Ibis La Baule Pornichet

... for the majority of the afternoon (thank goodness it was cute!).

After solving the food problems, the canal route decided to do a bit of a detour. A section has been flooded into a lake and the path along the shore is unnavigable for cycles. Off we went following some little signs through back roads, rail lines, and farmer’s fields - more like mountain biking than touring. Finally detoured bck to the lake to find a giant fishing ...

... discovering that we enjoy the intimacy of a small town experience as opposed to a tourist hotspot. ... As we drive along the coast of La Baule, we pass a restaurant that Franc and Sandrine's friends own, and we make plans to return here to treat Catherine to dinner tonight as our way of saying thank you. Can't wait! Then, its back to Pornichet, where Catherine's mother joins us for an amazing homecooked lunch of langostinos, and then a veal with cream pasta dish. Wow ...

... its a must. And then we begin our drive on our longest road trip so far (roughly 2 hours)... to visit Catherine, Sandrine's mother, in Pornichet, a small coastal town reputed to have wonderful beaches. After running in to a bit of traffic, we arrive and find that Pornichet has a wonderful small town feel ... and Catherine's home is only a five minute walk away from the beach! Unfortunately, as we arrive, the skies are very cloudy, ... it looks like it might ...

... tombs, a 13th century castle and wartime mementos, but most important is the magnificent scenery. Although mainly flat, the views from the low hills across the Golfe are amazing. We were tempted into a day long boat trip around the Golfe yesterday, with a three hour stop at Ile des Moines, one of the larger islands in the bay. Here we found many delightful marked walks and more ...

... you that the French are arrogant and unhelpful! We found later in the trip that you can't use Mastercard or Visa on many of the toll (peage) roads either. We finally arrived at Bel Air (one of the many Bel Air's in France by the way) and were greeted warmly by Jeannie and Colin with a cuppa in their beautiful back garden sprouting pink rhododendrons, purple clematis, various coloured tulips and a magnificent old oak tree, among ...

... bakeries and butchers, an occasional old beggar, the bookstores, the corner synagogue, the neighborhood plumbing store, the competing falafel stores, the teens in yarmulkas hanging out on the corner, the posters plastered on buildings announcing Hebrew lessons, concerts, plays and other community news, the Hector Guimard-designed synagogue on a side street, the the cheder next door, and the Ecole du Travail, a technical school for high ...

... along the quite developed shoreline. I contemplate taking the bus or a bicycle to where they collect salt from the sea, but I'm definitely growing weary of my long days. I'm quite interested in seeing this but decide instead to loll around on the beach, playing in the sand, watching the French people on holiday. I'm quite content to buy a chocolate croissant for dinner, marvel at the disfigured coastal pines and watch the Atlantic roll in.

... we had a fantastic family time, enjoying playing with nephews and nieces, and spending time with sisters... Pictures soon to come! We ended our French Tour 206 with a 3 days week end in London, having a great time with Nicky, and Sharon and Steven.

... thumbs up for couch surfing also....I doubt I would have had so much fun without the assistance of a local!!! Thank you Steffie!!!!! And of course I went on the TGV and survived the crepes and galettes....thanks to guidance of Steffie and on another occasion Estelle. Yum yum....my pants will never fit the same again though!!!!! Oooroo

Concarneau is a historic walled city. You can walk along the ramparts or go to the little shops inside the walls. The ramparts provide a nice view of the city, while one of the shops inside boasts a giant lion made entirely of chocolate on display, as well as Marianne (the ...