The weather has improved as the day has gone on, still a fierce wind blowing but also quite a bit of sunshine in between the flitting clouds. We wander briefly into the centre of Wissant a sizeable but probably 50% second home village with a grand central square surrounded by attractive old buildings and of course an impressive church….

We make our way down the side streets alongside a small stream….

Arriving at Strouanne Beach on the eastern side of Wissant. There is only a fairly thin strip of sand exposed as the tide is just starting to go back out but already this is busy with Kite Surfers (with more arriving every minute) enjoying the brisk cross bay winds…

We watch for a while astounded at the distance out of the water these guys can achieve without completely becoming airbourne and lost to the elements – clearly there are no beginners here….

We then fairly well fly along the empty beach with the wind pushing us on and Tilly enjoying chasing sea foam until the white cliffs of Cap Blanc Nez come clearly into sight….

Knowing that it is going to be a tough walk back we don’t venture too far before battling our way back to the village….

A short stretch of promenade leads along the seafront which is still being battered by the tide but may well be sandy at lower tides was clearly the windsurfers section of the beach….

Leading west of the village to the equally long and practically deserted Plage de Wissant which I think at low tides is walkable to Plage de Cap Gris Nez (still can’t make out the grey cliffs!) if you have the stamina and a good few hours to spare….

What a fantastic day a real gem of a find and so close to Calais.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 25
• Miles walked – 7 (feels like 10!)
• Beaches – 3
• O/N – £9.08 (no EHU)