Why being really lonely is sometimes super awesome!

continuing with the how i met your mother and scrubs jokes...

going to briefly catch you up from last update to where we are now, just because i CAN.

we continued with the alps through switzerland and into france, unfortunately missing out on a mont blanc viewing due to horrible weather. we were relieved to get into france and find prices back to 'reasonable' rather than 'you've got to be kidding me', although switzerland was definitely pretty enough to make up for it. And austria's rest stops were worth any money - and they were free! love campervan loving. Drove on to pretty Annecy, where we stayed in a very cute b&b in the middle of nowhere, run by a woman and her adorable dog Chipie. Because the village she lived in was SO out of the way, we got completely lost looking for her place and had to ask a random french man walking his dog for help. Unable to communicate with us properly (because we fail at French) he hopped in his car with HIS adorable puppy and drove us round the town, knocking on random doors where MORE french strangers helped us find our accommodation. wish there was another way to thank him, our poorly pronounced 'merci beaucoup's didn't quite feel like enough. After a breakfast of woodfired bread and homemade jam, as well as some truly smelly cheeses, we drove south towards Provence through some incredibly pretty countryside, and found an amazing fort that, while shut, provided a jaw-dropping view of the Grenoble basin and the surrounding snow-capped mountains. I was more than a little nervous standing near the edge of its 800m drops.

Provence was BEAUTIFUL, and the sun came out to help us enjoy it. The scenery on the way south was gorgeous, changing constantly. Beautiful azure rivers,rocky hills, bright green fields, vinyards and huge snowy alps towering over it all! Luberon region was GORGEOUS, beautiful Rousillon bright red from the cliff’s ochre, and lovely Gordes shining in the sunset. We had a little ramble around the latter, through some very cute little (steep) streets to some terraces with incredible views of the surrounding area. We drove on to Avignon to see the famous bridge lit up at night, and we danced NEAR it. Michael was not at ALL embarrassed.

Drove down towards Arles on the scenic route – through the bizarre yet gorgeous rocky landscape of Les Baux de Provence – where bauxite was discovered. Arles was great, a lovely ampitheatre and a beautiful relaxed feel. I got very Van Gogh excited, often. Kept on going south through the gorgeous Camargue - glimpsed some flamingos through the trees! - to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a very cute touristy beach town! I went for a paddle in the Med, Michael was far too wussy. After that we turned north towards spectacularly Roman Nimes - amazing arena, beautiful temple (inside which we watched a 3D movie on its history? bizarre) and lovely tower in roman gardens. Pont Du Gard at sunset was all we needed to make it a perfect day!

aaaaaaaand then we drove along the coast toward the Pyrenees, stopping at Beziers to see the eight locks in the canal du midi (michael got his nerd on) and then driving inland to explore beautiful Cathar country. Read up on the old religion and explored their particularly impressive castles. OH this is also when we ate pizza out of a van. so good. SO good :)

Next up was Carcassonne, where the light and expensive parking kept foiling our plans for photos. Visited pretty Mirepoix on our way south, rounding off the day with a visit to the Grotte de Niaux, as i described before.

Had a lovely drive through the Pyrenees, into the beautiful regions of Aragon and Navarra in Spain. Bit disappointed half the iconic Tour passes were shut! Still definitely glad we were in a car and not powering ourselves up those hills.

Up through Pau and the amusingly named but very cute Condom to the Dordogne region, which was magical, and already described!

So now we're in Orleans, holing up in a f1 for SHOWERS and a BED. So exciting. Michael's hair is actually sitting properly. I can get a brush through mine. Miracles!! Tomorrow we set off to explore the Loire Valley, looking forward to the glamour of the chateaux! I can't quite believe that a month today it will be my last night over here. Its gone so quick! but there's still a whole month, and i'm going to make the most of it!

So we're in a formule 1 now, which is absolutely tiny but WAY cheaper than the aussie ones! Conveniently got a park right outside the window, rather than walking around the hotel with all our stuff we unpacked through the window, and since then michael has been using it as a door. Classy. They show super 15 on the tv over here, which is making me a bit homesick! but oh wait... they don't at home. stupid pay tv. anyway should go so i can enjoy the rugby/get a good night's sleep before tomorrow!

love to you all

xoxoxo