Jun 23, 2011 - A day in the Mountains then to the Riviera

Today is all about scenery and nature in the Provence region. First we had a lovely drive through the vineyards of Provence to Aix-de-Provence and had breakfast at a gorgeous cafe set by an large old fashioned fountain. We each had one lovely croissant and one baguette, some freshly squeezed orange juice and a hot drink – it wasn’t a huge breakfast but it was all really divine and satisfying – even for Jonathan. The coffee exceptional. There was a market on in the main street just begging to be visited. Nicola found some bling which made...

Nov 22, 2010 - Road trip to Venice

15th of November On Monday, after our school experience, we set off for Venice where Harry wanted to have his birthday. We set off and after three hours we stopped to have lunch in Arles - we had French Macdonalds. Yummy!!!Mum wasn't that happy! Most of Arles was closed up for the winter season and it was still raining. We continued the journey heading for San Remo which was our first stop on the trip. This part of the journey was pretty scary as we were hit by bad storms (we now know what "orage violente" means as the road signs kept...

Jun 19, 2008 - Thursday 19 June San Remo

Drove to San Remo managed to find the tourist information got them to make an appointment at the dentist. Checked in to campground expensive ($60) but on the seafront and with a pool so we finally got to sunbake by the pool. Dentisto – the dentist was in an old stone building dimly lit as we walked in. Just the sort of atmosphere for torture. I recalled Sue’s stories from her mother bout visiting the dentist in Australia and having the wrong tooth pulled out.

Oct 9, 2007 - It it's Tuesday, it must be France, Monaco and Italy

Mario Andretti got behind the wheel of the car today (he took off his F. Scott Fitzgerald costume first), and we spent the morning and part of the afternoon on the Moyenne Corniche driving to Monaco, Menton, and Italy -- just because we could! But first a few words about Le Fiancee du Pirate. it is a 15 room hotel that has been in business since the early 40s. today it is owned by a very nice young couple (Eric and Laurence) who, from what I can see, do all the work from cleaning, making beds, making breakfast, pool upkeep, gardening,...

Jul 17, 2007 - San Remo - Paperwork, Pesto and the Palafiori

The only thing that can be said with any certainty about clearing customs in any foreign port is that the steps involved in processing paperwork are never certain. It is not unusual to get different information from the customs agents, ships' agents and other captains and crew regarding the procedure. Four months before Silverheels II was to be shipped from Florida, we began taking steps to ensure that we would have all the required documents and insurance paperwork for the countries we intended to visit. Four months later, the insurance...