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Northern Mum

Crossfitting, pancreas acting, single mum to three

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The Al fresco Diaries: Riding a bike to Vias

We are on the beach again, the sun is out although it is embroiled in a war against a fierce wind.  I have taken shelter beside a natural sculpture of rocks.  BB plays merrily in the sand in front of me, building ‘poop pies’.  The twins and their Dad are embracing culture and playing boules.

As per the norm on our French holiday everyone is having a blast.

Yesterday after a lazy morning by the pool we decided to take advantage of the bikes for hire and spread out further afield.

BB chose a bike for us to share.  I was nominated to pedal and she opted to sit in the back where she could spank my back if I needed whipping into shape.

1401477370398

Everyone else decided to ride solo.

He who helped create them took point, I brought up the rear.

This meant everytime Twin Boy tried to do gymnastics on his bicycle I got to witness and experience heart wrenching terror.

Sometimes that kid goes from being super bright to downright dopey.

He waited until a French van carrying baguettes was by his side to demonstrate what he calls ‘starfish on a cycle’.  And it was only when cars were passing that he deemed it necessary to remove both hands from the handlebar.

I showed the French passer bys the true strength of an English mothers voice in a rage.

My throat is a little dry today.

However, my son’s antics aside the bike ride was lovely.  We headed out to a famous lock a couple of miles away from Vias Plage.

IMG_0401The kids seem suitably impressed by the huge eighteenth century lock and its various workings.  For us, it was nice to read a bit of history and see more of the French region.

lockBack on the bike, I ignored my aching backside (I have never had a bum shaped for a saddle) and we headed on through California Plage then back up to Vias, our closest town.

Vias was beautiful, a quaint town, rich with a French flavour.  Tiny streets hid secret boulangeries, exquisite coffee shops sat on street corners and cheeky bars beckoned us in.

ViasVias is worth a visit if you appreciate architectural splendour.  Many doors are from the seventeenth century, and the structure of Saint Jean Baptise Church is one to be marvelled at.  Also wine lovers may be keen to know that you can visit Vias’ wine estates, tasting is welcomed and the history lesson free.

We cycled back alongside Canal du Midi, looking for otters all the way but were sadly disappointed.  We did spot a huge amusement park which the kids looked at in rapture.  However disappointment kicked in early when my basic French translated that it doesn’t open for another week.

Inside I was a little overjoyed, some of those rides looked terrifying!

Last night was a sedate affair, a mexican meal on the strip, a game of Snap with the kids and a 10pm bedtime.  The rain we have feared all week finally arrived and I drifted into slumber with the rain singing a lullaby on the roof over my head.

As daybreak dawned this morning, the only proof of rain lay in small puddles and the sun was shining again.

Two and a half days until home.  I can’t describe how sad I will be to leave.

*We are reviewing the Al Fresco experience, and loving every second.  For more information or to help find the perfect parc and to book, please visit www.alfresco-holidays.com or call 08436 362586

Comments

  1. Nayna Kanabar (@SIMPLYF00D) says

    June 12, 2014 at 7:40 am

    Sounds wonderful , the pics tell it all.Everyone having fun.

    Reply
  2. Polly says

    June 12, 2014 at 9:09 am

    wow! sounds perfect 🙂

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:40 pm

      without the bike aerobics!

      Reply
  3. you baby me mummy says

    June 12, 2014 at 9:40 am

    What a great way to explore. Great holiday x

    Reply
  4. Sonya Cisco says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:06 am

    Every one of your holiday diary posts is giving me massive envy – looks like you are having such a wonderful time!

    Reply
  5. otilia says

    June 12, 2014 at 10:13 am

    Everybody is on the bike! So wonderful! Happy time with the family!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:37 pm

      Was lovely

      Reply
  6. Mari says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:08 am

    I am SOOOO looking forward to my holiday in France in August now after reading this review, sounds fantastic

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      It was super!

      Reply
  7. Carolin says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:10 am

    Utter bliss, you’re really having the perfect holiday x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      we were

      Reply
  8. Zena's Suitcase says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:22 am

    Love the pics of you getting out round the local town and sites. This is something we like to do on holiday, especially if a boulangerie is involved 🙂 Hope you’ve got you voice back!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:36 pm

      Only just

      Reply
  9. HELEN says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:05 pm

    I must get those kids passport applications sent off,, I want to be there!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      You must!

      Reply
  10. 40 Year Old Domestic Goddess says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:15 pm

    Pictures are gorgeous, sounds like you had a fab time. I know what you mean about “Starfish” as my youngest always chose to do it right by some poor passer by who then got walloped in the face. xx

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      Blooming kids!

