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Peter Leyden
photographer, writer, designer, Mac evangelistTraveley
A number of my travel, industrial, editorial, nature images can be viewed at: www.istockphoto.com/pley
Travel Blog Posts
Surfing in Languedoc-Rousillon
Published: May 22nd 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » Leucate
May 22nd 2012
Pilotis restaurant, with it’s open, windowless dining room, sits overlooking the pristine, white beach and the blue Mediterranean. Sitting in Pilotis, not only do you enjoy the gambas. calamari, and other sumptuous dishes, accompanied by the ever present, pungent, aroma of garlic, but you also have a front row seat to enjoy the beach and the sea. Summer evenings, Phillipe, the owner, has Catalan groups performing for his guests. We seemed to be the only English speakers and brassy, robust French was the predominant language. In the French tradition, the restaurant closes between two in the afternoon and seven in the evening. Then, you’re on your own. Parasols and lounge chairs can be rented for a half day, or day. A parasol is a definite necessity for protecting those pink, northern bodies from the relentless sun. ... read more
Surfing on the étang de Leucate, France
Published: May 21st 2012Europe » France » Languedoc-Roussillon » Leucate
May 21st 2012
A spot for great surfing in Languedoc-Rousillon is the étang (salt pond) de Leucate, near Leucate village. When the wind is up, the étang is chock full of colourful sails and kites tacking back and forth. In the distance the Corbières hills are dotted with wind turbines. A short, rough road, off the D627 turnoff to Leucate village and Port Leucate, leads to a small, parking area and beach. The parking lot is always jammed with caravans from France, Germany, Holland and Britain, with the odd Italian and Swiss vehicle also visible. Avid surfers wait for the mistral to blow and then race to the étang for the action. At nearby la Franqui, a small beach resort on the Mediterranean, a stretch of smooth, white beach beckons sand sailors.... read more
May 19th 2012
The bridge of the ship is a quiet, carpeted, and seemingly empty space. When Leif, the safety officer is asked where the rest of the crew are, and who’s steering the ship, he casually points to the large colour monitors directly in front of two comfortable, blue leather armchairs. “GPS,” he says with a grin. In a flash the image of sweating crew straddling the deck, struggling with the wheel disappears, as Leif explains how the ship’s computer steers the ship and provides up-to-the minute information on direction, depth and approaching vessels or obstacles. As he manipulates the track ball, the view on the main screen changes from overhead, to sea level, to underwater. Suddenly a balloon pops up on the screen. It’s an approaching vessel and the boat’s name, registration number, weight, and speed are ... read more
Tot: 0.112s; Tpl: 0.005s; cc: 10; qc: 51; dbt: 0.026s; 1; s:apollo w:www (50.28.60.10); sld: 2; ; mem: 6.4mb
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