Hello from sunny Corsica on Saturday June 9th. Sounds like you all had a great Jubilee celebration, I watched it on I Player and it just shows that we Brits can show the world how to party, will also admit it brought a bit of a tear to my eye or maybe it was just dust.
Irene and I spent the night  at a French Passion Farm - now now, don't get too excited - its the name of an organisation of farmers who offer free overnight stops in exchange for you buying their produce. Well ours went one step better and had a little restaurant under the pine trees, also open to the public, so we spent a very happy evening there. the most beautiful views over the valley and a lovely walk around the fields. Didn't feel it was appropriate to bring out the union jacks i had brought for the occasion but think those will come in useful later in the trip - tell you more when its time.

Now, I know I keep talking about the fabulous scenery we have been passing through and would love to show you pictures but am having real difficulty getting my head around picasa 3 and Livedrive briefcase - I need a Nick, ( sorry for those of you who dont know what I'm talking about, just bear with me) Do hope that I will get some photos on soon.

So, after the Camargue we drove down through Provence to Toulon - I can just hear you francophiles screaming at the thought of just driving through one of the most beautiful parts of the country but we had a reason, we really wanted to get to Corsica in time for Irene to see some of it. We did have a little stop in a very small town in Provence where we very nearly created a diplomatic incident when we drove into the field where they were preparing for a big procession that all the town was waiting to see - lots of horses, a band, a girl all dressed up who was obviously the centre of attention - until we arrived that was.

 And why did we drive in there  I hear you ask? Well, because we are good drivers who didnt want to block the road and followed the parking signs- how were we to know that they led to the field in question and that the entrance was only just wide enough to get Betsy through  and that they were going to make us turn around - how ould we know?? Well, it was absolute chaos - men shouting at us, Kye barking, a policeman trying to manoeuvre us out by shouting in the loudest French we had ever heard - are you getting the picture? So glad Irene was driving. Anyway, she got us out and we beat a hasty retreat thinking we might not be welcome.

So down to Toulon which was very noisy because there was a rugby semi final and they won-then Irene remembered  Jonny Wilkinson played for Toulon so we celebrated with them. Got the overnight ferry to Ajaccio which was sooo comfortable - our cabin was bigger than Betsy and we had beds! One each! with pillows!! except that I had to have Kye who was very good as I had slipped him some calm you down pills. Arrived the next morning after a good night sleep and a nice breakfast and off we went again.

Both of us fell in love with Corsica as soon as we got on the road- stunning countryside, wild forests, mountains, long sandy beaches and little coves with azure blue seas. Quieter roads though goodness knows what they would be like in the summer when the hordes arrive. We did a lot of sight seeing including prehistoric sites, roman remains and lots of citadels and old towns - all worth a visit.
The campsites have been so much more relaxed and we've had a really enjoyable time. Then the sad morning when Irene had to go back to real life, unsurprisingly there were a few tears on both sides but then the stiff upper lip came back into play ( along with the rescue remedy) and we both just got on. Irene flew Calvi to Marseille to Gatwick, I went to Calvi to buy a ferry ticket for Italy on unday afternoon and then got out of there because we were on one of the least favoured campsites - everyone in their place and woe betide anyone who steps out of place.

We did have a bit of a crisis when we discovered the water pump on Betsy had packed up - but its no real problem as water is easily available and it does mean less weight so easier to get up the hills.
I have spent the last 3 nights at a lovely relaxed, ramshackle campsite on the beach just outside st Jean de Floret on the northwest coast - sure it was a lovely little fishing town once  but now it has a big marina with big boats and women with big hair, but tucked round the corner is the locals marina - much more my style.

So Italy beckons tomorrow- think it will be a bit of a shock after this peaceful sojurn but these past days have reminded me that I am on holiday not a route march so will definately make sure I have some down time.

Thats all for now, thanks to everyone who has emailed, appreciate hearing news or send me a text-either way good to hear.
Bye for now.
Jane x