More about le pneu

Thursday, 25 July

Today was "Find a Pneu Day" and I am happy to report that although time-consuming our mission was successful.  I had the brainwave of going directly to the Peugeot dealer in Cassis so Maree and I set off bright and early.  Alas, Monsieur le Peugeot concessionaire, was closed and the notice on the door said something like "gone on holiday for a month" (business is either very good or very bad!).  Next stop was Patrick's garage - not far but the maze of streets that cover the hills of Cassis don't make for a quick trip anywhere.   Patrick was lovely, spoke not a word of English and couldn't possibly have a pneu (love that word) for us before Saturday.  However he did direct us to a tyre retailer in Aubagne which is a large town a little further inland, although the directions were a bit hazy - maybe something was lost in translation. As it turned out and once we had taken the correct motorway exit after missing it the first time, we found a  large Bob Jane type tyre place - oui, they could replace our broken pneu - but please come back après le dejeuner.  We had arrived there just on noon and the place was being locked up for the all important lunch break - until 1.30pm.  So we went home for a nice cup of tea.     The second trip to Aubagne was much quicker since we now knew the way and before long the very obliging chaps at First Stop tyres had not only fitted us with our new pneu but had thoroughly checked our other tyres and declared us fit for travel  - all en francais of course. Phew!  Fingers crossed that we don't have this problem again.

Jess at Le Port, Cassis

 Having spent much of the day on our tyre mission we decided to be tourists and take the "petit train" ride around Cassis.  The train wanders through the hilly streets, affording great views of the bay and then stops at Presqu'Ile on the edge of the Port Miou Calanque. 

"Petit Train" at Presqu'Ile

 This is a very popular spot for sunbathing on the rocks, jumping off the rocks and eating on the rocks.  Hundreds of people make the trek past our apartment each day to Presqu'Ile and Port Miou.  There is a car park nearby - fortunately our street is "sauf riverains" so we have few cars passing by -vehicles must take another route.

Rocking it - Presqu'Ile

 Today was the hottest one yet and the town was quiet - everyone was at the beach.

Everyone is at the beach - Cassis

The train returned us to town and after an ice cream we trekked back up the hill for a swim in our nice pool and a lazy evening in the garden which is sheltered from the heat of the sun.  Last day in Cassis tomorrow.  It is a wonderful seaside town, despite its accessibility difficulties - a very happy, laid-back atmosphere, spectacular scenery, heaps of outdoor activities and really good ice-cream!