La Rochelle/Arcachon/San Sebastian

La Rochelle was gorgeous. A costal town, full of historic buildings and one way cobblestone streets. It was just outside this lovely town that we had our first night camping!

Despite some issues between Sam and the tent, which ended with a number of bent pegs and a missing loop for the pegs, we managed to come up with a pretty good set up. We were able to cook dinner, and then head for a drive to the beach.
It was just like the movies when we got to the beach, we walked over a mound and there was the long stretch of beach, no sand, but a white stone shore. 

This was the first time we had to fill up the car! We drove all the way from Paris on one tank, around 1000km’s. 

Baguettes for breakfast and lunch has become the normal, we rotate jam and Nutella between each meal. My god the bread here is great!
So a quick baguette and we were on the road again. 

A frustrating drive down the highway and we had arrived at a small coastal town, Arcachon. We decided to stay a couple of nights here, and despite some wrong directions from Nancy, we found a nice little caravan park to set up camp.
We picked up a few extra comforts to help our camp, a table and chairs, blankets and pillows, and more food! And we have decided our set up is pretty good now.

The caravan park is at the foot of a giant sand dune, the biggest one either of us had ever seen. It was easily about 100m straight up. So of course we had to climb it. Trust me that is a lot harder than it seems, I took the easy option of stairs for about 75m but Sam struggled with the incredibly soft sand the whole way up. It was a terrible realization when we discovered just how unfit we both are.
But the intense struggle was well worth it made it to the top. The ocean view was beautiful. The bright blue ocean with bright white yachts scattered everywhere. 

The rest of the day was spent wandering through the town, which reminded the both of us of Apollo Bay. We  wandered along the beach and down the pier. I even forced Sam to share a macaroon with me because I refused to leave France without having one, even though we will be back! It was amazing!

Today we drove the 250km into Spain and to the city of San Sebastian.
It was a horrible drive, full of roundabouts with traffic lights in them and huge trucks. But we made it to the city, and despite a slight detour that Nancy took us on (OFF THE ROAD INTO A PUBLIC PARK) we made it to the small caravan park.
Another struggle with the tent and we were headed back in the city for a beautiful walk along the beach.
Yet another perfect place to tick off the list. This place is more amazing than you could ever describe. the beach is gorgeous and filled with blue and white umbrellas, while the bay is protected by two small islands, keeping swell and wind to a minimum.
I cannot wait to lay on the beach tomorrow, drinking sangria working on the tan we all know I desperately need.