A well earned rest day that isn't used to go supermarket shopping or wash clothes...
We've come to the gorgeous Lac de Sainte Coix, which is fed from the Verdon Gorge.
It's a pleasant change to be on the water in a kayak rather than on a rock face especially in the days intense heat.
I love to see a different perspective of the gorge and its beautiful turquoise blue water.
Serene and calm even with other tourist all around us.

Kayaking in the Verdon.

Later on we check out Moustiers high up above on the rocks, its a very dramatic looking town.
Picturesque and filled with tourist our main aim is not only check out the town but to have a well earned ice cream.

  Me standing in the lake to cool down.

I feel the vibe is changing and we're learning more each day understanding each other's needs and wants.
After a month we have pasted the holiday faze and are now adjusting to the lifestyle. I think it's important to realise we're no longer in a rush, there are of course certain times for things. ( how long the bakery will be open so we can get our bread and cake!)
We should climb when the weather is good and we want to, relax and take a day off when we feel the need.

Verdon is still challenging us each climb, I've been able to pull my weight a bit more and lead a couple of pitches of our multi- pitch routes.
Or last climb Pour Une Poingnee De Gros Lards on the La Derobee area, a great climb and I'm thankful Robin climbed the hardest pitches.
I'll be interested how much l will improve with the consistitsy of  our climbing. We often meet some amazing climbers from all over Europe who have access to areas such as Verdon within a few hours drive. Now we have the ability to drive wherever we wish and challenge ourselves.

The change can be good and also it can be hard,  routes are very intimidating and difficult.
Limestone cliffs hundreds of meters down to the swift moving river Verdon.
Majestic Griffen vultures riding the thermals high above its sure not a place to take lightly.
The climbing here is very committing mainly due to having to abseil into the climbs.
Robin and I have previously been to Verdon but this is the first time unguided.
This makes the stress levels a little higher, abseiling and route finding are just a few things that can go wrong.

After a few days of changeable weather we get a chance to do a few multi-pitched routes.
It's clear to me there are French grades and Verdon grades, even Robin has some moments.
Each area can be very different, one days multi-pitch can be fun filled with pockets and holds and another leaves me wondering if I'm doing the same grade.

Life is taking on a similar air of finding routes to climb, abseil points and then the whole day stuck to the rock face with many others from all over Europe.
Into the mix of climbers are the crazy base jumpers, 2 of whom jumped into the gorge and eventually followed us up a route with each carrying 8kg parachute. Also some high lines set up in the gorge definitely scary but really amazing to watch someone attempt.

Robin hanging around on a tyrolean traverse.

Getting ready for the abseil down.

Beautiful night sky in the Verdon Gorge.

Walking to the base of our climb.

After an enjoyable time Buis-les-Baronnies and with a quick detour to pick up somethings in Orpierre we make our way to the Verdon gorge.
This will be my second trip to Verdon as we've climbed here a few years ago, but our first climbing unguided.
I have forgotten how intimating Verdon is with it huge limestone cliffs a couple hundred meters down the gorge.
Our first couple of routes has me wondering if my Achilles is up to all this bridging and stemming of the Verdon routes.

The first month on the road...

Our first few weeks in we've been to Fontainebleau and now in Orpierre.

We decided to break up the long journey down to Orpierre by spending a few days bouldering in Fontainebleau.

 Robin and I have never been to Font before and to honest we have never

boulder outside but we have a bouldering mat so why not use it.

We parked up in a forest campsites nearby a small village.

 With it being still mid April the night was very cool.

After an morning trip to the boulangerie  for a baguette for lunch we headed for Trois Pignons bouldering area.

With a short walk through the forest and the boulders start to appear.

It's a little bit surreal the first time seeing these boulder's in the forest surrounded by sand.

My climbing was rather tentative, still a little bit weary of falling on my Achilles after my incident even with our DMM bouldering mat.

We really enjoyed the areas of 91.1 and 95.2 best of all.

Good variety of grades and and a nicer environment.

We found the quaint village of Barbizon a perfect place to peacefully camp for the night.

Surrounded by boulders at 95.2

Me checking our route back.

