No Surf – Flat . . I drove from Sees for about 4 hours and got to the coast to a smart seaside town that is twinned with Worthing of all places. I think the major of Worthing has come off best with his annual visit here.
It had a long sandy beach in the heart of the town with bars and restaurants along the front. It was busy but should have been buzzing, and it had what I think is the French disease of lacking any soul. Also, it looked as flat as the English Channel. A few desperadoes out trying to catch tiny waves, but nothing worth getting wet for unfortunately.
The seafront was busy in the early evening, but there were no young people. It was strictly 40 years and over. All walking along, not chatting and laughing, just existing. I know that the Brits are considered to be ‘Stiff’, but the French make us look Caribbean. Everyone is sooo serious.
I have travelled to a lot of countries and the only one that I am not fond of the nationals in, is France (broad statement I know, but generally it is true). I have always thought of them as rude, but now I think the nation is generally depressed and people just come across as rude as they are in a deep rut. The country generally has a mono culture and everywhere has the same people doing the same things. There is a high level of unemployment and I’ve been told by several of the many French that have the drive to leave to work in London (I think it’s about the 5th largest French inhabited CIty) that you need the right connections to get on and it isn’t a true meritocracy. The average person seems to have a very average and drab life, which makes me understand why so many people are parked up in Calais desperate to get out in lorries going to the UK. The French have more holidays than us and strong unions, but I think that this has meant more taxes and less money for the average person to spend on their plentiful time off.
From what I can see the only restaurants you can eat at are selling French food, with the occasional exception of Pizza or kebabs. Everything closes at 9pm, even the bars. Driving through towns during the day is weird as there is no one on the streets and over 50% of the houses have all of the blinds down or shutters closed. I don’t think they can all be holiday homes.
I was sitting in my van having breakfast this morning and played a game, saying bonjour with a big smile on my face to everyone who walked past and peered in with a frown, which was 90%. They didn’t know what to do and all panicked and just looked away and scuttled off, it was amazing. In Spain, everyone says hello and even if it’s not the norm in the UK, if you look at someone with a smile and say good mooring, they generally smile and say good morning back.
MORE OF MY RANT AGAINST THE FRENCH
The French haven’t caught on to the idea of picking up their dog do do yet. It is like England in the 80’s . . dog shit everywhere!
There is no Wi Fi available anywhere. I did a circuit of the town on my bike and couldn’t find anywhere to download my emails. I went to the tourist information office and they frowned at me and said they did have a free wifi service, but it did not work.
Finally, at about 6pm, I needed a shower and sought out the local camp site only to find that its office closed at 5pm and i couldn’t book in. I therefore parked outside for the night and cycled in to use their facilities. Ended up getting my shower for free :).
26th Sept
