travel blog – Postcards from Provence and beyond

Route planned, getting ready to go ….. Then we find out the cake shop is closed!

August 18, 2026

The bikes are almost ready and the final preparations are underway for our cycle ride home through France. Everything seemed planned… until we discovered last night, that one of our much-anticipated cake stops was closed! So, with a little last-minute route reshuffling, we’re off to find another way home — and hopefully another slice of cake along the way. … More Route planned, getting ready to go ….. Then we find out the cake shop is closed!

Day 12 cycling Provence to Roscoff: Slowing Down by the Sea

June 26, 2026

Day 12 of part 1 of our summer cycling adventure that has seen us pedalling from Provence to Roscoff. After cycling through the heatwave, and having to adapt our rides, we finally had the chance to slow down today, enjoying a bike ride along the Brittany coast, near Roscoff. … More Day 12 cycling Provence to Roscoff: Slowing Down by the Sea

Day 11 Cycling Provence to Roscoff: The Brittany Coast, Croissants & Beach Bliss

June 25, 2026

Day 11 of our cycle ride from Prove to Roscoff and a gentle day, with a slow start, an easy and short ride, and an afternoon on a beach that looked as if it was in the Caribbean. Tired, after almost reaching the journey’s end, but time to relax and enjoy the Brittany coast … More Day 11 Cycling Provence to Roscoff: The Brittany Coast, Croissants & Beach Bliss

Day 38 – The joy of changing plans

November 1, 2025

After yesterday’s long drive, we arrived in Hakone, in the pouring rain, planning to stay there until Sunday, when we would make our way to a spot, by a lake. not far from the van hire company. That was last night’s plan, but when we woke this morning, we both felt that we’d already done … More Day 38 – The joy of changing plans

Day 37 – Outrunning the storm & a homecoming

October 31, 2025

Having decided to stay at the beach near Shima again, we were both woken in the middle of the night by the roar of the sea, which seemed to have been whipped up by a wind. We had been watching the weather forecasts closely, as strong winds, and heavy rain & seas were predicted for … More Day 37 – Outrunning the storm & a homecoming

Day 35 – Cycling and a Shrine to a white fox

October 29, 2025

This morning started early, as we wanted to get to our next stop, as we had planned a bike ride there. The drive took us along the mountainous East coast of the Kii Peninsula, and we felt a little like moles, as the road seemed to spend more tie going through mountains, than between them. … More Day 35 – Cycling and a Shrine to a white fox

Day 34 – A warm-hearted start to the day & a Demon Pirate King

October 28, 2025

It would be fair to say that the Maruyama Rice Terraces were stunning, and last night’s park-up, overlooking the paddy-fields was perhaps our favourite of the trip, so far. And we’ve stayed in some incredible places. We slept, with the sound of the waterwheel, and the baleful cries of the Raccoon Dogs (which we now … More Day 34 – A warm-hearted start to the day & a Demon Pirate King

Day 33 – Perfect day from sunrise to sunset

October 27, 2025

After yesterday’s soaking, and last night’s rainbow, we hoped that today would be brighter, and by just after 6am, it was clear that it was going to be a lovely day. The sunrise across the bay was stunning, And we took out mats out to do our morning stretches, overlooking the bay. Simply a perfect … More Day 33 – Perfect day from sunrise to sunset

Day 32 – Following in ancient footsteps

October 26, 2025

Last night was wet, very wet and we woke to the sound of rain drumming on the roof of the van, before 6 this morning. It may have been soggy, but we still planned to do the walk we had found that would take us along a short section of the Kumano Kodo Pilgimage Trail, … More Day 32 – Following in ancient footsteps

Day 31 – Turning silver into gold

October 25, 2025

We really liked our little park up, by the quay at Susami, and woke this morning to the sound of rain on the van roof, with grey skies threatening a wet day ahead. Our hopes of a second bike ride went out of the window, so we replanned the day, and ultimately our route for … More Day 31 – Turning silver into gold