To Sanaray Sur Mer via the Millau bridge

From Plymouth to Roscoff via the Brittany Ferry Helen and I jog along the lower deck between the juggernaut lorries due to the fact that we had strapped to the rear of our luggage rack two rather menacing guns; spear fishing guns in fact, that attracted the attention of the port authorities. These in some way afforded us the rather privileged position  of a guarded placement on this deck overlooked by a CCTV camera.

Once in Roscoff and on the open road we took to motorway travel like ducks to water and made uneventful progress to Gannat, a village just off the motorway which is roughly half way down the centre of France and within striking distance of our next days target; the Millau bridge.

 

This structure was good reason for our taking the detour west of our direct route to Bandol but was so well worth the toll of £8 approx...
The second leg of our trip into the Cote d'Azure took all day but the booked mobile home was dissapointing and so next day after a good nights rest we checked out and found another listed on the GPS located at Sanary-sur-Mer, Now this seaside resort and port was to capture our hearts so much so that we stayed here for the next two weeks.

Days out were spent during our short stay at some of the smaller villages including Cassis, Evenos, Le Lavandau, St Tropez, Collobrieres and Cabris - (near Grasse).
The one wet day spent in St Tropez was probably not the best of weather to see such an iconic resort but a conclusion was reached of the extraordinary wealth sported by the yachties and gin palace tax haven fugitives.

Sanary was by far the most delightful resort we found on this coast. An inner harbour is reserved for those classic fishing craft with their lateen sails and mostly owned by the local fishing community and retirees. A marine festival held here completed the picture of a way of life so relaxed and timeless the logic of making it our permanent home was  seriously explored.. A study of the Property Agents windows soon confirmed that this is not a cheap option.

Our return trip home was delayed so that we should avoid bank holiday traffic.
On the Monday morning early departure at 4am we left before daybreak heading once more for the Millau bridge which was crossed three hours later in a warm early morning light. After 14 hours and four rest stops we reached Roscoff and came at last to a lovely harbour-side hotel;  The Belleview with adjoining Restaurant.  Clean as a whistle and with such a friendly Patron and helpfull staff. Rated as a two star hotel but worthy of an extra one.
Before embarking on the Brittany Ferry at 2.30pm we underwent a thorough inspection by the port authorities alongside with our fellow travellers. The black labrador sniffer dog was walked up and down the lines of vehicles and our cockpit area lightly searched. The engine bay was also checked but exactly what for, only the men in black knew.
One thing they did not find was the L.E.D. torch I had mislaid before our tour and forgotten all about. Only on reaching home did I discover its misshapen form lodged between the silencer and the chassis, one of those inspection lamps that has a magnet and hook attached but now completely useless and distorted by the heat.