Dunkerque

The hire car was ready at 9am so we caught the free bus service back to the Gard (station) to pick it up from Avis. We will keep this car for nine days as we head down the coast towards Normandy.

It is a tiny Toyota manual - cheap and cheerful. Just enough room for the two of us and our bags. Now for the difficult part. Sharon is terrified of me driving on the wrong side of the road, so I suggested we start with a short 6-minute drive to the Dunkerque Wednesday market.

We managed to find a park and went shopping. Sharon bought a pair of jeans while I was more food orientated and went for the fromage. So cheap and such good quality. More fruit and bread were added, and we made our way back to the apartment. There was a park just around the corner from our digs so that's enough car driving for today.

In the afternoon we took a long walk down the beach which is dead flat and about 15 kms long. The buildings along the shore are mostly from the 50's or newer. The bombardment of Dunkerque destroyed 80% of the town. The old buildings really stand out.

The beach is a hive of activity. Wind sailing and cart sailing seem popular. There were a few kites up as it gets windy in the afternoon here. The boardwalk is very wide, and most restaurants have indoor seating, out the front seating and then on the actual beach tables enclosed to protect from the wind.

Tonight, we dine next door at Brasserie de la Plage. We think it specializes in steak and seafood.Leia mais