A Day By The Sea

 
I've been posting an awful lot lately, but that's because there's just so much to tell. This weekend was quite busy, and relaxing all at the same time. On Friday afternoon I went running with a friend through the beautiful park, and finished the evening making dinner for myself, complete with a glass of heavenly Bordeaux (the same one Lilly served with our lunch a few days before). On Saturday, I bought a pain au chocolat and a croissant in the market, and took my time reading and eating my leisurely breakfast, with coffee. Then I hopped on a train, around 11 a.m., and headed for the coastal town of Granville. It's less than an hour by train from Flers, and it only cost 14 euros round trip. I can't believe I haven't gone there before, and I will surely go back before I leave for home.

Normandy has been superiorly uncharacteristic lately, with over a week of clear, cloudless blue skies, warm weather, and SUN.  So it was the perfect day to visit Granville, a humble, seaside resort town in the Manche region, along the English Channel. I can't say I did much of anything: just walked around town, looked in some shops, hiked the cliffs along the coast, visited a small museum, toured the old town with its cobblestone streets, perused a street market, and ended my day on the beach with a book (In a Sunburned Country, by Bill Bryson, of course). On the hills and cliffs surrounding the town, I listened to the wind blow, the soft, lingering calls of gulls, and the gentle lull of waves lapping the rocks. Otherwise, the day was rather uneventful: blissfully uneventful, in fact. I could hear myself think. I had no engagements, no tasks, no errands. There was no computer to distract me at every moment's notice. I hardly even ate: just an apricot juice at a café, and later, a small quiche aux poireaux (leek quiche) that I purchased for about 2 euros. If I hadn't had to buy bandages for my feet (note: NEVER wear bad shoes while vacationing!!), I would've gotten away with an entire day's worth of activity and seaside fun for under 20 euros. As it stood, I managed the whole thing for around 25 euros. Nickel, as the French say.