Four go to France (Mousy, Mr Mousy, Cliff and Ger) (1 Viewer)

[cliffanger]

Now fellow Funsters, not sure if you forget things when packing the MH, but, I always leave my beach towels at home. So whilst wandering through St Maxime Dawn and I were on a mission to find towels that will sit on my ever growing pile of 'Beach towels from around the world'. Dawn spied some very French, chic, cotton type towels which she and the nice lady said would be lovely and just perfect for us. I was just about to hand over my €15 when Cliff just happened to pass by, stop and say 'why're you buying table cloths? Dawn assured him, as she had me, that all the French use them as towels, throws, and in extreme cases table cloths, but he was as extreme in his refusal to allow me to buy them. We scuttled off to the nice lady calling after us, 'for le table, for la chaise, FOR LE PLAGE.......'

Anyway, I bought a pair of beauties in St Tropez market, and the next day saw them draped elegantly over our £9.99 Argos sun loungers. I did worry though that people might think we had nicked them from the St Tropez Yacht Club!

I also bought a very nice handbag, which my Funster Bestie paid half of as an early 'special birthday' gift! Thank you Dawn xx

After a hard day on the beach a girl needs moisturising and Dawn had just the thing. She told Cliff it would make me look beautiful, and he replied, he'd hoped she had bought a load wholesale for me and could he get his money back....... Girls, he was a very lonely man that night........

 

[Fenman]

Just read this latest instalment and I felt a whole lot warmer seeing all that sunshine.
Then I opened the front door and parts of my anatomy nearly fell off.
Very jealous of your location but loving the story and pics.

 

[Ali n Tim]

Just caught with the last few days of your travels!

Looks wonderful

xx

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[Taran_Las]

Cliff's wrong - that moisturiser is definitely an improvement (just don't remove it - ever).




Keep up the good work​

 

[Mousy]

Cliff's wrong - that moisturiser is definitely an improvement (just don't remove it - ever).




Keep up the good work​

Cheeky Phil! actually it was a rubberised face mask, we couldn't talk for a whole 20 minutes! The men may have been cynical about the results but they sure did enjoy the peace

 

[big map]

A girl thing can we have a photo of the new bag please? I too bought a new bag yesterday. Has to be done!

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[cruiser]

we hope cliff took his caffa tape. for that do it yourself boat kit. but it sounds like the fun is still going strong. please keep it going.

 

[TheCaller]

Cheeky Phil! actually it was a rubberised face mask,

I've heard about rubber face masks. Aren't they more usually black, or red?
You didn't go for the full body version then?

 

[scousebird]

Great to see you're having another lovely trip but also very jealous

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[Mousy]

Monday saw us move along the coastal road to a new campsite at Frejus. Upon arrival we were told we couldn't have a pitch next to each other as they were tres busy. We settled on being on the same row but 6 vans apart. We quickly set up camp, delayed only slightly by me finding 6 tent pegs still sticking up on our pitch, luckily spotted before Martin reversed the van in.
Once we had pitched up with groundsheets down, awnings out and beer on the tables, Ger walked past after getting lost on the way to say she had found two pitches side by side, a brief talk at reception and within minutes we were striking camp and setting up again, we had earned our beers by then! But were much happier to spend our last 4 nights together.

Beach at Frejus, catering for all, kite surfers, dogs, naturalists and "textiles".

Tuesday we cycled along the cycle tract to St Raphael 6 miles each way, we arrived in the marina, Cliffs bike had picked up a puncture and of course all the tools, pump and inner tube were back at the van! Cliff walked his tyre around for a while in the hope of finding somewhere to fix it but to no avail. The men then decided to leave Ger and I and cycle back and fix it.

Of course we chose to sit in the sun drinking mojitos.

Ger makes yet another friend..

Reunited with Cliff and Martin we head for lunch, full of locals, they recommend the sardines..

We walked off the lunch along the prom, looking down onto the beach, waters sparkling in the sun, the faint drone of outboard motors drifting on the breeze. We spotted the dome of the Basilica in the distance and knowing of Ger's interest in religious relic thought we'd have a look around inside to find some.

We approach the church from the side and notice a lot of people standing in front on the steps and the church is packed, some people were holding velvet lined baskets for change, possibly asking for donations. We push our way in and we excitedly spot a poster for The Turin Shroud, we can't believe our luck, this is an amazing relic find.

The whole central aisle is full of people, Martin and Cliff not doing crowds (or churches) scarper back outside. I urge Ger to weave through the crowd to the side aisle to beat the queue for the shroud. we creep down towards the front and I notice that the people who have been queuing are now coming back towards us and they all look very emotional, I suppose coming face to face with the image of Jesus might make you a bit teary. I've lost sight of Ger in the throng but eventually we meet up. She has a look of sheer horror on her face...

