That looks lovely, Roger.

I am now a bit envious.

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I'll look in on your campsite sometime this week Brain but so far, this one does it for us. Like camping in the woods but with all the amenities and the beach is on the campsite (about 5 minute walk from where we are pitched).
R

Don't you watch Thunderbirds Andy ?
R

Tuesday 3rd May.

Another very warm day today and for the first time in a year or two we broke our pledge not to have breakfast. One of our kids reckons it’s the best way to lose weight which seeing as none of our kids is over weight isn’t an issue. In our case it’s more of a way of not putting extra weight on.

The reason for breaking the pledge? How could we resist that early morning baguette warm out of the oven and some of Bunny Eribanaut’s famous homemade marmalade.

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Then it was a quick visit to do a large food shop. There’s a Lidl in Remoulins and a large Carrefour south of Uzes. Apart from that today we lazed around.

On the way down from the last campsite I had a bit of an argument with the missus and the Satnav as I thought I could turn right off the Uzes/Remoulins road and enter Pont Du Gard by way of the village of Collias. That way we could pass the other campsite we had in mind before looking at the campsite Mr Calder loves which should then be only a mile or so from where we are.

Not so as it now appears that Collias and Mr Calder’s campsite are on the west bank of the Gard whereas we are on the opposite east bank on a no through road from Remoulins.

Yes Islay you can swim in the river. Recommend swimming shoes though as the beach is a bit pebbly.
When the kids came with us some years ago they spent hours swimming alongside the Pont du Gard and jumping off the bank on what was the far side to the beach then.
We're walking around there today so will tell you more later.

Wednesday 4th May (Star Wars Day)

Yesterday evening we had a brief thunder and lightning storm some way to the east of us. Only a few minutes but it cleared the air for a perfect evening outside with a box of cheap red wine. Why do people not sit out anymore? When we looked around there were precious few enjoying the outside life. As soon as it gets dark they sneak back into their caves. Our lasting memory of a campsite such as this one was many years ago in Tuscany when after dark you could see the twinkle of porch lights and candles in the woods as people enjoyed the freedom. It doesn’t seem to happen anymore unless you are already in the company of several other families.

Another lovely hot day today, about 24 degrees so we walked to the Pont du Gard and as the campsite said, it is only about 800 metres away. Mrs Cat came too in her rucksack but wasn’t impressed. We were, on the other hand and there were very few people there when we arrived and yes, we are on the west bank. We’ve never approached it from this direction before and there were some good views of the bridge in all her splendour.

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As many of you know, this Roman aqueduct was built to carry waters from the mountains to the city of Nimes which at the time of Roman occupation was festooned with many dozens of fountains and bath houses.

Access is only available to the bottom tier which is the wide foot bridge across the river. The aqueduct is supported by the small arches on the top of the bridge. We crossed over and visited the beach again that our kids enjoyed so much before coming back across, against the flow of many dozens of visitors coming the other way including several parties of screaming school kids on school trips, which is very popular in France.

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After a lovely picnic on a shady bench we walked back to the campsite and finished of our lunch with fresh strawberries and Greek Yoghurt. We are promised another thunder storm later this afternoon.

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Randa

Thanks, Roger. That brought back many happy memories.

Thursday 5th May.

Not quite as warm today because of a strong wind.

A number of reviewers of this campsite have likened it to a transit camp with campervans and caravans coming in at all times of day for just one overnight stop. We can see that it is so with vans from Germany, Netherlands, Italy and Luxembourg all trailing in probably on route to or from Spain. We’ve not seen one GB van as yet though. Oops spoke too soon. As soon as I finished composing this a UK campervan drove in alongside us and hit a tree. Seriously, I ask you?

We don’t see it as a problem though as we are well tucked in to a little glade well away from the bad drivers. Many of the pitches are too low in headroom for the big campers anyway.

