Mr and Mrs L. offered a day out and I accepted, but to feel less guilty got up early to paint first. Thalia’s room’s shutters stripped back through layers of previous paint looked interesting and that green reminds me of an early 15 Rock Lane colour.
What comes to mind when you think of the seaside - and how does the Charente Maritime coast compare? Miles of sand, very few people, blue sky and cold, Atlantic waves plus occasional jellyfish? - But of course:
Apologetic Go Kart track, obsolete lighthouse and optimistic fishermen? - Tick. - So all very similar to the stretch of coast between New Brighton and Southport.
But to win this comparison the French version can also field German Atlantic Wall relics. Not one but a dozen we stumbled across without trying which was exciting and gave us targets to extend our walk and photograph.
This stretch of coast lies at the mouth of The Gironde estuary and heavily defended since it leads down to the port of Bordeaux used by the German fleet.
Early camouflage painting shows how far concrete disguise has progressed since the forties or maybe from the air it would just look like a giant eel:
Exploring further we bumped into ‘Oyster Alley’ this dead-end road alongside an inlet has oyster boats on the right and oyster restaurants on the left. Possibly the place to go to eat if you like them.
We’re not bothered so just drove up and down moaning about the smell. All in all, a great day out.