."it's a coffin" she hisses,
"Why would they put the shroud in a coffin?" I whisper back.
"No it's a proper coffin, with a body, we've just pushed to the front of a funeral"

Readers, Our Lord and the poor mans family I'd like to ask forgiveness for our sins and the fit of uncontrollable giggles that then assaulted us. I'd like to think that if the poor deceased was watching he would of seen the humour in the situation, two clueless middle aged English tourists, bluddering into his send off...
We beat a hasty retreat outside, where we couldn't believe we'd been so stupid. If the language wasn't such a barrier we would of apologised but thought it best just to slink away.

We returned later to see the Shroud and were distinctly under whelmed. We think it's a copy..

Martin said he thought we got off lightly, the queue was to shake a dib dab holy water thing over the coffin, there would of been some raised eyebrows when we got to the front of the line..

 

[cruiser]

trust you two. that will teach not to drink before going to church.

 

[tufty]

That's hilarious. I don't know you but you ladies sound like fun. The men have their hands full Really enjoying your holiday

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[DBK]

I've got a pair of binoculars. Does that mean I can go on the beach and pose as a "naturalist"?

 

[cliffanger]

We decided to visit Cannes yesterday, so having looked at the bus timetable in reception the day before, I told everyone that it would be an early start to catch the bus at 9.15.

Martin was up with the lark and walked to reception to check on the bus times. He came back to say we could have had another hour in bed, as what I had thought was the timetable for the bus from the campsite was infact the timetable for trains from Frejus, and we didn't need to catch the train until 10.15! We all had another coffee and a round of Petit Buerres, and then cycled into Frejus to catch the train!

Locking the bikes up on a patch of grass that was clearly a doggie toilet, we gingerly stepped over the 'sausages' and got to the station. The train was on time and was a double decker! Cliff was first in and didn't even see the upper deck, so Dawn and I promised ourselves a ride on the top deck on the way home!

The journey to Cannes was a glorious one along the coast, passing coves and rocky outcrops, and with the sun glinting on the sea we were definitely in holiday daytripper mode.

We got to Cannes and immediately swapped the big train for Le Petit Train and a tour around the town. Unfortunately the audio guide was out of sync with the train and when the boys were excitedly looking for the domes on the Hotel Carlton roof which resembled the architect's girlfriend's boobs, they were disappointed to find we had already passed them and wouldn't be returning for a second look!

The train took us to the top of the town where we took in some amazing views, none of which I can transfer from my phone!

I took yet another rubbish photo of Dawn and Martin, this time with a tree growing out of her head!

We decided to ditch the train after spotting a nice little restaurant in the Old Town and sat down for lunch. We seem to attract the strangest waiters and waitresses on our travels and this one was no exception - she was very butch and bossy, demanding I taste the wine even though I said 'no it's fine, just pour'. She then went on to take the Mickey out of two Chinese customers sat next to us, squinting her eyes and saying 'Ying yang, Ying yang!'. We suspected substance misuse, especially when she forgot the cutlery and water, but as she wasn't cooking our lunch we felt quite safe! Things got a bit uncomfortable when she demanded of Martin 'Your money or your wife', so we paid up quickly and made our escape!

We wandered through the old town, where we did a last bit of shopping - tasteful Provencal soaps for Dawn, a Ukulele scarf and a garish fridge magnet for me (how we get on so well I will never know!) and then back out onto the front, where we sat in a bar and drank our last beers together.

No pebble dash here!

We got our way on the train going home and sat upstairs, albeit facing backwards, but as we were all asleep before the train left the station it was no big deal! Luckily Dawn woke herself up with an explosive snore just before Frejus station, so we didn't end up in Marseille, and after tiptoeing through the turds to get the bikes, we cycled home for a very special last night meal together of reheated leftover curry and chips from the camp snack bar.

The perfect end to another perfect day.

Oh and boys, does that look like a boob to you.........?!

Just as a PS to my own post this time - I told everyone we should 'dress up' to visit Cannes, but seems Cliff had a different idea of 'dressing up' to us.......

Pirates of the Caribbean is his favourite film him being such an old salty sea dog!

We are now up to date, today being Thursday and a very sad day. The Mousies and the Muses go there separate ways, with Mousies heading home and Muses staying for another week. We will all continue to post our final adventures when we can, but can't promise they will be as amusing!

 

[Fenman]

Well thank you to one half of the double act. Have a nice extra week and have no fear your side of the story has been just as entertaining. And I am looking forward to the next part even if it's from two separate camps.

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[Taran_Las]

I hope you continue to have a great time and a safe journey home to the Mousy family​

 

[cruiser]

oh yea thanks for everything. please have more safe journeys. and come on cliff keep them coming. and arrive home safe the mousey clan.

 

[rb62]

Irrepressible !

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[gloworm]

Safe onward travels to all have so enjoyed your escapades see you all in Burry Port x

 

[cliffanger]

oh yea thanks for everything. please have more safe journeys. and come on cliff keep them coming. and arrive home safe the mousey clan.

It was me writing the post, Cliff doesn't do 'Puters'!

 

[cliffanger]

We all left Frejus this morning, planning to meet at the supermarket for a mammoth shop before we eventually went our separate ways. With a quick hug from Mousy (just incase we didn't manage to meet up), we set off and drove straight through the gates of 'Geant Casino' hell!

