A Simply Fab Life
You may see a tired old wreck. I see a shivering bonnet beating a rhythmic tune to the tired, sluggish, loudly bellowing old engine straining to clamber up a narrow pass heading away from the Corsican coastline.
Everyone has heard of or perhaps seen, the old classic car rallies. This rally was in the spirit of that most famous road rally of the 1950s
On our extended road trip around Europe the greatest challenge has always been keeping the truck tidy, along with keeping the beers chilled and trying not to lose the firelighters.
Camping out of season has its advantages, notably having the place to yourself. Except for when the local shepherds invade the campsite with a flock of woolly ruminants.
We’re updating the Roadtrip EU route on Google Maps, for family and friends to follow. We hope you guys enjoy, or are perhaps inspired too! See you on the road!
Would YOU trade in your trusty Land Rover for a Lagoon 40 sailing catamaran? And spend a week sailing around the French south coast?
Domaine de Villemarin is a hidden gem near Mèze a couple of km from the shores of étang de Thau between Agde and Sète
The dramatic drive from Puigcerda towards Carcasonne is one of those well-kept secrets…
This is a pretty comprehensive (video) review on the campsite Gaset near Talarn in Spain, before we tackle some fearsomely steep hills into the Pyrenees…
Needing some car parts as well as doing our obligatory tests found us in the town of D(r)ax (couldn’t resist) for a couple of days.
The reception/bar is quaint with some nice shaded pitches available near the river, however…
I’m still not sure what to make of the French language when they name a town after a bitumen glue…
If you would like some peace and quiet in a setting surrounded by nature this is a good, basic campsite to spend a couple of days while you explore the surroundings.
As a transit camping this is perfectly agreeable for a one-night-stopper being well established and partially shaded by some large oak trees
We were entertained that evening by the ‘bull’-run show held next door. No idea what was going on but the presenter was certainly lively! The next evening the disco at the camping across the road started up and lasted quite late. But they had an awesome 80’s playlist!
A little bit wild, full of green pine forests and a rough sea when the wind is blowing hard…! This place reminded us of South Africa in some ways.
La Rochelle is a surprisingly vibey place to visit. It has an historical city centre, excellent aquarium, the maritime museum, nearby seashores and beaches… And more, I guess. We shall have to come back!
From Mont St Michel Saint Nazaire is only about 200 kilometres away. But this meant we would cut away most of the coastline of Bretagne which caused some lengthy discussion.
This tiny island first looms up on the horizon as a fascinating rocky feature in an otherwise featurelessly flat area of coastland. Like a spire reaching for the heavens – which is exactly what it was built for…
For those with a keen interest in World War Two and the D DAY landings, in particular, I can recommend spending a week in this area of the French coast.
From a fittingly moody, overcast and rainy backdrop rise two impressively tall flag masts before a lily pond leading to the memorial.
Omaha D-Day Museum Overlord Museum American Cemetery Port en Bessin We visited this one in 2008 and were very impressed with the exhibits, notably the abundance of sea…
We visit the sweet little town of Port-en-Bessin with its quaint buildings, fishing boats, take a stroll down the promenade and then brave a very stormy night on camping Omaha Beach
Overlord Museum American Cemetery Underwater Wrecks Port en Bessin The Normandy coastline from Caen to Barfleur is a must-see destination with dozens of museums scattered about the countryside,…
Camping Le Rivage has incredible views of the coastline up towards Fécamp and overlooks the village of Yport. Is it just another seaside town with a couple of fishing boats dragged onto the pebble-covered beach? Or is there more to it?
This camping is situated along the Semois river no more than ten kilometres from the Belgian border, and is simply enormous!
Mini-campings are great for the solitude and proximity to nature. Just don’t expect a swimming pool or entertainment in the form of a mariachi band!
This area is called the Hautes-Alps which is a little bit strange because it’s actually the beginning of the Alps. It’s a beautiful area where it starts getting very mountainous with this tiny little road that is great to drive.
Ask us about South Africa and we can tell you all you need to know… Europe is still a bit of a mystery… So let’s go on a Road Trip!
On deciding to move to Cotignac after our 4-month sabbatical, Susana of Provence Living introduced us to Stephen and Jeany Cronk, who needed help with opening their boutique
Living as guardians for Villa Caren, the manager’s house on the Lou Calen hotel renovation building site, it was a huge delight to watch stonemason / brewmaster Renaud & his team build the ‘La Tuf’ brewpub
“Loving a Land Rover” – it kind of gets under your skin…
During the sailing regatta, Les Voiles de Saint Tropez, we were invited onboard the magnificent superyacht after the race. Her incredible size hits you as you’re ready to embark; being relieved of your shoes.
Les Voiles de Saint Tropez is a fab sailing regatta held from the last weekend of September, where about 300 yachts gather in the Golf of St Tropez for a week of competitive sailing and celebrations.
Visiting the cliffs and formerly inhabited troglodyte dwelling in Cotignac is a must-do activity in this Provençal village
Vic joined two WSET-qualified wine boffs Nuria Styliano and Shelley Coleman for an interview and private tour with Jerome Pernot at Château Léoube
For the 8th year in a row, Big Five and the Red One rocked Cotignac. Great music, dancing and German food and beer. Merci beaucoup.
Camping with soft beach sand between your toes overlooking the Bay of St Tropez also sound like heaven to you? A great spot for our Land Rover #Dakota110
Land Rover owners love their Defenders because they’re fun, adventurous and they roll in the corners. You take your time going places, mostly not by choice but with a big grin on your face
There is a particular enjoyment to be had in a vehicle where every change in engine note, every rattle and every pebble and bump on the road is a tactile experience.