Drive to Montpellier

Up and breakfast and on the road by 0830 hrs to Montpellier. Harry signed on as the second driver. They charge more as you sign on more people to drive the car. So the designated drivers are Debbie and Harry. It was about 680 km to Montpellier which was supposed to take us 6 hr 45 mins. Harry decided to drive and once we got out of the little lanes of the village, he was in his element on the motorway. This motorway was a toll road which I detest as an evil necessity (30 euros one way!). Otherwise it would have taken us 9 + hours in the B roads.

The Van was very comfortable and Harry and I had no problems with him driving and me as the navigator. Give the person who invented Google Maps a Nobel prize. Absolutely well deserved! We stopped every 1.5 hours for a drink and a stretch. It is not easy getting to these pit stops. It always involve a convoluted exit from the motorway and an equally fiendish entry to the motorway. We found a Buffalo Grill for lunch which was pretty good. It is equivalent to the Hog’s breath cafe.

100 km outside Montpellier, we crossed this viaduct bridge. It is supposed to the tallest viaduct in the world. It also stand 274m above ground and is a remarkable suspension bridge. I managed to get a few shots from the back seat.

After that, it was a descent into Montpellier. Montpellier is an ancient Roman town and the girls have booked us into the Best Western Le Guilhem hotel. Unfortunately we could not drive up to the hotel! We had to park the Van (very difficult with the small tight parking spots) in the nearby underground carpark and drag our case about 150 m to the hotel. Bad start. However, the rooms were surprisingly spacious and comfortable. Everyone was stuffed so we just walked 20 m to the nearby Japanese restaurant for dinner, which was very nice. Even I enjoyed it as I am not a big one for Jap food. I just resent paying more for them not to cook it.

Its Montpellier exploration time. Looking forward to some great photos.