The last stop in Italy

I was glad that after the site we had to stay at Riccione the Guv had planned to stay at the next site, a short drive from Bari on the trip to the UK. He had checked it was OK for me and it would be open in September.  Whilst it was a bit run down on the actual camp ground, it was clean and had shady forests between the camp site and beach that would be great for me to run about in. What's more it was only a small site with room for about 30 caravans.....

In the evening of course I could have the run of the beach to myself..woof,woof

I hate Italian sites

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I definitely hate Italian camp sites! After our trip through France and staying at some great sites this was a nightmare. My people were far from happy as the site was real busy and none too clean. Unfortunately nearly all the sites in this part of Italy were so big the Guv had little choice.

It was a shame really as the welcome we received was first class and whats more the girl at the reception gave my people a present for me, a pink plastic bone with a roll of "doggy do" bags inside.

The site had its own park for me to play in, but I had to wait my turn as the black mutt got there first....and I'm not sharing with him!

That dam wall.....

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As I said yesterday this to me was "scary". The wall in the photo is the wall of the dam holding back all the water in the lake I showed you yesterday.  Now fancy living in that village next to that wall.......mmmmm not me I don't like water at the  best of times!

Up and over.......

As the Poppymobile drove higher and higher it got colder and colder!   On the top of the Col de Mont Cenis we got out for a walk about. 

 A brisk walk that was I can tell you.

2083 meters high and cold enough to freeze my paws to the ground

I think they mis-spelt the name of this place and missed the "D" off the end of Col.......

This is the "refuge" on the top of the Col.  It was once the boarder crossing  and customs point.  Odd that, I always thought a refuge point was where humans took their rubbish!

The lake has been created by humans making a very large wall just above the village below.  I'll show you some scary pictures tomorrow.

Was it "Terminal"

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It was now time after our months tour of France to make our way home to Greece and so my people headed to the Italian boarder and the Frejus Tunnel.  Things were however not to go well we soon found out the tunnel was closed!  The Guv decided the best way was now up and over the French -Italian Alps through the Col de Mont Cenis pass.

It was a very long way up I can tell you, but the new "Poppymobile" towed the human kennel on wheels behind with ease.  Mind you I did panic a bit when we reached this village as the Guv made the statement "Its Terminal".....or something like that! 

Nuts........

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I knew the Misses had a sweet tooth, so this town would prove to be human heaven for her!  Montelimar is famous for its Nougat, or so I am told.  Now as this sticky stuff contains nuts, and as nuts are poisonous to us canines I do not get to taste it.

Now just where in town is the butchers shop ?

Cool camping

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For all my readers that like camping I must tell you about the real cool camp site we stayed at in Les Coombes near a village called Felletin.  It was owned by a British couple and was first class. Right next to a giant lake & river and whats more despite the lake there were no flying bugs about to bite me!  

Oui, Oui its Le Puy......

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Well its back to the "touristy" thing again, this time to Le Puy-en-Velay.  Mind you I got pretty worried when I seen all the steps up to that church, there was no way the Misses and I were going to climb up there!

Now I was also told that Le Puy-en-Velay was famous for making lace and that the Misses was going into town to buy some for herself........well I thought the Guvs in for a fun time, lace nightdress? lace panties? lace tops..........oh no,  she goes and buys a lace TABLECLOTH!

Gold beach ?

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On another trip we went to Arromanche and I am told the the Misses  father landed here in WWII.  It was  however very busy and they would not let me in the museum here!  I did however have a good look at the memorial plaque.

Later that day we met some of our friends from Herefordshire who were on holiday in France as well.  I had met some of them before though one night when we went out for dinner in the U.K.

A Greek flying horse in France!

The current Pegasus Bridge

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When my people were in Normandy I got taken to the 6th Airbourne Museum and to Pegasus Bridge. I was even allowed in the museum with my people so had a good look around the place.

I hear the Guv's father was in the 6th Airbourne during WWII

The original Pegasus Bridge preserved and moved to the museum

Me and one of the Horsa gliders

The first house in France to be liberated by the 6th Airbourne

My people had coffee and something to eat at the Gondee Cafe on Pegasus Bridge and spoke to the current owner who was a little girl during the liberation of France, her father was the owner of the Gondee. The cafe remains in the same family ownership.......