La Flotte, Charente-Maritime. (Day 3).

After a sweltering day yesterday today was forecast to be ten degrees cooler. It was. In fact at some points, it felt autumnal. But the weather didn't spoil our day. In fact it suited us, as we wanted to once again walk along the coast back towards the bridge that links the island to the mainland, and spend a couple of hours 'just chillin' on the beach, knowing that on a day like today it would be quiet.

We were surprised at just how quiet the area was compared to four weeks ago. As always, cyclists were 'a plenty'. The easiest way to get around the island is by bike. Sadly most are electric, some so powerful they are a danger, especially to us walkers. 

Fortunately at Rivedoux Plage the cyclists are kept separate from pedestrians. But this is France, and when French people walking meet people they know they block the footpath whilst they exchange pleasantries, shake hands and kiss. We just happened to be on the tail end of a group who did just this and were included in the handshaking and kissing! Weird.

After a pleasant afternoon and with a walk of nearly eleven miles done, we bought a take out pizza from the pizzeria and sat by the bustling harbor at La Flotte to eat it.

We are loving being here, and more so being able to enjoy long leisurely days rather than driving from place to place. Spending time looking out at a vast expanse of sand with the tide way of shore, and then enjoying the same view when the tide returns, the waves lapping the shore is our timepiece. And the great thing is. We get to enjoy all this again tomorrow.

La Flotte, Charente-Maritime. (Day 2)

We are very happy to be back at La Flotte. Because the site is so busy, we had to move to another pitch, and tomorrow we were supposed to find somewhere else for the night. But thanks to a cancellation, we are now sorted for the rest of our week here. Margery now has an XL pitch under the pine trees at the bottom of the site. It is cooler, quieter and like little England, much to the annoyance of the French couple next to us. They are literally surrounded. Today has been hot. Too hot.

So we packed some salads and walked down to the harbor where we spent a pleasant afternoon in the shade of the Mulberry trees. Reading, talking, dozing. We can't remember the last time we were this grounded.

We liked it, and must make time to do it more often. This evening on the campsite we were glad we'd had to change pitches.

Our area of ​​​​the site is much more peaceful. We can hear the birds which we love. This evening Angela thinks of the couple from Yorkshire. She hopes they will be able to travel as they wish. He was particularly conscious that his parents passed away in their early seventies, and worried the same fate may be awaiting him. Buying our first van in 2018 after Angela's mother passed away changed our lives. Before, we'd always gone away, mostly just for long weekends camping. Now retired, a whole new world has opened up for us. Within reason, we can travel as we wish, and for as long as life's plans allow. We're sure our family realized how important this is for us, and of course we miss them. Who knows how many years lie ahead until our health will compromise our travels. The moral of this tale. You don't have to start big. Just start. There's a lot of experiences, and places to visit waiting for you!

La Flotte, Ile de Re, Charente-Maritime

We were woken by a thunderstorm around three, which we welcomed as it would clear the air. Despite a disturbed night we were away early, keen to arrive on the Ile de Re.

By midday Margery was all settled on her pitch at Camping Bel Air, La Flotte. Bliss.

Now we could slow down. There is no rush for us, as we decided to forego meals out to treat ourselves and stay on the campsite until next Thursday.

With our ACSI card we are paying just £17.00 a night for a three star campsite with swimming pool. Bargain.

However, upon arriving at La Flotte we'd had a little 'contendre' with a French couple at the van parking where we stopped before checking with the campsite if we could come on early. 'Your van is too small, the parking is for large motorhomes, you need to move for my van to park', really. Well Mr Frenchman, we think not. You're not paying to park, and neither are we! So as it's a free for all, tough. After a heated exchange, Angela agreed to move Margery across to the shorter space, which still didn't really suit him, as his friend also had a large van to park. The whole exchange ended in Angela using her best uncle like English. Wrong day to pick on Margery mate! We're all settled on the campsite now. Nearby are a couple from Yorkshire, early retired with a lovely new van. Unfortunately grandchildren duties are tying them down, but they'd really like to be traveling. We can't say it enough, so little time, so much world to see!

After a some nice salad lunches courtesy of Margery it was time for a walk around La Flotte.

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.