Pau

After our disappointing visit to Biarritz, I looked at the map to decide where to head to for our next stop. Although we needed to head north towards La Rochelle, we wanted to avoid travelling up the same roads we'd come down on. We'd had a quick glimpse of the Pyrennees yesterday, and after a bit of research, I settled on a stop in Pau, overlooking the mountains with great views. Unfortunately, the weather on the forecast and the reality were very different, so we drove through cloud and mizzle all the way there with not much chance for any views. Still, driving into Pau was quite enjoyable, as it was really quiet for a fairly big town/city and we got to the centre and parked up with no trouble at all.

We sat at a cafe and had a quick coffee & cake, and Gareth had a close encounter with a pigeon while Elliott and I were in the toilets, all that was left of my mocha when we got back was a table/ tray covered in cream (luckily I'd drunk most of it already!)

We wandered around and although the mountains were still totally hidden, it was a lovely place to spend a morning and we all agreed we'd like to come back for longer.

Typically, just as we set off again the blazing sun made an appearance, just in time for us to head away from the mountains!

Lots of driving today, first stop was Pau – at some points we didn’t pass another car for a good 5 miles, the toll road was so quiet – nice relaxed journey.

Then on to La Rochelle, again roads super quiet until nearing La Rochelle. Stopped for a charge at Saint Andre De Cubzac on the way while we wandered around the shopping centre and I have finally found a pair of shorts that wasn’t mentally expensive (I am a tightwad you see)

Average of nearly 60mph even after the heavy traffic, the roads here are so easy to drive on, you only get the one occasional idiot in an Audi or Renault Clio that wants to see the contents of your boot, so they practically enter you. As I am now maturing, I only annoy them for a little bit before letting them pass. M/kwh just under 4.Read more