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Day four started out sunny as we left the coast and headed north inland through some really nice areas before my GPS lead us along some bloody narrow, winding, and hilly roads (my utmost favourite!).
 
However, the sun wasn't to last and before long it starting pouring on us just as we reached the little village of Villecroze.

 
 
We took shelter for a while, and Katie took to the wine.

 
 
This however was our final destination: St Croix Lake, a man-made lake 'created' in 1973 following the construction of a dam somewhere nearby.
 
The lake has several little towns and villages along its coastline, of which we set up camp in Les Salles-sur-Verdon, home to just 200 (so your gossip is everybody's gossip!).
 
At the north-western tip of the lake is the entrance to the incredible Verdon Gorge.

 
 
Verdon Gorge is a river canyon considered to be Europe's most beautiful. The gorge is the world's second largest at 25kms in length and up to 700 metres deep.
 
We arrived just before sunset, and with the weather forecast not looking good for the following day we drove along the canyon's rim (another narrow, winding, hilly fucker - man I love 'em!) and snapped these shots while we could.
 
The Verdon River which flows through the canyon is a really nice turquoise-green colour - lovely!

 
 
The following day we hired a kayak for a couple hours and ventured into the gorge!
 
Kayaker Barbie!

 
 
Hehehe, cool!
 
Working on the calluses.

 
 
The gorge is just as impressive from below as it is from above. It's just a shame we'd lost the sun by now.
 
After we'd gone as far as we could before the river got too shallow (and fast) to carry on. Kayaker Barbie hauled us ashore to chill for a bit and throw a few stones.

 
 
 
I much prefer the big ones ;)
 

 
 
Earlier in the day we did get the sun, and went for a quick drive to the little town of Riez west of the lake.
 
We were told to come here and check out the markets.

 
Plenty of the usual randomness, including a nice holder for my knife for when I next feel like stabbing someone in London (as it appears to be the thing to do on a Friday and Saturday night).
 
 
Lunch is served! The stuff on the right are various meats (and combinations thereof). We got some pork thing covered herbs - bloody yummy! We also got some of the good stuff from the cheese man, and some of the good stuff from the bread stall down the road. I could quite happily live off these French markets :)

 
 
Just north of the lake is the little village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie plonked right on the side of a limestone cliff. The village is home to 600, so your gossip is almost everybody's gossip.

 
Perched high above the town, a star hangs on a 225m long chain suspended between the two cliffs visible in the set of photos above these. According to legend, during the Crusades a knight of Blacas held prisoner by the Saracens vowed to hang a star over the village on his return. The star has been replaced several times over the centuries because it ages, and occasionally falls hahaha!
 
Further up the cliffs and overlooking the village is the 12th-century Chapel, Notre Dame de Beauvoir.

 
 
If you're happy to climb a couple million steep steps you can check it out, and get some awesome views over the village and area below - nice!

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