Porquerolles Ferry
On Thursday we took the ferry to Porquerolles, one of the Islands of Hyeres, just a mile or so offshore.
Porquerolles
The arrow is pointing at our campsite, a stones throw from the harbour.
On the way over we chatted to a charming French English teacher (if that makes sense) called Catherine, from Lyons who was on holiday here, it being the French half term this week.
The Harbour at Porquerolles
Windmill at the top of the Island
You can hire bikes for 15 euros each, or bring a bike over on the ferry for about the same price but the Island isn’t huge and we explored on foot. Colin applied for a trip in a bike cart but was outvoted.
Fort St Agathe
There is a Château on the hill to visit, just next to the windmill.
Falaise d’Indienne
We carried on to the opposite side of the Island, only about 2 miles, where there is a lighthouse and some dramatic cliffs.
Olive grove
We walked back through olive groves. The island was bought by a guy called Fournier in 1911 with money he’d made mining silver in Mexico. He set up vineyards and there is a flourishing wine trade here. The Island is now almost completely owned by the State and kept largely as a nature reserve, with a few privately owned vineyards.
Penny
Lunch
We got back to the harbour at about 2pm, perfect timing for a three course binge at one of the local restaurants.
La Plage
We visited one of the local beaches in the afternoon. Dogs not allowed so we sat in the woods nearby and read for a while.
Local Party
Nia spotted this masterpiece on the side of a van whilst I was in the Post Office.
Porquerolles
There was also a picture of the harbour.
Local Flora
There are palms everywhere. I have collected a few seeds to see whether I can tempt them to grow in the greenhouse back home.
Back to the Harbour for the Ferry Home
We caught the 5.30 pm ferry back over to La Tour Fondue for the last night of the stay here. Tomorrow St Tropez, or thereabouts.
Rambling about Europe with the Kray Twins (Colin and Penny).
Travels with Mavis 
Loving reading about your travels, the weather looks wonderful and you just keep giving me food for thought. How long are you away for and where are you headed too? Went to St. Tropez in 1980, drove all the way in a 2CV! It took a while. Look forward to seeing your posts on St. Tropez. x
This may be as close to St Tropez as we get…it was gridlocked with traffic on Friday and the aire looked a bit on the small side. However apparently a bigger dock side aire opens up on the 1st of November so that is a possibility. Currently planning to go to a site near Cannes on Monday and pick up a spare part I need for the air suspension which is being posted there. Then probably hang around here in Provence whilst the weather is so good. When it changes we are thinking of the Bay of Roses, in Spain. May go via St Tropez if we can work out a quiet time to arrive there.
Plan to be back in UK early December.
I imagine St. Tropez has changed quite a bit since 1980, Port Grimaud was new and we like to visit St Maxime and St Raphael. We used to go to Pampelone beach and there is a lovely hilltop town called Gassin? Happy memories, must go back and explore again. Will have to look up the Bay of Roses in Spain, not sure where that is. Happy travels. x
Bay of Roses is to the north of Barcelona, so quite close to France. A few people have recommended it to us.