This morning Angela was up early keen, to hand wash a few items whilst we still had access to a constant supply of hot water. Every other morning on the campsite it has been sunny, and more often than not breezy. This morning, no sun, and no breeze. We had until midday to vacate our pitch and didn't want a van full of wet clothing. But good fortune was with us, and the sun which was constantly being swallowed by the cloud, broke loose. On cue, a whisper of a breeze slowly moved the washing on the line. At five minutes to twelve, everything was dry apart from one pair of slightly damp socks. Thank god. Washing done it was time to leave. Leave La Flotte, not the Ile de Re. On some of the motorhome Facebook groups Angela follows, there are reports of increasing numbers of visitors around the Brittany coast. Northern Brittany in particular as on July 5th the Tour de France cycle race begins. All the campsites around Caen, Bayeaux and St. Malo our full around that time as the tour begins in this area. We don't like crowds or chaos, and we love the Ile de Re. After our walk out yesterday evening how could we leave the island so soon.
The beautiful colours lit by the setting sun, of the boats sat lopsided on the sand as the tide ebbed made for a perfect evening. We couldn't leave, we didn't need to leave. So after a quick shop we headed up the island to an official overnight parking spot at Le Bois-Plage-en-Re. We've stayed here before, both in Marge and Muddy Marge. There is space for four vans. Fortunately there were were none. Pick your spot Margery.
Today was supposed to be a lot cooler than late. It wasn't. Yes, more breeze, but the sun high in the summer sky was intense. After our early awakening, we read a while and waited for the temperature to drop before walking out.
The beaches on the island are stunning, and the one here just a few metres away is no exception.
The view along the white sand beach is magical. The smell of the ocean, salt and seaweed is all here. Early evening we were joined by a young English man. He'd taken the overnight ferry from Dieppe, stopped a few times to rest, and lured by the thought of warm dry weather kept driving. He told us it was raining in Dieppe when he arrived. His attire, jeans and a jumper. His planned onward trip over the next month, France, over the Pyrenees into Spain, Andorra and perhaps Italy. After two years of renovating his van, this is his first European trip. Oh to be young and energetic. We could feel his excitement, envied his youth, but knew we shared the same ethos as us. Travelling is not running away, but living life before it runs from you, which is how we intend to carry on with ours.
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