Buon Natale from Lucca

Wishing everyone Seasons Greetings, Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and a wonderful and safe New Year.

Lots of love, Vicki and Rob xx

Arriving on Italian soil - Livorno first stop!

We said farewell to beautiful Bastia on Saturday after two wonderful weeks there. We must say thanks to Carol and Thierry whose flat we rented and who were such wonderful hosts. These photos were taken by Carol of us disembarking the ferry in Livorno and they were waiting to board, as they were returning from a trip to Parma, how things happen!

Next update from lovely Lucca, our home for the next 6 weeks.

Bastia

What a lovely place. We are staying in an apartment in the citadel, the old part of the town. Went on a long ride to the other side of the island during the week, those sorts of roads that wind up the mountain side and never seem to end. The scenery is stunning. Corsican cheese, wine, bread, beer and anything else we have eaten and drunk has been very tasty. Bastia is a real mix of three cultures Corsican French and Italian.

Aix-en Provence

We've had a brilliant 5 days here in an amazing apartment surrounded by interesting streets. It is a picturesque town, made more beautiful by our first sighting of Christmas lights, just divine!

Au revoir.

Nimes

The highlight of Nimes was The Arena, blood thirsty history. Today, The Arena is still used for bullfighting and draws huge crowds.

Next, Aix-en Provence

Meze - on the Med

We had 2 gorgeous days in Meze, it was peaceful and relaxing. We stayed in a lovely hotel, right near the sea, one of the pics shows this and the harbour was lovely, as well as the local seafood! It was great to be near the sea and smell the salt and seaweed!! Even better, was the taste of the salty, local oysters. We had a lazy long seafood lunch and one that will always be remembered sitting looking out over Meze's pretty harbour.

> Next ... historic Nimes.

Carcassonne the town

We spent just two nights in Toulouse after a mess up with the accommodation. We had confirmed a B&B and arranged to meet the owner at 3pm but she was a no show so after an hour and multiple phone calls and emails we found our selves a hotel. A little more expensive than we had planned but we enjoyed the luxury for a couple of nights. From Toulouse to Carcassonne.

Carcassonne is as impressive as we had heard. We have rented an apartment for a week and it's really modern and comfortable and great location.
Fantastic markets and far too nice pastries have meant we have had to do a lot of walking.
These are a few pics of the town, the medieval city next.

Medieval Carcassonne

The castle is a fifteen minute walk from our apartment, uphill, but worth it. It dates back to the Romans and has been rebuilt many times over the years and rescued from ruin in the 19th century. There is a small city within the walls,shops and restaurants even a couple of hotels.

Every year on Bastille Day they hold a massive fireworks display from the castle which by all accounts, is spectacular.

Until our next update, TTFN xx

On the Road

As you can imagine, we have encountered many types of accommodation along the way. Our hotel in Limoges was Hotel de Paris, we were on the top floor with no lift and the staircase will be remembered!

We have also encountered many markets along the way and unfortunately for me, we arrived in Cahors just too late to enjoy all of the shoe market but as you can see, I still managed to get a quick look in! Don't fret, I have made French shoe purchases along the way!

Della, as you can see, is still going strong. We have seen some amazing scenery along the way. Currently it is Autumn and the dominate colours are yellows, browns, greens and reds - breathtaking! Della had her first service back in Tours so she is humming along nicely and fortunately everywhere we've stayed, owners have found safe accommodation for her as well.

We have been fortunate to ride in good weather up until Brive where we couldn't avoid the wet weather. Fortunately, our Tucano Urbano wet weather gear has been great and also Della handles well in the wet.

More to come from Carcassonne.

Poitiers, relaxing

We spent 3 lovely days in Poitiers, still in central France. You will see photos of Notre Dame Le Grande, one of the oldest medieval churches in France, the beautiful Hotel De Ville, the town square and some town shots. Unfortunately, we can't save photos with names when directly uploading onto the iPad.

Chateaux de Amboise

A few pics of the chateaux and views of Amboise.
Next to the chateaux is the last house Leonardo di Vinci lived in before he died, it has been made into a really interesting museum and has great gardens.
Off to Tours now to get Della's 1000km's service.

Until next time, Bonjournee Vic, Rob and Della xxx

Beautiful Amboise, the Loire Valley

From the Best Western to the best B&B. Our hosts Gloria and Bob from America have renovated this beautiful house with some great antiques and paintings, you feel as if you have stepped back in time but with the mod cons. Breakfast was a feast and it was difficult to tear ourselves away to go sightseeing. Amboise is a delightful village dominated by its chateaux and just a pleasure to stroll through.
Definitely worth visiting if you are in the vicinity. Chateaux pics to follow.

Next stop Laval

Della holding up well under the pressure of cargo on board! The Urbano Tocarno panniers with their fluro and water proof covers are serving us well,would highly recommend them.

Laval was a 3 night stop over and really lavished it up at the Best Western :)-
It was the Best Western called Hotel de Paris - very flash indeed!

A very pretty town, fairly quiet and easy to get around. We tried our first French pastries at Laval, oh my God, and now I have another addiction, will definitely need side car on bike if we continue like this!!