1993 – Getting there

July 3^{rd –} July 5th

Set off at 10:50am and had to return to make sure door was locked and to collect pillows. Stopped in Sheffield to take my jumper off and eventually made Jacks Hill Café ¹ at 13:35pm (137 miles later). Here we had our rather late lunch and then went on to Martin’s, where we stayed until 15:30pm. I lent Martin my Tribes copy of Lemmings ² and installed T. Type Fonts for Windows. We arrived in Portsmouth about 18:00pm and spent a little time looking around the shops as they closed. We found a pub that sold sandwiches and settled there to have tea and to write the diary. I can’t remember the mileage, but it is a lot less than 300.  Zeroed at petrol station.

The ship set off on time and it wasn’t very full. The 2-berth cabin seems quite comfortable and we were able to get a transfer for Ben and Emma (from reclining seats), to a similar cabin to ours. Sue bought some eau de cologne and I bought a sweatshirt. We also bought 2 litres of gin because of the strange customs rules.  We then heard over the tannoy, that we would arrive in France at 07:00am UK time. This s contrary to expectations. The brochure stated that the crossing would be 7.5 hours (21:15pm – 04:45am). However, I was told that the crossing is a ‘summer extra’ and as it seems to be an old ship, takes longer. The 23:00pm sailing arrives at 06:00am, which seems a little strange. The saving grace is that we can have a longer sleep and longer in the bar.

1993 – July 4^th

We left the ship about 08:10am (French time) and did about 60 miles in the first hour and another 70 by the second hour. Stopped for breakfast at Fontainebleau (156 miles), a Bison Futé stop. Set off again at 11:05am.  Stopped at Beaune. Set off again 14:05pm (325 miles).  For the last hour or so, Sue has been driving. We are just south of Chalon-sur-Saône and heading towards Lyon. We reached the Lyon peage at 15:10pm and changed drivers. Then, we changed again just south of Valence, about 480 miles. We were passing Cavaillon and Sue was till driving. The weather is absolutely spanking but very uncomfortable to drive in.³  The highest temperature we’ve seen so far on the motorway is 33^oC.

Swapped again at Lançon and set off for the last few miles at 18:40pm.  Arrived at 20:25pm. The security man let us in. ⁴  We settled into the mobile home ⁵ as quickly as we could and went to Fat Jaques’ for a pizza tea. Slept v. well.

Monday 5^th July

Got up and had a short breakfast, then Sue and I went to the hypermarket. This was a bad mistake. It was very full and very busy. We still need some vegetables and bit and bats.  We came back and Sue had lunch while I re-built the tent (for Ben to sleep in) and fixed things up. The tent is ok now, Ben has plenty of room. When everyone had finished lunch, we discussed going to Port Grimaud and/or the beach, as the weather was overcast and showery. We decided to go to the beach first and as Ben and Emma were to join us we chose Tahiti Beach (family beach). It cost £2.00 to park for the hour (probably FF20 – so also probably less than £2.00) we were there. The waves were up and three of us spent most time in the water as it was warm, even in the rain.

We decided not to return on the main road, as it had been horrendously busy on the way in. We therefore came back the long way around. I got lost.  The road past the vineyard is closed so it was difficult. Anyway, we made it in the end. After tea, Sue and I went in to Port Grimaud. This was enjoyable as it was very pleasant, not as hot as it had been the last time we came (This was not our first holiday in Saint Tropez). It does come dark quickly down here to go from (SLR) filmable to unfilmable.

1 – Now, 26 years later, everything around here is much changed.

2 – I cannot find a non-video link to the original game we played back then

3 – ah, the luxuries of A/C. Not available to us then.

4 – I’d forgotten the security man. The camp site we stayed in had a huge gate which closed at a certain time to keep the ‘estate’ quiet.

5 – This belonged to my work colleague and friend Stephen Hamer.

Author: David Sugden

I'm am now almost-retired after many years of self employment. I used to teach teachers how to use modern and emerging technology Effectively, Economically and Engagingly ('E'-learning). Before that I was a chef and eventually a chef-lecturer. I update several blogs regularly and have others that don't see me quite as often. -EduVel.wordpress.com, was my main work blog and reflected my work role and thoughts around teaching and learning in the 21st Century. I don't update that any more. -Saturdaywalks.wordpress.com is more personal and could be about absolutely anything. [This blog is updated regluarly]. -Shoestringfoods.wordpress.com is my 'food' blog - aiming to show others how easy it is to prepare and eat healthy, nutritious, economical food. [Not updated too much]. -Cosynookbooks.wordpress.com is where I reflect upon the books I've read. This is likely to be updated less regularly than the others, because I forget to do it :-( and because most books I read now are 'e' books. -dsugdenholidays.wordpress.com - is where I log the more recent trips and holidays we have had. [This blog is updated regularly]. -sugdenonline.travel.blog - is something of a project. I have found some old holiday diaries and am now transferring them online. [This is updated regularly - 18.09.19] I worked in the catering industry for most of my life - teaching chefs for almost seventeen years after working in hotels, hospitals and in a wide variety of self-employed roles. :-) View all posts by David Sugden