The other two criticisms by reviewers is that it is too dark at night which is rubbish as there are adequate lights dotted around and that the pitches were badly demarked. Quite so until it becomes apparent that each pitch is a different shape and has the occasional additional tree or bush in it. Great for Eribas not so good for furniture vans.

Something crossed our minds the other night after a large Swiss caravan and tow car pulled in for the evening and night. He picked a reasonable spot but proceeded to run his electric cable a long way to another hook up post. They then went off for a pizza and came back just before dark and ran another electric cable to a different hook up on the same post and plugged his car in. I can only consider that the two EHU cables were because we are only on 6amp electricity here. I’m not saying he didn’t get permission but what’s to stop these guys with lecci cars getting a free top up at a campsite? We worked it out that we could be spending as much as 45 to 50 euros on diesel to do 200 towing miles which is about the range of an electric tow car. How much if anything, do they pay, I wonder?

Today we drove down to Beaucaire today for the weekly market and luckily found a car space alongside the boating channel, an offshoot of the mighty River Rhone. We then crossed the Rhone into Tarascon before driving up the east bank to a beautiful village we have never heard of or visited before called Boulbon which is towered over by a large castle ruin and a windmill. A more than ample free parking area in the large village square.
From there it was north again to cross the Rhone and visit Aramon.

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Friday 6th May.
Another very windy day and not so warm.
Drove to Avignon and, as usual, it was even more windy there. Firstly we drove around the outside of the city which is surrounded by fairly high turreted walls. We then decided to find an underground carpark and leave Mrs Cat in the comfort of her large dog cage in the car. She likes the darkness and coolness of underground car parks.

Did you know that some crazy Frenchman decided to build a huge underground car park immediately beneath the Palais du Papes? It’s 3 storeys deep and must occupy much of the hill that the ancient buildings and gardens sit on. How brave is that risking the collapse of ten centuries of French history?

When we emerged from the carpark we found ourselves on the large square that is looked down upon from the Papal buildings. Furthermore we were at the start of the Petit Train Station so we decided to have a ride around the city in that and benefit from English commentary. We saw and leaned far more about the city as the train meandered through some very small alley ways but we missed out on some photo opportunities. We already have a stack of then from the other times we visited.

We are told that the famous half bridge was built in the 12th Century by a shepherd who had a vision. Yes it was finished and contained 22 arches but it broke up in the 17th century and was never replaced. Our Shepherd is buried in the small chapel on the remaining part of the bridge.

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Saturday 7th May

A very warm day today up to 25 degrees but a slight breeze to cool us down. The strong winds relented this morning.

A 10 miles drive up to Uzes as it’s market day and the two main streets of the town had dozens of market stalls on both sides of the road. Very difficult to find parking and we followed a procession of vehicles around the one way system and through the market before we were lucky and found one space in a nice shady car park. Only 1.80 euros for two hours.

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from Uzes we tried to find Mr Calder’s campsite but first a trip to Collias to look at the campsite we almost picked to stay on. Very glad we didn’t as it was high up above the river and very exposed. As for Mr Calder’ campsite I’m afraid he might be a bit disappointed. I had a chat with two young ladies at reception who at first, couldn’t understand quite what I wanted. However, between the three of us we got the point over and the campsite is nothing like it was 8 years ago, the camping pitches being reduced to one small area of the campsite while many dozens of mobilhomes have been installed elsewhere. I’ve indicated it on the map.

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Randa

Thanks, Roger. I thought the site might now be unrecognisable and can only reflect that we were very lucky to have been there when we were. It was good of you to have a look and to report back.

The last time we visited Uzès there was a large, free car park in a field right at the entrance to the town off the Remoulins road that passed our campsite. I presume it's no longer there?

They do say, 'never go back' and in this case it appears to be wise counsel.

B

Hi Brian. Our pleasure. There are two car parks just outside Uzes but are, in the main, full of campervans. We managed OK however so don't let that put you off.
We can't speak for you but think that you might like this campsite we're on and,of course, the half price offer must stand as it's writ large in the 2022 ACSI book. 👍