      Reply
  11. Jen aka The Mad House says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:21 pm

    I love French holidays and this has been just wanting more!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      I want to go back!

      Reply
  12. Lisa Prince (@BEAUTY_IIAO) says

    June 12, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    being in a lovel village surrounded by nothing but gorgeous scenery our bike rides would be fabulous an i wish we took more advantage of it x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:35 pm

      we are all guilty of that

      Reply
  13. Mums do travel says

    June 12, 2014 at 1:09 pm

    How lovely to go on a family bike ride – even with the ‘starfish’ gymnastics! My kids seem to be allergic to bikes so we’ve never done that.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:34 pm

      Oh it is seriously good fun and slightly nerve wracking!

      Reply
  14. Angela Spicer says

    June 12, 2014 at 1:45 pm

    I’ve never been to France, but reading your diaries is making me want to go.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:33 pm

      I had never been before and was very pleasantly surprised

      Reply
  15. Boo Roo and Tigger Too says

    June 12, 2014 at 4:52 pm

    I’m so envious at the though of you riding through little streets and seeing the baguette delivery man.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:31 pm

      With onions round his neck!

      Reply
  16. Hannah Staveley says

    June 12, 2014 at 5:05 pm

    Oh wow this looks amazing .x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      It was!

      Reply
  17. Cass@frugalfamily says

    June 12, 2014 at 6:34 pm

    This looks amazing – your posts this week are making me very jealous 😉

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      Sorry!!!

      Reply
  18. Becky says

    June 12, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    What a lovely time you are having

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:30 pm

      We did thanks Becky x

      Reply
  19. Andrea says

    June 12, 2014 at 8:33 pm

    Lovely photos – it sounds like you are having an amazing time, I’m only a tiny bit jealous!!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Teeny tiny?

      Reply
  20. Foz says

    June 12, 2014 at 9:25 pm

    Sounding like a perfect holiday. That town looks so pretty!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      It was beautiful, very quaint

      Reply
  21. Actually Mummy... says

    June 12, 2014 at 9:29 pm

    It sounds just perfect for a simple family holiday – love that you ventured outside your campsite on the bikes – I’m ashamed to say we quite frequently don’t leave the premises!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Us too – but it was a bit cloudy that day – am so glad we did.

      Reply
  22. Mammasaurus says

    June 12, 2014 at 11:31 pm

    This looks fab Jane – I love that you all rode about, it’s suc ha great way of seeing things that you;d totally miss from a car! x

    Reply
  23. PinkOddy says

    June 13, 2014 at 5:56 am

    Your holiday sounds so idyllic (minus boy doing silly things on his bike). I think it is great that you have got to see some of what France has to offer whilst entertaining the children on a bicycle ride too 🙂

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:29 pm

      Thanks Joy x

      Reply
  24. Michelle says

    June 13, 2014 at 4:33 pm

    Sounds like an idyllic day (other than the mum wrath!!) x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:28 pm

      That is just a normal day!

      Reply
  25. Helloitsgemma says

    June 13, 2014 at 7:00 pm

    Great photos. I do love architectural splendour actually , throw in a cycle ride and this is my dream day out.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:27 pm

      I missed you

      Reply
  26. Jenny says

    June 13, 2014 at 8:15 pm

    What a lovely way to explore beyond the park.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:24 pm

      It was such good fun.

      Reply
  27. Sarah Bailey says

    June 14, 2014 at 12:55 am

    What a lovely way to explore – I used to love bike riding me and my Dad went on some lovely rides. x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:22 pm

      I used to do the same with my dad x

      Reply
  28. Globalmouse says

    June 14, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    I love those little French towns you can stumble upon – beautiful. Looks like you’re having an amazing trip.

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Thanks it has been wonderful x

      Reply
  29. Fritha Strickland says

    June 14, 2014 at 8:01 pm

    We recently hired bikes on our holiday and I’d forgotten how wonderful it feels. We are thinking about buying some now 🙂 x

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      Oh I would!

      Reply
  30. Shell Louise says

    June 15, 2014 at 10:47 am

    It all sounds wonderful, I’d love to visit France 🙂

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:19 pm

      I can highly recommend

      Reply
  31. Helen @ Witty Hoots says

    June 15, 2014 at 4:30 pm

    this sounds idyllic and love the idea of a bike ride to soak up the scenery and the local culture!

    Reply
    • northernmum says

      June 15, 2014 at 9:18 pm

      It was lovely x

      Reply

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