Pors Peron.

We drove the 35 miles north to Pors Peron, knowing that there was absolutely nothing here but a campsite and a beautiful coastline. We quickly set up and then walked several miles across the clifftops. The views are absolutely breathtaking. The beach that is about 300 metres from the campsite was quite empty and didn't allow dogs but a 5 minute walk from this point takes you to a deserted little cove where dogs are permitted.

Amazing coastline but all you'll find here is a few car parks, no bars, shops or restaurants around here.

Saturday 29th bike ride to Le Tudy.

Just outside the campsite there is a coastal bike track along the coast. It was a cool. cloudy morning so we jumped on the Bromptons and rode down to Le Tudy where we had a coffee. It would have been possible to cycle further had we taken the ferry across to the other side, however as the cloud began to clear we headed back to the site and went to the beach for a swim.

Le Tudy.

Le Heles Campsite, Sainte Marine (Photos)

Because of the heatwave and Jonesy we got the most shaded pitch, no sun at all.

Ground firm , grass cut short.

The warmest pool we've been in, but still prefer the cold sea.

Wine of the holiday. Bought in Lidl for 2e 99. A smooth Malbec. Only available in France but we took some over to Spain and mainly drank this. We've both cut our drinking down. Barb only drinks at weekends , I have 2-3 small beers a night and a glass of wine at the weekend.

Camping Le Helles, Sainte Marine / Benodet

For me, Brittany has been the surprise package of the trip. For many years I’ve always adhered to the advice “Go south of the Loire” for the best weather. Consequently the fine sand beaches that run from Bordeaux down to Spain, virtually in a straight line have always attracted me. In contrast the coastline of Brittany appears to claw itself at the sea in the shape of its numerous inlets,  promontorys and bays.  It seems that there are numerous old coastal towns scattered along its coast. However we are still new to these and have only visited a few.

Presently we are in Saint Marine a little town that sits opposite the more busier and famous Benodet. Camping Le Helles is perfect for visiting this section of coastline. A 300 metre walk across woods and meadow takes you to a 3 mile beach of white sand where there are no restrictions for dogs. The site has large pitches with plenty of room to manoeuvre and excellent facilities that include an outside and inside heated pool.

Today we walked the 10 minutes to the harbour at Sainte Marine and then crossed over the river on a 5 minute boat trip to Benodet (8 euros return for 2 , dog free). Benodet isn’t as big as say Concarneau but has a beach promenade and a delightful harbour. The two being linked by a 10 minute coastal road with fabulous views On our return we took more notice of Sainte Marine and spotted 3 restaurants with excellent views of the river estuary. This has to be one of the nicest parts of France we’ve visited, just a pity it took us so long to get here.

300yds from campsite.

Sainte Marine

Sainte Marine from ferry

Benodet

One of the Benodet beaches.

The prom at Benodet

Coastal walk around Benodet.

Concarneau

There are lots of things I don't trust...Virgin Media, Barclays and a Tory Government. But the thing I don't trust the most is my SAT NAV. So when we reached  Concarneau and we were looking for Camping Les Sables Blanc and it was trying to send me down little housing estates I was ignoring it. But eventually I submitted to its requests and it took me straight there. On arrival we weren't too sure. Camping Les Sables Blanc didn't exactly have the views it advertised and looked a bit unlevel. We decided to stay for one night and i'm glad we did as it got really hot, too hot to search for another campsite. It also had a nice pool, with a view to cool off in and decent facilities and pitches. It was also a short 150 metre walk to a glorious beach and 20 minute walk into town. We managed both walks.
From a distance, driving into Concarneau it just looked like a busy large harbour town , but when we inspected it last night we decided to walk into the battlement/walled area and how beautiful it was. A magical condensed area full of tasteful shops, bars and restaurants. After visiting the town we decided to walk back to the site the long way along the coastal road. It was about 8:30pm , 30c and the beaches were still busy with people sunbathing and swimming. I had shifted my position from being uncertain about Concarneau to being in a position where I would definitely recommend it.

The closest beach to the site but like most beaches in this area No Dogs Allowed.

From the main beach we followed a pleasant pathway to a tiny beach , here Jonesy could cool off.

Even from this position the walled town didn't look like it was going to be that big.

The town entrance.

Inside the walled town.

The full length of the town.

Off to Brittany.

We left Mimizan on Tuesday 25th June. With the heatwave in France expected to send temperatures possibly as high as 40c we decided to head for a cooler region...Brittany. Our intended goal for now is Concarneau but the 400 plus mile drive caused us to stop half way at Flower Camping du lac de la Chausselière just south of Nantes. A really nice quiet site with swimming pool and lake. 

Nice big pitches with view of lake.

Mimizan

Fridays rain started to subside as we drove to Mimizan and when we finally got to Camping Marina at around 3pm blue skies started to emerge. Campsite Marina is big and bold but again at this time of the year it only gets busy at weekends. There is an indoor and an outside pool, both quite large and bars and restaurant. We found a nice shaded and quiet spot.
The beach was as I remembered it from previous visits vast and empty with gorgeous fine sand that squeeks as you walk on it. At 18c it was warm enough for a dip and I enjoyed jumping the Atlantic surf but missed not having a surf board with me.

