We left Wally Walou in a slip in the harbor of Port Camargue, in southwestern France, for about a year starting October 2016. During that year we flew back and forth from Anchorage several times to work on upgrades, repairs and maintenance, but avoided the busy summer months.  In July and August, when much of Europe is on “holiday”, this area is super crowded.  We heard that boats on the far side of the Port Camargue harbor that are farthest away from the harbor entrance/exit, can spend 45 minutes to an hour just getting out of the harbor because of all the boat traffic!  Lots of people love this Mediterranean climate, as do we!

This area of southern France is a flat coastal plain with lots of sand and pink flamingos.  

L’esperance

Salt Mines

Shopping

It took a while, but we eventually got used to the French businesses and government offices being closed every day between 12:30 and 2:00 for lunch.  Initially we always seemed to decide to go shopping around then, but later learned to schedule around it.  Although we first considered it an annoyance as a consumer, we came to appreciate the concept of people taking the time to disconnect from work and share the great food they have in France.

For the first couple of days in Port Camargue we had a rental car but since then we have been on foot and on our bikes.  The culture here in these coastal towns is very much one of walking and biking.  Many people have baskets on their bikes in which are carried everything from little dogs to baguettes.  We walk or bike to the local grocery stores and bring back our loot in a backpack, a definite change from weekly Costco or Fred Meyers grocery runs at home.  More trips with less stuff each time.  It feels comforting, like how it used to be before big supermarkets.