Lin won. It was 27°C and exceedingly hot.

I said we should hire a car with air-con; Lin said we should walk. Between these two extremes were hiring a mini-moke or cycling for which there are many Location de Vélos in Port Joinville.

In the end and by mutual agreement, we agreed a compromise. We’d walk. Lin began studying the map of this lovely 10km x 4km Île d’Yeu.

The bus…

We took the 1412 No 1 bus for its 17 minute journey from outside the Marie (the start of its route) across the island to the Plage des Sabias (the end of its route), whence we’d start our walk.

All roads on the island are really small, much smaller than Guernsey’s, and most buildings are painted white with Wedgwood blue shutters.

Very much a Caribbean look and feel.

…the walk…

Having plastered ourselves with factor 30, we set off for the hour’s walk along the coast path which looked very similar to Guernsey’s south coast path, but scaled down.

En route was the 14th century ‘Le Vieux Château’, the Island’s only fortification, which becomes surrounded by the sea as the tide rises.

All that’s left is the main castle, but in its hey-day, the castle occupied a considerable area – see the pic.

Journey’s end was Port de la Meule, a tiny, pretty harbour mainly used by crab and lobster fishermen.

…the marriage…

Just before climbing on board the No 5 bus for the return journey (the start of its route), a bride and groom appeared from the Port’s small but busy café. They’d just been married, had their reception at the café and needed to catch the bus back to the Port. I began taking photos…

In the bus they made straight for the back seats from where the groom asked if I would take some pictures of them with his camera.

They were so in love and so happy. Humbling.

…the bus

The No 5 took 11 minutes to return us to the Marie at Port Joinville (the end of its route).

We didn’t turn our heads to see what might be happening on the back seats.

Piers and Lin
from the Saloon of
Play d’eau
Fleming 55

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