À la plage

28.10.2013

Just so we're clear, it's October 28th and the thermometer indicates 25 degrees, not a cloud in the sky.  A perfect day to hit the beach!

We headed to Gruissan.  There is so much more to the place than the town and the salt marshes, which is what we visited last time.

On our "reconnaissance" drive, we saw the edge of the beaches where retired old men cast their rods into the sea and wait for a bite.

Gruissan is in the distance.

On the beaches, there are rows and rows of these chalets built on stilts.  In the far distance, a ferris wheel.  This area is a huge summer magnet for beach lovers.

The Mediterranean is the lifeblood of this town.  Boats, beaches, and busloads of tourists.

Boats for sale.  Like the chalets, there are rows and rows of them, three high.  Their own brand of stilts.

We stopped for lunch at the Restaurant Maxim.  Here I am with my buddy Georges.

Knowing that I love all that is French, my friend Margi bought me a dish towel for Christmas that had "La Religieuse" on it.  Here is what a Religieuse dessert looks like: a huge cream puff filled with chocolate mousse, topped by a smaller cream puff, all topped with chocolate sauce.  The base is a crème anglaise with chocolate in a very pretty pattern.  This one's for you, Margi!

Then we hit the beach.  We walked for a long time but didn't even come close to covering the 6 km considered Gruissan proper.  Its beach is really a continuation of the massive, wide stretches of sand that start at St Pierre.   It is extremely flat and wide, and feels very open.

 

The sand is soft and has no rocks - a real pleasure to push your toes into.

All kinds of boats to entertain us, but mostly sailboats closer to the beach and a few tankers further out.  And of course, a lighthouse.

The beach has a very long and gentle slope so children can walk quite far into the sea without danger.  (Or folks like me who can't swim!)

Kite flying is always fun!  You can see more of those chalets on stilts in the distance.

 

All that fresh air makes you sleepy...

"Hey my hobo, where are your travelling sandals taking you?"

"Far, far away..."

The water feels warm.  Many people were swimming.

 

We left the beach at 5:00, which had the daylight saving time change not occurred over the week-end, would have been 6:00.  It was still beautiful out and very warm.  Quite a difference from the storm that hit northern Europe.

We couldn't have hoped for a better day at the beach!

 

I've seen many solar panels, but these seem to integrate into the scenery by imitating trees.  The different angles certainly guarantee benefiting from the sun at all hours!