Holidays

With a little luck, we were finally able to get away for a holiday. Elo had found a good deal on the net for a small apartment in a holiday village in 'les Landes'. Moliets et Maa to be precise. So we tried to pack the car on Friday night, and get a bit of sleep, before hitting the road at about 4:30 Saturday morning. We expected about 5 hours of road, with a break or two thrown in for bottles and toilet stops. The boy was wonderful and went back to sleep without too much trouble. He woke up right at a pit stop and we had time to change him before he transformed into the hungry monster.The sun had started to shine, so we decided to spend a bit of time in Bordeaux, as we loved it so much last time we were there with Elo's family.
I think he appreciated the pause too, as the playground was empty and just for him.

There's nothing like a bunch of colourful cows to bring a smile to Elo's face.

Yes, I was a-splishin' and a splashin'...
I was a-rollin' and a-strollin'...

We were surprised at how enjoyable the holiday village was. We both had some reservations about it being crowded and uncomfortable. But it was just the opposite. It was quiet, mainly because it was the second week in September, school had already gone back. But also, the region is very green, lots of forests, beautiful beaches( with waves) lakes and rivers.

This was our house for the week.

loved playing in the sand and climbing the step outside.






Sunday we went to visit Dax. There was a bull fight on, which we didn't watch, but instead listened to some music and ate great Spanish tapas. as usual was an angel. I also left my bank card in the ATM, brain was on a holiday too.

Lunch in Dax. A nice quiet spot near the river.

A few kilometres north of us, was Lac de Leon. There were supposed to be a few nice walking trails and a riding path near the lake. We couldn't find them. But the lake looked nice and we enjoyed the picnic.

A stroll through the golf course in the early morning.

The next day we finally got on the track and walked back towards the lake along a beautiful creek that ran into the sea. It was incredibly quiet, we thought we'd have a chance to see a deer or some kind of animal which is rather rare in France. But the occasional screams from the boy combined with the complaining from Dad about how much he eats and therefore weighs must have kept all the wild creatures away.

drinking while dad calculates how much more he'll weight in the baby carrier.

Squirrel watching gives you a sore neck!

Courent d'Huchet as it reaches the ocean.

Posing for a photo takes it's toll.

The next day I found the town where I'll be retiring in France. I just need the right numbers to come up in tomorrow night euro millions draw.
Hossegor surrounds a beautiful lake of clear blue water that is tidal and therefore very clean. There are cycle paths, walking paths and great fishing areas all around the lake. A beach, enormous houses and from what I could imagine a very nice golf course.
It's also a place where they play "Pelote Basque". Also known as 'the crazy sport with the glove'.

The water was so clear, and not too cold.

He was more interested in eating the rake than building a sand castle.
Patience dad, patience.

The Pelote Basque stadium

After a bad change in weather we went further south in search of sunshine a ham. Bayonne is famous for being in the centre of the region in which they make Jambon. An inviting city also, with charm and character. We walked along the cobbled streets of the old town, saw the Spanish gate, built by the Romans as the entry and exit point when travelling across the border to Spain.
Of course we bought half a cured pig leg to keep in the fridge along with a piece of wonderful cheese and a jar of 'piment d'espellette'. A type of chilli that is grown in the region and named after one of the towns. It's a speciality of the region and we couldn't come home without a jar. Of course Elo won't be trying it.

Bayonne.

So the last day, Friday, we took it easy, visited a market not too far from the apartment. There was a lovely lake there too, so we went for a stroll with the boy, rugged up as the temperature was still quite low. The afternoon was free for a very quick goodbye to the beach and reserved for packing the car. If we have another baby, we'll need another car. Not a bigger one, but another one.

Bye for now.