Still grey and still windy but pleasant enough as we took a morning walk down to the sea front to see what the beaches look like at low tide.
We joined the beach at Plage du Cormier which was totally submerged yesterday….
And wandered all the way along to Plage de Tharon with just a glimmer of sunshine catching the carrelets and highlighting our way…
Feeling suitably refreshed we returned to the van and were soon packed up and on our way, continuing our journey south in pursuit of some better weather.
By mid afternoon we were parked up in our Aire for the night, just south of La Rochelle in the small coastal resort of Chatelaillon-Plage and were soon out in pursuit of said beach…
A nice long pink sandy beach even though the tide is in – nicer sand here than at St Michel and the resort looks fairly new or has certainly seen some significant recent growth – smart enough, in a new, freshly painted kind of way but not very charming and it isn’t tempting us to stay a while – our journey continues.
Thoughts of the day:
I’m not sure that chasing the weather this late on in the year is actually going to pay off but in reality, I just want to take it slow for the next few weeks by some lovely beaches, so that is our revised goal and I hope that Côte de d’Argent (the silver coast) to which we shall be arriving tomorrow, will tick that box.
I can’t believe that we have already been here for 2 months and that soon we must start our journey home – but not just yet!
At the risk of sounding boring it is another grey and showery day, maybe the showers are not as heavy or as long lasting but even so – boring.
We started the day with a walk from the Aire down to Plage de Portzic, a little further than I had originally thought – probably a mile and all down hill, which of course means just one thing! Still we were treated to a rare glimpse of sunshine and blue sky – however the beach was not dog friendly so it wasn’t long before we started to make our way back up through the town to the van….
After stocking up the food cupboards we left Crozon and were soon parked up at our next beach – Plage de Postolonnec….
This beach was dog friendly so we took the opportunity for a little play around as the clouds are beginning to gather again. Next stop was the long sandy beach – Plage de l’Aber and watched a while as a lone windsurfer made his way up and down the beach in the brisk winds….
Next on our list was Plage de Trez Bellec another long sandy beach, with much of the sand fast disappearing under the rising tide…
A little further along the coast was yet another long sandy beach, a bit more easily accessible with parking all the way along the front and a few bars and restaurants (though mostly closed up), there were a couple of dog walkers and at the far end some kite surfers enjoying life….
Our next and last stop was not so much a beach walk as a dune walk as the tide is almost at its peak – Plage de St Anne la Palud and over a headland to look down onto Anse de Kervijan….
With a slight change to our norm, tonight we have headed inland a bit to take a look around Locronan a traditional village of character!….
The village appeared almost deserted with many shops closed, to be fair it is late afternoon and from experience a lot of the smaller shops don’t open on Mondays – never mind at least we get to wander around the quaint little streets and the sweetie shop was open – all hand made from natural produce so I’m told and believe based on the price!!…
Fruit jellies and they are 😋
Thoughts of the day:
I think I’ve mentioned before that the tides haven’t been an issue up until now but all these on the Crozon Peninsula seem to be completely tidal, whereas I guess that hasn’t been the case before.
On the subject of beaches – I am not finding these ones very attractive, partly it is the weather and tides but also the sand is a bit coarse and a sort of dirty sand colour.
Partly influenced by the above – I have made the decision to head south (quicker than currently) and chase some better weather – I can always fill in the gaps another time but I’m fed up of everything looking grey and getting wet!!
Still showery and breezy but not too bad so we press on, taking a short hop to the Pointe de Pen-Hir where we felt the full force of the Atlantic breeze as we first took a closer look at the Croix de Pen-Hir….
A monument to the Free Bretons of France. A little further along the coastal path we had a good view of a natural archway standing proud against the Atlantic waves….
Crossing over the headland we took the coastal path down amongst the heather and gorse to Plage de Veryac’h….
Not much sand exposed as the tide is high but we continued along the path to find Plage de Lamzoz, a little cove in the middle of nowhere, hereto the tide has worked its magic on all the sand but what a sky!….
At this point we made our way back up to the van and ventured further down the west side of the Crozon Peninsula stopping briefly at the surfers beach – Plage de Kerloc’h….
Then on to the remote twin beaches, either side of a small headland, of Kersiguenou and Goulien both with just a couple of surfers out on the waves and otherwise not a soul to be seen….
More remote still and after a fair walk through scrubland and low dunes we arrived at Plage de Lostmarc’h….
And then following the coastal path up and over a headland the stunning stretch of dune backed Plage la Palue….
