Nimes

We arrived here on Monday - here being a site about 5kms from Nimes called Domaine de la Bastide near a village called Generac.
The site is great for a low season site. We have plenty of electricity and water on the pitch as well as a grid for when we leave. All the things a traveller needs except wi-fi so when you will read this is a bit of guesswork.
TUESDAY
My choice of an afternoon out after Lynda has done the washing at the on site launderette. We go to the Pont du Gard which was stunning. It is as picturesque as you could wish for and the weather was really good. But after you have looked at the aqueduct and browsed the shops as well as pay you 5€ car park charge there is not much to do. So we haeaded down the road to Uzes, which is a charming French semi-rural town. It has a rare round bell tower, the nearest other one is in Pisa!, a ducal palace which still gets occupied by the local duke although I thought the French had wisely abolished such nonsense. We just ambled about, bought some chocolates and wines and came home. All we need is a moderate lottery win and we could move here.
WEDNESDAY
We had a lazy morning and then drove down to Aigues Mortes on the coast. It isn't a world heritage site but is still a medieval town complete with all its defensive walls and a grisly secret. Apparently, during one conflict with the English in the 15th century the town was recaptured by the French who massacred the garrison in their sleep and then as burial in the marshy ground outside was impossible stuffed the bodies packed in salt into one of the towers. The tower is now on the tourist trail. Still lunch in the town square was good. From there we drove down the road to Grau du Roi just in time to watch the fishing fleet come home through the middle of town! Coming back Lynda and the sat nav had a row which they both lost!
THURSDAY
Well Nimes is so close we had to go. And once we had got to the centre it was well a bit of a let down. Not as much as its twin town Preston would have been but a let down none the less. The Roman Arena is very intact but as they use it for bull fights amongst other things it does take the shine off it. Still the explanation of Roman gladiators and the fights was well done. In the centre is the best preserved Roman temple in the western world. It is used as the home of a 3D cinema showing the heroes of Nimes which is well done but not what I expected. The outside is being renovated on one side so it probably isn't at its best at the moment. I just wonder what people would have made of a hi-tech Museum of Lancashire. The rest of the town is provincial France at its most pleasant. Toworrow we had planned to move but we are staying an extra day.
FRIDAY
Just 50 kms away is Avignon so we had to go. It was an easy and pleasant journey arriving in time to post one lot of cards - they are the ones you will get in several weeks!! with special Avignon stamps. After that strenuous effort we had to retire to the Restaurant Hotel de Ville and sit in the sunshine for the set 14€ lunch. And very tasty it was too. Then round the Papal Palace. It was interesting to listen to the French version of the history and to be able to put "Papa Luna" who we last met in Spain at Peniscola where he finished his days denied as Pope by the "Roman wing" and dumped by the French. Still it is an impressive building and as ever well presented and easy to understand. From there its a short walk to the Pont d'Avignon. After the audioguided tour of the stump I have now heard a lifetimes worth of the song but it is impressive and the views were great. I only hope the pictures are good enough to post.Tomorrow we head towards Toulouse, once "capital" of the Pays d'Oc and seat of the "awful" Cathars so this may get put up en route as they say round here.