Photos Tour of southern France 2012

Parked on the Quay at Avignon in France.

Preparations for an early morning departure.

Departure for Port Napolean, 07.58.

Early morning light effects.

Ready to follow by land.

The large lock at Beaucaire Tarascon just north of Arles.

The white dot in the distance is Roland's yacht Camira.

Waiting for a large comercial boat to pass therough the lock travelling upstream

Full lock

emptying

exiting the lock.

Acording to the harbour master in Avignon there was a mistral (wind) forecast, the only Mistral we saw that day was this one.

Parking directly on the beach

Not as nice as Australian beaches, but the best we have seen in Europe so far.

Passing the last lock before the Med. at Port St Louis du Rhone

Entering the Med for the first time.

The skipper and crew in Port Napoleon

A well earned beer!

Roland's mate!

Evening mood in Port Napoleon

Roman Amphitheatre in Arles

Detail of the amphitheatre.

A very good restaurant we tried in Arles.

Mmm!

Walking beside the river in Arles.

Small boats in Arles. There was no other place to dock in Arles.

Old church in Arles.

Detal

Ready to step the mast in Port Napoleon.

Back on the berth with the mast in place.

Semi gimballed radome mounting.

Deck entry for mast cables.

Vincent van Van Gogh painting of an opening bridge near Arles

The bridge today.

The Abbey of mont Major

Climbing the tower

View from the tower

Looking down on the original tombs.

The Chateau des Baux, sketch of castle and village as it is today.

Looking down over the village

View of the beautiful surroundings.

How the castle looked before it was destroyed by order of the king.

The chapel today.

Part of the village.

Palace of the Popes in Avignon

The old bridge at Avignon

The Fountain of Vauclause

The depth markers on the right hand side are to indicate the depth of the water in Spring.

In October there was little water flowing.

Castle on cliff beside the river.

Old water wheel and boat.

The River Sorgue just below the town.

The Roman theatre in Orange

How it used to be.

How it is today.

Visiting singer.

Unfortunately there were too many visitors around for Elisabeth to try out the acoustics.

This was a lucky parking spot. I only got it as I saw another motor home departing.

The front does not poke out far,

and the back is over a segment of pavement.

The arch of triumph in Orange. (Roman)

Detail.

View from the road on a drive up Mount Ventoux.

Really great views.

The Tour de France gous over here!

Turn off to a ski resort

The summit in view but still a bit to go.

Moonscape like area East of the summit.

Looking back down where we came from. The curve visibil below is wher the motor home was parked in the picture two above.

The last part of the road up.

The summit.

Entering a winery.

The cave we visited to taste and buy some wine.

We travelled on national roads on the way home instead of the toll highways and the scenery was spectacular.

Our last camp place before heading for home.

View of the mountains from near our camp place.