Forgive the picture heavy post, but as I use my blog as a diary, I wanted to put in everything that would help me remember our lovely trip to Bois Plage on the Ile de Re. We hired bicycles for the full 2 weeks as the Island is very flat and the cycling very very easy (even for me!!). It was a lovely way to see so much more of the Island and little towns. They had safe cycle paths and even had a cycle taxi where you could cadge a lift for yourself and your bikes to the furthest point of the Isle so you didn't have to cycle there AND back if you didn't feel up to it.
We cycled through vineyards or salt marshes each morning to visit one of the 10 villages that are on the Isle - each one very different from the next. All have a fabulous morning market (where we stocked up for lunch), and then after a look around and coffee, or a long leisurely French lunch, we would find a beach for a swim in the sea - followed by an afternoon snooze. Leisurely days indeed.
I had forgotten that the donkeys wear pyjama's - When they worked in the salt marshes, it was to stoo the mozzies biting their legs
St Martins is a favourite village. It has a lovely port and plenty of gorgeous shops. Hubby discovered to his delight that once my rucksack was in my bike basket, you couldn't get much else in!! Saving him lots of money.
It was warm - honest!
The view from the clock tower in St Martins is worth the climb - but you have to remember that the French do not do "Health & Safety" to the same degree as we do in th UK these days!
The bridge fro La Rochelle over to the Island.
Pathways down to beaches on the southern side of the Island.
We visited every church on the Island at some point. One provided refuge for an hour during an afternoon storm. It was quite an incredible experience.
I brought back some salt - direct from the farmer.
Hubby is keen to learn more about the occupation of the Island by the Germans in WW2.
Each church hangs a fishing boat from the ceiling as a token.
I hope that it isn't too long before we return.
