Tuk tuk - a long way from home

 Saturday 24th June 

Another day of relaxation. Its nice to have slowed down and having some really quiet and restful days. I am assuming the 2 weeks in Greece will be pretty full on, so gathering some energy was a good idea.

We had a booking for the afternoon to do a tour by tuk tuk of the medieval city of Saint Valery sur Somme. To fill in the morning we checked out where the small local markets were happening, and headed for Ault. We had been here a couple of days ago, but really just checked out the beach and the port. We should have looked further. We found the market where we bought paella and fruit, then wandered further and found the lovely main street, which headed down to the beach. There were a few shops and coffee places and we stopped for coffee. We tried the local speciality - Gateau Butte. Nothing to rave about. Bit like a madeira cake, a bit dry. It's probably fine for the french who dunk their cake in coffee, but not my thing (I hate the sloppy mess in the bottom of the cup). This shop also advertised 'oeufs de mouette' (seagull eggs - no thanks, pass!).

Yes, we are both here in France. Winding down.

Seagull eggs - didnt investigate. 

This was dinner. This one was very good. Nicely curried and a lovely spicy chorizo.

The beach front at Ault. There were a lot of people about.

Had a great tour of the city by tuk tuk. Unfortunately in French but we have a reasonable smattering now so did get some knowledge from the tour. Once we got away from the port front where all the tourist stuff happens - boat tours, train tour, restaurants, and general promenade - there is a lot more to the town, and it is quite hilly. The tuk tuks really got up some speed, and being electric they snuck up on the unsuspecting tourists with the driver calling 'attention, attention' every couple of minutes.

Joan of Arc was imprisoned in a cell in the fortified walls of Saint Valery sur Somme in December 1430. She was burned at the stake in May 1431. 

One of the original entrances to the fortified city.

Jail cells in the walls.

These streets were where the fishermen lived. The houses were painted with leftover paint from the boats. Even though most of the houses no longer are fishermen's houses, the people who own them maintain the tradition of the beautiful flowers and nautical themed decoration. 

There were a few of these narrow stairways linking the upper reaches of the town.

Market paella for dinner. Yum!

Sunday 25th June 

Very quiet day. A drive of 10k to the seafood restaurant for lunch. Lucky we had booked as they were turning people away. We were sitting outside on the terrace and it was very hot in the filtered sun.

Lunch. This lovely 2CV was parked out the front.

Think he was hoping for an oyster or a prawn. Part lab - he'd probably eat anything.

Monday 26th June

Today we headed north of the Somme River to visit a couple of small villages. First village was Rue where there was a beautiful church and chapel. Dates back to 12th century. Very elaborate carvings both inside and out. We had  win here - parked next to the laundry so was able to do the washing while we visited the church.

Church at Rue.

The ornate carving both inside and out.

One of the original houses - I still love the angles on the timbers, but they must have got something right for them to still be standing.

Moved on to the village of Saint Riqueir to visit the church and Abbaye Royale. Another stunning church. This church dates back to 625 and there has been a church on the site since then.  Both these churches sort of remind us of the cathedral in Milan with all the statuary and carvings.

The bell tower in Saint Riqueir.

And the Abbaye Royale - 625.

Inside the abbaye royale - unlike most other churches we have visited this one was very white and light.

Baptismal font.

We've been in France 10 weeks and at pretty much every meal we hear them say a phrase as they come to collect the plates. The accepted answer seemed to be yes, or very good, or similar. We weren't sure what they were saying but today I looked it up and they are asking 'how was that' or 'was that good'. You learn something new every day!

Seafood lunch again today. Tomorrow we head away from the coast.