Well the forecast was dodgy for all day today but we got away with it but cutting our day a bit shorter than planned and enjoyed some sunshine and blue skies whilst watching the heavy black clouds accumulate over the Pyrenees.

After a bit of grocery shopping we headed straight down to the coast at Capbreton and took a walk along the golden beaches starting with Plage de la Piste and its collection of old WWII bunkers….

And stunning sands looking south….

Heading towards Capbreton we walked across Plage de Santocha….

And then along the promenade to Plage du Prevent….

And finally Plage de Capbreton….

Beyond the jetty is the entrance to Port Capbreton which separates Capbreton from Hossegor with Plage de Notre Dame (we didn’t get this far yesterday) being the final beach in Hossegor….

A little further down the coast southwards is Plage des Océanides with some rather heavy weight clouds almost obscuring the Pyrenees….

We make a bit of a dash for Labenne and having decided to stay for the night in the Aire there, we were originally planning to park up and then walk the mile or so to the beach but I don’t think those clouds are going to hold off for much longer so we drove down to Plage de Labenne…

And took a quick walk along the waters edge to Plage de Ondres….

Before hurrying back to the van and getting settled on our Aire just as the rain came.

Thoughts of the day:

• It has definitely cooled down here especially in the morning and evenings but I wonder if it can just continue being kind to us for another couple of weeks?
• There are miles and miles of holiday parks along this coast – it almost makes me shiver to think of all those people.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 13
• Miles walked – 4
• Beaches – 8
• Aire – £12.68
• Groceries – £20.86

What a beautiful day – a cold start and end but clear blue skies all day and lovely and warm in the middle – just makes me smile.

We decided to stay put and do some walking rather than using the van and we soon on our way to beach number one – Plage de Bourdaines….

Just lovely – not many walkers but plenty of surfers….

Initially we headed north to Plage de Seignosse…

And then double backed on ourselves along past Plage des Bourdaines and onto Plage des Estagnots….

At this point we left the beach as the firm wet sand for walking on was in short supply and the soft sand just too heavy going and walked along the coast road. Unfortunately there was a large dune in between so we couldn’t enjoy sea views, however we were soon at Plage des Culs Nus….

And then back on the sea front as we arrived in Hossegor. Here we enjoyed a nice wander along the promenade….

A coffee and walk along the beautiful beach….

Before making our way back by walking along the shores of Lac d’Hossegor….

A beautiful day and a lovely long walk.

Thoughts of the day:

• This journey down the Cote d’Argent has been so beautiful and the weather really kind – I am wondering about returning next Autumn and heading straight down here for some autumnal sunshine as the thought of driving all the way down to Spain or Portugal is a bit daunting – need to do some research.
• I must be quite hardy as the French are all still wrapped up in winter attire!

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 0
• Miles walked – 10
• Beaches – 5
• Aire – £12.56

The forecast for today was for rain most of the day so we did plan to stay put, as the beach is only a couple of hundred metres away so we can make a dash for it. However by about 11 the rain stopped and it started to brighten up so instead we moved on a bit further south.

Our first port of call was the village of Vieux-Boucau-les-Bains, or atleast the coastal bit of it and having parked up we made our way across the river….

to the most southerly beach of the village – Plage de l’Ocean….

We more or less had the beach to ourselves, just a couple of fishermen, fishing off the rocks into the river and a few surfers a bit further along the beach. As the clouds are beginning to accumulate in a bit too welcoming manner we made our way back across the river and just managed to make it back around and onto Plage de l’Estacade….

Before taking refuge in the van for a nice cup of coffee, whilst the heavens opened and did their thing. Fortunately, though very heavy the rain soon passed through and we popped back out again to visit Plage Centrale and a little further north Plage des Sablères…

Stopping on the way for fuel and a few groceries we parked up at our last beach of the day – Plage des Cesernes on the outskirts of Seignosse….

Here we sat awhile and just enjoyed the amazing sea and skies….

Not a bad day at all!

