The little princess gathering oyster shells on the shores of Arcachon Bay (Cap Ferret)
Heading to the west coast of France further down Brittany proved to be a pleasant surprise. For one, it was not as busy as what we had experienced the previous year in the South of France. Even at the height of the summer season, there was enough room to move around.
Our camping place in Lege, Cap Ferret was a location where we had the best of two worlds — the mighty Atlantic Ocean with its wide empty beaches on one side and the Arcachon Bay on the other which is ringed by many quaint oyster fishing villages.
On our first foray to explore the area around Arcachon Bay, we wanted to see the lighthouse in Cap Ferret but Francesca was more excited to check out the beach. She immediately headed to the water and before soon, was taking her clothes off to be able to swim. Unfortunately, it was low tide and still a bit chilly and we were not prepared with towels and all that so we promised her that that was something that we will do another time.
We then embarked on a search for a restaurant to have lunch but got a bit sidetracked by the wet market that we passed by which as always, charmed me to bits. I could have stayed there forever ogling the fresh produce especially the seafoods that I normally don’t get to see in Holland. My mind was already churning with ideas as to how I would prepare those crabs, lobsters and shrimps which I really miss from my life in the Philippines. Unfortunately, my two bosses were getting so impatient and hungry that we have to stick back to the plan of finding a restaurant for lunch. I thought that we would return to the market before we head back to our camp.
We found a simple restaurant with seafood as its specialty in the town centre. For starter, we shared the pate which was great with the fresh bread. For the main course, the Mr. had mussels and fries while I settled for the lovely sauteed squid served with rice and fennel. Our little girl who’s very picky only had bread and fries as well as her fave chocolate ice cream with lots of whipped cream. The Mr. and I again shared the dessert of tiramisu.
We went back to the wet market after lunch but unfortunately, it was already closing. I was very disappointed especially as I already had dinner figured out in my head. We then dropped by the supermarket and had to make do with the seafood display they had. I settled for a kilo of sardines which for dinner I fried and served with boiled rice and salad.
Arcachon Bay on a cloudy day which would later clear up
The little princess with her haul of oyster shells
Giving her haul of oyster shells to her father for safekeeping
Excitedly rushing to the water
Time to go swimming
A little stop at the playground near the beach
Waiting for our order at the restaurant
Fresh bread
Very yummy “Pate de maison”
Mussels and fries
Sauteed squid served with rice and fennel
Tiramisu
Chocolate ice cream with whipped cream
Savoring her ice cream
She charmed the waiter at the restaurant so she got this foldable hat as a present
She got sidetracked by this picture
Father and daughter
Flower of passion fruit
Dill flowers
Peach colored oleanders
One of the many blooms common in the area
Supermarket scene — langostines
Supermarket scene – snails
Supermarket scene – lobsters
Supermarket scene – crabs
Supermarket scene – lobsters
Supermarket scene – lobsters
Supermarket scene – sardines
Supermarket scene – crabs
Supermarket scene – shrimps
Supermarket scene – oysters
Supermarket scene – squid
Supermarket scene – snails
Supermarket scene – mackerels
Supermarket scene – fish
Supermarket scene – 1-kilo steak cuts
Supermarket scene – dried sausages
