Travel and Gadgets: La Provence, the Big Blue Whale and the Sat Nav Chick

We pottered around the South of France in a big blue whale, pictured below resting somewhere in the mountains while two of the crew were off writing their names in the dirt.

The drive through the Provence region is spectacular, with plenty of vomit inducing windy roads and fast highway streches in between. That is normally a good thing, but anyone who watches TopGear or knows anything about cars knows that the French can't make them. The car is far from an exciting vehicle to drive. It has what marketing folks at car companies call, cloud like ride.. which basically means that its kind of like being in a boat. Despite this, driving through this region is recommended.

The big blue whale did have two redeeming features; Automatic opening side doors and Sat Nav. The doors were something out of a B-Grade Sci-Fi show, press a button and its opened. Press it again and it's closed. You can also do it while about 30 meters away from the car. Great fun for the whole family.

However, the doors where upstaged by the Sat Nav. A drive typically went like this.

Sat Nav (SNC)" turn right in 200 meters"
SNC: "turn right"
Davin:"what right?"
SNC: "turn right"
Davin: "WTF? Stupid machine, there is no road to the right!"
SNC: "where possible plus U-turn"
Davin: "NFW - stupid machine"

later on that day.....
Davin: "hey, anyone know where we need to go?"
Me: "shouldn't SNC have said something already?
SNC: "......"
Davin: "err...where are we"
SNC: "......"
Davin: "bugger, its gone on strike again..anyone got a map?"
The Crew: "......"

SNC: "where possible do a U-turn"
Davin: "merde".

At times where we did follow it, we ended up in the back streets of some little village and along some very deserted roads. It even took us down some streets that would only just pass off as footpaths. Like the street below:



As you can see, there are quite a lot of cars infront, the drivers of which are all probably cursing their Sat Nav - "Merde! Regarder où vous me vous avez pris stupide, machine stupide".

Provence itself you ask? Its a very nice place, picturesque and generally pretty relaxing. Nothing much to do except enjoy the scenery and the food. I'd recommend a drive to each of the little towns along the way. Also take a quick drive to Monaco just for the thrill of driving on the famous corkscrew (below)