I thought I had a heart attack! I couldn’t find the key to my camper. I have two keys, one to start the engine (car part) and one for the camper part. And one to start the engine was missing…  I have my lanyard with keys always with me. But the key of the engine was gone! F… when did I last use it… a good question. I haven’t used it for 3 weeks because I didn’t move, and stayed 3 weeks at the same camping in Cannes. And now I want to leave to go to Mandelieu, packed, paid my bill and the only thing that was missing was the key. I don’t panic easily but the worst case scenarios were going through my mind. I don’t have a spare key with me! My spare key is at home…in the Netherlands.

First attempt; start searching in my handbag, nothing! And then my small backpack which I somehow use for groceries. Nothing! Where the heck do I start, the key can be everywhere. 

No key, which means I can’t continue my journey! And it’s Sunday…

Breathe in, breathe out.

Walked back to the reception to ask if they had found a key. Nothing! Back to my camper and walked around to see if it would be in the grass. Nothing! Back inside, and there it was on the table. Why didn’t I see that before? It wasn’t there when I left for the reception.. Do you believe in miracles? I do! 

The hook of the key was broken, therefore it got detached from the lanyard. This damn key could have been everywhere. I walked back to the reception to say that I found the key, and she answered what a fantastic day! Indeed, she was exactly right :-)

Arriving at the second camping, just 6 km away (the longest distance ever!) the reception was closed, lunchtime. I wanted to arrive earlier, but yeah the damn key issue popped up.

The friendly receptionist was sitting on the terrace and helped me anyway despite it being closed. She asked me to park at a temporary place, until the others leave. Fine. Parked my camper and opened the door for Loekie, she was happy to get out. Not even 5 minutes later I hear cats screaming, including mine. I looked under my camper and I thought that I saw double. Two Loekies under my van! Exactly the same size and colour. I thought who is who? I manage to get them out of each other. Loekie was pissed on me, and didn’t want to get back in. Ha, ha can’t blame her.

Patience

Patience… My patience is already tested this morning and I don't need a second heart attack. 

Then I received messages from people in the Netherlands, are you enjoying your Sunday… Yes! Very chill… Luckily I already went jogging along the beach this morning before departure.

Never a dull moment in my life. And travelling with pets, in particular with Loekie is even more fun.

Fanclub

Do you know that I have local fans? Walking on my second day in Mandelieu from the camping to the laundry someone across the river waved to me. I looked at him and waved back, asking how are you? It was my neighbour from the previous camping (yes, a widow) who stayed there for a month. I know he was very sporty and what a coincidence! Perhaps if I would stay longer I would have a full group for my grieving walk  

Anyway a huge advantage of staying longer, you create an ecosystem. Just curious who else would pop up during my journey???

Anyway, a nice start to a beautiful morning. Putting my laundry in the machine (washing machines at campings are usually of a shit quality, pardon for my French). If I would have just simple t-shirts but I am on the road for 4 months including some business clothes and I don’t want to put them in a washing machine that is rusted. Or that my laundry will get stuck and that would not be the first time. And I have seen many machines now.

Welcome in Mandelieu

Zipping off my coffee in the meantime waiting for my laundry to be ready, I am curious to explore my next destination. Despite that I am only a few kilometres from Cannes I am in a completely different world, it feels more cosy, like a village. Exactly what happened this morning, meeting people that you know.

The camping is also very different. It’s smaller in size, but 70% is full. And the price, almost half of the price I paid in Cannes. What’s the difference? The pitches are smaller, yes, the sanitary is old. But I have free wifi (and a good connection) , a nice cosy bar, and seeing the ageing group, I belong to one of the youngest (don’t count the families who come for the Easter holidays or weekends). Also here, I have seen a few single men, but no women. I have only met one woman near Grau du Roi, a lovely French lady who was at least 65 years old. 

Kick off

We start with a delicious lunch in a lovely local restaurant with Sophie of the Convention Bureau of Mandelieu together with Odile who’s responsible for all the events that are held in the Convention Center of Mandelieu. Discussing the program and gaining more insights about the destination. Because let me be honest, I had never heard of Mandelieu. I remembered when I received the name Mandelieu, I had to look on the map where it was. And apparently I am not the only one.

