A Very Wet Bordeaux & Cap Ferret

When I say wet, I am not talking about the amount of wine I have been drinking, which I am sure is customary for Bordeaux but I am talking about the constant rain that we have had today.

We drove into Bordeaux, parked along the Quai de la Douane, put on our waterproofs and ventured out to wander the streets.  We started by walking along the waterfront and to Place de la Bourse where the Miroir d’eau (water mirror) is located.  It is the world’s largest reflecting pool, however, the water had not been turned on so there really wasn’t a mirror reflection to be seen (despite the rain!).  We carried on to Esplanade des Quinconces and the Girondins Monument where there was also, much to Tony’s excitement, a small classic car display.  We moved on to the Jardin Public and Jardin Botanique, where Tony couldn’t resist doing a spot of gardening and pulled out a weed.  We walked back to the Opera House and through the shopping district before finally ending up at Tour Pey-Berland, a 50m high gothic belfry and where there was also a ‘flea market’ selling ‘junk’ to me but maybe something ‘very useful’ to someone else!   In fact, Miriam, as I know you love Giraffes, I purchased one for you and it is now strapped to the roof of the van.  I hope you like it!

Tony at the Pont de Pierre

Place de la Bource

Girondins Monument

Classic Car Show

Jardi Botanique

Grand Theatre de Bordeaux (Opera House)

Shopping District

Giraffe for Miriam

Flea Market

Tour Pey-Berland

We left Bordeaux and headed for Ares in the Bassin d’Arachon to look for a suitable Aire for the night.  We parked along the beach front and had some lunch before searching for the Aire and as it was still early decided to continue our journey to Cap Ferret as we had planned to cycle there from Ares tomorrow but the weather forecast is not good so we drove today instead.  We stopped at the Cap Ferret lighthouse and then were drawn to the roaring sound of the crashing waves of the Atlantic coast and so headed for the beach.  I have fallen in love with this area, it reminds me of New England, lovely seaside villages, quaint shops and plenty of oysters!  I would love to come back when the weather is better.

Ares

Cap Ferret Lighthouse

The Atlantic

Atlantic Beach at Cap Ferret

Crashing Atlantic Waves

Entrance to the beach

We finally settled on an Aire at Taussat, just south of Andernos Les Bains, next to a small tidal fishing harbour and room for 4 campervans.  Currently there are only two of us here and it is still raining!

We will continue on our travels tomorrow exploring the Bassin d’Arachon and a visit to the largest sand dune in Europe, Dune du Pilat.