we discussed this title, Jayne wanted 'I am sailing' which will become apparent from some of the photos below. However, it has become clear to me that whoever built La Rochelle back in the day, did so without a square or spirit level. I tender the following two photos as examples.
Maybe the dudes responsible for the tower at Pisa also had work here.
There has been a significant shift in architecture since we left the north of France. The grey stone, two story houses and chalets have given way, somewhere down the highway, to buildings that owe their influence more to Italy or Spain. In particular the last few villages before La Rochelle were very Spanish with white rendered walls and rounded terra-cotta tiles on the rooves and the top of the fence walls. Maybe it's the extra sun shine.
In other news, this afternoon I had to open a bottle of champagne for the woman at the hotel because she was worried about the cork pooping and hitting something. Irony.
La Rochelle - take 2
We slept in, sort of, we spent part of the morning waiting to be able to skype back home, so by the time we left the bars were open. You can't sell alcohol prior to 9 o'clock. Anyway, we stopped for petit dejeunier closer to 10. Tempting though it was, we passed up the alcohol and opted for coffee,
croissant and pain.
Then it was time to check out the shops and head back to the dock area for further exploration. I finally purchased a satchel. Yay! It is beautiful. Look for it in photos in later posts. I took some snaps of the wonderfully wide streets and the of the million or so yachts moored here.
The photos I posted last night of the harbour were, how do you compare it? were like photographing someone's driveway and thinking it was a car park and then finding the car park for grand final day. If any one asks what the French do with their money, the answer is, "buy a yacht".
More markets
The French love their markets. Coles and Woolies have yet to dominate the food scene and there is still a small supermarket on every second block. The markets rule and you can buy everything from flowers to fruit and vegetables, to seafood (all varieties), wine, honey, olives, spices, cheeses, meats, those weirdo blood sausage things and food to go - crepes and quiche. If it's edible, you'll find it.
The really fascinating thing is that the markets move on a daily basis. We visited them in the morning and in the afternoon they were set up about a block away. Seriously, too much effort. Then we went out again on Saturday morning. The afternoon market had moved back towards the permanent morning market but had taken over another three streets. All the locals were turning up with their bags to do the shopping. The fruit and vegies were cheap compared with home and looked lovely - the stuff we have purchased has been so tasty - the range today was amazing. If you want to eat it or cook it you could buy it, all the way from live lobster to beetroot to, wait for it, live eels. Ooohhh. Slippery and slimy.
Another sign
My favourite sign of the day and one that is totally ignored:
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| To allow the trucks to squeeze through? |
 |
| Were the sails wider than the ship? |
Maybe the dudes responsible for the tower at Pisa also had work here.
There has been a significant shift in architecture since we left the north of France. The grey stone, two story houses and chalets have given way, somewhere down the highway, to buildings that owe their influence more to Italy or Spain. In particular the last few villages before La Rochelle were very Spanish with white rendered walls and rounded terra-cotta tiles on the rooves and the top of the fence walls. Maybe it's the extra sun shine.
In other news, this afternoon I had to open a bottle of champagne for the woman at the hotel because she was worried about the cork pooping and hitting something. Irony.
La Rochelle - take 2
We slept in, sort of, we spent part of the morning waiting to be able to skype back home, so by the time we left the bars were open. You can't sell alcohol prior to 9 o'clock. Anyway, we stopped for petit dejeunier closer to 10. Tempting though it was, we passed up the alcohol and opted for coffee,
croissant and pain.
Then it was time to check out the shops and head back to the dock area for further exploration. I finally purchased a satchel. Yay! It is beautiful. Look for it in photos in later posts. I took some snaps of the wonderfully wide streets and the of the million or so yachts moored here.
 |
| Now imagine cars and pedestrians and scaffolding. |
 |
| A forest of masts! |
More markets
The French love their markets. Coles and Woolies have yet to dominate the food scene and there is still a small supermarket on every second block. The markets rule and you can buy everything from flowers to fruit and vegetables, to seafood (all varieties), wine, honey, olives, spices, cheeses, meats, those weirdo blood sausage things and food to go - crepes and quiche. If it's edible, you'll find it.
 | |||
| The tip of the iceberg. |
Another sign
My favourite sign of the day and one that is totally ignored:
Tomorrow we are heading for the Bordeaux area where we will be staying for a week in the one place. Luxury!
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