Clisson, Loire-Atlantique

This morning we felt a little sad as we were leaving the Ile de Re. The day began bright, and the perfect blue sky tried to persuade us to stay. How we would have loved to. But from now on we must drive a few hours each day towards Cherbourg. In no rush, we drove slowly from La Rochelle, through the Marais. Pointing out cycle paths we'd cycled on many times before. It was very nostalgic. Quite often we pass through small towns and comment, 'we've been here before'. Tonights stop is Clisson.

Normally when we stay in this area it's at Monbert. But sadly, the little campsite run by Philippe and Odile doesn't open until June 1st. Their campsite really is our all time favourite, we're sure we'll stay there another time soon. Clisson is 22 miles east of Nantes.

It has a stunning chateau, which we've visited before. This evening it is once again warm, and it was nice to be able to sit outside and eat. More driving tomorrow Margery. Let's hope we can find you somewhere nice to stay.

La Flotte, Ile de Re, Charente-Maritime (Day 3)

Today will be our last day on the island until we visit again. Which we're sure we will. Sadly we need to make tracks up country as on Monday evening we will be returning home. We can't believe how quickly the weeks have passed by. Our visits to Barcelona, Granada and Seville, places we really wanted to see, seem like they were on a different holiday.

Yet more walking today, this time to Saint-Martin-de-Re. It's always a pleasure to visit here, and sit by the harbour drinking tea and coffee whilst we people watch.

We especially like to see the donkeys, who today in the midday heat cooled themselves by standing beneath the arches of the bridge by the prison. Yes, this tiny island unbelievably has a prison with 380 inmates. After a while, perhaps knowing a photo opportunity was waiting for them, the donkeys  wandered out, nibbling at the lush green grass, and stretching their necks to eat the succulent new shoots in the hedgerows. Yesterday, we'd stopped to watch some goats behaving in much the same way. The temperature rising, we ambled back. No meal out tonight, but as always a bag of frozen paella from the supermarket is a good substitute. It's our go to meal. Of course this evening we will walk out again, we couldn't leave the Ile de Re without seeing one last sunset.

La Flotte, Ile de Re, Charente-Maritime (day 2)

The Ile de Re is a cycling island. A network of very good cycle paths link all the towns and beaches. Along the coast though, the paths are for walkers only with very large red and white signs informing the cyclists they are not allowed on the path. Sadly it seems most of the cyclists can't read. It really is maddening, and unsafe, especially as most of the bicycles now seem to be electric. For now we are walkers, cycling put on hold for a while as we try to up our daily step count (31,150 today), and strengthen those muscles required for walking. Today was a big day. We were walking to the bridge that linked the island to the mainland.

The weather was beautiful, but there was hardly any breeze and despite wearing sun hats we appreciated any little shade cast by the leaves on the trees along the way. Walking really is the way to take in the surrounding area. Seagulls acted as seagulls do, whilst the little turnstones flipped over grey pebbles on the shore looking for anything creeping underneath. The tractors of the oyster farmers marked the beach with their constant comings and goings. Hot and a little bothered we reached the beach.

Found a shady spot and ate lunch. We'd made it. Now we just had to walk back again. Fortunately we had an incentive. Tonight we were going down to the harbour for a meal at the Italian restaurant.

And what a fantastic meal it was.

Ile de Re, Charente-Maritime

This morning we left a rainy Rochefort early, excited about going to the Ile de Re less than an hours drive away. The aire at La Flotte where we like to stay is very popular so we were keen to arrive by late morning.

As we drove over the bridge that linked the island to the mainland the sun split the clouds. We've certainly had some mixed weather on this trip, and for a while it hasn't been too sunny and warm, so the warmth of the morning sun was very welcome.

Margery secured on the aire, we took the short walk into town to the market where we were hoping to pick up four small potato boxes.

We already have two in the van, and could do with a few more to put on the shelves in the cupboard in Margery's kitchen area. Sadly, potato sales were low, and no boxes were available. We will visit the market again tomorrow in hope of better luck. At the harbour we stopped for refreshments. We love to sit here and people watch.

A bride walked by, hair and make up perfect, her father holding her beautiful ivory dress up from the ground. Only on France would you see this.

A young man busked playing a Chapman stick, a twelve stringed electrical instrument. He was here last time we visited and is very good. We put some coins in his hat to show our appreciation. The sun now in charge we walked along the coast stopping at an oyster farm to view the items in the vending machine outside.

Can you imagine being able to buy a dozen oysters from one of these in England. And to accompany your oysters, two lemons for two euros. Walking further on, lizards basked on hot rocks and the tide silently crept in, wave patterns heading for the shore.

We sat a while listening, watching and enjoying. The Ile de Re never disappoints, which is why we keep returning here.