Blogs from Saint-Jean-de-Luz, Aquitaine, France, Europe

We had always planned to stay a couple of days somewhere in this part of France and today was our second day at St Jean de Luz. It has been hard going driving for four days so it was with some relief that we found ourselves just relaxing for a day. Sometimes you cannot just keep moving on and have to make the decision to stop over. Aromadee is a nice place to while away a day or two. Suzy had her boots anchored down, her awning out and pegged into the ground, her chairs were outside and her table out. The only thing missing the tablecloth . My fault I forgot to get that out. We got up late having had our first lie in.Normally we wake early,. We are early risers due to work ... read more

In Basque Country. The Basque region straddles the border between southwestern France and the mid-north of Spain, along the Bay of Biscay. As we set out on today's adventure Cindy began by telling us some of the history and culture of the Basque people. She described them as being an ancient and fiercely independent people whose existence can be traced back to the first century, B.C. She reported that many characteristics distinguish the Basque people from their French and Spanish "hosts," not limited to the obvious, being language and architecture, but including distinctive DNA traits. The Basques are not happy with the vagaries of history that have left them a conquered and divided nation. Separatist movements in the region have led to acts of terrorism and blood has been shed. The transition from France to Basque ... read more

ST JEAN de LUZ 11th May 2007 (Friday Sunny and 26º) Today is Deb’s birthday - what a place to spend your anniversary. Now me being the man about town and knowing how to show a girl a good time....I chose a small boulangerie for breakfast and purchase a quiche as well as a chicken & pesto panini to eat sitting on a bench in the square. Impressive non? We move onto the local covered marché to check out the homegrown produce. I spot some cheese that upon sampling proves to be very tasty and decide to buy a small sliver that I expect would cost a few euros. When the lady provedore indicates to me that the skerrick laying limp and see through on the tissue paper will set me back 10 euros I choke ... read more

I've enjoyed the Spanish part of my trip enormously but somehow crossing the border feels relaxing and familiar. I haven't spent any significant time in France for several years now but being able to understand a much greater part of what's going on as well as the more orderly environment makes everything seem a lot easier. I hop off 'El Topo' the mole: the train that runs under the mountains, at the French town of Hendai. There's the same ETA and Batasuna graffitti to remind you that you're still in a region trying very hard to be independent, but the neatness of the homes and gardens and the quiet of the station lets you know you're in a very different part of it. There's a significant difference in comfort between the little local train (like ... read more