Martigues

The river cruise down the Rhône sounded idyllic: TGV to Avignon, then pick up the boat,

spend a day in Avignon before setting off, visit Arles and Chateau Neuf du Pape, Orange,

and finally the Camargue. But apart from these excursions, the cruise itself was very

disappointing - there was no river traffic to speak of, the river's banks were built up so

high as flood defence that you couldn't see anything from river level, and the only

distractions on board were to eat, eat or eat. But since we were both on a diet, that

wasn't much of an option either! For the first time in years we were bored enough to

write postcards. The boat was a microcosm of English society at its best and worst: we

met some lovely people, artisan-types, some good salt-of-the-earth types, and some

utter snobs; we met them all since 'guests' were rotated around the tables at meal-times

and there was never the opton to sit with new-found friends. We resolved not to be

tempted again by a newspaper ad for a cruise, and never have been.

The river cruise down the Rhône sounded idyllic: TGV to Avignon, then pick up the boat, spend

a day in Avignon before setting off, visit Arles and Chateau Neuf du Pape, Orange, and finally

the Camargue. But apart from these excursions, the cruise itself was very disappointing - there

was no river traffic to speak of, the river's banks were built up so high as flood defence that you

couldn't see anything from river level, and the only distractions on board were to eat, eat or

eat. But since we were both on a diet, that wasn't much of an option either! For the first time in

years we were bored enough to write postcards. The boat was a microcosm of English society

at its best and worst: we met some lovely people, artisan-types, some good salt-of-the-earth

types, and some utter snobs; we met them all since 'guests' were rotated around the tables at

meal-times and there was never the opton to sit with new-found friends. We resolved not to be

tempted again by a newspaper ad for a cruise, and never have been.

Martigues, S France