2011/9 Towards Calais

First stop in northern Spain was at the little coastal town of Boiro. A great spot right by the beach. We were amazed in the morning to see all these folk (mostly ladies), dressed in waders and carrying rakes and buckets, assemble which we assumed to clean the beach, but no they  launched into the low tide and collected cockles – hundreds of them of them. Can’t imagine how there are any cockles left. Then on round the coast to Santiago de Compostella ,the site of the most famous pilgrim trek in western  Europe. Very popular, we saw many pilgrims along the various routes that lead to Santiago. To be part of the scene we thought we should have been dressed in hiking boots and a back pack to collect a certificate of pilgrimage for Saint James (if you have completed at least 200 km on foot).  The gold on the cathedral altar was certainly impressive. It is a lovely city, but we had the first rain we had seen in months and much cooler temperatures – a bit of a shock to the system.

 

Thence along the north coast with stops at some fine beaches and pretty fishing  villages. We noticed the changes as we moved into Basque country. Road signs are the first thing, but then we could hear people speaking something different and all the other nationalistic sort of things – flags, traditional costume. It was less obvious in Basque France – seemed more of a tourist thing to us but could get into trouble for saying that.

 

Met up with son Nick and friend Tarrant in Bilbao following their visit to the three day music festival there and of course Pamplona before that. The obligatory visit to the Guggenheim Museum where  we were certainly impressed with the building but not the  modern art therein. With Stan loaded with the boys and their packs we continued along the Basque coast into France in not so good weather arriving at Saint Jean de Luz. Great camper van stop very close to town and beach. Joined in the 14th July celebrations with ‘bal’ in the square on the eve and the day plus double  firework display. Also while there, a quick train trip to nearby Biarritz with its impressive beach backed by the casino, palace hotel and other noble buildings with a fine beach covered, wall to wall with bodies. A surprisingly warm Atlantic sea to swim in.  The good thing about all these Atlantic beaches is that they are not reserved for those who hire a sun umbrella and ‘chaise long’.

 

 

Now the count down is on as the Channel ferry has been booked for early on the 21st July. Headed inland to show the boys a bit of medieval culture and pretty French villages in the Dordogne, Vezere and Dronne river valleys. It is now into French holiday time, so of course maximum tourist congestion. The decidedly average weather conditions of low 20s and frequent rain showers (a bit like Auckland) have probably kept a few away so we are coping better than expected. It is fun having the boys with us and we are all keeping very calm about the lack of  space, especially when it rains. The usual supermarket visits have increased because food consumption in Stan has more than doubled and we only have a small fridge.

 

We finished our trip with a sobering visit to the village of Oradour sur Glane, near Limoges. It was the victim of Nazi  reprisals for Resistance activities. Most of the residents were rounded up and killed and then the village gutted. It has been left as it was on the day, with car hulks and household items lying around, as a memorial and a reminder of the horrors of war.

An overnight at La Touquet and then along the coast to Calais, which we are getting to know well. The supermarket for a wine stock, cheese, duck, black sausage etc and a meal out in town before leaving our parking place on the quays, listening to the engine beat of the ferries all through the night.  Up early to catch a ferry at the lowest cost, and back to driving on the left for the first time in 5 months.

Now back with sister Maureen in Hastings with Stan cleaned and polished. Tasting good English beer and the fresh fish and chips on the waterfront of the old town.

Will visit Joanna’s niece in London and a final meal with all David’s family at the weekend before the three days in the  40 degree temperatures of Dubai.  One only full day in Auckland and we will pick up Katie in Dunedin and head to Wanaka and the snow.

Stan the Van in for servicing after 13,000 km + brakes + prop shaft bearing etc etc

 

End of blogs for 2011 a great and interesting trip.