Phil&Jill

I was so tired last night after walking 12 kms for the day that I couldn't finish the day's blog but it doesn't matter as there is more of the same today....so here goes!!

Leaving Phil to rest in the appartment after the excitement of the market visit, I headed off down the gravel path along the River Dives and headed to the village of Cabourg itself and the beach at the edge of the English Channel.

You know word had got around I was coming and they brought out the red carpet

... but more on that later....I wouldn't want to get ahead of myself.

The sun had faded as I started off down the gravel path, edged by a carpet of wild flowers. It was easy to see the colours that the Impressionist painters used. The red poppy always pulls at my heart when you see it growing casually amongst the grass. It must have stood out in the memories of the soldiers because of its vibrant colour red.

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The huge fluffy clouds overhead and the European light made everything so pretty. Shortly along the path I came to a crowded motor home park, mainly French number plates and the occasional Dutch. Lots of people were strolling with their dogs or cycling slowly along. You felt everyone had a laid back, holiday style attitude. This is a very popular area for Parisiennes to come to enjoy the seaside for the weekend. It was not exactly swimming weather though - cool at about 18 degrees.

Two men were enjoying playing petanque together on the gravel of the path. They threw the jack, then their boules, measured, drew a line and started again systemically working along the path.

The Dives River is 100kms long and lined with marshes which are a haven for many birds. The villas are painted with pastel colours and seem in harmony with the surrounding countryside. It provides safe anchorage for yachts and supports the huge marina at the Port. It was such a pleasant walk. Everyone you pass greets you with 'bonjour' and you feel very welcome.

A cantilevered bridge allows pedestrians to cross the river from Dives to the promenade on the Cabourg side and largr yachts/boats to pass to safe shelter. Fishing is an important industry in Dives. About 100m you get your first glance at the English Channel. The tide was way out and my first impression of the grey sand mud flats, interwoven by little rills of shining water was that I had stepped on to a movie set from a French movie. It made my heart skip a beat. I had to pinch myself that it was real what I was seeing. In the distance I could see small sails moving on the mud flats and realised it was a fleet of land yachts. Something that Phil has always wanted to do. I walked up further to get a better view. They certainly looked exciting moving with the wind behind them and jibbing to a stop.

The beach at Cabourg is extensive and a wide white sand for people to enjoy bathing, children's park, glorious large houses that make up this resort area from the Belle Epoque era - architectural treasures. You walk down the Marcel Proust promenade which goes for 3.6 kms of sea wall. It is the longest pedestrian walkway in Europe. It is all very romantic and chic.

It was now approaching 5.30pm and thinking I should be getting back to see how Phil is when my eye caught many red umbrellas and activity some 500m away. I thought to myself...oh what the heck, I had better check out what's going on up there. When I approached the entry it was barricaded off and police with dogs and guns were checking all bags...including mine!! Then it twigged I was at the Grand Hotel and the French actors were there because the 2019 French Film awards were happening this weekend in Cabourg and they were staying in this hotel. The France TV had run a red carpet all along in front of the hotel and right down into the village area. The stars were to walk the red carpet to receive their awards. I was lucky enough to see some of them as they came fown the stairs and on to the beach for the official photoshoots. I only recognised Sandrine Bonnaire who was happy to sign autographs for the waiting crowd. I soon worked out that anyone wearing sandshoes was also part of the desl as they didn't want to get their ordinary shoes messed up by the sand I guessed.

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There were also deck chairs on the beach to watch some of the movies.

Probably luckily it started to spit with rain so I thought that would probably put a dampener on any more proceedings, so tired but exhilerated, I wandered back to the Kyriad appartments. It doesn't get dark until about 10.30pm so time just gets away. I got back about 7.15pm to find Phil wondering where I had got to this time!! He was feeling much better after the rest and we had lasagne and salad which I had bought from the nearby supermarket earlier. It is so handy having a microwave in the appartment and able to heat up a quick meal after a big day out and about.

So that's my story of the red carpet....hoped you liked it.