A caravan, a tent and a naturalist beach along the Ardeche River Gorge

France, summer of 1987, with Martie and Jess

Camping Chez Oscar, girls in the caravan, boys in the tent, coffee and croissants sent down by 'round, jovial Dutch, French and English speaking' Oscar himself for our morning treat, bouillabaisse soup on the terrace of his Provencal restaurant followed by rabbit. What a find!

I look at my photo collage that I have just put together for the blog from my photos of this summer of 1987 with Martie in the south of France and around Paris, it looks joyous. 

It was a summer of much laughter.

One of the iconic memories of this time was the day we spent down on the Ardeche River. My letter to Mom talks about us 'invading' a German naturalist beach. We were laden, canoe, loads of delicious food for the picnic, Shawni, Barry and Jessica all needing help down the steep gorge to the river. Fred itching to get onto the river to canoe and to leave his '2 wives and 3 children'. 

And canoe he did, the minute he saw the minimalist (and nude) campers, he disappeared and spent most of the day on the river.  No wonder Martie and I giggled. The littley's loved it all, 'we had a super day just lazy in the sun and swimming'.

I wonder if I bought a French bag, cannot really remember the outcome after our boot was burgled, which came as a bit of a shock after the lazy day on the river.