A warm morning on a day that got hotter and hotter. Yellow warnings in the paper about a canicule (heatwave) in the days to come…but we started calmly, taking breakfast on the front terrace making the most of the offerings ‘fait a la maison’. In my case the yoghourt…mmm.

Then a slow stroll to the covered market to buy goodies for our beach picnic. Pate a la croute, chorizo and garlic sausages, cherry tomatoes, mixed olives and big fat, almost black, cherries. Into Carrefour for fizzy drink for Lou, a cheeky bag of veggie crisps and paper plates and bamboo cutlery. Why didn’t I remember to pack the plastic plates etc back home?

An even slower stroll back as Mr McGregor finds walking hard these days post whatever it was that laid him low in 2023 but a good excuse for a stop at the cafe de la poste for a fortifying beer and a grand creme!

After a change into cossies under our clothing and a roundup of beach furniture, ie blanket and parasol, it was off to the nearest bit of beach.

Happily, this year the tide was just past the turn of high so we had the sea fairly close for paddling (himself) and swimming (me). I had a lovely swim in saltwater for the first time in ages…

And Mr McGregor valiantly staggered down to dip his toes in the briny…so he could say he had!

After a picnic lunch sans abri (the parasol took flight at every opportunity) we had a short siesta then decided the sensible option would be to repair to our cool hotel room. Which we did.

Around 4.30ish we decided a swim in the hotel pool would be refreshing and with a panache I instantly regretted I slung my handbag into my suitcase and locked it…. immediately realising the key to the suitcase’s padlock was in…my handbag! Quel horreur, what stupidity!

I went in search of the hotel proprietors and admitted how ridiculous I’d been and did they have any bolt cutters on the premises, please? They didn’t but monsieur shot off to the ‘garagiste’ across the road behind the hotel to see if he had any. Back he came but no bolt cutters.

Then he disappeared again and reappeared with a fancy toolbox. After trying a few of the contents he picked up something that after using commendable force he managed to snap the padlock hoop in half! Applause and relief all round. I owe him!

We still had our swim once my red face had faded. And later we had aperos on the pool terrace before going out to find our supper.

As we discovered last year, the promenade was calm but the restaurants busy. We scrutinised menus and decided on a fish/pizza place.

Himself finally got his oysters while I had prawns..very messy but delicious.

Then Noix St Jacques on a bed of spicy leeks with a langoustine bisque, yummy!

Only room for coffee after that and a slow walk ‘home’…..

Let’s hope tomorrow is less eventful!