Royan and the cruise up the shore

This is our place, just past the hollyhocks, a few blocks up from the town and the ocean front. I love that a blooming mimosa greets us. Here are the girls trudging back from the beach on Monday.

We always pass a place of garages where wild cats gather. EN thrills to this each time. Here's one. Today we saw a mass of ground meat at the fence, so we know why they gather here. Quietly cared for, like everything else here.

Wednesday we took a boat ride up past St Georges Dimain, then out to a light house. An intelligent man's voice came out of the speaker describing the views and the history. Too bad we couldn't understand a word. Khaldia translated, something about WWII, and you could see those german bunkers with slits for eyes. She said Royan was bombed relentlessly, so most of the town was post-war, and many of the buildings are 50's and 60's feeling. When we got out to the light house, we wondered what made this stone tower so special, and then she scribbled in ink that it was built in 1300! Then the cameras came out!

Between buying the tickets and the launching time, we walked around to find a place to have lunch. The 'park' was little more than a wide medium strip, but still planted with lovely flowers, and enjoyed by a few picnicking families. We found an open air restaurant, and the waiter was delightful. It's specialty was mussels, and EN snarfed them down like candy, while Khaldia ate them delicately. Khaldia's a far better cook, but the mussells were the best I've tasted.

Then the girls spotted this carousel, two stories! and of course needed a ride. Afterwards Aicha admitted she was a little old for it, and it would probably be her last, but who could blame her? A real work of art.

The carousel! Two stories. While we were

If you look closely on top, you'll see the old German bunker. This is between Royan and St Germaine.

Houses, built right into the cliffs, for miles and miles, some amazingly elegant, some as crude as caves. Many grottos where submarines and contraband guns hid during the war.

The girls had a special companionship during the trip, watching, feeling the breeze and the adventure.

Here's the tower. I'll download Aicha's camera. She usually gets the best pictures of things.

Khaldia, and the French flag waving. She's someone to trust for the right thing to do on the right day, cheerful, and loving. She soothes the girls awake with arabic endearments that are like music, and takes their antics with a laugh. And there's no better restaurant in Royan than the one in our own little apartment. What a joy to be here with her and the girls.

Tomorrow, on to some a garden, of sorts, a chocolate museum, and a quiet day painting.

Much love to all,

d.