Verrans Big Bike Ride: Montfort to the coast

Well - not so much blogging from Montfort as it turned out, but it was a great week and very different from Aix. Having a car changed things a lot - not as relaxing as just walking but great to see the surrounding countryside and villages and great not to have to negotiate the buses. We popped in at the local Tabac on our last night for a drink which was quite interesting - we didn't really look like locals. Anyway Saturday was my birthday so we started with a delicious omelette (courtesy of Bode) with fresh baguette and coffee. Then we set out on our big drive. The weather was stunning and the drive started off quite pleasantly, through the vineyards and olive groves, and only one wrong turn. Then we hit some amazing gorges and narrow roads. I think it was one of my most scary experiences - I couldn't look out of my window at the amazing scenery and poor Rob was sweating I think trying to keep all 4 wheels on the road while the French drivers came hurtling down on the wrong side of the road and the cyclists had full faith they were quite safe sharing the road with us all. I have a sore shoulder now, I think from trying to hang on to my seat. Anyway, we made it over the top and almost to St Tropez which was supposed to be our first stop for coffee. But after an hour of crawling along in the traffic we gave up about a km out and headed for a little pink cafe on the beach which was great (except for the standing block toilets). Then the drive all along that coast was magnificent. It would have been great to have been cycling along there. We stopped for lunch in St Raphael amongst all the big yachts and I managed to squeeze in another Creme Brulee for my birthday. Then we carried on along the coast to Cannes and then inland to Vence It was a long day for the drivers but spectacular scenery.
Vence is amazing too - we had dinner in a creperie in the the old city and then today went to St Paul de Vence this morning and the Maeght foundation and then to Grasse this afternoon. All wonderful and maybe some more details from the others.
Tomorrow we have to return the car in Nice and then 2 nights there before Dinny leaves for S.A. and Bode for Copenhagen.