The great trek south to Montpellier began today. Up and out of the hotel our merry band of travellers were ready for action. The 800+ kilometres were ahead of us and the open farmlands streched on and on. Punctuated by regular ( and disappointing) updates via text messages from Donna and Jen back home, we had quarter by quarter results of the Crows semi final against Sydney. Time to leave that one alone. ..no more footy of interest now for 6 months! Thanks ladies for the updates.
The flat open landscape gradually changed the further south we traveled and mountains, vineyards and amazing clifftop settlements soon dominated. It was breathtaking. One of the rest breaks enroute saw a surprise lot of treasures. ..a service centre not like any at home, gave us a vast array of cheeses, sausages, quirky gifts and weird and wonderful metallic sculptures. What a bonus!
Montpellier beckoned as the long haul of road miles gradually ended. Our driver Paul, who had several long days already clocked up, was about to really earn his money. Our hotel in Montpellier is located in the heritage part of the town and Sally Sat Nav was about to direct Paul into an 'interesting' situation. The narrow one way streets soon became walking pathways not exactly conducive for navigating a 49 seater coach in and around. Time to get some local knowledge via our phone contact. Now this is where language or lack of it, became the master player! On the advice received from our French hotel contact Paul followed the instructions to turn up one main street, drive under the arch (a mini Arc de Triomphe) and continue down the next left turn. ..mmmm......well if you were walking or driving a Fiat 500 it may have been an option. So as the road narrowed even more and the turning circle evaporated, our coachwas not going anywhere. ....couldn't go forward. ...couldn't go backwards as the French locals looked on.
Time to find a kind policeman. With more broken French and English not faring all that well, eventually the cavalry arrived. With four local police officers saving the day, the road was blocked off, all the traffic behind us had to reverse backwards and here is where our Hardings coach driver showed his stuff! Unbelievable Mr Paul Dennington! !!! You well and truly earnt a round of beers! !!! That reversing exercise was poetry in motion! !!!
Finally we made it to our boutique hotel which is just gorgeous and enjoyed an amazing dinner at the restaurant close by. What a day! Our group is having a ball and the next few weeks promise to be something even more special than we hoped. But please.....no more one way walking tracks for our coach! !!
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