Day 21 Folkestone

A really interesting site - tucked in on a cliff edge. Big hills to get out and down to the sea front where we cycled for a while before turning off to a canal path.

We found a lovely pub for lunch!

On the way back we took the bikes up in a funicular railway.

And came out by the Afghanistan memorial arch.

Day 20 Folkestone

Up and off to Calais. Did a little shopping and headed for the tunnel.

Now at an awkward to get to but nice site overlooking the sea for the weekend.

Day 19 St Valery sur Somme

First night of real rain and it was still very drizzly when we got up. By about 11 it had cleared up and we cycled 12 miles along the canal path to Abbeville.

Not a great town but the Abbey was lovely.

Had coffee and macaroons! 

I was bothered about the ride back but it was ok!  I didn't do a lot after that but Mart went for a swim.

Day 18 St Valery sur Somme

A beautiful morning so we cycled around the bay to Le Crotoy. A flat ride of about 10 miles against the wind and back was about 10 miles against the wind - go figure!! 

After a stop to get some shopping Martin wondered why his bike wouldn't come out of the stand!! Guess he should have put the panniers on after!!

Day 17 St Valery sur Somme

Had a fabulous week with Linda and Steve at St Gildas du Rhys. The apartment is right on the sea front just past a nature reserve so there is always something to watch.

We cycled to the town for bread most mornings and went to the market and watched a bride going into the Abbey.

And we ate at a lovely 'shack' on the beach.

At the weekend Martin and Steve went to Le Mans 24-hour race.

So we've now moved on and a 6 hr drive up to St Valery to enable us to have a bit longer stay before heading home! 

Day 10 Ile de Re

Another lovely day and we're heading off to the lighthouse. 

A stop at Ars and a stop for coffee and cake in a new patisserie!

The church is very old and actually open for us to have a look inside. 

Then on to the lighthouse 

Martin thinks it was about 20 miles there and back so time for a sit by the pool.

Day 9 Ile de Re

A lovely day again. Martin went off for an early ride to the lighthouse and back 20 miles. After breakfast we headed for St Martin (and coffee).

Followed by a strange cake, which was actually very nice!

and on to La Flotte.

This evening we walked to the beach.  Don't think he wanted another photo of him falling off his bike like last year!!

Day 8 Ile de Re

Left the bay looking fabulous and headed north. The bridge was shut at Bordeaux  so  we had a long detour. 

The weather's great so we had to queue to get on the island. A bigger shock was the campsite which is quite full!! 

Cycled to La Couard and had a cake!!

And lay by the pool this afternoon.

This evening we cycled through the salt lakes

To Loix.

Day 7 Andernos les Bains

A day pretty much like yesterday. Rode to the town had a mooch about and coffee!!

Read at the van in the afternoon and Martin went for a walk along the beach and came back up to his knees in black smelly mud!

Road out south in the evening.

Came across Lanton and road back beachside.

Arcachon bay is stunning!

Day 6 Andernos Les Bains

A lovely day at 25 degrees. Cycled to the market where we had coffee! No cake though.

It is an up market holiday resort but still quite quiet as their holiday season hasn't started yet. Back to the campsite for lunch

and a rest followed by a ride to Ares and the oyster port. Beautiful evening and I'm sure the biking is helping my back!

Day 5 Andernos les Bains

A 2 hour drive and it just got hotter and hotter. 32 degrees all day but it's going to be cooler tomorrow . Still managed 11 miles on the bikes- it is flat!

Tide out when we arrived. Martin had a dip in the sea this evening. Lovely sunset and it's still hot!

Day 4 Biarritz

Despite being told it was very hilly Mart thought we should cycle in!! I had to do quite a lot of pushing up the hills! Biarritz is a lovely city with nice beaches and beautiful buildings.

The old harbour was very picturesque.

Day 3 San Sebastián

Headed off to San Sebastion today. Nice seaside town with some lovely old buildings.

Stopped there for lunch and if course I had to have paella!!

 It had lots of seafood so dad had to have salad!

Then we moved on to a campsite just outside Biarritz. Big site with an indoor and outdoor pool. I actually swam in the covered one- it was nice and warm.

And then a walk to the beach tonight.

Getting sunnier and warmer!

Day 2 Santillana del Mar

Drizzling when we arrived and we actually drove through the old cobbled town to the site. ( not sure we were actually allowed to do that).

After lunch we walked down to the town.

We had now discovered that the van had actually lost someone's 2 pairs of reading glasses!! We found a chemist and had to pay rather more than his normal £1 ones but at least I won't have to read everything to him!!

Lovely old town. Everything shuts between 2-4.

Day 1 Plymouth

Sky Ride bike ride on. Lots of traffic lanes shut and awful traffic but we made it to the port in plenty of time after a stop at Saltram House ( start of the bike ride arggggh) .

A bit late setting sail but we're off and so far so good - it's calm. However we do have to toss up for the top bunk!