, where they watched families and children enjoying a family fun festival on the river and grass – it was so great to see kids playing kids games and laughing, more especially as the teenagers were running the show! Martin walked off to a bar he found on previous walk about 2ks away – to find it ‘ferme’ so had to walk back to camp.

Day 14: Friday 3 September 2010 – Rodez, Onet le Chateaux

Rodez, situated in the centre of the Averyon region in the south of France, is the heart of the ‘olde world’. The historic town of Rodez is surrounded by Bastide villages, medieval towns and the just too many offerings of traditional local faire to try in a week.

The “Boudicca Travels team” have thoroughly enjoyed their unscheduled week in Averyon, visiting astonishingly old and beautiful places like Albi, fortified Cordes-sur-ciel and Sauverterre de Rouergue, whilst savouring typical French traditional dishes.

Whilst the week has been busy and fun filled from a ‘tourist’ perspective, it has obviously bought with it concerns about this delay in the schedule. Due to circumstances out of their control, the team have had to delay their departure from Genoa (Italy) to Tunisia twice before. Last week when the little yellow Lightweight’s gear box played up, minimizing gearing to 2nd gear with overdrive, the team had no choice but to take ‘Boudie’ to the Land Rover garage in Onet le Chateau.

There she rested up on the ramp for the week whilst waiting for Carlos Barreiro, the Landy specialist, to return from his summer leave. Carlos is as passionate about Landy’s as the team is, and was visibly excited to be able to work on a 1974 Lightweight. However, patience had to be applied again, whilst a tiny spring and synchromesh parts were ordered from the UK. The part arrived at close of work yesterday (2 September).

On arrival at the workshop this afternoon, Martin and Bronnie were thrilled to see Carlos and Fernand Teixeira heads down in the gear box, working with precision. Whilst no promises have been made, they expect to be able to take ‘Boudie’ back to camp at 18h00. The ferry from Genoa to Tunis has been rebooked for 10 September.

This is the time to offer sincere and grateful thanks to the team at Car’s Services Rodez. Fernand, Carlos and Cathy Bourdillat have gone out of their way to assist the Boudicca Travels team during the past week. They are masters of craft and have shown immense willingness to ensure Boudicca is ready for her African challenges. Land Rover Global – you should be proud of this team!

On the move from Rodez to Albi

Day 9: Saturday 28 August 2010

Now we are tourists – ‘Ethel’ took us on a mystery tour of the Aveyron region, looking for wine estates and chateaux. En route we discovered a ‘tres bon’ traditional small village restaurant– and what a treat! Plat du Jour was 4 courses of traditional faire – Bronnie tried duck for the first time ever, and is a definite convert. Lush! Waiters like ‘Manuel’ from Faulty Towers, but so friendly, happy and helpful.

On paying the l’addition, Bronnie ever curious, asked the lady at the bar for places to go and things to do. Her English was pretty good, and she set our sight-seeing schedule for the next 4 days, starting with a trip to Albi after lunch. We are ever grateful as we could have missed these ancient town gems.

Albi, located on the Tarn river, is in the heart of the Aveyron region – ‘the Pink Pearl of Languedoc’ with splendid displays of medieval and renaissance architecture. Also the home of Henri Toulouse-Lautrec, born into high nobility in 1864.

Many architectural delights in the greater Albi, including the old Pont-Neuf red brick bridge dating back to the 11th century and the grand red brick Cathedral Sainte-Cecile. Never seen anything as majestic! “The buildings of the cathedral close form one of the greatest groupings of brick monuments in the world. The close is dominated by two imposing monuments: the Sainte –Cecile cathedral and the old bishops’ palace fortress, the Palais de la Berbie”.

Resting in Rodez

Day 6: Wednesday 25 August 2010 - Rodez, Layoule Campsite

Martin and Richard took Boudie to the garage – the whole of France is on Aout holidays. The mechanic will only be at work on Tuesday 31 August – zut alors!!!
We limped off down the hill with Boudie in 2nd avec overdrive, into the lovely valley of Rodez to set up camp for what would turn out to be a week or more. Ferry re-scheduled once again (3rd change) for 3 September.

Tents up, the boys did their thing again, removing the gear box ...etc, there was nothing left inside brave little Boudie by the time they had finished “investigating” her problems – only to ascertain they could not find a problem... this with Bryn regularly on the cell phone from Castlemorton!

G ‘n T’s on the river’s edge (sans ice) watching the world go by at 18h00 (30 degrees) and a full moon rising. Well Lush Life is!

Day 7: Thursday 26 August 2010 - Rodez

Martin and Richard towed Boudie back to the garage, where she will stay until the mechanic returns to work on Tuesday 31st. Bronnie took a painfully slow run on a 5km route along the river and through the village – 34 degrees at 09h00. She thinks these legs were actually made for walking!

In the midday heat, we walked up the many stairs to the ville de Rodez, which was to become our home for the next week or so.

Day 8: Friday 27 August 2010 - Rodez

Happy 85th birthday Dad – I carry you on my shoulder through France en route to Ruxton. So good to be able to talk to you, and hear you sound so upbeat – I love you.

Martin and Richard dropped spare parts at the garage with Fernando, Carlos and Cathy. Martin rented “Aggie” our little white Peugeot 107 who has ferried us to wonderful places whilst we’ve been Rodez-bound.