Today we decided to leave our comfortable hotel in La Rochelle and drive across the spectacular bridge connecting the mainland to the Isle De Ré. So after grabbing our usual breakfast of a pain au raisin and a coffee, we walked around this interesting and historic town in the splendid sunshine. Having seen what we could, we wandered back to the hotel, packed, paid and left. Hairy drive through narrow French streets until
We got to motorway and amazing bridge. Isle De Ré is a large flat island holidaymakers paradise with miles of sandy beaches and great bathing. Not commercialised at all! We found our hotel after a wild goose chase into the wrong town - you can't trust TomTom sometimes! Being unable to check in until 3pm, we set off in the car for the beach. We choose one which we were told is 6 km long, found a parking space, crossed the dunes, did our quick shuffle into our cossies, and dashed for the sea, hoping it wasn't freezing like last time! Thankfully it was nice and warm and we spent a pleasant afternoon in and out of the water amongst the Atlantic rollers, accompanied by French and British families. Tiring of the beach, we drove to the end of the island which was attractive but not worth exploring, so we headed back via the little town whose tiny, narrow streets had given me a funny turn earlier. This time we left the car outside and walked. Pretty place and after an ice cream and vying some jam. We set off for the hotel. Nice room, balcony, but sea view a bit of a misnomer. Disaster! The air con won't work and the problem cannot be fixed until tomorrow, so a hot night ahead especially as we have just had to close the window due to mosquitos! We will open it later when the light is off. This is just a small country hotel, but the dinner was superb. Nice cocktail, followed by the freshest oysters ever, delicious home-made bread and a glass of the very good local white wine, followed by delicious lamb and a great Bordeaux red wine, great cheese and the campest looking but absolutely delicious desert. A masterpiece of a meal. A waddle on the beach and then to our rather warm room.