XVIII. Finally at the sea

Captain’s Log: Thursday, 20 June 2019

Distance: Avignon (09:00) – Palavas-Les-Flots (20:30), 126km

Accommodation: Hôtel de la Plage

Weather: Sun and a few clouds

Today’s note to myself: Don’t trust camping grounds around here

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After a short morning rain shower the sun came out again to stay for the whole day, but nevertheless I needed to pack my tent wet once more. But that should not worry me, since the day was still nice.

I continued following the bicycle route signs of the Via Rhôna, which was supposed to lead down to the coast.

At some point after Beaucaire, the signs got less and less noticeable, and the way led through some farm fields, where the roads are long and where you cannot change the direction so soon. Exactly there I got to a cross section with no sign leading me, so, of course, I took the wrong turn.

I had to fight my way through some gravel “roads” again, where again I was worried about the health of my bike, but eventually we made it through.

During a break I made a friend, but I did not dare to pet it since it did not look very healthy.

But she watched me eating, so I gave her a little bit of cheese.

After I escaped the farm field gravel roads, I got through a smaller town again, where I was able to find the bicycle route signs again.

After following a busier road for some time, it led to a bicycle road again, which, at some point, led to a water channel. And from that moment on, the way was perfect.

I knew that this way would eventually lead to the Mediterranean Sea, and that was everything I wanted. The road was good, no big bumps, almost no other people, straight at a river like channel.

I made my way through Le-Grau-Du-Roi, until I was at the beachside.

I was very happy, I finally arrived at the Sea! But of course it could not stay that way.

I actually planned to camp on a camping ground somewhere between Le-Grau-Du-Roi and Montpellier, and the one I decided for was at the beach, so naturally I was already looking forward at camping and enjoying the rest of the day at the beach.

Did you know that there are campsites that do not offer places for tents? Well, I did not know that, but I do now, unfortunately, since this one at the beach was one of those strange ones. So I had to look up other campsites, but, as far as I was able to find out, most of them were only for caravans or for renting cabins for minimum 2 days. Apparently they were more used to long-term stays.

Anyway, I thought, I found one which also offered tent spaces, so I drove there, just to find out that the reception had been closed at 7 and I would not be able to get in anymore. I looked up more campsites, and there was the same problem everywhere.

Eventually I had to accept that I would not be able to find a decent and cheap accommodation anymore in this area, so, with the help of my mum, I got a room at a hotel, about 12km further west at the coast. Even there I had to hurry since the reception was closing soon too. But I still took some pictures on the way, I would have actually really wanted to enjoy.

Anyway, now I have gotten at least further than I planned to be, so I can a little bit more chilled tomorrow.

And I guess, I am going to check the camping grounds beforehand, if they even take poor idiots like, with a small tent and a beloved bicycle.