FITOU

May 2, 2007

For our drive from Eoures to Fitou we decided to take the back roads instead of the Peage.  We were in no hurry and though we would enjoy the scenery.

 We headed out from Eoures through Marseille on the city road and then branched off, driving though the industrial port areas around L’etang de Berre and Golfe de Fos.  Then we went northwest up to Arles and back southwest through the Camargue marshes.  The scenery was very pretty, and certainly different from the rocky cliffs near Eoures.  My favorite site was a huge flock of white flamingoes standing in the marsh. 

We continued through the Camargue for many miles.  This is a huge nature preserve and all of the sea life and wildlife, as well as the marshes, are protected under international law.  This is a very rich natural treasure.

Next we entered the beach resort areas of Grau du Roi, Grande Motte, and Palavas du flot, where we stopped at a park for our picnic lunch.  On we drove past more condo developments south of Montpellier through Sete and out through le Cap d’Agde.  All o f these beach resort areas are on long little strips of land with lake on one side and the Mediterranean on the other.  I imagine the lakes are salt water too.

We edged inland a bit, passing south of Beziers and north of Narbonne, and then we hit the red road, N9, for the rest of the trip into Fitou.  As I looked up onto the bluff where we knew our house was located I could see giant windmills twirling up a lot of electricity.  Uh oh!  This might not be good bicycling news.

We found our nice house at the top of the hill, in a small subdivision of about 35 similar homes.  We have a nice view of the sea, two decks, a well-equipped kitchen and three bedrooms.  The house is quite new and everything is light and airy, with lots of big windows.

After unpacking and getting settled I went to the local Mousqueteers market for supplies and then stopped off at the property manager’s house for sheets for the twin beds.  We pushed them together and made a big king-sized bed which will feel great after twenty-one days in a double.