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

I hate to say this, but waking up this morning and finding that it is a cloudy and considerably cooler day, is quite a relief. To be on the safe side we still aim for an early walk and head straight down through the village to Plage de Quend and begin walking along the vast expanse of damp firm sand northwards….

It is probably less than a mile to Fort Mahon, a slightly larger and possibly a little more lived in village….

We leave the beach to wander up through the village and whilst there is certainly more to it in the way of shops and the like, it is not particularly interesting or attractive and we soon return to the beach as it has gotten quite a bit warmer and the beach at least offers a slight breeze and of course the option to paddle in the shallows….

Rather than press on any further up the beach we make a slow return the way we came, with Tilly being able to enjoy a nice run around on the sand and with some encouragement a little paddle…

Before heading back to Quend Plage as the tide is rising….

Back at the van we find ourselves a little shade and slight breeze and I settle down to make plans for the rest of our time in France and the areas of coast we plan to cover in the UK before heading back to Cornwall for the summer. As for Tilly – well she just makes herself a little well in the sand/ dust in the shade and relaxes.

We do take another stroll down to the beach in the early evening and Tilly gets to enjoy chasing the ball in the cooler air before settling down for the evening….

Today’s stats:

• Miles walked – 6.5
• Beaches – 2
• O/N – £8.70