My day started with a run along the oceanside path, at first a little interrupted by photo oppotunities but the steep hills and stairs did give me a great workout.
Naturally I stopped at the boulangerie on my way home for breakfast snacks, and was rewarded with what we all agreed was the BEST pain au chocolat ever.
Next we set off to find the local markets and what a treat they were - they are open daily and have a separate hall for seafood merchants and many other vendors, with all sorts of fresh delights.
Truffle cheeses
Sharp teeth!
We stocked up on all sorts of treats for lunch, including fresh fruit & veg, oysters, local rose, a rotisserie chook and marinated occy! Amy also managed to find a sushi stall among the fishmongers.
Here was our favourite sight at the markets, this lovely lady enjoying what was obviously a regular treat on the market steps. I want to be enjoying life like that when I reach her age!
After a yummy lunch and the obligatory arvo nap, we set off to look around and have a swim. It was a warm 28 degrees but with a high tide the main beach was packed with sun worshippers and the surf rough so we set course for a smaller bay I had spotted earlier on my run.
Along the way we stopped to walk through the fishing harbour, and it's as though time has stood still down there. The tiny fishermans homes (or perhaps work sheds?) were shuttered up and quiet, and the boats bobbing in the sheltered harbour.
Around the headland is a bridge rumoured to have been built by Gustav Eiffel over to the Virgin rock- a site created by Napoleon as he planned to use the massive rock to anchor a sea wall. It makes for a great lookout up and down the coastline.
Port Vieux and it's sheltered beach was our next stop where we swam for an hour, the kids earning the wrath of a (tanned to leather) french lady for splashing her hair as they played in the surf. Hilarious... I wish they had pushed her over!
The beach had a stage set up and signs advertising a ballet opening that night, and we enjoyed a sneak peak at the performance when the company came out on stage to rehearse. Amy was most impressed given her recent obsession for the dance TV show (the next step?)
The afternoon was rounded out with a walk home through the town, stopping for glace for the kids and a beer for us (this pic is for you Andy) and a spot of shopping with the kids buying new thongs each- a change from our last French journey when Baz couldn't find a pair of thongs for love nor money in Paris!
The bar we stopped at had a massive Paella on the go, and they allowed me to have a closer look..
Unfortunately that still had a way to go so we had a burger close to home for dinner and its off to bed.
The Aquarium is still on our hit list, so I'm hoping we might get there tomorrow. Also if conditions are good I might see if the kids and I can join a surf lesson... Or we might just laze about and eat Pain au Chocolat!
Looks yummy!!!!
ReplyDeletewow what a start to your adventure!!
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