1999

Spring 1999

Once more our family holidays in 1999 started off in the Santa Isabel Hotel in Funchal, Madeira. walk down into town, followed by morning elevenses at the Apolo Bar, coffee for Mum and white wine for Dad and me, was the order of the day. This time we decided to take a boat trip on the Santa Maria. We set off under engine power and headed past the Savoy towards Cabo Girão. I loved the trip, even though there wasn't enough wind to actually sail. When we stopped the engine and raised the sails, we went backwards with the tide. The pool at the Savoy had undergone a renovation. The flower sellers were still in their traditional uniforms, even outside the market in the town centre, and there seemed to be even more fruit and veg stalls downstairs in the market. We hired a car, and actually got a car this time. Morning coffee in Ribeira Brava and lunch in São Vicente. The sea at Porto Moniz was a little calmer on this visit.

Our next trip, with Jean, was with Page & Moy to France, flying into Marseille, and staying in Aix-en-Provence. Our first day in Aix we visited the fabulous open air market on the Cours Mirabeau. The spices stall was the best I've ever seen and smelled divine. Next up was a drive to Cassis, and a boat trip to the Calanques de Port-Pin and Calanque d'En Vau. A calanque is a narrow, steep-walled inlet that is developed in limestone, dolomite, or other carbonate strata and found along the Mediterranean coast.

Next day we drove to Arles, which has a great Amphitheatre. The drive took us into the Camargue Regional Nature Park, where there are flamingoes. Not far north of Arles is the very picturesque village of Baux de Provence, situated on a rocky outcrop, with a ruined castle at the top. The next hotel we stayed in was up in the high hills north of Grenoble, Hotel Les Pervenches,in Allevard. This was our base for visits to Mer de Glace Glacier, and Mer de Glace Grotto in Chamonix, plus a day trip to Annecy. Got to see the The Palais de l'Isle for the first time. We went on a boat trip on Lake Annecy.

Our next base was Joyeuse en Ardeche. According to legend, Charlemagne lost his sword, The Joyful whilst hunting in the area. When returned to him he said the place and people would bear the name of his sword. The Église Saint-Pierre de Joyeuse dates back to the 15th century and is a listed historic monument. The hotel had a garden with a deck overlooking the river. Our day trip out took us along the River Ardeche. We drove past the campsite just outside Vallon Pont D'Arc. The river level has dropped significantly since we were holidaying there. We drove along the Gorges de l'Ardèche route touristique for the first time since our first trip towing the caravan. Much less stressful for Mum.

For Mum and Dad's 40th wedding anniversary, I booked us a trip to Bournemouth staying in the hotel where they spent their honeymoon. We visited Mudeford which hadn't changed much. Finished off the year with another trip to Carvoiero with Mum, Jean and Dad. Apart from our usual trip to Armação de Pêra, we travelled further west to Vila do Bispo and the Praia da Cordoama, which is on the Atlantic coast. The ladies running our favourite fruit and veg stall in Carvoiero market were pleased to see us.