Day 11 2017

            Sadly, the campsite had lost its glow in the morning sunshine.  I hastily made breakfast and packed needing to make the ferry by 9:30.  Foolish me!  Why would I think that it as like catching the bus?  The young lady at the ticket counter said that the boat was full and ready to leave.  She sold me a ticket for 11:00 and said that they might honor it.  I raced out and the steward said no three or four times.  Like the best vacuum salesman alive I refused to take no as an option.  Finally my smile trumped his smile and he relented.  He even helped load the bicycle and trailer.  He was rewarded with a generous tip that he refused twice before accepting.  When we docked he magically appeared at my elbow and graciously helped unload.

            Wow!  The heavens just commented on my writing.  Pigeon crap landed on my screen.  Sister Mary Ellen is still giving me the lowest grade in the class.

            The boat was indeed full.  I did not lower the average age of these travelers.  The only available seat had water on it.  Any way it did have water on it until I sat down.  The two “thoughtful” ladies across the way mentioned the water as my biking shorts soaked up the final drops.  They were soon awed as I solved the Rubik’s cube several times.

            Docking in Le Palais was like landing in Portofino or Santa Catalina.  The picturesque village is nestled between steep hills and the sea.  Shops line the streets.  Most numerous were shops renting bicycles including the electric variety.  There must be a younger clientele on a later boat. 

            Werner had mentioned the severe ups and downs of the roads.  Twice I was forced to walk up the rise much like the 2 km rise outside of Lourdes two years ago.  More foreboding is going down with both brakes being squeezed to the maximum.  The one coming into town is the most frightening.  I may be wise and walk down but I can I keep the load form escaping.

            The island rises sharply away from the shore to an undulating plateau.  Deep crevices slice through the interior creating steep grades.  The southwestern coast is similar to the rugged coastline north of Santa Cruz or near Monterey.  There is a preserve mentioning Sarah Bernhardt that is a walker’s paradise.

            Overlooking the town is a citadel of monstrous proportions as big as anything that I had seen at Verdun.  I explored the exterior walls however time did not permit a venture inside. 

            This is couples terrain.  Everyone is paired and walking hand in hand.  Come on now!  They are even walking hand in hand to the bathrooms.  They are either in second relationships or on a marriage retreat.

            The campsite, Le Pad, is run by the city.  It is comfortably snuggled in the deep ravine running down to the lovely port village of Sauzon.    Situated on the northwest corner of the island it was an easy bike trek out to Pointe des Poulains far and away the most scenic spot on the island.

            Tomorrow I will have to be up early to catch the ferry back to the mainland.

Much joy!!!
Hardy