Once more thinking of France

I’m half expecting the gardener to come today. It actually looks settled to be dry today, for the first time in days.

Today’s screen saver image was taken in Collioure. I confess this Catalan part of France we found disappointing. Partly it is because places to visit are so far apart from one another. The gîte we were renting was far from anything much & we were late in the season when the days were already becoming short.

Collioure

Collioure itself was crowded. It didn’t help with it being market day so one car park was taken over by the market stalls.

France is much on my mind at the moment, not only because of the recent acts of terrorism, but also because I’m reading about the part of France we are visiting soon. I’m looking forward to going to the French Alps. We’ve never been. The nearest we’ve got to it was when we visited the Jura many years ago. Oh we’ve seen the Alps in the distance from the Jura, Nice, Provence & the French Riviera, but not actually ventured into the area. What we have seen of the scenery looks fabulous.

So far, most of what I’ve read has been in & around Annecy, where we will start our holiday. The old town, with its lakeside, canalside & riverside walks looks beautiful. I’m hoping, too, we’ll manage to go on a boat trip – a nice easy spell for the Fox with no pushing.

Now we’ve got our blue badge application sorted we can turn our attention to final preparations for the trip. We’ve yet to sort out how we’re getting down to Manchester airport, travel insurance, extra car insurance for the hire car, maps, money etc. At least these are fun things to sort out. Meanwhile I will continue to read about the area & decide on some of the sights & places we would like to visit even if we don’t actually visit them.