Biarritz and Bordeaux

After the misadventure of Monday, I decided to go somewhere beautiful.  My research told me that Biarritz would fit the bill so I drove a couple of hours to this resort that used to be the home of the rich and famous. I  really don't know if it still is.  

I parked in an underground parking lot that had the narrowest spots I have ever seen.  It took me about five reverse and forwards to get in and I was just skinny enough to get out of the driver's seat. 

I should say something about the car.  It is a Skoda, a brand that for a while was a punchline but now appears to be very nice.  The model is a Monte Carlo.  How lux!  

The roads are mostly two lanes-with no markings.  (More like one and a half) There are speed bumps in the small villages, of which there are many, that will loosen your teeth.  I really think I might have shaken baby syndrome after some of them.

I'm driving a manual.  I learned to drive with a manual.  I had a manual in the 90s for about 7 years. But I have to admit I was practicing gear shifting on the plane (in my mind) hoping that I remembered.  I did.  Like riding a bike, I guess.

Biarritz is quite beautiful, if a little past its prime.  You can see why it attracted people.  It has a sheltered beach.


Surrounded by beautiful old buildings.  As you can see, the beach is very wide and unlike a lot of European beaches, it has sand, not pebbles.

But it also has huge rocks coming out of the water.

It's a big surfing place so I hope they are being careful. Perhaps the surfing is really good on some days, but it looked so-so to me that day, although there were many people out trying

to catch a wave.  

The city itself is very hilly.  And you can walk along the rocks if you like.

There is a casino right on the beach and lots of sidewalk cafes at the beach and inside the city.  I stopped and had lunch at a cute place.  I'm kind of ashamed to say I mostly eat hamburgers and fries but they are so good here.


This is kind of a proof of life picture to prove I'm really here.  (Sorry to shock those who have not seen my hair white:)

There are lots of people here, visiting I would guess, though few are on the beach.

They remember Churchill, but where is the Rue Franklin Roosevelt?


I've been surprised by the architecture.  Lots of French-style buildings

But there are others that look almost Swiss.  This is Basque country.  I expected to see more Spanish influence.  

I bought a refrigerator magnet, which I expect to last about 6 months, and then sat at a sidewalk cafe and had a glass of Bordeaux.  Of course!

Then it was back home.  I tried to stay up as late as I could (9PM) to kill this jet lag I'm suffering from.  The wine probably does not help, but, hey, I'm in wine country!!

Next: A Walking Tour of Bordeaux

Location: 5P5X6263+F9

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