It is 27 years since we were last in St Jean and it is much developed, but I was pleased to find that the, then modern, market hall still looks great and the market this morning was thriving. The Marais land is very productive and there were some great looking vegetables, including premium potatoes from the Ile de Nourmoutier. Also wonderful seafood and numerous bakers represented, as well as some fine boucherie and charcuterie. Incidentally, we had steak a couple of nights ago, Irish entrecôte, but it proved fairly tough. This has been a frequent event in various parts of France and I did some internet research to see whether French butchers hang their meat for a shorter time. It appears that they do and that older cows are used for the majority of the meat, not younger bullocks/steers, as in England and the USA.
A relatively easy day today, more zooming through the pine woods in the dunes/hills (Les Monts) that border the sea on the Atlantic coast in this area. We heard a cuckoo for perhaps the fourth time this trip. Windy but not enough headwind to make the going too difficult, mostly overcast. We saw some great seaside houses from a range of periods and throughout this trip we have spotted quite a number of very modern, individually commissioned houses. It is good to see that ideas are moving on and it helps that land is still relatively cheap and available in France.
Tonight we are in the Hotel d'Embrun, a modernised ** family-run hotel near the harbour on the non-resort side of Les Sables and will set off shortly for a quick explore before a fine seafood dinner. Tomorrow promises to be a long ride in steady rain.
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