I have realised today that the scenery and towns of the Vendee region, which I have seen for the last few days, is very like semi-rural Australia. Places like Byron Bay. This seems strange to me. I guess it’s the warm sunshine, big roads, new developments and dune and forest edged beaches.
We do not have these in England. We also do not have spaced out new towns, with wide roads. Everything is old and compact. I guess the region is a new one, or one that has expanded on old parts, so there is a feel of ‘new’ about it all. I think in England, well Cornwall at least, I get the feeling that everything has had its hay-day, and that everything is a bit glum.
I like the Western coast of France. I did not know what to expect, and I guess this seems right, but it is pleasantly refreshing and pleasant. The weather is still very good, 26 degrees today, and constant sunshine. Most of the campsites close on the 20th September or thereabouts, suggesting the end of the seasons. This seems early, but they are the experts, and I guess the French have stopped holidaying. Almost all of the campers I see are French. They certainly are keen to holiday in their own country, and I can’t blame them!
