Today I joined the beautiful people or tried to anyway ! A trip to St Raph and St Trop. Had to go, didn’t I ? I’ve never been to either, so a new experience, on a brilliantly sunny day.
On the way, I decided to do some detective work. Thinking about when I was here before, some distant memory clicked in my mind that we had stayed at a campsite at Le Dramont (another small village along the coast), rather than Agay. I’d sussed out all the other campsites in Agay and no bells had really rung. Lo and behold, I came across Camping International.
The fact that access was across a railway line and that the site was severely terraced also seem to be slightly familiar. Things had changed a bit, as there was not one tent on site, all converted to mobile and other permanent homes.
Anyway, nostalgia over, it was on to see the rich and famous………
Parking in St Raphael seemed to be a bit of an issue, then I realised it was the day of the Assumption celebration the day after – always good for a holiday in France. I had a general wander around, had a spot of lunch in one of the kiosks dotted along the seafront and then on to St. Tropez.
Traffic was worse than I had expected – it must be hell in high season……..
St Tropez was originally a small fishing village but is now HQ for the rich and famous. It still retains a small village feel in the older part of town, but shedloads of expensive upmarket shops now.
Had a bit of fun trying to park in the Place des Lices – partly filled with funfair stuff for the next day. The parking meters presented quite a challenge. Not helped by the sun shining directly on to the not very bright LCD display, it took the combined efforts of myself, two American visitors and a French couple to work out how to use our credit cards to extract parking tickets from the beastie. We eventually twigged that time was only available in 2 EURO increments…. A grand bit of international co-operation !
Thankfully not too busy in the town itself today, beautifully warm, gradually creeping towards 30 Degree C. Obviously plenty of expensive boats in the harbour, plus a few parked out in the bay – no room at the inn….
I’m not sure if I’m a great fan of the “gin palaces” but they are certainly impressive. The sailing fraternity were well represented though with some beautifully kitted out serious sailing machinery.
After a few hours wandering around, it was back in the car for the hot drive home. Traffic got better nearer we got to Nice. A good day out and I can now say I’ve “done” this part of the coast. Certainly quite dramatic in parts.
When I got back to Agay it had definitely got quite warm, illustrated by how this coconut oil had melted to be completely transparent !
Tomorrow’s the start of the next “travelling” section of the trip, so partially packed up, ready for the off.