Week 11 - December 11-17

 

A Week of Exploring Pau and the Road to the Coast

The Ladybug bus (Coxitis)
to explore Pau

GPS to Biarritz in a rented car
with David and Christie

Sunday, December 11

Cynthia, Christie and I meet at the Café de Europe.

We walk along the Boulevard of Pyrenees and admire the snow caps in the distance and the Fall leaves along the walkway.

We walk to Parc Beaumont where the Palace is.

Beaumont Palace

 

Friends even in the cold...
we manage to be able to sit and talk.

We end up at Christie's - the top floor with a view!

Monday, December 12

Today, Christie brings her rolling cart to shop at 

Centre Commercial Tempo

(or as Christie says, "Leclerc")

We take the "F" bus.

Waiting for the "F" bus

Santa is at the Centre!

It's raining. 
After Christie goes home, Cini and I stop at the Pharmacy for cough drops and syrup for John.

Then Cini and I go home to Rue Garet, to chat with John, nap and have Cassoulet for dinner.

Salad and Cassoulet

Tuesday, December 13

John, Cini and I go to Le Halles for coffee and croissants. 

Now we walk along the Boulevard de Pyrenees

We take the Funicular to go to the Gare.

We then find the Avis Office at the Gare
for our trip tomorrow.

Now we meet Christie at the Chateau de Pau

We need to make an appointment for a tour in English.
So we walk around the garden(s) instead of a tour of the Chateau.

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That night we meet for dinner.

Santa's coming to town

Le Berry for dinner with everyone.

Wednesday December 14

9:30 am, we all meet at the bottom of the funicular and go to Avis to pick up the car.

We (David, Christie, Cynthia and I) are driving to Barritz and then on to San Sebastian.
(John stays home, he says he has work to do - besides he is still coughing)

We drive through Bayonne to Biarritz.
Park at the Casino.

We walk north to see the hotel

The church across from the hotel

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Now on to San Sebastian...

We get rooms at the Hotel Zenit Convento San Martin

Beautiful lobby/bar

We go out for the night...

WOW!

Thursday, December 15

Breakfast at the Zenit

Now for the walk in town before we leave at noon.

Walking around San Sabastian in the daylight.
Still a WOW!

David looking at the map to see what's to see

Cervante's Square

A walk into Old Town

Everything from surfboards to produce
here in Old Town

We find a sweet Church 

On the way back to the hotel

The band stand in the main square

Waiting in the Lobby

The rest stop on the way home.

Chemin de Compostelle

A nice trip with great friends
and beautiful places to see and share.

Friday, December 16

We take the Coxitis (the Ladybug) to see the "other side" of town.

We find out there's a Circus in Place Verdun

We get off at...

St. Martin Cathedral

Now we go to Le Halles for refreshment...

at the Basque Delicatessen

Two bowls of soup ordered

After eating, we walk around

Christie goes home, Cynthia and I visit St. Jacques Cathedral

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My walk home

It's my last night with Cynthia, 

we go to dinner with Christie and David
to Po-Nouilles

 

Gyoza

Pork Belly & Jasmine Rice

Saturday, December 17

Today, Dominique and Reynald, our "hosts" take us on a road trip...
Biarritz and St. Jean de Luz (Hendaye)

Our first stop is coffee at the rest stop...
Les Chemins de Compostelle

We get to Biarritz and park in the Casino car park.
Then walk out to view the beach.

Walk into the Village to the Miremont
for a bite to eat.

Califlower Risotto

Gateau de Basque
A tradition at the Miremont

 

A walk around to see the rest of the bay,

Reynald, Dominique, Susie & John
on top of the world

After a walk through Biarritz
We get in the car and drive along to coast.

South of St. Jean de Luz 
we approach the border town of
Hendaye

A typical Basque building
Red shutters & roof on white walls

We have a snack
before going home

The last stop on this road trip.
Hegoa Cafe

A great day getting to know some new friends
and seeing their favorite places on the coast.

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What a week for me!
Went to Spain with Christie, David and Cynthia
Went to Biarritz twice
Made new friends with our "hosts," Dominique and Reynald
Discovered a new part of Pau