Our lovely room at the B&B overlooks one of the main cobbled streets into St Emilion but there was very little noise. It’s a rather hushed small town. Probably because of the heat and the wine tastings. People are moving slowly and quietly around the streets. 

So we slept well, did our hand washing and headed off to Libourne for a train to Bordeaux. It only takes a half hour so we were there by 10.30. The city sits along the river Girond and has a beautiful stretch of river with gorgeous low rise pale stone buildings with decorative balconies in the style of Louis XV. There is an open plaza with beautiful tall trees in rows providing shade and cool. The buildings are superb. Decorative without being gaudy. 

We decided the city looked too big for the few hours we allowed so we took a small yellow bus tour. The bus  is a single story with only 20 seats and gives an hour overview to the main sites around the city. It got off to a very funny start as when we went to get on having booked, there were no seats for us and about 8 others. No one owned up to being on the wrong bus so the driver had to get his superior to come and check the tickets! Very funny as a group of Spaniards had missed their earlier bus and decided this one would suit. They refused to get off and there was a bit of an Opera unfolding but the French won the war and off we went. 

 Come along as I show you some photos 

 

 
  
  
  
  

  

 

  

   

    
  
  
   

 

What a day. We got to Mark and Lauren Chisholm’s house by 2 pm, for a meet and greet and the odd glass of champagne. Lauren has her sister, brother in law and their 2 children staying from London. Also her brother from Australia, his American wife and their 2 children. Her sister and her new husband ( another Rugby player with the Force) Her parents Bill and Lynne Campbell ( also a former Wallaby) sensibly choose to stay at the beautiful Palace Hotel in Biarritz. We met Lauren and Mark’s 5 children who are all adorable and toured their lovely big French house. 

Today was like being in the land of the Giants. Wherever we went in Bayonne people stared! Bill Campbell is huge and then there is Mark 6’6, his two brothers’ in law both 6’5 and another brother in law small at 6.1! Poor Steve! 

Bayonne was awash in red and white and the whole Fete was like the Ekka, the Royal Easter Show, Expo, the running of the Bulls, a huge pop concert all rolled into one city! People were friendly and chatty. Everyone was having fun dancing, drinking yes, but not to excess ( except maybe for our little group who were trying hard!)
We had a long lunch that started at 3 and ended I’m not sure when. Then we walked around the city and looked at dancing, a band, some singing and did a bit of bar hopping. After awhile the “oldies” decided to pull the plug and head for home. However party boy Bill stayed behind with the kids.

We got back to the hotel round 10 and Steve has hit the bed already. 

  

We headed to the beach this morning which means a walk from our hotel down a zig zag path surrounded by trees to a long promenade along the beach. The clouds were threatening but nothing happened. Steve took to the water and the lifeguard he met yesterday waved and told me he was a very good swimmer! It was too cold for me so I watched as lots of mainly young people arrived for their surfing lessons. 

It’s the same all the world over. Young surfy types with salty hair, chapped lips and weathered skin gathered the novice surfers around for instruction before hitting the baby waves. 

   
   
They warmed up and went out – several looking pumped as they managed to stand up. 

Meanwhile I walked along the beach front hoping Steve didn’t disappear on me!  About 40 mins later he walked out of the water in between the startled surfers. 

Later we wandered downtown and had breakfast before exploring the town centre and the beautiful beaches. The sun is slowly coming out and we are preparing for our visit to Mark and Lauren. We’ve bought our red basque neckties ready for the festival. It comes from Pamplona in the Basque Country of Spain. Here they have cow chases instead of bull running ! 

   
  Note the bags and sleeping bodies!
Sand sculptures   
    
   
We enjoyed the scenes round the coast. It’s awash with young people wheeling bags and sleeping on the beach. We guessed they were sleeping off hangovers while waiting for their flights out in this afternoon. We even caught sight of a man having a beach shower and cleaning his teeth. What a good boy! 

It’s finally sunny and warm and we’re off to Bayonne for the Fete. 