Barbizon

After a few days bouldering in Font we decided to drive to our next destination Orpierre in Haute Provence.

Leaving behind the flat fields for high winding roads and orchards of apple trees.

Orpierre has a dramatic backdrop of rock and a tiny village.

The view of the village of Orpierre.

We eased ourselves into route climbing and spent a few days tuning into the Limestone rock, sharp edges, water pockets and sometimes a little polished.

Funny little cat greeted us at the crag.

We spent one night at the campsite but the rest in the parking by the route up to the crag. The only downside of this was the constant bells from the chapel every 5mins to the hour and on the hour all night long.

Finally having enough of bells we drove to Buis-les-Baronnies. A much bigger and busier town than Orpierre.

Our rest spot for a few nights.

 Climbing in Baume Rousse the frist day, so lovely. Great routes, friendly bolted and beautiful views. I felt compelled to start leading again. Test out my nerve and my Achilles tendon.
 

Next day expecting some more leading but was shut down at Ubrieux. Slight knock to the confidence but tomorrow is a new day.

Making ourselves at home in Buis -les- Baronnies.

Another beautiful sunny day and a perfect day for some multi-pitch on St Julien.

We decide that La Grotte looks fun. You have to small tunnel before reaching the belay.

Robin has be cool  about doing all the leading and steps up for this. The pitches are 5, 6a, 5 so should be fine.

Robin makes quick work of the first pitch and I set off with a small day pack with water plus lunch.

I get to the tunnel and soon find it's a tight squeeze... After removing the pack I manage to fit myself through. I could see how much Robin enjoyed the second pitch a little sustained, a little technical and a small traverse he was flowing through it nicely. The 3rd pitch was on a slab which allows you to see on either side of St Julien.

After we abseil down and have lunch we debate whether or not to climb some more.

The day is still early so we go with the latter ( rest day tomorrow).

Robin wants to challenge himself with a single pitch 6b of Equinoxe.

Although he can make all the moves the bolts are really spaced apart and after spending a few days with friendly bolting its one for a good nerves.

My attempt on second did have a few moments of searching for holds.

A few more days in Buis-les-Baronnies, enjoying the good weather and some great climbing.
Back to Baume Rousse crag Robin and I bump into Gaz Perry and Adrian Berry with a group of British clients.
After a brief chat with them Adrian talks to Robin about an achievable 7a route with big holds.
 The trouble is that it's a very overhanging start and is a bit polished on the footwork, but Robin gives it a go

 Robin on Aband Flis de Crapaud.

 Back to the belay.

Now a few weeks in our adventure is going well, this has been a great location to be at and so many crags to explore.
Another multi-pitch on St Julien, we pick another easy grade route it's all about the fun. We see Adrian and Gaz with the same clients. With so many great routes on St Julien it's easy to see why they're also at the same place.

Time for a small change, Robin heard about Malaucene a small crag near Mount Ventoux famous for the legg of the tour de France.
Again we bump into Adrian and Gaz, who are busy with the same clients giving them beta on some routes.
I soon find Malaucene is not the place for me. Large bulges, out of reach holds and overhanging.
After a couple of routes I'm done!
Robin does much better even doing a couple of 7a's.
Next we go to Combe Obscure (slabs) and the following day a small multi-pitch on the lovely Chaine du Clapis.
While looking for our route we see a veteran climber perhaps in her late 60's or early 70's seconding a route.
There's so much choice and decide on Vistemboir and Viva la Vida.

 Me on a multi-pitch

 Retro Citroen 2CV


Next on Robin's tick list is St Leger, the grades are to difficult for me so I'm just belaying.
The first route doesn't go as planned. Robin has to bail due to getting stung by something, he wasn't clear about what they were and wasn't hanging around to find out.

The next few routes were challenging


 

 Robin at the end of the day at St Leger.




 

 Me at the end of the day at St Leger.






 



 Life in campervan Stan has us reveling in the small pleasure such as a stunning view for our evening, for me seeing the starry night sky, listening to the early morning birds and exploring new places.
Our first month has us defining our roles, supporting each other and becoming a team.