New Hotel Of Marseille - Pharo

... was treated to a surprise tea party chez moi (complete with Disney napkins and cups...and wine) and I bought her a kettle, tea, and biscuits, what every British girl on her year abroad needs (well, apart from myself, being a strange and rare non-tea-drinking creature)! She had a fantastic time and all were home by 10:30 (the buses don't run late here), but then again we had started relatively early! For Louise we had a film night and then a night out. I think her ...

... 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.

... s how. From there I simply validate my account and I’m part of a network which allows me free access from many different parts of France. But I don’t understand; I still need a router and signal coming from this hotel. Why do I even need this network? And where’s my little blue ball down there? I ask too many questions. Sometimes it’s better just to take what’s given and be grateful. That ...

... look lovely in the sun and really set off the colors of the flowers in the boxes. We were lucky enough to arrive before they closed up the flower market and the fruit/vegetable market for the day. We didn't have long, but we were able to appreciate the riot of colors and smells. The mint was very powerful in the veg. market.

Highlights:
Lucy read to me about a scandalous murder that took place on the Cours Mirabeau and then bought me a Provencal treat ...

... even then. I’m staying where I stayed before and I remember getting a rogue signal occasionally, but I’m not getting it now. I also remember getting one in the train station, but no more, ‘local only,’ no Internet. There must have been complaints from Orange, the telecom monopolists, now probably attempting a WiFi monopoly. They tend to be *******s, and you can quote me on that. So sue me. Hell hath no fury like a telecom ...

... harbor, where tons of small and large boats stood anchored. The drinks themselves were incredibly expensive, and since I was the only one still hungry, I had to settle for a slice at a small pizzeria in another area. The French people described it as their favorite pizza place, but not even joking, my slice came wrapped in that clear covering stuff (forgot the name) and was one of the only ones sitting there behind the counter. Not just because I had previously toured Italy ...

... at the one spot and don't use tickets. I see that carrige 3 has no guard, I am on carriage 2 so I can walk through to it. When I get on I put my bags on and take my small bag with me with my computer. I walk to the end and see no-one is sitting in the seat that my ticket is numbered for, even though it is for the day before. So I sit down, 5 mins later a women comes on board and says that is her seat, I show her my ticket and then another guy ...

... in addition to most of the East European countries. Conversely the New Europe of budget airlines and capitalistic fervor hasn't even scratched the surface here yet. There is no bus to Paris and the cheapest one-hour flight is four hundred bucks. So I'll take the TGV. There's no choice. International buses have cheap rates and traverse the country, but they don't serve local routes. Welcome to France. Enter Sarkozy. So ...

As you can see from the titles of my entries I am really creative! Brain is definitely off on holidays somewhere in Marseille! It is so beautiful here! Last night wasn't such a late one, sitting around the hostel playing cards with other backpackers, was fun. Got up this morning, not too early which was nice and then headed ...

... Pizza Anchois (very literally pizza with tomato paste and anchovies, sounds boring but tastes delicious.) He was going to work at a restaurant at St Maxime for the summer and was leaving the following day, so it was goodbyes all round. There was a fresh breeze and a jovial atmosphere and our little party wound down at 2am. The others had had people over as well and just as we were going to sleep, some unfamiliars poked their head up and ...