Somehow we took the turning for the hire car company car park, with a one way road out through low roofs and certain satellite dome decapitation! The only thing to do was for me to get out, run back up to the entrance and try to beg car drivers to stop, reverse and let us out the way we had come in!

Let me tell you Funsters, Entente Cordiale is alive and well in Frejus, as both lanes of cars stopped when they saw my frantic waving, and everyone had smiles on their faces when they eventually saw the reason for my crash course in traffic management skills! Cliff rounded the chicane, in reverse, with aplomb and I wouldn't have been surprised if they had all burst into spontaneous applause! With many merci monsieurs et madames, we were on our way - not to the supermarket but straight to our next campsite stop!

Mousy in the meantime, having taken note the day before of the car park with no height restrictions, had lead Martin into the supermarket and they are as we speak heading back up through France fully stocked with provisions, alcohol and many lovely things that she has a very keen eye for! Christmas at the Mousy household will be one to rival Scrooge's nephew's for sure!

I on the other hand have to settle for chilli with manky peppers from the camp shop for my tea..... But we did get to use these beauties this afternoon as a consolation prize!

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[Popeye]

Thank you Dawn and Ger, lovely, riveting posts, we will certainly have a lot to catch up on at Burry Port.

Safe travels the four of you.. ........... Griff

 

[jockaneezer]

[QUOTE="Mousy, post: 1545841, member: 28061"

Beach at Frejus, catering for all, kite surfers, dogs, naturalists and "textiles".

Tried the naturist beach at Frejus about 4 years ago but found it, ahem, a little too hands on for our taste

 

[cliffanger]

Here at Les Issambres, lovely warm evening with no Mossies, but also no Mousies, who have set up temporary camp at Valence. We have had an amazing time with Dawn and Martin, so many laughs and adventures, all due to MHF and two chairs that we sold and delivered to them at Haggars meet last year.

@Jim, a tenner has never been so well spent!

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[Mousy]

we were busy negotiating our van around the very complicated roundabout system to get into the supermarket car park, we managed to get a space around the back but sadly missed saying a proper goodbye to Cliff and Ger.

An hour later and a couple of hundred euros short we were back on the road. Fridge stocked up with cheese, garage full of wine and jam, Oh and my bargain of the holiday a tilting beach umbrella for €5 and @cliffandger it's a very smart grey and white stripe!

We drove up past Montelimar (home of nougat) towards Valence where we've stayed overnight in Asci 1904. Chateauneuf-sur-Isere a lovely campsite with a heated pool which we swam in last night and this morning. The sun is still shining and we are lingering here until we have to leave, reluctant to head north into colder weather. It's really empty only a few Dutch remaining.

We are missing Cliff and Ger, we've all had such a laugh and they are easy company, we were so bored last night we even put the telly on!

 

[Mousy]

Whilst I've got internet here are some of the different transport options we've seen on this hols, plus the worse parking...and it was a man driving..

This is Gererld, just chilling on a side street, he lives full time in his van, I liked his jam jars screwed to the ceiling but my French wasn't good enough to ask for a photo of them so I took one of him, purely for the ladies of MHF of course.

The Onasses yacht "Christina"

Saw this and thought of @funflair

 

[Popeye]

and it was a man driving

He was French Dawn, that doesn't count, they all drive like 'Old Women!'

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[cliffanger]

We had a good day yesterday, a market in St Aygulf in the morning and an afternoon on the beach.

'Oy, Who you calling big nose?! '

The evening film was a bit of a letdown - Good Morning Vietnam - but at least it was something to watch - thank goodness for the Humax box and Cliff being 'recordings monitor' while it sits under the telly in the kitchen at home

After a lazy day yesterday we decided to cycle into St Raphael today. In our usual fashion we got lost on the way there, taking a 6km detour, whilst carefully avoiding all cycle paths on the way. Upon arrival we revisited the marina to exorcise the memory of a holiday spent there 9 years ago - in our 25ft sports cruiser, with 1 adolescent son and his obnoxious friend, and a 9 day Mistral wind keeping us Marina bound - suffice to say the home made 'Le Baleuga' steak burger and chips and wonderful bottle of Rose did the trick. We even resisted the temptation of walking up the pontoon to see if the Cobb lid accidentally dropped overboard was still there, snagging expensive propellers - as the Yanks say - we got closure!

If they only knew what was under their propeller........

Successfully pedalling back on the cycle track we ride along the glorious coastal road with the sun glinting on the waves, and the warm breeze on our backs. This is the first time we have ever been here (first trip in 1974) when we haven't been hit with a Mistral - but there is still a week left and we are heading back to St Tropez on Monday so there's still time Funsters!

We are now sitting in the van, with Cliff watching The Time Travellers Wife (another Humax recording). I've read the book so don't need to watch the film......

Whilst in St Raphael we saw a couple of things we could buy when he gets his pension next year....

Or,

I say Leonard....!

 

[Graham and Jane]

Keep the car can I have the boat please

 

[wizzer59]

Fantastic again thanks guys

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