La Garde (Toulon)!

I took of yesterday in the morning bright and early at 8am. The journey to La Garde was the hardest route I have done yet,  but the reward was amazing!

The road over I opted to goes through the mountain ranges in the interior instead of along the coast.  This way I saved about 20km of riding which doesn't sound like much, but when you are on your bike for 5 hours the reprieve is much welcomed. However the 63km felt more like 83.

There were many factors that contributed to the exhaustion.  First the weather was cloudy most of the time. That meant I didn't get that sun elevating my energy.  Second the view in the interior although grand was nothing coming to the turquoise Cote d'Azur sea.  Third,  I changed my music and this might have been one change to many.  The three combined together to make a cocktail of lethargy as I biked towards my destination. 

But no matter,  once I passed by Londe I was seeing the sun,  the sea and getting used to my new music! 

I arrived at my couchsurfer Kathy and Alan's place around 4pm. Their house is secretly tucked away from the main road and right next to some farms.  It was simply amazing!  They constructed it themselves 12 years ago.  There is a pool,  a outdoor shower,  a open air lounge built on a 2 story high wooden platform and they raise their own chickens who  roam in the backyard! 

I am in love with their place!  The best part,  I have my own little chalet all to myself in a separate building!  Kathy tells me usually they actually rent out my place to French people who vacation in the south.  This explains the nicely furnished apartment. 

Kathy was such a welcoming host.  She cooked me dinner and we got to know each other better.  She actually works from home doing shipping logistics.  It's a very busy job from the looks of it as she was receiving calls throughout my time there.  But the great thing is she works on her own time.  She employs another person who works from their home as well. 

In the evening Alan,  Kathy and I took their boat out for a spin.  It was simply amazing.  The tiny little boat can go really fast and bumping into a wave sent us lunging into the sky and back down to the sea. Better than an amusement park ride!  We also took a little picnic there on the water. 

When we came back there was a game of pedonque going on the port with some of Kathy friends so we joined in and played 2 games.  Kathy and I won one game and lost one game,  not bad for my second time playing!

Going through the mountains

Suddenly a wild camel appears. I guess it was part of a travelling circus, but it was just free to mill around the grass on its own with no barriers. I tried to touch it but got too scared :( they are actually huge in person

Kathy and Alan's pool and backyard

awesome treetop lounge

Alan

Enjoying the breeze

My room which actually is a guest house completely detached from the main house and I have since started to refer to as le chateau which means the castle

Looks like an abandonned amusement park but actually as I learned later it is only open in the night.

Peace from La Garde.