France holiday day 9 - Il de Re of sunshine

With a good night's rest, the pre-lunch grumpiness was swept away by some cycling east to find a decent beach. We were grateful that the weather was kinder and cooler than yesterday's scorching hell. Il de Re is an island full of cycle paths criss-crossing to all destinations and the French embrace it with their family and pets. Along the way kids and dogs were towed in their wheeled baskets.

After passing through Ars (yes, really), we stopped for lunch in La Couarde, a small quaint town at a hotel restaurant. The menu was a little restrictive for me but in the end had a combination of garlic bread and Spanish ham. Panache beer was served and Kerry had a mojito which went down very well. The service didn't have the same quality unfortunately.

The first beach we came across was still a bit poor in the sense of seaweed everywhere so continued through the salt pan flats and rows of vineyards getting slightly lost by the lack of signs. Eventually we came across a lovely sandy beach with no rocks or seaweed littered. The sea temperature was cool and refreshing whilst the constant waves added to the fun of bobbing around. Some ray catching and drying off then back to the campsite at Les Balines.

Both of us couldn't be bothered cooking as it was so hot in the van and with BBQs only allowed in certain areas our only option was to go back up to the lighthouse where there were about three restaurants. Kerry had the moules whilst unadventurous me had a carbonara. Both dishes were served up quickly and deliciously despite how busy it was. The timing of finishing our meal was perfect for the sunset behind the Le Phare (lighthouse) where a small crowd had assembled either at the wall or below by the rocky shore where piles of white pebbles were stacked into towers. We were treated to a beautiful sunset with no clouds to spoil it and a cooler night air than past evenings.