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1998 France +
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1998 France +
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In 1998 we did our last trip in the blue Westfalia. Heading down into Belgium, we did back roads around Namur, acquiring a patio table umbrella form maredsous, before heading over to the Koln/Rhine area, where we had the cooling fan replaced (not necessary). Next we headed through Alsace, where we stayed at a cool municipal camping next to a brook (fresh baguettes delivered in the morn!).
Traveling through grenoble, we freecamped at the side of the road, to be woken by the grinding engine of a combine harvester. Next we headed down to the Gorge du verdon region, where we traveled along the Gorge ( arranging a new roof for a rental property in Toronto en route!) & revisited Mandarom.
Cutting across to Aix, we ditched the con-artist tourist trap restaurant for the small " Bistro Latin " & bought a case of wine at Chateau du Seuil. Then travelled to Isle sur les Sorgue o explore the antique shops.
Next it was Avignon for the festival d'Avignon, where took in a spectacle about Salvador Dali, before heading over to Sommieres, where we witnessed a French Bull Run (much less dramatic than Pamplona!). Toured the countryside looking for Durrell's Pic St. Barbe wine - no luck- but we did visit Pic St. Loup, which it turns out is the wine referenced in the Avignon Quintet.
From Sommieres we headed through the desolate northern gard & stumbled upon the Château de Cordčs with spectacular Boxwood gardens. Driving straight north via Millau, we stopped for lunch at a Relais de Routiers, witnessed boat going over the Pont Canal at Briare,before traveling up the Loire to Paris for a few days.
We then looped back over to the Koln/Rhine region to double-check the earlier VW service, then looped through Tongeren (bought a skull-headed walking stick) & Brussels antique areas, before heading back through Antwerp to spend a few days in Amsterdam, before flying back out of Schiphol.
Pics below are from video.
