I hurriedly change my plan for today when I checked the weather over breakfast. I had considered a slight energy top up in Pau before heading up into the foothills of the Pyrenees on what will be a short run in the car. The plan looked good but I have found that taking a trip up mountain roads in the rain to see no views is not the best plan. So it was a more direct route to Bayonne with no safety charge required (no mountains to climb) stopping at a couple of places along the way and adding in a stroll in the Forest of Chiberta on the edge of Bayonne. It is a southern remnant of the great forest of Le Landes where the largest area sits just below Bordeaux. Then I made a big top up of charge before checking in to the ibis Bayonne Centre in plenty of time to enjoy a wander around Bayonne before dinner at a local "restaurante Marrocain", which was excellent. I had sussed when looking at the menu and the online listing noting that it was Halal that no alcohol would be served which was fine with me. Interesting that a couple came in and the lady asked for something I did not hear but the waiter replied no alcohol. The reason I mention this is the man then asked for a beer which at first confused the waiter before he repeated that there was no alcohol. It was quiet for eating in but there was a steady stream of people to pick up takeaway orders. In the morning I had decided to take the short walk back to the Promenade des Pyrenees and would leave the car in the hotel parking lot. As I got to the car the heavens opened which was a surprise as the weather radar had shown the storm past. Two minutes wait and the rain stopped so back on foot. There was an antique market set up which was not busy and had stall holders scrambling to remove waterproof covers. They would soon be putting them back on. I took a few pictures and then headed off as the next downpour arrived. Along the road there were many snatched glimpses of the moutains and I have included a photo from a stop along the way. A number of the towns along the D roads were fortresses, Bastides, and I stopped at Navarrenx for a walk around a part of the fortress wall including an Echo Theatre now built in and it really did create an echo. While there the French Air Force aerobatic team flew over. A little extra treat. As I headed towards the Atlantic the weather dried up and warmed up as expected. I stopped in a little town, Bardos, hoping to grab a sandwich for lunch but everywhere was closed for their lunch! So a quick comfort stop and a snap of the church and distant mountains was it. I have just included two photos from the Forest of Chiberta which I hope represents the place. It is not a nature place but more an adventure place with jogging, horse and bike riding and dog walking being the main uses. Still nice to stretch my legs under the pines. That brings me to Bayonne on the impressive Adour river. I have left you guessing about the headline picture. This was one of the first things I encountered, a shepherd, his dog and a small flock of sheep giving a talk to a small crowd. Nice. As I mentioned the city is bisected by the Adour river and my hotel was on the side away from the old city so bridge walking was required. Saturday afternoon and a little warm sunshine certainly brought the people out, painters, families and tourists with they Paye Basque berets were just some. Most were shopping or eating and drinking and I did join them for a cold beer. The old city streets are narrow, sometimes busy and sometimes empty and of course there are at least a couple of huge churches. I’ll finish here with a view from near the hotel a little after sunset while walking back from my Tajine and a sip of mint tea to follow.