Day 22: La Rochelle to St Lunaire

This was my last full day of my tour before travelling home. I left the site and 4 frustrated bikers holed up in their tents over the last day because of the foul weather. They'd travelled from Paignton on their Harleys and other grand tourers.

I travelled northbound to La Rochelle.

 

The waterside cafes and restaurants were preparing for their day ahead.

Even in La Rochelle there's an alternative beauty.

 

Waterside coffees were of the order of 7 Euros so I resisted the temptation.

I continued on and stopped near Marans at a lovely litle restaurant/bar 'Au P'tit Quinquin', just the sort of place I love. I enjoyed an americano (for just 1 Euro 20 cents) sitting outside whilst inside was full of locals seated at their tables eating a very early (for me) lunch.

I drove on a bit further to Port du Pave where there was a rather run down boat yard.

 

Why do I love these sorts of places so much? I think it's simply that they have a heart and soul.

Time to hit the trail proper! I rejoined the motorway and headed on towards St Malo. I skirted around the coast to the west of the town, through St Lunaire and found a very nice site C. Longchamp 100 yards from the beach. I had a whole field to myself and pitched the 'big' tent again.

I took the opportunity for an early evening drive along the coast. The area was remarkably free of tourism, I suspect very much controlled by the well-to-do inhabitants. There were many beautiful, secluded houses looking down on to the seascape.

 

I watched the sun set then went for a meal at the Restaurant du Decolee and enjoyed 'La Pointe Du Decolle': coquilles Saint-Jacques, crevettes decortiquees, moules poelees au beurre avec trois blinis poses sur un lit de salade followed by 'L'Antillaise': 1 boule antillaise, 2 boules coco, sauce chocolat, banane, Chantilly, noix de coco rapee!

239 miles.