Finally rested. I do not know where to begin so the memories come into my head.
Alex has already described the morning of Saturday, I will not repeat, if you add that I am delighted with the remarkable participation of crews.
We found the presence of many regional, who knew some of the routes, but for which we specifically selected a few passages that their were unknown.
After leaving Marseilles, the course on Saturday took us to the port of Cassis, after passing through Gineste which offered a panoramic view of the harbor of Marseilles. Then came the Crest Trail, announced "Closed" when the crews ahead of us to open the road. Fortunately! A phone call to the local police and presto, here we are, Noelle and I now reverse the signs heading "Open".
The ascent of the ridge road led us up a staging area for a small gathering to a local newspaper photographer to take some of the teams with their cars (photo coming soon). The panoramic view over the bay of Cassis and the Calanques cliffs had to delight some of us.
New start and descent to La Ciotat, overlooking the Bay, the Port and the Shipyards.
Walk by the sea, sandy beaches, crossing the ridge Cros Arena where the cars were within 3 feet of water.
Then it was mounted between the fabled Grand Caunette Ceyreste and where the horses were let go, to rally at the Circuit du Castellet time a technical break.
Back to Grand Caunette to reach the Col de l'Ange across a road rally of the Sainte Baume, and finally the highlight of the morning, a test of consistency between 18.3 km G?menos and Plan of Aups match the rise of the Sainte Baume, with the passage of the Col Espigoulier. Very narrow road with a dozen hairpin turns.
The delay in our schedule did not prevent him from taking the time to eat with local food (Feet & Packages Rabbit in Marseilles or South) before continuing our journey.
The afternoon departure in close order allowed us to go through St. Zacharias through the forest of Defens. Some crew lost (he had to turn left 700m after leaving the restaurant), we have joined a little later on the course.
Meanwhile, a stop in a wine cellar, and after a little tasting, everyone has left for a passage at the foot of Mount Sainte Victoire, the bypass and the ascent of the Col de la Porte and Grand Sambuc, highlights of this afternoon.
On arrival Jouques, following the road book was to cross the Durance teams, heading toward charming Provencal villages such as Mirabeau and its castle, Beaumont Pertuis Grambois with a nice pass on town hall square La Motte d'Aigues, and finally Ansouis Perth where Le Village Proven?al we allowed for a good night's rest. Some, including myself, were too exhausted and chained to a part of Bowling. Congratulations to Jean-Pierre Flamand for his skill and his lovely score.
The rest of the day Sunday will be described later.
Sunday morning, preparations for departure at 8:30.
Charles and Peter joined us with their Alfa Giulia Spider, a marvel.
Little problems on the Spider Europa Gef18, but very quickly resolved. William's car do not reassuring operation, the crews of Alex and William decided to go directly. Unfortunately the Beta Volumex did not want to go far, preferring to stay longer in the Luberon.
23 crews have taken the road to Lourmarin and its castle, then, it was ascent to Bonnieux, one of the charming villages of the Luberon where you can enjoy a wonderful panorama of the agricultural plain Valley Calavon coastal vineyards of the Luberon, Mounts of Vaucluse and Ventoux.
Then as we headed towards the village of Lacoste, which houses the castle of the Marquis de Sade, now property of the fashion designer Pierre Cardin.
Some crews took a break, time for coffee and a new destination: The Old Oppede Menerbes then, a beautiful little village built on a rock overgrown with beautiful vegetation. Oppede be visited on foot only.
Finally, we went to Gordes for a rally on the parking lot of Village des Bories. Beautiful aligning our Italian who attracted some curious (including police).
After the tourist part, up to the road as many of us love them.
Branch Walls but passing the Abbey and the forest Senanque Venasque on a winding road across beautiful gorges and beautiful forest about 20 kms.
Passing the castle walls and then restored XVth a loop of 30kms has uncovered the forest of St-Lambert and Lioux cliffs, rocky impressive 700m long and 100m high. Sorry for keeping you borrowed some passages roads were passable at low speed, but I wanted to share these landscapes.
Finally, Roussillon and ocher hills, the Pont Julien (oldest Roman bridge: year 3 BC) saw 23 cars pass the Italian who went to the Inn of Seguin, at the foot of Buoux for lunch in The traditional Provencal.
Thank you to the conservator for permission to park our cars on the lawn, parking was already full when we arrived. They were thus presented to customers who have appreciated the Inn.
We hope that each team has found in this course the excitement that we wanted to highlight: Edges of the sea, landscapes, panoramic views, crossing picturesque villages, winding roads at will ... and meals to southern aromas.
I much regret that Alex, Laeti, William and Florence were not able to make the journey with us. You have a road book, if one day you feel like it ...
See you soon on other roads and thank you for your participation and your good mood. We enjoyed having you among us. Thank you for all your comments, it is rewarding.
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