Sth France, Avignon, Chateaunauf Du Pape
Trip Start
Sep 10, 2009
1
15
27
Trip End
Dec 12, 2009
Châteauneuf-du-Pape, Provence, France
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Date: 24/10/2009
Location: Chateaunauf du Pape, Sth France
Beers consumed to date: 569
The last couple of days have been spent mostly relaxing at Peter's house in Chateaunauf du Pape, about 20 minutes outside Avignon. After writing the last diary entry we actually had an encounter with a fox that night. I had shot a tin of Herring earlier in the day, and when I went out to brush my teeth I was shocked to find a pair of eyes lurking in the bush. Obviously a fox, we all grabbed our guns and tried to get it, with no avail. After trying a few times we called it a night. Before we all went to bed we discussed stories about people who had been attacked by Gypsies in Europe, and decided it would be better to leave our guns out.
In the morning we woke early and drove the last 30 minutes to Peter's house. Chateaunauf de Pape is a beautiful, old French village perched on a hill, surrounded by vineyards. The first day there was spent just washing our clothing, relaxing and visiting the local supermarket. Called Auchan, it is like a Woolworths, Kmart and Dick Smiths all rolled into one huge shop. We enjoyed looking through the meat aisle that contained the brains, balls and tongues. On Thursday the 22nd we took a trip to the nearby town Orange and walked around the markets there. There is also the best preserved Roman Amphitheater in Europe there and it was a fascinating structure. Built in the 2 Century A.D it was used by the Roman community for plays up until its demise centuries later. Thankfully being spared by conquering armies it remained standing (although damaged) until the mid 19th century when it was restored and brought back into use. Over the past hundred and fifty years it has been used for Operas, Plays and even concerts from such bands as Procol Harum and Dire Straits. That night we had dinner at a one of the Godfrey family's friend's house. Suzi who lives just over the road prepared a meal that was typical of the Provence area in France. Some of the delicacies were snails, stuffed tomatoes, duck, seafood soup and a cheese platter. The snails were surprisingly delicious and not at all slimy.
Yesterday we went back to Auchan and went to all the neighbouring shops aswell. We decided to buy a pair of rollerskates to ride around some of the remaining cities we have yet to visit, as it is much quicker than walking, and more enjoyable. We also purchased materials to construct a grille for our van, as we are sick of animals and bits of plant coming through the air vents into the cabin, and also for general aesthetics.
Date: 25/10/2009
Location: Chateaunauf du Pape, Sth France
Beers consumed to date: 609
Yesterday we ventured into Avignon after lunch and walked around visiting the sites. We went inside the Palace of the Popes, built about 1000 years ago. Avignon was bought by the Papacy for 20,000 florins and the castle built for the Popes. Over the years it was used by a total of nine popes. We returned to Peter's house for dinner before driving to the city's train station to pick up our friend Daisy who had come from Corsica. She will be joining us for a bit of the journey during the next couple of weeks. Having picked her up we went to a car park and set up the van to sleep the night. The town of Avignon had a couple of interesting night spots of which we went into two. The first was a regular bar, filled with dancing drunk people. Daisy even managed to touch the nipple of one of the President's bodyguards, who was drunk, dancing with his shirt off. We didnt stay long at the second place, as it closed just after 1.30am.
After going back to the van we were invited over to a nearby skate-park by a few French teenagers. They provided us with bottles of Rose and some good laughs* before we headed to bed at just after 4am.
Today then was obviously spent lazing around after finding the energy to drive home (some members of the crew were hungover). This afternoon we just watched movies.
Date: 28/10/2009
Location: Chateaunauf du Pape, Sth France
Beers consumed to date: 719
When Daisy came a couple of days ago and joined the van crew its provided us with some freshness. The van is by no means a large living area, and although Peter and Marc are among my best friends, it does get a bit stale inside the van at times. Sometimes this can then breed into pointless bickering and arguing over issues we would never have before. I call it van fever, mimicking cabin fever but obviously with different circumstances. The house provided to us in Chateaunauf du Pape by Peter's parents has been a good base to go and explore some of Sth France. On Monday we ventured again to the Mediterranean Coast to a National Park about 50km west of Marseilles. The national park called the Camargue basically spans the whole delta area of the Rhone River. As a result it is extremely flat land and comprises mostly of marshy/swampy land. Near a town called Stes. Maries de-la-Mer we stopped and went walking around a bit. Although knowing they were there we were shocked to see flamingos in some of the lagoon things there. This is because they usually migrate and arent around in Sth France at this time of year.
When we got home we played a game of which I was new to called King of Beers. Essentially a drinking game, and therefore no more explanation required it past some solid hours with fun and before we all went to bed in the early hours of the morning. When I woke up I was shocked to have vomited, and most disappointingly, on my sleeping bag. The 'Nav' is now therefore outside, dripping wet, serving as a lesson to me. Tuesday we went to a nearby mountian called Vontoiux, with an altitude of 1909 metres. A favourite Tour de France mountain climb stage the LDV escorted us to the top in a not so record breaking time. We ate omelet in a restaurant on the peak and enjoyed the views for a bit before making our way back to the house. King of Beers was again played yesterday, with dares such as throwing toilet water through your hair, getting in my wet, smelly nav and climbing into the clothing box in the LDV being done. This time however it was Peter's turn to vomit, ending the game soon after 1am. Today's plan is to drive a couple of hours to Grenoble, at the base of the French Alps, and enjoy a good half day there.
