It was a quick goodbye at the Eguren household with a few pictures and thank yous. Natxo and I stopped by the cafe to pick up my lock that I forgot there yesterday. Irun was the last town in Basque and it was nice to leave it and cross over the bridge to France. Natxo announced this in French. The French drive a little quicker and closer than the Spanish but it wasn't too bad. Signs are now in French which is nice but also have the Basque language written underneath. Natxo took me to Hendaye Beach which was huge! The surfers were already getting ready at 8:30. We parted ways a way down the beach and I had Anne Murray's "You Needed Me" going through my head as I watched him peddle away. Natxo and his family have made my Hondarriba experience wonderful and memorable! Might just have to come back and say goodbye again!
I hit a big hill and chatted with cyclists going up. I am so grateful to be able to communicate again! At the top, I was greeted with a fantastic view and a flat tire! I changed it out next to what I think was an old German gun emplacement or bunker. There was also a cool where's Waldo graffiti on the side of it!
Went through small French towns which are not as clearly marked as their Spanish counterparts. I did score some free wifi at the tourist shop in some forgotten town. Nothing gives greater pleasure than free wifi. It's been a big challenge to date.
Afternoon picked up when I found a trail with green bike signs on it. Occasionally, the signs would disappear but then I improvised and did some off roading over crushed gravel! I could usually pick it up again and when I couldn't, I could ask.
I arrived in Buarritz and the big beach had incredible crashing waves, I watched a small dog chase a stick on the beach while avoiding the waves. They entertained several of the tourists around me for some time. I pushed through Bayonne after finding out no one wanted to host me and ended up on Odres Beach. I asked the bartender if it was ok to camp on the beach. He said as long as I left the next morning, it shouldn't be a problem. I had a delicious baguette with Goats cheese that was creamy and soft! Delicious. I also had a refreshing dip to clean the days grime off me.. I managed to set up my new tent with only slight problems and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves on the beach.
I hit a big hill and chatted with cyclists going up. I am so grateful to be able to communicate again! At the top, I was greeted with a fantastic view and a flat tire! I changed it out next to what I think was an old German gun emplacement or bunker. There was also a cool where's Waldo graffiti on the side of it!
Went through small French towns which are not as clearly marked as their Spanish counterparts. I did score some free wifi at the tourist shop in some forgotten town. Nothing gives greater pleasure than free wifi. It's been a big challenge to date.
Afternoon picked up when I found a trail with green bike signs on it. Occasionally, the signs would disappear but then I improvised and did some off roading over crushed gravel! I could usually pick it up again and when I couldn't, I could ask.
I arrived in Buarritz and the big beach had incredible crashing waves, I watched a small dog chase a stick on the beach while avoiding the waves. They entertained several of the tourists around me for some time. I pushed through Bayonne after finding out no one wanted to host me and ended up on Odres Beach. I asked the bartender if it was ok to camp on the beach. He said as long as I left the next morning, it shouldn't be a problem. I had a delicious baguette with Goats cheese that was creamy and soft! Delicious. I also had a refreshing dip to clean the days grime off me.. I managed to set up my new tent with only slight problems and fell asleep to the sound of crashing waves on the beach.