Rochefort

Yes that's how you have your tea at breakfast time. Usually with a baguette and jam. Fishing is popular here and the rocky part of the coast had dozens of fishermen along it

The first town, Palmyre, had a zoo right on the road. These flamingoes seem pinker than the Camargue ones.

Nearly out of the pine forests ,thank god,and we celebrate with a coffee. Great little set up eh !

That's the sign we're looking for ,Marennes. Crossing this bridge scared the crap out of us as the wind was gusting strongly. 

The country changes dramatically now ,being open and flat. Oyster farming is the main industry

The next 20 kms is through back country lanes and little villages. Signage was good but you can't miss one or you're lost !

Gataudiere Chateau.

We turn more East and the wind is behind us as the road winds through a massive wetland with lots of wildlife

It's hot ,not a soul in sight, so it's tanning time

That tiny hill was an island when this was all under water

At Saint Agnant the trail uses an old railway line again. It's always interesting to pick out the old bridges and stations, which are now houses

That's enough sun. About 10kms to Rochefort

And at about 3.30 we make it. It was only 40kms by road and we've covered 75 !

  I really wanted to see the old galleon that they were building when we were here a few years back but it was finished and gone. This ancient slipway dates back to Louis X1V when they were making the old war ships here 

 We'll have a better look tomorrow