Seals, Mussels, Kite Boarders and The End of the Journey.

We are parked up this afternoon in Wissant about 15mins from the Chunnel terminal where tomorrow morning we'll catch the 8.20am train back to the UK. Last night was spent at Berck-sur-Mere where we had hoped to see the seals on the sandbanks. Unfortunately it was high tide when we arrived so only a few seals to be seen bobbing about, or bottling, to use the correct term. The absence of seals was more than compensated for by a mobile food stall next to our parking spot selling Moules Frittes. We'd had quite a large lunch but couldn't resist so at 7pm I went down to collect the Moules we had ordered earlier. They were quickly cooked while I waited and handed over in a 10 litre plastic bucket which wasn't quite full, but almost. We agreed that one portion would have been enough for two of use but half an hour later, with all the Moules gone we agreed that the portion control had been just about right. We didn't manage all the frites though.

We were up early this morning to walk back to the beach as we had been told that around 9am would be the best time to see the seals. Sure enough the tide was going out and the seals were basking in the beautiful early sunlight on the sandbanks. There were about fifty on the one nearest to us and a hundred or more on each of a couple of sandbanks further away. We managed to get within about 80 metres of the seals which didn't seem bothered by the dozen or so people oohing and a aahing separated from them by a narrow strip of water.

Seal watching over and we set off for our final night's stop in France, making a couple of detours for some shopping. Cheese, wine, pate, beer, diesel, the usual stuff. Then after parking up and lunch we set off for the beach here. Last year we were amazed by the size of the beach which stretched for miles in either direction. Today it was high tide when we arrived with the waves crashing against the stone sea wall. There was a strip of sandy beach further along and we enjoyed a pleasant walk in lovely sunshine and watched the kite boarders whizzing across the wave caps

We walked back and reflected upon the amazing time we've had over the last four months and the sights we'd seen and the people we had met. It's sad to be leaving tomorrow but we are both looking forward to seeing our children and grandchildren in England. Then it will be time for some cleaning and maintenance on the van and planning for our next excursion. And a bath. And a pint of decent beer. And a big bed. And stairs. And a haircut.

Thanks a lot for reading our blog over the last few months, it makes it worthwhile knowing people are reading and keep an eye out now and again if you want to read about our adventures in the future.

I guess that's it for now.

Pat & Phil.

 

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