Time to head back into civilisation – that is the small town of Crozon to our overnight Aire with just a quick pitstop at Plage de Morgat…
A not so nice day but well spent me thinks.
Thoughts of the day:
I wonder if these remote beaches ever really get busy – I would guess not as the parking situation would be less than ideal – ok for a few surfers and the odd tourist like me.
On my travels I’ve noticed how well kept and full of fresh colourful flowers all the cemeteries are and they all seem to be in the towns and villages unlike in Scotland where the coast is littered with them.
Still some heavy showers around but at least the wind has dropped and as such you get a little more notice of when the heavens are going to open! Today we are pressing on with the aim of making it to the Crozon Peninsula but first we have a few beaches to visit on the way – our first stop only being a couple of miles along the road at Porsmillen. Height restrictors and a full car park (small) – the surfers are in town – prevented up from parking properly so it was a quick dash to capture this smallish (though the tide is in) sandy beach…
We had more success with parking at our next stop as there was a motorhome specific parking lot – where you could also stay overnight – so we were able to get out and walk to the next couple of beaches Plage de Portez and Plage de Tregana. Both looked lovely beaches but the tide is in so they are currently very small….
Next on our list a little further along the road was the small bay of Plage St Anne du Portzic…
Next was a rather tricky drive through Brest – as you know we are not keen on driving through large towns or cities but it really didn’t make sense to drive all the way round as we also wanted to visit the only beach there Plage du Moulin Blanc….
Unfortunately our timing was a bit off as the heavens opened just as we got parked up so we just took a quick look before carrying on our way. Then followed a failed attempt to visit a beach at the tiny village of Lamar, as we just could not see anyway of getting parked anywhere near the beach – if there is parking there then it was on a very much need to know basis, we arrived on the Crozon Peninsula crossing a beautiful suspension bridge to get there. Once on the peninsula we travelled all the way to the top to the seaside town of Cameret-sur-Mer, which is to be our home for the night just stopping off at the one beach on the way into the town – Plage de Trez Rouz….
Once parked up in the Aire we wandered down into the town to the Port….
And its neighbouring beach – Plage du Correjou where the lovely white sand was already lost to the shadows of the town and surrounding cliffs…
From here we walked back up onto the headland and across to the west coast to enjoy the sunshine in all its late afternoon glory on Plage de Pen-Had…..
As we reluctantly left the beach behind and clambered up the hill our efforts were rewarded by stunning vista back down to the beach and Pointe de Toulinguet beyond….
And the cliffs of Pointe de Pen Hir to the south which we shall explore tomorrow….
Up above us are the ruins of a rather fancy Manor House with just the turrets still standing…
Our Aire is just on the other side of these ruins which is a good thing as we are hungry! Another good day.
Thoughts of the day:
As well as endless road signs or should I say multiple roadsigns the French do love daubing white paint all over the roads – taking the form of pedestrian crossings, chevrons, random stop points, arrows and speed limits – it’s a job to know where to look which is why I find driving in larger towns or cities a lot more stressful – could do with an extra pair of eyes – Tilly?
We do seem to have lost the pretty villages of further north, of late they are rather monochrome with modern boxes – especially as so many are shuttered up.
After a wet and wild night it only seems fair that we have a wet and wild day too! I must admit that having had a very busy week or so we are ready for a bit of a break – ideally in the sun but as that wasn’t to be, having a chill day when it is wet and wild outside and we are warm and cozy inside, is not a bad alternative.
There was a brief break in the heavy showers during the afternoon, so we took a chance and headed off out for a walk to see the three beaches of this village, all within easy reach – firstly was Plage de Plage de Bertheaume a pretty sandy smallish cove….
Next up was the very small Plage des Cures – especially bearing in mind the tide must be roughly half way by now…
We didn’t venture down as it was those horrible metal steps that Tilly will not walk on and I am trying to keep an eye on the rain cloud situation, knowing that we are on borrowed time. We pressed on to the main beach of the village – a long stretch of white sand where we enjoyed a nice walk before tackling the long hill back up to the Aire….
We just made it back as the first drops of rain came, so we are now warm and cozy and feeling rather smug!
Thoughts of the day:
I often wonder on days like today what Tilly makes of it – is she relieved too that we are taking an enforced break? She certainly isn’t clamouring to get out and seems perfectly happy to doze the day away!
It certainly isn’t cold inside the van but somehow it feels good to stick the heating on and just bask!
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