36° Celsius and still much hotter...

Plenty of sea, plenty of beach, and always a refreshing breeze. While shady spots are scarce and the tides should be kept in mind. For one, it can happen that, with an incredible eight meters of tidal range, there is low tide and one has to walk half a kilometer through mudflats and climb over thick stones to reach the water. On the other hand, the beach might shrink to towel width at high tide, forcing you to snuggle up together with fellow bathers.

We have found a wonderful spot at the rocky beach to observe the daily activities.

The water recedes, seagulls grab the exposed delicacies of the sea: mussels, oysters, crabs, lobsters. Curiously shaped granite rocks come to light, mini beach crabs scurry through the mud, fishing boats lie on dry land.

However, today I need a change, so we circumvent the far-reaching, fjord-like estuary of the Jaudy River to gather new impressions. 

On the way, I manage to persuade the hero to take a walk through Tréguier, a picturesque city with the corresponding label. A lovely little town with real half-timbered houses this time, yet the brooding heat shortens our visit and drives us swiftly back to the beach.

We find a picturesque spot by the sea and, as always, seek the shade of the opened hatch of the “robber cave.” It’s already noon and we take out the essential, indispensable, life-sustaining catering box from the mini camper. No sooner have we settled down than a white van pulls up beside us. The young people leave the engine running, unpack sandwiches, and stare at their phones. They simply remain sitting in the car, letting the engine hum while cooling themselves, their lunch, and their phones with the air conditioning.

We sit next to them and are enveloped by the din and the exhaust fumes. I can't fathom such thoughtlessness, notice my blood pressure rising and that I'm losing my appetite. Such a vein!

They are sitting in their car in the front row with the best sea view, staring at their phones while the engine runs and runs and runs.

Now, after twenty minutes, I am about ready to jump up and yell at the eco-friendly, world-saving generation “Fridays for Future” to finally turn off the damn car, when Monsieur puts the car in reverse and speeds away with gravel flying from the tires.

I sit down again. Finally quiet, good grief!

Half an hour later, the young influencer in the VW van next door starts his engine to charge his laptop. In the meantime, we go into the water; there I can cool off. The tide has flooded the rocks and the sea sparkles in all imaginable shades of blue: cobalt, azure, helios, aquamarine, turquoise, up to sky blue and smurf blue. One can't even list them all.

By now, the local extended families have arrived for swimming. The peace is now completely gone. Car doors are slamming open and shut, picnic and cooler bags are being unloaded, dogs are being trained, children wrapped in swimming rings.

Joyful screams, noise, and laughter, all sorts of fun activities.

Until a sudden rumble of thunder puts an end to the tumult. A dark wall of clouds is advancing relentlessly and rumbling noticeably over our heads.

There is tense silence on the beach, we hold our breath together and then everything happens very quickly. Air mattresses, cooler bags, drinks, chip bags, towels, children, dogs—all of a sudden, all the gear is packed up and the beach is completely empty in no time.

Only the influencer uploads the pictures of the day.

And a late swimming command quickly goes into the water.

We also gather our things, as parking at this spot is prohibited at night between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM. They’re quite clever here, as the ban doesn’t just apply to motorhomes and caravans, but to all “habitable” vehicles! And we don't want to test whether this is checked by the municipal police at the crack of dawn.

While we are folding up the chairs, suddenly the solitary vehicle of the last bathers starts up. I can't believe it. No one inside, no one around, the car just starts and roars in my ears!

Just quickly away to our same, sleepy, and so beautifully calm regular spot!