THE STARTING POINT

the starting point, the Atlantic in Hendaye

After too many days of preparation, or rather me waiting for a shipment from my recent life in Lagos, to be delivered to my parents' place, we have finally made it to Hendaye for the beginning of our journey to Corfu.
Time to quickly indulge the cool spring waters of the Atlantic under a summerly heat, before heading out North-Eastward through the Basque country. Hendaye is the border town with Spain on the shore of the Bidassoa river. Irun is its Spanish counterpart.
This afternoon, the beach was very busy as it would be on a warm weekend. Well it was Friday evening, 27 degrees. In the streets leading to the ocean one could see surfers walking with their boards after work, on their way to the waves.
A man living in neighbouring Saint Jean de Luz was telling us that the best months to visit are June and September (before and after the tourist season and the heatwave).
Today it probably felt like summer judging by the crowded sand. Many people had just crossed the border from Spain to enjoy the sunny stretch of sand (the Spanish side was in the shadow of the nearby mountains).
As we walked back to our aptly named hotel Bellevue, following the creek of the Bidassoa river, it felt like being in Noumea in New Caledonia or some Basque version of the French Riviera. A bicycle track, a pedestrian walkway along the water were all conducive for exercise.
A beautiful place to start our journey!

surfing time

the view from Hotel Bellevue in Hendaye

this is where it all started