What a difference a few degrees warmer makes as we move further south. Although the locations and views are spectacular we have had enough of the cold and the mountains now and want some sun!. Our slow journey south is taking us over the last of the Alps now and less winding roads. It takes nearly 3 hours to travel 80 miles at our pace!. For the little extra and quality we are staying just one night at campsites using the ACSI fixed price scheme instead of those Aires we used last week. Also we don't disconnect the trailer or unpack anything so its a quick getaway in the morning. The campsites are really quiet and sometimes we are the only ones there meaning we can always choose the best spot!. we hardly see any other motorhomes or caravans so we are either going into far reaching areas or they all got fed up with the cold and went home!. We went for a long 9k walk two days ago and spotted the familiar architecture of a Mcdonalds on the way back, here it's a gold 'M' on a green background instead of a red background like the UK, healthier perhaps?. We smiled at each other knowing it had been a very long time since our last big Mac so in we went. The actual restaurant (can you call it that?) is much nicer than a UK one with a lovely outside area and posh children's activity play zone. The French were here in numbers most having just arrived from the ski slopes by the amount of cars in the car park with ski's on roof racks hence the familiar queue was the only way to get your big Mac'. When it arrived it was somewhat disappointing as it looked and tasted no different that a UK big Mac'. So why with the French so passionate about their food and bread do they eat this!. Still, that's it, we have had our first and last big Mac' in france, it had to be done!.
Our french cuisine is slowly coming along and Lorraine is coming up with some cracking meals. We experiment with different ingredients and different packs of things that 'look good' on the shelves of shops but sometimes aren't that good when they end up on your plate!. One thing for sure is the vast choice of cheeses, wines and beers, fantastic!. The beer is stronger and I have gone for the popular Belgian Blonde type which ranges between 6.6% & 8% that means only two bottles and I am singing so not too much alcohol and cheaper too!. We find lots of half bottles of wine in the 'caves' (off licences) so sticking with that for now as Lorraine likes white and me red so we can open a bottle and finish it properly without having to re-cork and store.
The other big difference is the bread situation, no plastic bags full of Hovis, Warburtons etc that last for days, here it's fresh every day with no preservatives or other rubbish, just lovely wholesome bread in various forms that you get every morning to soak up your coffee and various sauces your food comes with.. yummy!. The French love their Boulangeries/Patisseries and the baker is a very passionate person to his produce.
We hope to be on the south Mediterranean coast by Friday on the Hyeres Peninsula. We have some friends near there so will pop in for a coffee on the way through. Internet has not been good for the last few days so will catch up again soon
Au revoir
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