My purpose of Mandelieu is to create awareness about the destination amongst event professionals, that this destination could be a great option for your next meeting, incentive or congress. A nice challenge which I am happy to accept. Where do I start? As simple as it is, with the Convention Bureau of course. For those who don’t know what a convention bureau is (and many of us don’t know, even before I entered the world of meetings and events); the Convention Bureau will support you with the organisation of your upcoming event in the destination or region. Like a tourist office but then for events. Often these offices are in the same building and work close together, like here in Mandelieu.

One of the nice facts that I discovered is that the city consists of ⅔ of green spaces? And that the river Siagne goes through the city which creates a huge offer of water sports activity, including the ‘regular’ water sport options. Which adds two large Unique Selling Points to the city, besides the proximity of two airports, the one of Nice (30 minutes away) and the private airport for smaller planes and helicopters (located in the city).

My program

• Visiting hotel Casa Rose

• Visiting hotel Pullman

• Visiting hotel Mercure

Part of my journey is to explore the different accommodations as the city has a wide variety of hotels. The majority of the hotels have 3 or 4 star accommodations. 

Mercure

A passionate and friendly Olivia showed me around in the Mercure. If you arrive, at first sight, you would not be so excited. It’s situated just next to the airport, in an industrial area. But as soon as you’re inside, it feels cosy and warm. A lovely surprise. During Covid the hotel decided to renovate completely and the results are worth visiting. Before the renovation, the architect asked the team their opinion and input, which is a great gesture. The team required a local touch and if you look carefully, the local details of the region are integrated in the hotel. Not only in the kitchen, the use of local ingredients, but also in the rooms, and meeting rooms you will find the local touch back. In case you’re looking for a hotel, close to the airport of Mandelieu (which closes during the night, it’s a private airport, so no noise) with pool and meeting facilities, this is a great location.

Chill and layback

A privately owned hotel called Casa Rose with its own layback beach style. Situated along the Siagne river, you can arrive by boat. The hotel has its own boot transfer, in case you would like to organise excursions or choose a different kind of transport than the regular options. The layback, beach style is integrated across the entire hotel, even in the meeting rooms they have those chilled beach chairs. Something different than the regular corporate meeting rooms and chairs. I had the privilege to stay in the hotel and spend the night and had dinner. Also the decoration in the restaurant and the menu is chilled and relaxed.

I was able to bring Loekie to the hotel, which was a huge surprise for me. Not every hotel is pet friendly. Anyway, Loekie had the privilege to have the camper for her own, and I used the room and especially the bath (something I love after using the showers at the camping, to treat myself). 

Top of the week

And I finished my week literally at the top of Mandelieu, spending one night in the Pullman on the 7th floor with an amazing view overlooking the sea. When I entered Mandelieu with my camper on the first day, honestly, I was not directly charmed by its look. But when I entered, and spent the night in the hotel and I woke up from the sun coming into my room, I totally changed my opinion. When I was on the balcony, wow, this view is stunning, totally not what you expect at first sight. I thought I felt really privileged, which is true right? This hotel is the largest in town, not only in number of rooms, but also in the number and space of meeting rooms. And not to forget to mention the biggest parking lot. The hotel has its own casino, which you can also access from outside. The hotel is expanding their outdoor space for events, in front of the hotel which has a spectacular view on the sea and bay. You can even arrange your private transfer by boat from the hotel to the Islands of St. Lerins, or a sunset cocktail on a catamaran and returning to the hotel, a privilege. Important, for those who do car launches; cars can enter and they can have up to 3 cars in the hotel. Including the green surroundings of Mandelieu this is a perfect spot!

Zipping my glass of rose during dinner thank you Pullman for your hospitality and great service in the restaurant during dinner.

I just can’t imagine that I am just 6 weeks on the road now! It feels much longer. My life is always full of adventures no matter where I am. Up to more adventures and nice surprises in Mandelieu. Stay tuned!