Banyuls Sur Mer, Pyrenees Orientales (day 2)

This morning a gentle stroll down into the town for a walk on the beach and around the market, where we bought strawberries, followed by coffee at the marina.

When we returned to the campsite at lunchtime there was an eerie silence. Why? The Spanish scouts had left. Thank god! Before booking another night on the site John checked at reception they would actually be leaving and that no more would be arriving. We sound like a right couple of English moaners, don't we,? But justifiably so. The Spanish kids were 'on it' until midnight last night. Being so close to the mountains the weather is forever changing. Dark oppressive clouds like thick velvet curtains obliterate the view, and then give way to veils of wispy white nets. But it always feels warm. So we're happy to just go with it. The washing however, is on and off the washing line with frequency. In the toilets at the campsite swallows nest, boxes from printer paper strategically placed  underneath to catch any droppings.

The birds dart in and out, fractious about the comings and goings. The weather now more settled, we 'pat down' Margery, before walking back down to the shoreline where sea glass is rich pickings. Along the way we are saddened by the oranges that have fallen from trees, and left to rot. What a waste. The lemon trees, always impress us with their vibrant large wonky fruits.

But we can not linger. Tomorrow we are heading for an early start as we're off to a campsite near to Barcelona for four nights.We're excited. The journey however might be a little challenging as we have to pass through Girona and Angela remembers the last time she drove through there. Early night tonight Margery. What's that? Lavender water after a 'pat down'. You're such high maintenance!

Banyuls Sur Mer, Pyrenees Orientales

It was lovely yesterday being back by the sea, being lulled to sleep by the waves of the Mediterranean ocean as they sucked at the sand. This morning Angela took an early morning stroll along the seafront.

Thousands of By-the-wind-Sailor Velella velella stranded on the beach.

There's something very calming about a walk by the sea in the early morning. But we couldn't linger. We needed to find a post office nearby to buy stamps for our postcards. But linger we did, as we couldn't exit the aire. After many attempts to pay with the barrier still refusing to lift, a French woman came to our aid. Stamps purchased we began our drive south. Angela wanted us to pass through Perpignan on a weekend because she thought the traffic might be lighter. She was wrong. After some stressy moments we were spat out south of the city and soon found ourselves in open countryside with the imposing Pyrenees Orientales on our right, the highest peaks snowed covered.

Then a drive up over the foothills of the mountains and down a switchbacking road to the coast.

All a little hairy.

Glad to have arrived at the campsite our relaxing evening was soon shattered by a group of Spanish scouts. Noise level on maximum. Opposite the site is a supermarket which we decided to visit to buy a couple of items we didn't think we'd easily be able to purchase in Spain.

In the veg department we discovered giant peppers we could only dream of buying in England. Depending on how the night goes with the Spanish scouts we may stay here two nights. We'll see.

Sete, Occitane

Yesterday evening as the setting sun filtered through the trees, a young couple sat down in the yard where the horses are tethered during the day. He played an acoustic guitar whilst she sang. Beautiful. What a peaceful end to the day. In contrast, we were rudely awoken at six this morning by a monster of a tractor ploughing the field opposite. Our destination today Sete on the Mediterranean coast. First a big shop to tied us over the weekend.

We tend to eat a small variety of meals whilst in the van, and tonight is paella night. And tonight being a Friday we headed to a paid camping car site just west of Sete. At just eleven euros a night it's the cheapest in the area. Situated just behind the sandunes, this afternoon we were able to walk out down the vast white sand beach looking for sea glass.

So engrossed were we, we didn't notice we'd walked into the nudist area. A woman stripped off walking into the churning waves, exclaiming to her fully dressed husband stood on the sand that the water was cold. Perhaps a swimming cosi would help. Up in the sand dunes Angels caught a flash of orange. 'Is that Trump, showing everyone his 'Kevin the carrot!'.

🥕 Sorry no no photos! 🥕

Nearby on the beach someone had marked an area with bamboo canes. On the sand three tiny terns eggs. Let's hope they survive.

Tomorrow will probably be out last day in France for a while, as we plan to cross into Spain. But as always are agenda is subject to change. As the writer Paul Theroux quotes.' Tourists know where they have been. Travellers don't know where they are going'.

Saintes-Marie-de-le-Mer, Camargue (Day 2)

A dull start to the day here in the Camargue. Our overnight stop is at Domaine De Menjes. A family estate open to the public.As the sun escaped the shroud of cloud the white horses were galloped into the yard.

Amongst them the little shetland ponies keeping pace. As the tourist attraction came alive we bought rice grown in the local paddy fields from the shop and paid to take the little train around the lagoon where we saw flamingos and other wading birds along with coypoius who swam in the muddy shallows.

It was an O.K. trip, but at eight euros each we didn't feel it was value for money. Today we also saw our first swallows.

Very exciting. Nest building was taking place  in the public toilets. As you enter the building they fly out at you in formation hoping to ward you off. It's going to be an interesting few weeks for anyone frequenting the loo here. Having felt we'd spent more than enough money to show our appreciation of being able to stay overnight here we drove to the nearby ornithological park. Despite being busy we squeezed Margery into a space near to the entrance where she received adoring glances from almost everyone who passed by. She's a looker, no doubt about that. Another sixteen euros on admission fees and we realised that the train ride at Domaine De Menjes had been a right rip off!

This park was fantastic. Our first sighting dozens of pairs of herons nesting in the nearby trees. We were mesmerized by the herony. As the birds came and went flying gracefully and then landing clumsily we photographed with abandon. The shallow waters attracted a variety of birds but of course the flamingos were the main attraction.

Always a joy for Angela to see these graceful birds. We spent a very long time watching them squabble, court, preen and mate. Every so often they took flight the bright orange feathers on their underside flashing in the sunlight. Stunning.

Tired from our walking we refreshed with coffee and hot chocolate whilst lost in the world of the wonderful bird life around us. Now late afternoon, it made no sense to move on so we returned to Domaine De Menjes to spend another night thankful for the light breeze that blew through the tall grasses. That'll stop the mosquitoes. If theirs one thing they don't like it's wind.