Sue and Martin's Big Adventure
Day 0 - Sunday 25 July
2004
Postcard Summary
Diary Entry (by Sue)
Both awake around 6am. Made a sandwich, ate toast and tea, read Jake a story and left at 7.45. In contrast to yesterday, it was 13°C and raining. It didn't take long to drive round the M25 and M11 to Stansted, and the Astra was left at the Car Hire Returns at 8.30. At least we could shoulder our rucksacks, which we did during our short walk to the terminal building.
The next few hours were spent queuing- first for our flights, then into the departure lounge, then onto the aircraft (Boeing 737-800). The only part out of a queue was drinking the first few sips of a large tea, whilst Bob Geldof strolled past, which saw the last of our English change used up.
The Ryanair flight briefing was entertaining - we were told that the flashing light on the life jacket was in case we landed on a disco, and those caught smoking would be sent outside the aircraft, where the movie showing was 'Gone With The Wind'.
The clouds dispersed and it was a sunny 24°C inBiarritz
The sea can be seen and heard from our pitch. My bikini was on, and it wasn't long before I was cartwheeling down the beach and plunging into the swell. It was fairly warm, so I was in for a while. The huge beach, with its distinctive rocks at one end, was heaving with people enjoying the hot weather. Surfers were also prominent but the surf wasn't high. We strolled along the edge of the waves all the way to the end of the beach, and back round past the harbour to the centre, locating the Residence Croisière, where the HRP and GR10 long distance trails both start. In these streets, away from the breeze, it felt scorching.
We returned to the site for a shower, then bought camping gas in the site shop, and the two remaining maps, and postcards, in the stationers.
Then had dinner at Chez Kaké. Beers, omelettes, salad, fish with rice, with cheese with cherries for Martin, and tarte tatin for me; all went down well sitting outside. The tide was well in as we returned, but there were still people on the beach at 8.45pm.
Apart from the sea we hear, the roar of aircraft engines occurs occasionally, as there is a local Spanish airport and the planes come in over the beach and near to the campsite. We sit outside, writing this diary and looking at the flower book. Turn in, quite tired, soon after 9.30. (Clocks have gone one hour forward, it's only 8.30 at home.)
Hendaye.
We envisaged this might be a run down sort of place, but were pleased to find a busy seaside and harbour town, with flowers on streets and on the roundabouts, and a definite holiday resort feel.
Sent our first text message to Kate; it seems to work.
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Postcard Summary
Stansted to Hendaye-Plage
Lovely summers day, superb beach. What a lovely start! A taxi from the airport to a campsite only yards from the huge beach. Soon, swimming for me and dipping some toes for Martin. Lots of people trying to surf on tiny waves! Pleasant walk along the beach then shopping for last two maps required. Another meal outside before a night in the tent, where you could hear the waves.
Lovely summers day, superb beach. What a lovely start! A taxi from the airport to a campsite only yards from the huge beach. Soon, swimming for me and dipping some toes for Martin. Lots of people trying to surf on tiny waves! Pleasant walk along the beach then shopping for last two maps required. Another meal outside before a night in the tent, where you could hear the waves.
Diary Entry (by Sue)
Both awake around 6am. Made a sandwich, ate toast and tea, read Jake a story and left at 7.45. In contrast to yesterday, it was 13°C and raining. It didn't take long to drive round the M25 and M11 to Stansted, and the Astra was left at the Car Hire Returns at 8.30. At least we could shoulder our rucksacks, which we did during our short walk to the terminal building.
The next few hours were spent queuing- first for our flights, then into the departure lounge, then onto the aircraft (Boeing 737-800). The only part out of a queue was drinking the first few sips of a large tea, whilst Bob Geldof strolled past, which saw the last of our English change used up.
The Ryanair flight briefing was entertaining - we were told that the flashing light on the life jacket was in case we landed on a disco, and those caught smoking would be sent outside the aircraft, where the movie showing was 'Gone With The Wind'.
The clouds dispersed and it was a sunny 24°C in
The sea can be seen and heard from our pitch. My bikini was on, and it wasn't long before I was cartwheeling down the beach and plunging into the swell. It was fairly warm, so I was in for a while. The huge beach, with its distinctive rocks at one end, was heaving with people enjoying the hot weather. Surfers were also prominent but the surf wasn't high. We strolled along the edge of the waves all the way to the end of the beach, and back round past the harbour to the centre, locating the Residence Croisière, where the HRP and GR10 long distance trails both start. In these streets, away from the breeze, it felt scorching.
We returned to the site for a shower, then bought camping gas in the site shop, and the two remaining maps, and postcards, in the stationers.
Then had dinner at Chez Kaké. Beers, omelettes, salad, fish with rice, with cheese with cherries for Martin, and tarte tatin for me; all went down well sitting outside. The tide was well in as we returned, but there were still people on the beach at 8.45pm.
Apart from the sea we hear, the roar of aircraft engines occurs occasionally, as there is a local Spanish airport and the planes come in over the beach and near to the campsite. We sit outside, writing this diary and looking at the flower book. Turn in, quite tired, soon after 9.30. (Clocks have gone one hour forward, it's only 8.30 at home.)
Hendaye.
We envisaged this might be a run down sort of place, but were pleased to find a busy seaside and harbour town, with flowers on streets and on the roundabouts, and a definite holiday resort feel.
Sent our first text message to Kate; it seems to work.
Lazing at Alturan campsite
Hendaye-Plage town centre
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