We made our way to the Centre Ville and found where the crowds like to gather. I had discoveted this area this afternoon near Les  Halles- the market area and guessed there would be action tonight. Sure enough it was starting to pump by the time we got there around 7.30. We got a drink,  grabbed a table and started to participate in my favourite holiday activity. People watching! 

It was a mixed crowd of locals – I guessed after closing up shop, tourists, many with babies in strollers, the older ones from near and far, and many young ones dressed in the uniform of La Fete. 

We drank and watched until finally we moved up the ‘eat street’ and got a table at Bistro Les Halles. We sat at a street table with a good view and a cool breeze and I was pleased I’d brought my trusty black cashmere cardigan along. For heavens sake – it’s summer but feels cool and like winter in Brisbane. 

We enjoyed a nice meal.  Served a little cool but hey,  everything is cool tonight! Including the people! We saw one guy who was a vision in pink. Now I know the French (and Italian) men like red pants but these were a deep pink with a lighter pink shirt and a deep pink jumper round his thin bony shoulders. Not a good look and as he and his partner? (Female)  walking up the street heads turned! 

Back to dinner!!! Steak for Steve , duck and veg on skewers for me. We shared a bottle of red. A Medoc from Burgandy. Are there any bad wines round here? 

Finally back to the hotel to our very generous sized room ( this isn’t Paris) some photo downloading and before you know it Steve’s asleep! 

So a few photos from tonight then bed 

   
   
  

Arrived in Biarritz this afternoon and found our hotel Radisson Blu after driving through the very busy streets that make up this sea side village. It’s a haven for holiday makers particularly surfers and the well heeled. It’s a collection of beaches with streets running up from the beaches and bays filled with cafes, bars ( particularly Tapas bars so close to Spain) shops and patisserie ( not for the gluten free) 

Steve immediately donned his budgie smugglers and headed for the rocky beach bay for a swim and I dodged the crowds looking for a place for dinner. It’s crowded for two reasons!  It’s the middle of summer and there is Le Fete at nearby Bayonne which attracts thousands of people – many of whom are dressed in white pants and t – shirts with a red scarf tied jauntily around the neck. I must find out the significance of this dress. There are hundreds of them round town.  And we will because tomorrow we head into Bayonne where family friend Mark Chisholm lives with wife Lauren and 5 children. Mark is the Captain of the Bayonne Rugby team and somewhat of a local hero. We’re joining them for a day out at Le Fete. Can’t wait ! 

Steve returned from his swim hungry and thirsty and I was the hero because I had visited  Carrefour the supermarket and bought him a Guinness,  chips and a lovely terrine to snack on till dinner. We missed lunch during our flight down. It was delayed leaving Paris and the tiny snack on board was never going to fill us up. 

Tonight we’ll go to one of the many restaurants near Les Halles for dinner and a wander around the Centre Ville. 

Tomorrow another swim before we head to Le Fete. 

  
The view from our hotel room at 6pm . As you can see it’s a little cloudy and not so blue. Where’s the summer gone? 

Arriving in Paris always feels wonderful. It really is a beautiful city. Our hotel near Luxembourg Gardens is fine. Little room! We are in Paris remember. But in an area I haven’t stayed in before. The main reason for choosing it was access to the RER train. Straight through from CDG airport for 10€ and a 5 min walk. 

We headed straight out for a walk and appertivo near the Pantheon. The light on the buildings was stunning. Beautiful summer night with a little chill in the air. 

   
 
We enjoyed a lovely dinner at a restaurant nearby – not the one I tried to book. It was closed for summer ! But it was good and had a lovely Brazillian guitarist giving lots of romantic atmosphere. 

Fairly early to bed and after a good night sleep we are getting organised for a morning walk through the gardens. 

Out the hotel window I can see: 

   
 

off to Sydney airport for the first leg to HK. Steve is in Melbourne at his board meetings! Meet up later  

Perfect travel clothes. 

  
Yes please!