Latest News about Supported Holiday
At Supported Holiday we are now in our 7th year.
Instead of me talking about the holidays let's somebody else have a word in. Here is a press release form the Camphill Pages 2009/2010
Further down you will find a report of a cycle holiday along the Canal de Midi with a group of young men who have now come for the 4th (?) year. As they have come so many times and really enjoyed the cycling holiday, we will go this time to the High Pyrenees and then over to Spain
Cycle Holiday 2009; Lewis, Anthony, Matthew, Daniel, David and Harriet, joined by Tom and James a few days later.
Wednesday 29th of July; Arrival at Toulouse Airport; Welcomed by Adriaan with his new hat, but still with the old minibus. A two hour drive to the camping at Mirepeisset on the river Cesse with a usual stop at the motorway rest area opposite Carcassonne with a beautiful view on the old “Cité ” Set up tents or did we have a quick swim first? After our meal until late in the evening we had a good night sleep.
Thursday; After breakfast with the help of Yorkshire Tea, Phil from Mellow Velos brought the bikes and we had our first bike ride along a short section (Somail- Ventenac en Minervois) on the Canal du Midi. Then enjoyed lunch in the park next to the campsite and along the river for the great part of the day. Too hot to cycle. Late afternoon we went for another ride, this time the other direction (east) along the canal and went through a long straight but bumpy path through the vineyards back. This was a test for our now sore bottoms!
Friday; This time Adriaan hoped to go the direction of Minerve, but after we had passed the first hill and especially when we found no baker in the first village Mailac, we had to make a detour, so he soon gave this idea up. Instead we made a round trip via Bize de Minervois, where we had coffee, and then lunch under the shade along the river. Then went along the river via Agel, where we found a spring of refreshing cold water and Aigues-Vives, where we luckily found an Auberge for drinks. Then over a long hill, we zoomed down (what a relief!) back to Miripeisset.
Saturday; To give our bottoms a rest we thought to go to the sea, but when we arrived, it was cloudy and windy, so we just made a walk along the beach, looking at determined tourists who braved the weather and pretended to enjoy the sun and water. After the walk we visited the old village Gruissan, ignoring all the modern tourist facilities around and after another coffee break of course (!!) climbed the old castle and enjoyed the views from there. Back to campsite we went for an evening ride and this time we went along the Canal de la Robine, direction Narbonne. This was a very nice piece of the canal and we enjoyed the view of people using the many different locks to go up or down the canal. We all agreed that this would be a nice introduction ride for when the others arrive on Sunday.
Sunday; After a short sleep-in (an extra half an hour?) and extended breakfast and a shopping spree, we prepared a place in the park to welcome Tom, James , Simon and Tee. They arrived after a little detour through some vineyards and we all had a pleasant afternoon under the shade and along the river. After supper (or before?) we made the trip along the Canal de la Robine, and every body agreed this was a very nice ride, especially as we always seem to end up on our way back in Somail, where there are plenty of café’s. How many times have we been there?
Monday; On Monday we made it all the way along the canal to a large lake near Homps. On the way Matthew had a crush (or a crash?) with a watermelon, but that didn’t deter us from enjoying it after lunch. Also we had of course a coffee break (that is; coffee, tea, hot chocolate, orangina or coke break) on the way to and on the way back. On the way back Tee and Adriaan shopped for a fantastic lunch prepared by Tee in the evening. A real change from Adriaan's usual cooking!
Tuesday; another expedition on the bike; this time to the East and we nearly reached Capestang. On the way Adriaan went for a quick sprint to Argeliers to fetch fresh baked bread and loads of other goodies so we were well supplied on our trip. On the way back we did as a bonus an extra few miles (because we missed the bridge) and again landed in Somail, where from everybody by now found his way home. By the time we were back we were quit relieved that the bikes would be picked up that evening and our bottoms could relax now. After another swim we had another meal prepared by Tee.
Wednesday; With the help of Simon and Tee our tents were soon packed and all of us went to Carcassonne for our last meal out all together. After saying goodbye to Simon and Tee Lewis and Adriaan went shopping, whereas all the others went to see a tournament, this time including some falconry. It was extremely hot and after a not too long drive (how many minutes Lewis?) to our campsite on lake Montbel we had a good cooling down session in the lake. By this time everybody could help setting up the tents and by the time Harriet and Adriaan finished cooking the meal (with salad again of course!) nearly all the tents were up.
Thursday; As the day before was rather tiring and wanted also to give our bottoms a rest we found a nice place along the lake and spend most of the day there. In the evening we made use of Adriaan’s pink barbecue, which fitted nicely with Matthew’s pink shirt.
Friday; Adriaan was looking forward to take us to the mountains. He promised that we wouldn’t do long or difficult walks , but alas in the morning we couldn’t see the mountains at all as they were in the clouds. So we went via Mirepoix (another coffee break of course) to do a small walk (only 160 m up!!) near a small village Caudeval and then went for another walk near Fanjaux with beautiful views over the countryside below us.
Saturday; Again the mountains were in the clouds, so we went to Esperaza near Quillan where we did a short walk along a place were they found leftovers from Dinosaurses. Then a lunch in the shade along the river and Adriaan decided to see if we could make on the way back a little detour to see if by now we could show Harriet some of the mountains. So we went via Plateau the Sault back home. Near Espezel we did a short walk, but Adriaan didn’t want to go to far down as then we would complain that we had to go all the way back up again. In the evening we went for a meal out in Chalabre, as we had done last year (or the year before in case of Daniel and David).
Sunday; This time it rained in the morning and we had to have breakfast (fresh croissants this time) inside the large tent and we even had to pack up the tents wet as it kept on raining. Luckily by the time we arrived at Adriaan’s house to unhitch the trailor and after an extended coffee break on their balcony, it stopped raining. So we could have our last picnic together in a rest area along the motorway. It was rather chilly but we kept ourselves warm by using the playground provided for the children. We were rather early at the airport, which made an excellent excuse for another drink. After a sad goodbye each went their own way.
So if you also want a good holiday, just contact us.
Adriaan Luijk
Le Fort
09300, Lieurac
Lavelanet
Ariège
FRANCE
Tel/Fax: 0033 (0)5 61 05 27 60
Click here to send us an email.