A bit more rain during the evening and into the morning and very windy up on these cliff tops but as we were on EHU we put the heating on and managed to dry out all our wet clothing with the exception of my fleece lined walking boots which needed a little of the later afternoon sunshine and breeze to finish them off. We didn’t rush away but were on the road before midday and at our first stop of the day – Cap Gris Nez shortly after.

To say it was wild is putting it mildly but fortunately the paths were good and solid as we made our way to the closest point to mainland Britain just 21 miles north….

On a clear day you can see the white cliffs of Dover but on closer examination the white blobs on the horizon in the distance were ships but the sea lumpy and spectacular.

The lighthouse is also a sea watch observation point for the busy English Channel with some 400-500 commercial boats passing through daily….

It was not only the wind that was breathtaking – these views along the coast to the west….

And further east across Baie de Wissant (where we are headed later) are pretty special too….

From the point we followed the coastal path down for a closer look at Plage de Cap Gris Nez and the small community of Les Longeres, though disappointingly it was largely covered by the tide….

The grey cliffs are not visible from here but from this beach we get our first look at Cap Blanc Nez (across the bay) and can just make out the white chalky cliffs though we do get a better look later.

With every single cobweb blown away after a coffee break in the ample car park (no overnight parking unfortunately) we make our way the shortish distance to our Aire for the night on the outskirts of Wissant….

Electric hook up is an option here but a chargeable extra and apparently quite complex to sort according to the reviews on Park4Night and as we don’t need it, we didn’t bother. As the tide is high at 3.30 we settle down for a while and have something to eat before venturing out into the wind again and wandering down to the beach. This will be continued tomorrow as I seem to have got myself a little out of synch!!

After a wet evening and night unfortunately the morning wasn’t much better with a fine drizzle falling. The rain seemed to ease by late morning so we decided to make a break for it and set off to walk along the coastal path down into Boulogne. The first section of the walk was very pleasant through a nature reserve on the cliffs above the sea and then Port – don’t be deceived by the blue sky as these photos were taken yesterday….

As we ascended into Boulogne our route took us close to the Port and through the surrounding industrial area, not the most attractive or sweetest smelling area and to just improve things a light rain started to fall. I found this wall art on the side of 3 identical neighbouring residential blocks a rather odd mix of subject matter….

In the distance we could see the Basilica of the Fortified Old Town towering high over the town and set that in our sights.

We wandered through the rather grubby streets of the outskirts before passing through the tidier but rather quiet mostly pedestrianised streets of the new town….

Eventually arriving at the gates of the Old Town which were surrounded by fine well kept gardens with various monuments….

The Basilica (although not strictly allowing dogs) was pretty impressive….

Behind the Basilica is the moated castle, now a museum….

It was at this point that the rain started falling in earnest as we made our way down to the beach – which we had seen from a distance whilst walking the coastal path yesterday….

A quick bit of off lead play for a rather soggy Tilly as we still have about a 3 mile walk back up to the Aire. Fortunately we are on electric so will be able to crank on the heating to dry off – one tired pup….

Today’s stats:

• Miles walked – 9
• Beaches – 1
• O/N – £13

A dull and breezy start to the day but our morning walk took us down onto the beach with the added bonus of being able to watch some kite karting…..

By about half eleven the sun started to break through and we set off to walk along the beach to Le Touquet at the northern end of this section of coastline. As we join the beach at the northern edge of the village the beach here is backed by a large area of dunes…

A mile or so along is Cucq and Plage de Stella, looking a lot more colourful today with it’s brightly painted beach huts, that we didn’t even notice in yesterday’s gloom…

Another couple of miles of dune area follows and we start to see Le Touquet in the distance….

Arriving in Le Touquet we have to leave the beach (dog ban) and as we wander along the promenade and look down on this beautifully manicured white soft sand beach you can sort of understand why….

We sit for a while with the town a mix of old and new behind us and this stunning beach dominating our eye line as I enjoy a coffee and Tilly has a drink and rests in the shade underneath the bench….

We return the way we came enjoying the combination of sun and breeze and as the tide has receded there is plenty of beach to go around and Tilly can enjoy being off lead without getting anxious about approaching dogs. A lovely afternoon walk doing our favourite thing – beach walking….

Today’s stats:

• Miles walked – 9
• Beaches – 3
• O/N – £15.40

A mostly overcast and breezy day for us today – even needed a jumper! Moving a little further up the coast we stopped off briefly for a wander around Rang-du-Fliers….

A peaceful but lived in village with an amazing Boulangerie (see below) and the makings of a pleasant stroll to fill in a bit of time before arriving at our pre-booked Aire at midday.

The Aire was pretty full when we arrived (it had been full over the weekend as I had originally planned to come here yesterday) but during the afternoon it mostly emptied out with only a couple of other arrivals.

We headed straight out and down to the somewhat windswept and grey beach choosing to walk southwards towards Berck and something we haven’t seen for a while – remnants of WWII bunkers…

The receding tide has left the beach scattered with seafoam and Tilly has a blast chasing the bubbles. After a mile or so we turn about and on arriving back at the village of Merlimont, wander along the promenade looking down on the main beach (which has a dog ban) and then northwards towards Le Touquet which is lost in the distant mist…

We return to the van for something to eat but decide to venture out again after 6 as the sky is clearing, this time heading northwards to the next village along Cucq and Plage de Stella…

On the way back we follow the kite surfers along the sea’s edge…

Clambering back up through the dunes we are excited to capture today’s ‘money’ shots….

Thoughts of the day:

• Two reasons why I don’t visit a Boulangerie very often, the other (a croissant) already having been consumed….

• Well that is at least 1 of my five a day – probably 2 really.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 16
• Miles walked – 7
• Beaches – 2
• O/N – £15.49 (EHU) CCP Merlimont