So….given we are ahead of schedule (& after 24hrs & 170 miles) we decided that we would stay in Bayonne for a couple of nights to catch up on sleep, get a few jobs done & enjoy the sunshine (yes, finally we have found summer!). We arrived around 3pm on Monday, had a little kip & then headed out to find some food. We walked for ages & could find no restaurants, apart from a McDs, & what we did find wasn’t open….finally we found a hotel, so you’ll be pleased to know we didn’t starve! Taxi back was a rip off….but grateful to be in our bunks!

I was awoken at 9.30 with a knock on my door & presented with a cuppa & a warm pain au chocolat – I could get used to this! Ed had been busy while I slept & had hired a scooter for us to get around the area, after last night he figured we would need some transport if we were going to see or do anything! After breakfast we headed out with our washing & found a laundry (run by Charles Atlas!), left our washing with him & went off to the local supermarket for provisions….the important stuff: gin & cheese! After collecting our washing & getting everything back to the boat it was time to explore & we decided to head to Biarritz, renowned as an aristocrats playground during the 1920s but now, according to some information, a little bit jaded……I disagree, completely! What an AMAZING place! J The coastline is magnificent, golden sandy beaches & art deco housing, the stunning Hotel du Palais (built by Napoleon III for Empress Eugenie) & the friendliest people I have ever met, on all my travels. We had a perfect afternoon….we scooted along the coastline, had lunch at a lovely tapas place overlooking a little bay, swam out to the island in the bay & then beers overlooking the water. All topped off by seafood bbq back on Aardvarc & a fabulous bottle of Sancerre on deck…..this is what it’s all about!!

Wednesday & although we had plans to stay another day we decided we probably couldn’t top yesterday & after some chores (Ed cleaning the boat & me writing the blog……I like the split of responsibilities here!) we are going to head off to Getaria……and we will have left France to enter Spain. I will so miss the pastries and the fromage, but my waistline won’t!  We have heard good things from the harbour master about this place & even if it only offers half as much as Bayonne/Biarritz then we’ll be happy……plus the sun is shining, so it can’t be bad!!

Watch this space…..

H xxx