Bordeaux, Aquitaine

Angela was excited today. We were going to Bordeaux. Her favourite city in France. After spending twelve nights here last year waiting for some gas struts for Muddy Marge's pop top to arrive from England, we got to know the city well. The sun shone and just after twelve we were booked on the campsite and on our way to catch a tram into the city, where upon our arrival we came upon a large brocante.

A French antiques market is totally different to an English one, saying that twice we came across some Ercol dining chairs...grossly overpriced.

A fantastic Thai lunch, and a walk along the fabulous waterfront, stopping at the brilliant outdoor shop to discuss rucksacks before stopping at a little Scottish cafe called 'McDonald's', for coffee and iced tea before walking some more, stopping to watch a Fred Olsen cruise ship set sail, slowly navigating it's way under the Jacques Chaban-Delmas bridge, of which a section rises to allow the ship to pass under.

This manoeuvre drew a large crowd. Were we all waiting to see if it would hit the bridge? After eight hours of walking around Bordeaux it was time to catch a tram and return to the campsite.

Angela always feels sad to leave Bordeaux, but she knows we will probably return again next year. This evening as we wave to the security man, who we met on our first visit to the campsite ten years ago we look back on our travels since then. In a week we will return home, then within two weeks we should be on our way to Scotland in our other camper, Muddy Marge. And after that there are more adventures to look forward to. In the words of John Lennon. ' Life is what happens when you're busy making plans'.

John also tried out a electric bike (a new version of the Brompton the G-Line with it's larger 20 instead of 16 inch wheels) for the first time, and was quite shocked! Maybe try again in a few years time!

Mimizan, Aquitaine

We can't believe today is the fortieth day of our trip. Life just seems to fly by so quickly as you become older, so it's important to live it before it runs away from you. The forecast for today is not great. So keen to head further north up the Atlantic coast we left early, stopping for shopping en-route. Oh, the joy of once again shopping in a French supermarket, and being able to yet again buy coleslaw. It's the little things in life that really do matter. We are now heading towards Bordeaux. But to drive all the way there today was too much, so we decided to stop at Mimizan Plage to break the journey. It seems surreal to think that we cycled the length of the French Atlantic coast in 2015. It's also nice to revisit old memories. 

Our chosen spot for the night didn't feel right, so we moved to a parking area in the centre of town where vans are allowed to park. Once again we are the only English. As forecast the rain arrived at lunchtime, drumming on Margery's roof and dripping off the tree above her. Just after six this evening, the weather settled and we were able to walk out through the town and along the promenade.

It's annoying when the weather is against you, it feels like a wasted day, and as we have just over a week left in France each day really does count now. Saying that, the  terrible weather of the day forgotten we were rewarded with a stunning sunset. Sometimes the weather can be just so crazy.

Saint Jean Du Luz (Day 2)

Last night a thunderstorm warning was in place for the next twenty four hours. So with this in mind, and rain due by midday we were out walking by nine.

The stroll along the coast  down to the town was pleasant in the early morning sunshine. Saint Jean Du Luz was busy as a market was taking place. The noise, colours and aromas of a French market are captivating, they draw you in.

Angela couldn't resist buying a folded pizza, not a calzone, but a miniature version, stuffed with mozzarella, green pesto and sun dried tomatoes. Yes it was delicious. After four hours of walking, exploring, photographing and stopping for refreshments it was time for a quick lunch before heading out again. A few spots of rain had fallen, but with no sign of the threatened storm we walked along the coast in the opposite direction.

All the walking of the day meant we could justify a meal out tonight, but sadly around seven this evening, the nearby mountains of the Pyrenees disappeared into an oblivion and rain fell steadily. Oh well, 'c'est la vie.'