71. Fisher Ave

SAINT-JEAN-DE-LUZ - ATLANTIC COAST, NEAR SPAIN

Displaying remarkable alacrity Jacqueline and Sheena disappeared back into Biarritz for the day. Fyfe was keep to go so that he could post his postcards and was only dissuaded by the promise of a bike trip into the local village.  Iris, her brain fused by a subversive gaming session for a couple of hours on discovering a gap in the school login on my laptop was in no mental state to go as nothing was right in the world, particularly her father. Amazing how gaming can turn a pleasant child into a feral monster.

Replacing the gaff's second mast jaw was a breeze. Must replace the halyard cleat.

Note the damage to the first jaw

We all set off for the village of Urrugne, fourteen hundred metres up the road.  Brian and Mary got a lesson in slow biking as today was a third gear day for Roman, Audrey ground her gears as usual, behind Roman.  Brian also learnt that Roman's first two gears are not available for road cycling and walked his bike into Urrugne with Roman after coming to a stop on the hill into town.  On arriving the post office had shut at midday and would not reopen until December the fifth and the three bakeries were shut also, one opening at four and the other two closed for a few weeks, the village store shut also. Only the three deserted bars were open. With the packed new supermarket two kilometres up the road, open all day, I cannot for the life of me work out what is killing off the village shops? Arrêtez de traiter vos clients comme s'ils étaient une nuisance et peut-être que votre entreprise survivra?

About four a caravan parked between the Royds' and MacDonnalds with a lovely couple, Paul and Emma with their toddler Leo.  Within a short time I could see a number of children peering out of their caravan which they took in their stride.  Iris announced that they were from Christchurch, New Zealand and in fact from Fisher Avenue, within sight of our house!  We are the first Kiwis they have met on their whole trip. They are returning after three months touring, a mine of information and taking their caravan back to NZ and possibly another.  Very enthusiastic and supporting about what we are doing which is always nice.