# Day 7 and following. Welcome to the cht'is

The title says it all - in the French movie 'Welcome to the cht'is', the postmaster is transferred from the Cote d'azur to the north and ends up in a small town in the Hautes France region, where the local population has its own unique way of speaking.

We haven't experienced that - my French is praised and we can communicate. But the area looks exactly like in the movie.

But if there's one stereotype that has to be fulfilled, it's the weather... 'where it always rains'...

Can you imagine a Sunday by the sea, spending the whole day in the camper van because it's raining?

And not just a little bit, no, the walk of 200 meters to the reception to get bread made me soaking wet.

The only entertainment was the handball match THW Kiel - Flensburg as a live broadcast on N3, which was no problem with the newly acquired data card from free mobile.

In fact, we didn't leave the camper van until 6 p.m., so there's nothing to tell - except for the raindrops knocking on my window.

When we go out at 6 p.m. during a dry spell, we actually intend to go out for dinner.

First, a small detour to the lighthouse, which is located just behind the campsite on a hill. After all the rain, the path is a bit slippery. Too slippery for one of us, resulting in a mud bath.

Going out for dinner is canceled.

We spend the evening studying the area and selecting the next destination.

That can be found just 50 km further at the Cote d'opale in the holiday region Quend plage. The camping site there is praised and is located right on the outskirts next to a forest dune.

The next morning, we're off.

The drive through the countryside on the well-developed departmental road D 940 is unspectacular. So far, the area hasn't convinced me. Except for the stretch between Calais and Boulogne sur mer, where the landscape was hilly and offered glimpses of the sea and the cliffs, it is now only flat and the sea is out of sight.

But the weather is finally better and the sun is shining. The campsite in Quend Plage turns out to be exactly as we expected it - pleasant surroundings, not far from the beach, a small town with a pedestrian zone. The campsite offers spacious pitches because it is not full. The location next to the pine forest is pleasant, with different levels and coves. Entrance barrier with parking meter - the night costs 10,- € and there is also a disposal facility.

But why are there so many children with their parents or grandparents?

The internet provides the answer - in France, it's spring break until May 1st and the region is full of holiday parks and large resorts. It's no wonder that at the central points, the annoyed fathers and the dedicated mothers only want the best for their little ones. The grandparents, on the other hand, are more relaxed and enjoy the lively kids.

The next morning it's cool and the sun is not in sight. Actually, a bike ride to the estuary of the 'Somme' was planned. That's about 20 km, but the joy is limited when considering the external circumstances. We even consider breaking camp and moving on. But where to? Nowhere is better in this region. When the sun finally comes out, it suddenly gets better and we mount our bikes.

What comes next can definitely be called a surprise and a nice day. First, the bike route to Le Croyot - top quality bike paths through the countryside, past lonely villages and farms, the nature reserve for birdlife (Parc du Marquenterre) and the floodplain ponds along the road. A flat and varied route finally brings us to Le Croyot, a place at the mouth of the Somme, which appears very dry at low tide. That changes over the next few hours as the tide raises the water level by several meters. We experience the high tide in the afternoon at 4 p.m. when we are on our way back. All holidaymakers seemed to have been waiting for this moment and are gathered on the water's edge.

Le Croyot offers a small promenade for strolling and a lively town center around the central Place de Memorial Jeanne d'Arc on the promenade. Here we also find the restaurant Cote d'opale and we feel like treating ourselves to the regional specialty - mussels with fries. That's just right in the best weather on the outdoor terrace.

A protest banner by the fishermen from the town is attached to the statue of Jeanne d'Arc. They are fighting against the injustice of political disputes over their fishing rights in the English Channel, which, since the withdrawal of the English from the EU, means a limitation of fishing zones for the French fishing industry.

The way back is a bit more difficult because the wind blows from the front. That's when the e-bike battery can show what it's made of.

Back at the camper van, we enjoy the sun rays and have a little drink on the camping chairs outside. After all, it's almost 16 degrees, almost spring-like.

When we crawl out of bed on Wednesday morning, winter has suddenly returned. Only 4 degrees, so we didn't even need a refrigerator. The butter on the table is just as hard as if it had been left in the fridge.

Thank God the heating is working.

Our destination after breakfast today is the region around the mouth of the Seine near Le Havre. That's 200 km and we have plenty of time.