Formule1 Marseille Aubagne Gemenos

Really beautiful train ride along the coast (which in a way it is a shame that the railway is right on the beach) Marseille is a bigger city and not so quaint but the port area is nice. Flew out of Marseille to Lisbon. I know not quite geographically logicall

... explore Marseille for an evening.

Marseille is France's most African city. Certainly just wandering the streets the influence is visible, with kebab joints scattered everywhere. Having survived the day on a croque monsieur and two Snickers bars, I'm ready to dig into some dirty street food. I spot one kebab place doing a brisk business, and I manage to wedge myself and my over sized pack in.

"Bon Soir!" the main behind the counter barks at me
"Merguez et ...

... to those who have lost their lives at sea. I’m not particularly religious, but places like that always make me feel calm, especially as you could sit in there for hours and keep finding new things. But after a long day, Lizzie summed up our adventure in one, very insightful, sentence: "Well, at least we can say we’ve been here, and that we’re never coming back."

Then last week, instead of going to a town, we hit the countryside! We went ...

... made some friends had we the time and resources to put together costumes... I decided we were dressed up as Canadians, which I thought would have worked great until Tom pointed out that Canadians would probably speak more French. But we weren't really left out, there were only a handful of people dressed up. Overall; here is the tally of costumes in Aix on halloween: 2 girls in witch hats (with one stocking each), 5 ...

... with: “the world needs more fools like you.”

Even I fluxuate in my thought about what’s goin on. Most importantly, I live day to day and try to plan out what’s needed for the immediate future (i.e. food and shelter). Some days I;m on top of the world. I feel healthy and strong, and I’m exactly where I want to be. Other days…well today was a day I felt like a ...

... Aix...oh, the Brits abroad, mon dieu! Still, best 6€ I've ever spent. We've also been along to the cinema. Embarassingly, it was to see Fame but I'd like to point out how important cinema, and going to the cinema, is to the French. There are at least 3 cinemas in Aix, and there are huge film posters everywhere. 'Le Cezanne', has it's name lit up, and, unlike at home, the seats are like armchairs and there's plenty of leg room. But, like at home, it's bloody ...

... yesterday, Saturday, and it is cooler but still nice. The trip here was spectacular with many olive groves and big mountains. Today we went on a tour to Les Beax - another medieval town with a castle - poor Graham and on his birthday too. Then we went winetasting and to the premier olive oil producers in France. The Mistrql was blowing on the tour and it was very cold but warmer back here in the camp. Tomorrow we explore Aix on foot then we go to Avignon.

... I bought my bus tickets, Camille and I got back in the car and she and I found a park space and found our "rendez-vous" point with one of her friends and her exchange student. Eventually the two of them arrived. Camille and her friend, one of the other host mothers for IAU, greeted eachother with the typical "bisoux" which is the kissing of the cheeks (twice) and I greeted the other exchange student with an awkward "hello". As we headed furthur ...

... She was writing about a cafe I've subsequently come to know very well in Aix-en-Provence called the Deux Garcons. I could smell it, and I could taste the little things she and her children were having at the time. And I thought, That's where I want to be -- not sitting under a rainstorm in Devon. Part of the magic of the book is that Fisher herself had a very good time in Provence. It was just after she and her husband of the moment had split up. She was finding her own feet ...

Left Cannes on the 10.37am train.... Officially our inter-rail ticket finished yesterday (22 day pass) so we bunked onto the train for free.... Balls of steel! We had an apartment booked and partly paid for in Nice, thanks to the lovely Alex! But because i forgot to download the info about the apartment we had to see if the local tourist office knew of it (thankfully i remembered the name of it) and yes with luck on our side once ...