67. Inspiration robbed

Biarritz

Central Biarritz where we parked

Team day with the MacDonalds (we now know their surname) into Barritz for the day.  They are a good fit for us as they seem equally incapable of getting away to a cracking start in the morning and like us inclined to waste the best part of the day as my dad used to say, returning to the farmhouse at seven in the morning having shifted, singlehandedly, five irrigation lines in the preceding two and a half hours.

The plan was they would head off in their motorhome, stopping for shared provisions at the local supermarket, and park in a well positioned Aire de Camping-cars.  Meanwhile, I would head into Biarritz, drop the family and return to the Aire in time to collect them and take them into Biarritz also.

Not having known them a long time it never crossed my mind that Sheena and Brian might hog all the misadventure leaving me bereft of yarns to massage into false news for my blog! On arriving in Biarritz I phoned them, only to discover that the GPS App that I had recommended had taken them on a torturous route only to return them to the campsite from the other direction half an hour later, while we enjoyed a charmed, unblogworthy trip into the very centre of Biarritz - the rotters.  As if that wasn't galling enough on arriving at the Aire they got charged the full twenty four hour occupant rate and the barrier arm failed to let them in leaving them stressed, blocking the entrance for the other motorhomes.  Eventually a local crone arrived and dragged a sheet of corrugated iron out from under a nearby shrub, placed it over the exit inductive loop and they had to enter via the exit.  Brian's phone call to me at this point sounded more like a call from Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees.  

Rather than collecting them we returned to the Aire for a slap up baguette lunch in their very swish motorhome while I threatened to dismember Roman if he kept fiddling with all the impressive controls and tech that drew his attention.

With two runs into the middle of town to get all nine of us in, I coin fed the meter and was punching the green button like a pensioner at a one armed bandit when a passing local pointed out the large Parking Gratuit sign beside the coin slot.  

Biarritz is fantastic, warm, virtually deserted, beautiful,  people sea bathing, as will we tomorrow.  We poked around with new delights round every corner.  It really is a remarkable place though over blessed with late twentieth century carbuncles that would be worthy challengers for New Zealand House in London's right to the description. Jacqueline and Brian headed off in the Motorhome for dinner provisions while Sheena and I headed for the camp to get spuds etc. started.

Childhood bike though ours didn't
have the megaphone exhaust

Brian greedily bagged another story as now the Aires' barrier arm wouldn't let him leave as his entering through the exit showed he should now be entering, not exiting.  A second appearance by the same crone was required to liberate the greedy chap.  The roast potatoes were baked before they managed to arrive at camp. Luckily I am not the type given to grudges and a pleasant evening was had by all.

30. Feels like summer

La Forêt-Fouesnant, Finistère

Campside 200m behind top of snap

Beside the estuary

Trente jours on the road today.  No mortal wounds inflicted (I missed), all present and accounted for.  Yesterday's delight was a email from our removals company stating that as we won't be living in NZ when our personal effects (junk) arrives back in NZ on the twenty third, said junk will be valued and we will be charged GST and any duties applicable on the total value. Wonderful, it never ends.  Seems the only solution is to export wife as well..... Stand by for updates on that one.  As I only read the email, Friday evening I will have to wait to evaluate options when Kiwi and Pommie offices open on Monday.

Single handers

High tide was at one thirty today so I popped down the road a couple of times prior to see if I could sail from the village, walking the boat from the camp.  Doable but limited sailing, two hours either side of high tide.  Also did some research on Wifi repeaters as the current system on having only one device at a time is driving me nuts.  Looks like this one is a good option.  Readers opinions and advice appreciated.

Family explore on bikes, having a look around the estuary.  Today felt like summer, twenty two degrees and that lovely summer smell in the air, warm trees, grass etc.  Lovely bike track skirting the edge of the estuary to stumble upon one of the biggest marinas I have ever seen, including, what I assume are Vendée Globe boats - very impressive.

We biked to the coast and were absolutely dumfounded - beautiful, with a gentle warm breeze.  After an hour we biked home, via the patesserie and returned with togs and beach paraphernalia, staying till six.  Certainly was a treat as we weren't expecting beach life till way further south.  Many boats sailing, keen to join them.  Watched a couple of 49ers making a hash of it but then they are dreadful boats. Helped drag them up the beach, couldn't believe the weight.

We have two more nights here then we might try the beachside camp.

Watched Darling Buds of May tonight, children totally charmed by Ma and Pa Larkin.