It’s just tropical, isn’t it? We can see Calais looming on the horizon and we get a blue hot welcome as we cross back into France. Better make the most of it then hadn’t we?
We’re currently pitched up for a two nighter in the middle of the Landes forest, 15K east of Mimizan. Camping La Clairière in Saint Paul en Born is just about perfect. A great choice by Mrs S. Especially welcome since today’s journey was a long slow horrible slog. More traffic than we’ve encountered on any of our trips. We’re not used to it. Can’t really hack it. The empty pool pulls off the day’s frustrations, as does the pre-dinner Sangria and nibbles.
The big bluey is still with us when we rise and shine. Mary-Ann has an inkling that there’s a riverside ride nearby. Bikes and brunch get readied. Exiting the site we can go either left or right. We go left. Head into the forest. The sandy track takes some tackling. We really could do with traction control. Easiest gear and light footwork bring us out onto firmer ground in the open. It looks as if the Romans have been this way. No sign of a river.
Eight kilometres further we come across the biggest greenhouse. Operated by Serre Des Grands Lacs it produces fruit and vegetables using renewable energy, on a grand scale – ten hectares to be more precise.
A few hundred metres on and we pass a monster ‘déchetterie’, a ‘poubelle’ collecting and converting plant. Waste from all over the region delivered and dealt with. Broken down. Huge heaps laid out, like massive ant hills. All undergoing various stage processing. The end result a ready made supply of manure for the greenhouse.
We stop for lunch near this sign. Seems we’ve been riding the Camino unknowingly. The blue and yellow clam indicates the way to Compostella.
Once back at camp we round the day off with a walk into the village. This time turn right. 50 metres later. Guess what? There’s the river. Next to it a riverside cycle track!
