Salles sur l'Hers, France

What a fantastic overnight spot last night. It was an aire we'd stayed at many years ago and didn't expect to return to. It's funny how life works out. Today we should have been heading to Carcassonne, but the Tour de France would be setting off from there at lunchtime, so we knew we'd have to change our plans. Nearby to us was the Gorge De Galumus. A deep ravine with a 7th century monastery carved into the rock face. Being so close, we felt we ought to visit, and we were glad we did. It was stunning.

For those a little more adventurous, canyoning was available.

Walking through the gorge and down the steps to the monastery was enough for us.

After a stop at the cafe we began our ascent, following a woman who had tattoos covering both arms and legs. The tattoos on her legs reached all the way to her nether regions. Not a pretty sight when you're following behind! The heat of each day challenges us. Consciously,  we were 'somewhere' in the Pyrenees we thought it best to begin our drive towards the canal du midi. Because of the cycle race roads were closed, and we were diverted all over the place. Google maps wanted us to drive through a tunnel under a railway bridge that was too small for Marge, which was a no go, and all other routes out of the town were blocked. What should we do. Well sit with the French and wait for the Tour de France cyclists along with all the paraphernalia that accompanies them to come by. Despite having to wait almost an hour, when the cyclists passed by in a flash of colour it was amazing.

The French cheered, clapped and shouted bravo. The atmosphere was brilliant, and they welcomed us and Marge with open arms. We've been visiting France for many years now, and never seen the tour. So today was right up there, as one of those special days.

Duilhac-sous-Peyrepertuse, France

Another hot uncomfortable night, but Angela obviously slept as she didn't hear John telling her somehow he could watch the England v Mexico football match on his phone. This morning he was tired! Wonder why? He's not even a big football fan. After a chat with the young German couple next to us who owned a VW T25, we set off back to France.

There are ten wildfires in France at the moment and the largest was in the area we were headed. We filled Marge up with fuel at the border, where Angela was shocked to see the lorry driver paying in front of her had purchased just over £1300 worth of diesel!

At the fuel station Angela's mobile phone set off an alarm warning her of a wildfire nearby, then John's did the same. It was obvious we would need to change our route.

Finding ourselves on the Corbieres wine route which winds its way through the foothills of the Pyrenees, which we realized we'd driven in Marge II we found ourselves heading to an aire at the foot of the Medieval chateau Peyrepertuse. The road up was a little challenging for Angela, especially when we met a rather arrogant young man in his very fancy sports car who thought Marge should drive right along the edge of the road which had a rather severe drop, just so he didn't have to back up. Testing Angela's nerves a little too much, because as you know she suffers from acrophobia, she was on the verge of telling him in no uncertain terms to back up. Obviously John had to in the end, with Angela in full panic mode! Further along at the viewpoint her shorts were soaked, from sweat. It's been 36c here today. We know back at home temperatures are set to rise again.

The aire we are staying at tonight has had a makeover since we were here last. There is just us here, and we can't understand why. The views are fantastic, as the sun dips, it lights the tops of the mountains with a golden glow.

What a beautiful location just to sit, look, enjoy and listen to the Gypsy Kings with the rather noisy cicadas in the trees all around providing percussion. Could someone tell them they're a little out of time!

Agro Camper Mediterrani, Vilassar de Mar, Spain

Staying at Aldo's farm last night felt very freeing. We waited seven weeks to find a place so peaceful and tranquil away from the stress that other travelers cause. It was just us and nature.

Wonderful. And at last Angela had a good night's sleep. No ear plugs required. There's a saying, 'if a place calls you to stay, then go to it'. After seeing Aldo's farm on the park4night app, Angela knew it was definitely a place for us. Today we wanted to eat up some miles. We find that the roads are normally quieter on a Sunday, not so today. This weekend is the beginning of the school holidays in Europe and, didn't we know it.

 

It was also the weekend the Tour de France cycle race began. We were heading to Barcelona, and so was the tour. It seems we will be following it now for a couple of days. Late afternoon after negotiating the ring road around Barcelona we arrived in a suburb. It didn't look the sort of area we would want to stay overnight in. But then, as the road turned to the right we found ourselves in the countryside at an equestrian centre. Perfect. This was our destination. A short train journey from Barcelona, although we won't be visiting there this time, and a short walk to the beach.

When looking for overnight stops we've taken to seeking out more rural stops. So far it's paid off. We seem to have been driving for days. This time last week we were spending our last night in Morocco at a beach side location. Tonight will be our last night in Spain, once again near a beach, so we were glad of the chance to take a walk out after being cooped up in Marge most of the day. Angela is really looking forward to returning to France. We are planning to stay away from busy tourist spots and find some quiet out of the way overnight stays as we do when cycling in France.