Day 26 - Provence to Nice

We were a bit sad to leave Aix-en-Provence this morning because we really, really, really loved it there. Rather than take the motorway straight to Nice, we thought we would take the country roads through Provence and stop at a few little towns along the way. We passed many a Chateau and lots of beautiful vineyards and olive groves. A couple of times we pulled in to get a closer look and at the end of one tree lined avenue, a nun greeted us and we had a little chat with her about the Chateau which is now a Convent and holiday destination for children, she described it as if it was a John Bosco for troubled kids. They also host weddings and family gatherings. There are 18 suites each with their own bathroom. It would be a lovely place to stay.

This is our nun walking back after telling us that this building was built in 1657 and that the turret to the left was added in 1829  (there was 1 on the right too but it fell down)

Little wild patches of Irises here and there scattered around. Wild poppies too. Beautiful.

Is this called a 'Pit Stop'?

We couldn't resist

On we went, via Draganau and then up and down a mountain and some winding roads on our way through to Cannes. Nic started crying because he was SO hungry and that we had to stop right away and get him some food. We explained we were 10 minutes away from Cannes at this stage and then he said (really distressed and crying) give me the water then, so I handed him the brand new 1.5L bottle of water (our last one) that I had just opened up and rather than drink from it, he vomited ALL OVER IT and IN IT and into his lap. He obviously got the sensation in his stomach confused with hunger. Bugger it. If I had of clicked, I would have handed him the plastic bag not the bloody water bottle. Why didn't he say something clear like "Abunna Abunna"???  (I'm going to Vomit, I'm going to vomit....ask my mum)

Olivia totally freaked out and started screaming in fear of being vomited on, all in all it was a pretty full on moment in our trip. Ben pulled over and we assessed the damage. There was about 3 litres of partly digested banana, white chocolate lamb and bile all over Nic, the back seat and the carpeted floor of the brand new Mercedes that we are driving. OMG we've got 4 more days in this vomit mobile and alla Seinfeld, I bet you that smell is just going to haunt us the whole way.

So now, of course, we can't use the only bottle of water we have to clean up because it now has vomit in it. I had to strip him down to his undies on the side of the road, so now he was freaking out that people would see him. Olivia was freaking out because all she could see was the projectile vomit coming out of Nic over and over in her head, she was dry retching in the bushes. Ben was frantically trying to scoop the vomit up off the upholstery and I was trying to be everywhere helping everyone. Mate, I was pulling wipes out that I had kept from the Emirates flight from left right and centre, tissues, hand sanitiser (thanks Linda) while trying to frantically find something for Nic to wear. OK, I think you get the picture.

15 minutes later and only after a bottle of Gucci por Homme was emptied all over the car, we got back in to find the nearest supermarket to get some car shampooing stuff and try and get rid of that smell.... which we did.

Right, where were we? That's right Cannes, to be totally honest it was now 5pm and I was in no mood to visit Cannes, I just wanted to get to Nice and wash those clothes and shoes (well not really, I NEEDED to wash them, I  didn't necessarily WANT to do it)

Cannes

Did you say "Blue Steel"?

So once THAT job was done, we set off for dinner. Our hotel is one block back from the beachfront and right in the centre of the restaurant and shopping district.

In true Benjamin style, we weren't going to settle for just ANY restaurant. OH NO. We were having our last dinner in France and this called for a VERY SPECIAL MEAL! Doesn't matter that it was 9pm and my blood sugar level was low and the kids were near tears.... "please Daddy, is this a good one?" mmmmm, no not good enough.... and then 'aaaaahhh' the angels sang, we found it, the most hidden treasure in the area, we didn't see it on the way up the street and only Ben spotted it on the way back. We found 'La Maison'. The food was very very nice, so nice that Ben called for a round of applause for finding the place.




Ben and I shared 2 bottles of white wine from Corsica and we obviously accrued the minimum charge before being offered a specialty... a glass of Corsican Port.....pus... More like Corsican Benadryl!  It was so strong, I couldn't do it, so Ben downed them both! Needless to say, after the Lion's share of the wine, we then thought it prudent to make our way back to the hotel room before it all consolidated within him... if you know what I mean....

We just bought a lime green watch for Nic... OMG that Corsican potion

Here we are.  Back in the room and I've got 1 snoring body and 2 restless soles tossing and turning and me, blogging.

Early start tomorrow. We want to see a bit of Nice before we head off to La Spezia. 3 1/2 hour drive if you go direct... longer if you take the Ben route. Hopefully no chucking this time! Until then... Au Revoir!

Midnight in Nice

Here's one for you sis... not quite Haute Couture... they sell Nonna Boggos and Bras

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