Europe Winter 2025/26 Newhaven to Biarritz

A difficult thought.
Jesus speaking: ‘ Give to the person who asks,and don’t turn away from someone who wants to borrow…love your enemies do good to them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who use you in a mean,malicious way.’

Matthew 5:42,44 ( Sandy’s wording in parts. The whole chapter is a challenge.)

The Old Testament God speaking: ‘If you sell anything or buy anything from your neighbour you must not oppress.’

Leviticus 25:14

Travel which was slow enough to watch the change in the sky and colour of the trees. We averaged 45 mph. Two thoughts taking in the two days would be from cold and rain to warmth and sun. A change from 11C to 27C. Newhaven to Biarritz.

From the cab the rivers seemed to be flowing well, the crops and fields were mostly reaped and some fields ploughed. Interestingly a few fields had self- seeded canola flowers blooming with knee high sunflowers open to the sun.

A pleasant entry and exit of some small towns had rows of trees with autumn leaves as were the trees in the countryside standing in circles of forest and larger areas that we drove through. Trees were a significant part of our journey as were vast farmed fields.

The night in Veigne was quiet with a walk to the centre of the town and a van that sold ‘frites’. We were looking forward to a rest from travel in a park up on the dunes in Biarritz so we continued quite early the next morning.

Biarritz

Was a celebrity visiting? A flash of light and then another. No, it was the lighthouse well in command of the black of the sky and the rough of the treacherous rocks. It was our first night walking by the sea and the next day had its surprise. I was walking ankle deep in the water when unexpectedly I was suddenly wet up to my waste. Two young people in costumes saw what had happened and one came to me immediately grabbing my arm. I was so greatful.

Squeezing out my clothes into the dry sand I then let them flap in the warm breeze as we continued to walk into the town.

‘Unusual’ said one person as she saw what happened to me. This was not the Mediterranean but the respected Atlantic and yes there were geobags outside the main road into the city. A high tide was expected due to a storm warning.

The underwater topography of the Bay of Biscay and the rapid rise of the continemtal shelf allow large, powerful waves to reach the coast unstopped. This makes Biarrittz known for having the biggest waves on the French coastline.

A ‘ rule of the beach’ is to wear the leash, an accessory that allows the surfer to be connected to their board. Obviously helping them get their board back and keeping others safe.

Biarritz is also known for its visiting celebrities they have been visiting the town as far back as Napoleon III and his Spanish empress, Eugénie who had the now named Hotel du Palais built. Edward VII of Britain, and queen Victoria enjoyed this place and here are a few of many others: Coco Chanel, Winston Churchill, Victor Hugo, Charlie Chaplin, Pablo Picasso, Hemingway and the list goes on to names from today… so the flashes of light could have been the paparazzi but no it was the light house.

Some thoughts about lighthouses:

‘ I can think of no other edifice constructed by man as altruistic as a lighthouse. They were built only to serve.’

George Bernard Shaw

And

‘A lighthouse doesn’t save the ships; it doesn’t go out and rescue them, it’s just the pillar that helps guide people home.’

Lea Michele

Take care,

Sandy 🙂