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Another warm sunny morning. We service both vans then Ali and Grete go back to 'Simply' for some more groceries then we say goodbye to Rafiq, the site manager who has been very friendly and helpful, and set off just after 11:30.
Just outside Imperia we join the auto-route because we want to cover some miles rather than spend 2-3 days retracing the coast route. Immediately we have a snag, Ali presses the button and no ticket appears, but the light goes green, the barrier rises and Nick moves off and waits for N+G. Ali calls on the radio and they tell us they got a ticket. At the border we explain, the operator asks where we started, checks our reg. number and charges the toll. Problem over we travel through and over a succession of tunnels and bridges which continue after re-entering France at 12:20.
Deep ravines, high rocks and villages clinging to the sides or perched on pinnacles feature as the miles roll by. The hills up and down are long but not steep and we get good views over the sea and Menton, then we fly high over Nice on tall bridges before returning to vineyard country. For a while the tolls come thick and fast before we get a long stretch without stopping. Near the Verdon Gorge, famous for the Mount Ventoux cycling and motor races, we see wild brown rocks and mountains which look more volcanic than the limestone of the last few days.
We leave the toll roads at St Maxine 6 miles from our destination and make the final payment. In total it cost about €35 but worth it for time saved.
When we arrive at the Passion, Les Terres de St Hilaire, there is no-one around we later find out via a text from Michael it is Ascension Day which is a public holiday. A long drive way up to the turreted house is bordered by fields of vine and lavender. We can smell the lavender but there will be flowers for two or three weeks.
It is a warm sunny evening and we go for a walk around the lanes in the estate. Vines as far as the eye can see, wild flowers and olive and almond trees. We then sat out in the warm sunshine with our dinner of salmon, chicken and apricot, and Ice-cream, listening to bird song and cicadas all around us.
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