Thoughts of the day:

• Speed bumps – serve their purpose but boy do the French love them and they are not just the sleeping policemen that we Brits love but these are some 5 metres or so wide and even though the speed limit over them is 20mph there is no way you are going to do anywhere near that speed with out needing to reorganise your cupboards every time!
• I did have another thought honestly but I just can’t remember what it was! oh yes I do – am feeling chuffed with my problem solving skills. Worryingly when I first tried to start the van this morning absolutely nothing happened, however all good on next attempt so I didn’t really think anything more about it. Then it happened again after I had stopped to get some shopping and fuel – each time it started ok on the 2nd or 3rd attempt, so we carried on our way but it was worrying me as we walked. I checked the battery level and it was fine. Then it occurred to me that each time it had happened I had received a phone call, I hadn’t answered as I was driving but on checking my phone I realised it was the Tracker company – eureka! May be the battery in the immobiliser fob needs changing – oh yes and do I have a spare – oh yes!

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 21
• Miles walked – 5
• Beaches – 5
• Aire – £12.61
• Groceries – £21.80 (including 4 spare batteries)
• Fuel – £67.31

A very wet night and into early morning but that is ok because then we had a beautiful sunny and warm day – it can rain every night if that helps.

Today we are moving on continuing southwards and our first stop is just a couple of miles down the road at the small coastal resort of Lit-et-Mixe to visit Plage de Contis….

Another fine Sandy, dune backed beach and I just might have found my new forever home…

No gardening to do but I might return from my travels and have to search in the sand for home!

Next up was the beach a little further south, the remote stunning beach of Cap l’Homy…..

Another small resort at Plage de St Girons…

The resort itself was pretty much closed up for the winter and fast disappearing under the incoming sand….

This was supposed to be a square / promenade and car park!

Further along the coast was the relatively lively resort of Moliets-et-Maa and its beach with a river running through it in the distance….

Our final stop for the day was at Plage de Messanges and once settled in our Aire just behind the dunes we took a stroll down to the beach in the last of the days sunshine….

From here we also got our first glimpse of the Pyrenees – gosh I haven’t seen a mountain since Scotland!….

I’m sure though they will feature heavily in photos of the beaches from now on – I do love a mountain backdrop and of course there is nothing quite like the sun playing with the clouds over the waves of sea….

Thoughts of the day:

• Our journeys from beach to beach have been through forests, mostly pine forests so without the added enjoyment of autumnal colours but a joy to drive through.
• I have been surprised at how flat the whole of this coastal journey has been – with the exception of the ever present dunes.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 58
• Miles walked – 5
• Beaches – 5
• Aire – £13.40 EHU

A stunner of a day for us, a little breezier but warm and sunny. As we are sadly nearing the end of this amazing coastal journey of the West Coast of France we are also slowing things down a little to savour this beautiful sandy stretch of coastline down to the Spanish border. Tempting though it is to pop over the line we are not going to as there are slightly different rules for driving in Spain and I am quite comfortable with the French speed limits etc and don’t wish to confuse things before our reasonably long journey back up to Caen.

The resort of Mimizan-Plage is split in half by the river Courant and yesterday we explored the beaches on the northern half, so today we are off to walk along the seafront of the southern half – starting by crossing over the road bridge between the two….

The beaches here have also been given quite distinct names as you wander along the seafront even though they really are still just sections of this wonderful strip of sand we have been following for the last 10 days running from La Verdon-sur-Mer essentially to the Spanish Border and beyond.

Plage des Goelands….

Plage des Cormorans….

Plage de Mouettes….

Plage de Courlis….

Plage de Gourbets…

And finally – Plage de Mailloueyre disappearing off into the distance southwards….

Here we treated ourselves to a sit down, well I did but Tilly soon found a couple of sticks to chase. With just the sound of the crashing waves, the odd sea bird and the very occasional passerby it was my idea of heaven.

Heading back we wandered through the sleepy hollow that we have come to expect of these coastal resorts, all the bars and shops are on the other side of the river and this side appears to be purely residential (though I use the term loosely!).

This side of the river also appears to be fighting a loosing battle with sand ingress….

Thoughts of the day:

• This weather, though I don’t think it is going to last, was well worth the additional miles to get down here and the beaches well they just speak for themselves.
• I wonder if these coastal properties are second homes or holiday lets – it is hard to tell.

Today’s stats:

• Miles driven – 0
• Miles walked – 6
• Beaches – 6
• Aire – £11.09 EHU