Night #33 - Fontainebleau (again)

30th August 2015

Our way North this time, almost home. Very warm and dry so we had to climb at night when we arrived. Pitched the tent at the car park at Rocher Aux Sabots which was a bit public in the morning as climbers arrived early doors to get a climb in before the heat of the day.

The previous two nights had been another wild camp with eht lightweight tents high in the Maritime Alps, and a sneaky stop off in a hotel in Digne Les Baines on our way home.

Night #32 - L'Entosque, Southern France

27th August 2015

Our least favourite night of the trip. A campsite in a town next to a lovely river, but fenced off from it for some inexplicable reason. We'd ended up here thanks to being sandwiched between two amazing days. The afternoon prior we'd tackled the Canyon L'Infernet, a basic, but hugely enjoyable excursion complete with abseils jumps and a massive water slide. The following morning we arrived early to the L'Entosque Via Ferratta in order to get on it before the kiosk opened as there was a 1.4m heigh limit which would have excluded both boys. The guy had intimated that if he didn't see us on it then there would be no problem, but we couldn't officially do it. Suffice to say both boys waltzed along it, Dyl walking along the safety cable when he couldn't reach between rungs!

Night #31 - Camping Le Brac, Southern France

27th August 2015

It seems this lovely campsite has become popular with Brits thanks to a couple of guidebooks: Cool Camping France and Wild Swiming France. We had both with us, the latter being our holiday travel bible. Lovely pontoon and swimming lake, with a camp fire in the river bed at night.

The previous night we'd again opted for a lightweight approach to another bivvie in a remote canyon. Were treated to fireflies buzzing around the camp fire.

Night #30 - Lac St Croix, Southern Fance

22nd August 2015

Wild camped on the shore of the lake. The photo glamourises this one a little. It was muddy, plagued by flies, and we were woken by rangers in the morning threatening a 1,500 Euro fine for camping within a hundred metres of a lake! Still, lovely spot, beautifully warm water and a wild swim out into the lake for a #properselfie!

Night #29 - Palud Sur Verdon

21st August 2015

Beautiful, sleepy campsite used by climbers at one of Europe's premiere climbing spots. Spent the afternoon catching up on washing, diaries, and throwing a frisbee around before heading out at 7pm to drive the jaw dropping Route De Crettes along the rim of the canyon and avoid the crowd. Treated to dozens of vultures seemingly playing on the thermals.

The previous night we eschewed the tent in favour of going lightweight and bivvied out in the base f the canyon like cavemen (with sleeping bags). Truly memorable.

Night #28 - Verdon Gorge, South of France

19th August 2015

A lovely overlook of Lac St Croix at the bottom end of Europe's Grand Canyon, the Verdon Gorge. rock solid ground though!

Nights #26 & #27 - Cassis on the Cote D'Azur, Southern France

17th & 18th August 2015

Only one campsite in the area and absolutely no chance of any wild camping. Fortunately managed to bag the last pitch here. Not the nicest, but gavce us access to some great kayaking in the Calanques,

Night #25, 3 Rivers Campsite, France

16th August 2015

Found a lovely campsite with mainly Dutch campers. Went canyoning, played boule and relaxed into the French holiday way of life. Bare feet, shorts and Tshirts.

Night #24 - Mt Ventoux, France

15th August 2015

Unfortunately we didn't have our bikes with us, but that didn't stop us from taking a quick spin up the most fabled of Tour De France climbs, Mt Ventoux. Found a lovely little wild camping spot half way down which was out of the wind and home to all manner of insects.

Night #23 - Fontainebleau, France

14th August 2015

Stopped off for a quick play on the boulders on our way south. Sadly it rained so we didn't stop long. Made the mistake of taking a wet tent down in the sand...