Drag-whe-non.

Thursday 21st September 2017 - Bargemon.

Our night was very comfortable of the garage car park.  We particularly enjoyed using the free garage wifi which still worked well from the locked gates but not from our vans parking position.  So, yesterday evening was taken up by us standing next to the gates doing our blog and emails etc.  I'm surprised that we weren't reported as suspicious characters to the local police.

Well, all was good with the garage.  We were informed in the morning that the alternator was expected today and the repair would be completed by 5pm.  We made a little plan of attack for our cycling trip of the day.  It started by a trip to Trans-en- Provence which we had thought was probably a suburb of Draguignan but turned out to be better than expected (we love it when it happens like that).  The first thing we liked was the Decathlon store.  We love them.  We made several purchases including trousers and casual shirts for me and an anorak (sorry raincoat), socks and cycling glasses for Janice.  We both got a small, lightweight wind proof cycling jacket that packed away to the size of a thimble...amazing.  We went to pay and they asked if we had a Decathlon discount card, I said we didn't but I was a close friend of Daly Thompson but they didn't seem to recognise his name or give me any discount!!

The centre of Trans-en- Provence was quiet but pleasant with river rapids running though/under the square.

I don't want to make anyone jealous but the whole day was absolutely gorgeous and sunny with perfect blue skies.

Onward we cycled through small towns and villages that didn't seem to register on the tourist trail but we're all lovely in their own way.  In La Motte we cycled up to the Clock Tower...

We moved on to Les Arcs where the market was just packing up.  We had our pizza lunch with mini pepperoni style Saussison and tomatoes.

Sitting outside the Hotel de Ville.  

Followed by figs from the market.

Not many people will know that Janice has a particular liking for figs.  So, here she was doing her 'yes, yes, yes' moment similar to the 'When Harry met Sally' diner scene.  That's how much she loves them!

We enjoyed the cycling through the countryside.  It was sooooo nice.

The route took us back into Draguignan, which we now are sure is pronounced Drag-whe-non.  The town is quite a functional town rather than a tourist mecca.  It is home to the French military which has land all around this area.  The artillery guns could be heard regularly booming.  We explored the old town....

And we thought we deserved an ice cream treat.

On our return to the garage the van was ready at 4.15pm.  That's what I like, prompt service.  The hard bit was the £500 bill.  We couldn't argue as the cost of the alternator was the majority of the cost + tax!  The garage had done a great job for us - we bought the mechanic some nice biscuits for his tea breaks.  I nearly kissed him!

Back on the road again we headed for Bargemon, the place we were heading for yesterday.  It has been recommended to us by friends, Lin and Norman and I also found out that my brother Peter had been here about 8 years ago.

We were particularly pleased when we found that there was a free Aire de Camp in a lovely position.

Janice was busy watching the locals play boule.....nothing smutty, proper boule!  We had a lovely chicken salad for tea and then walked into the village.

We were the only people left in the square as we left.  I suppose it would be really busy with tourists in summer but lovely and quiet this time of year.

I have it on good authority that Posh and Becks have a large holiday home near Bargemon.  I will look out for him tomorrow.  As soon as word is out that we are in the area I'm sure we will get his invitation to join him.  He will know what an admirer I am.  After all, we both have retirement in common!