Salut from the South of France

We hope you appriciate the effort, the keyboards here are WEIRD

Anyway, hello from Marseille, Steph here on behalf of the other two who have wandered off to find a cash point. Currently sitting in an internet cafe in the Arab quarter of Marseille, we have been here for two days and tomorrow we wav au revoir to France and bonjourno to Italy.

The TGV from Lyon to Marseille went smoothly, and we were able to stretch out and enjoy the scenery (inc. Avingon, as in the song pont d'avingon) and go to Marseille at about lunchtime. Thinking that we were really clever, we went to book tickets to Milan for the next day, HOWEVER we were foiled, as there was no tickets left or alternate routes available :(

However, we went on our way to our hostel, which was in the newer and redeveloped area, away from the town centre. A quick (and sweaty) Metro ride, followed by a short stroll lead us to our hostel (*, get in). Another 'lively' hostel with a great view of the roof and opposing way...yummy.

Dumping our stuff, we headed back into town for wanderings and FOOD.
Hang on, the others have returned...sucessful...oh dear they went again, damn so called friends...Anyway, after an immensely huge meal, we managed to wander the town for a bit longer, but eventually returned to the hostel for one thing...THE BEACH.

A short bus ride away, we soon were greeted with the sight of the gorgeous Mediterrainean sea, and we soon settled ourselves on la plague for the next few hours. Despite it being the late afternoon when we arriuved, the sun was still out in full force. Spending most of the time frolicking and such in the sea (Andy complained it was cold), it was verging into evening when w eventually returned to our room.

Climbing out onto the roof like the rebels we are, we sat outside until the bats were flying around our faces (and the birds were warching us suspiciously) chatting and organising tommorrow. It was eventually decided that as we had enjoyed the day so much, we would spent an extra day here, and go to Milan the following day. After eating copoius amounts of watermelon, we eventually retired to bed...

Waking up this morning, we prepared ourselves for the day ahead. Dismaded that we couldn't book another night in the EMPTY hostel we were staying in, we headed into town to book train tickets and find a place to stay. But not before DISASTER as any stepped on Rufus, the uku, and cracked its neck :(The first part of was successful, and we managed to get seats for a ridiculously early train. The latter, however, proved to be more difficult. After some failed attempts, we eventually found a room in a dodgey rundown horror film styley house, but while we waited for it to be clean, Andy luckily found a cleaner, less murderous hostel for us.

After this malarky was sorted and Rufus was attended to with tape, we headed back to the beach, taking a bus recommened by Uncle Bill, which drived along the beautiful coast :)
Arriving at lunchtime, we bought our lunch and then enjoyed the afternoon in the sun, on the beach and in the sea in hot weather of high 20s°c. Reluctantly returning to our room for an early night's sleep, we eventually dragged ourselves away, big salty hair and all.

Now, we will return to our room, as a day of swimming has caught up with us, to stuff or faces with cheap food and juice boxes (a bit of an addiction) in order to wake up EARLY.....