Another fine day but with a little cloud around as we leave the mountains and make our way back down to the coast, a pity that we are unable to safely pullover and take photos of the views we experienced (when daring briefly) to take our eyes off the road. Arriving in Menton we are able to find parking just a short walk from the long sea front and enjoy a lovely stroll along the promenade catching as many of the pebbly beaches along the way – Plage Solenzara (to the west), Elsa Plage and Plage de Roquebrune….

Plage du Borrigo and the central Plage du Menton….

As we pass the last beach, Plage du Fossen before entering the old part of Menton where the street bars and cafes are filled with the lunchtime crowds….

The beach, Plage des Sablettes, is busy and sheltered by the old Port of Menton walls…

After a little break here (again all the beaches are not dog friendly) we make our way back to the van through the old Town….

From Menton we take the windy coastal road and are very soon crossing over the border (only the incoming french side is manned) into Italy – whoa a first for me…

A short way along the coast we arrive in Ventimiglia and our campsite (Camping Vallecrosia) for the next 3 days and are settled in with enough of the now sunny afternoon left to enjoy a walk along the sea front – disappointingly the beaches here are stony rather than sandy, with lots of driftwood making them appear quite scruffy. Though there are several bits of earthmoving equipment showing signs of a pre-season clear up in progress. Immediately outside the site is Spiaggia (beach in Italian) di Vallecrosia which is the area of Ventimiglia that we are in and not the prettiest but it is dog friendly for which we are grateful and will enjoy over the next few days….

Heading eastwards along the promenade passing a few beach cafes and bars, we pass Spiaggias dei Cani, di Ponente Verbone and Libera Bordighera….

Before arriving at the small resort of Bordighera and it’s beach….

At this point we run out of promenade and decide that it is time for us to head back to site for the evening – our first impressions? A bit lived in but charming none the less.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 22
• Miles walked – 8
• Beaches – 12
• O/N – £26