Mimizan Plage

Mimizan Plage

Mimizan Plage

Mimizan Plage

The other thing we can't really ignore commenting on is the prices in France compared to Spain. Here we paid 7 euros for two coffees compared to 2 euros in Spain. Beer here is 6 euros for half a litre, Spain 2 euros 30 cents. A 3 course meal with wine for two here would set you back something in the region of 60 euros, in Spain 32 euros. So anyone wishing to get value for money would probably be best to travel the extra miles to Spain.

Dax

After leaving Alquezar we so wanted to visit the little town of Navarrenx in France but it was overcast with the possibility of rain so we headed for the campsite Les Chenes in Dax. Dax is a larger town so we were able to walk along the river and wander about the area. Really surprised to see a fully functioning bullring close to the river. Today we woke early as it had rained for most of the night, again we saw this coming as Friday in this area is forecast for rain all day. Will hang on until about 11:30 and then head over to Mimizan. Tomorrow the forecast is much better.

Well we knew it was coming, Camping Les Chenes, Dax.

The Bullring at Dax, France. Sad to hear that 1000 bulls are killed every year in France in official bullfights\ bullrings.

Alquezar

We left the coastal areas with the intention of getting out of Spain. The approaching festival of St Joan is big in the Spanish calendar with an extra days holiday and about 3 days of noise. I don't know who St Joan is but she may be the patron saint of fireworks so Jonesy is best getting out of town. On our way back to France we stopped off at Alquezar a beautiful town with fabulous views. Here is one. We stopped and had a 3 course meal at this spot with this view...16 euros a head with a bottle of wine and a pint of beer at just over two euros. What a lovely evening just sitting admiring the view. Its also getting very hot now so it should get a bit cooler when we cross the border back into France tomorrow.

Blanes to Pineda de Mar.

Coming to this area of Spain just north of Barcelona was a bit of a recky. To basically look at different places. If we are heading quite far south we tend to do a long drive from the Spanish \ French border all the way down to Alcossebre and then on to Javea or Mazarron, so this area constitutes a stopping off place. We could have stuck a pin in the map for our next resort but I was feeling a bit more calculated so looked at the web sites and reviews. Camping Enmar looked a good place and how right I was. Situated next to the town and 100yds from the beach it is also about 400 yds from a train station that takes you into the middle of Barcelona, so the next time we visit when its cooler we'll try that one. Its also about a twenty minute walk to Callela, a typical Costa Brava tourist hotspot where there is a mile long shopping street, lots of bars and supermarkets.
The promenade at Pineda is quite attractive and you can go on long walks or cycle rides in each direction along tree lined flat pathways. We arrived here on Monday 17th and aim to stay only two nights before heading to the Pyrannees and then into France. Generally the weather has been ideal for us with Jonesy as I would say that the temps have been consistently around 23c, a bit cool for Spain but its really starting to heat up now so we are best heading to a potentially cooler France.

Pineda de Mar beach.

The pool area Camping Enmar.

Pineda de Mar seafront walks

Camping Enmar, well organised.

Pineda de Mar beach.

Jonesy's little mate off the next pitch.

Blanes

Tuesday 11^th June. Blanes.  On arrival in Blanes my first impression was that this place has retained much of its historic character as a 1960’s holiday resort for the budget travellers from the uk and Germany. Concrete and glass seemed to be the dominant architectural feature and there are blue plaques positioned by the Spanish equivalent of our National Trust to commemorate the places where Germans and English fought in hand to hand battles to regain sunbeds. No stop it! It aint that bad!  Its good.

Seriously we drove through Blanes in only the second rainy day of the trip and as we went right through the centre I could see its appeal…loads of bars. Restaurants and even chic designer shops. Quite a bit to do here. We then turned the corner to see the main prom and despite the rain I could see why so many europeans  flocked here in the 60’s and 70’s ….a gorgeous beach and long promenade. The many campsites have been ostracized to the very end of the prom, but again that’s ok, we know our place and it is quieter here.

Thursday 13^th Update. We really like Blanes. I will in future keep my mouth shut when advising other travellers. I actually told a guy back home who was coming to Blanes in a camper to think about other places. How wrong was I and I’m glad to say that he ignored me. We are presently on Solimar Camping but there seem to be quite a few other high quality sites in the area. There are a good choice of supermarkets, bars and restaurant all of varying quality and expense and the beach is superb. Everything seems clean and well looked after. 

Today we had our first ‘bucket and spade’ adventure of the trip, spending an hour on the beach this morning. Went for a dip, it seemed cold but after 5 mins I soon warmed up and had nearly 20 mins swimming in the 18c water. We were intending to only spend 3 nights here but we’ll probably make that 6 and leave after the weekend. Probably head towards Callela another place that I’ve always avoided so I’ll have to eat humble pie again. Although it can be compared to Benidorm I would say that unlike Benidorm, Blanes doesn't feel British and definitely makes you feel as though you are in Spain.

Blanes beach near the camp site area.

Blanes. Looking down to the main town area.

Blanes. The small beach by the harbour.

Blanes. Promenade area in the town.

Blanes ???