Carteret Capers

We have spent the last two days exploring our little town here at Carteret. Yesterday we walked around to the waterfront towards the open sea, ambled over the town’s main beach, had an excellent lunch at Le Russel, a harbour front restaurant, and relaxed at home afterwards. Today we woke late, did some marketing, and walked up to the Lighthouse after lunch.

The summer being over, the sense here in Carteret is that the village is heaving a sigh of relief after the departure of the tourists and holiday makers. Many of the impressive seaside houses are shuttered, their wealthy owners departed for city lives. We understand this feeling of relief very well since we lived in Lemon Tree Passage, also a summer holiday town. So there’s a lovely relaxed vibe.

Aside from that, it is amazing to us how clean, quiet and unmarked the place is. There’s no graffiti, absolutely none; no garbage on the roads or in parks; no beggars; no shouting; no sirens; recycling bins are conveniently placed; and everyone says “Bonjour”. So to our eyes - and ears - people live very well here. Like Lemon Tree Passage though there’s a strong “God’s Waiting Room’ vibe - grey hair everywhere. We feel right at home!

Tomorrow is wash and pack day because on Friday morning we leave early for Charles de Gaulle airport in readiness for departure to Japan. So this post marks the end of our little French interlude. Hoping all are well out there, sending our love until we reach Tokyo.Read more