Sanary-Sur-Mer

We picked a lovely town to finish up our tour of the French Med. and at dinner that night we picked a lovely bottle of red wine from the next town over called Bandol. We will be picking up a bottle or two later for our trip across the Atlantic. Bandol is famous for its grape variety and brand of red wine. Our good friends Marc and Louise could explain better. I'll be sure to ask. Fo now, we'll just enjoy it.

We look lovely for dinner.

Another French culinary feast.

The next day, it's a trip to the Saturday market and first stop - the tuna head booth. We skipped the head but did pick up excellent fillets.

A stop for some fresh salmon.

Don't forget your fruits and vegetables!

There I am, styling on my ride outside the market.

On foot, we do some shopping.

And more shopping.

Ah, the latest in French fashions!

On our way back to Jungle we take in some of the local boats.

Very colorful.

These homes are at the end of our dock. There is a walkway up behind them that we'll check out later.

The sea is good for windsurfing today, not much else.

An expanded view off our dock.

A look at Jungle and the town. When we called into the marina, they were full but squeezed us in for a few nights on the welcome dock (Accuiel). We've found this throughout France, they always find a way to fit us into a spot in the marinas. Very much appreciated. Merci beau coup.

A little background. While on the dock this pretty boxer (dog) comes running up to me and I go crazy petting it, as I always do - I dig dogs. The owner comes up and we start to chat. He has a boat on the dock and asks me about Jungle. I tell him we sailed from California and says what everyone says - California? Oui. We hit it off and Philipe invites us to come to have mussels with him the next day. Philipe's English is passable, my French is not, but we agree to go at lunch. So here we are. We were thinking little restaurant but it turns out to be a mussels processing business.

We are at the plant that processes the mussels and oysters for restaurant and stores in the area.

It is a full fledged processing plant.

The place is owned by Philipe. He's taking me through the process in French, but I'm following.

Here are the vats of purified seawater that is used to clean the mussels and oysters. The beds are in the bay out back. By the way, we are in Toulon where the French Navy intercepted us two days ago.

Philipe asks me where we want to eat, I say out back is fine so they set up a table and every one gets a platter of raw mussels and oysters, with lemon slices, no sauce. Turns out to be fantastic, never tasted better. The French wine and bread helps. From left to right, that's Claude, me, Philipe and Daniel. These are also Philipe's golfing buddies.

After lunch, we head to another spot on the water for coffee. In all of France, you must have coffee after meals - government requirement. This is Rochers des Deux Freres (The Two Brothers Rocks). We passed these a couple of days prior before meeting up with the French Navy (go on a heading of 180 degrees (south) for 5 miles please)

Philipe's pal Daniel has a nice ride - Aston Martin. Jenée rode with Daniel. But of course.

Here is the gang, enjoying coffee ...

... And a great view.

This gentlemen shows up selling dancing animals - they sing and dance to rap.

The groups says arret, arret (stop, stop!). They are not interested.

So here we are working on our coffee and there are the 3 dancing rap animals - 10 euro each. Great deal.

Philipe takes this shot of Jenée and I.

Back at the marina. Philipe wants to take us to lunch the next day. We're going.

Here we are in the town of Bandol at lunch - what a place! Philipe did not disappoint with his selection of restaurants. That's my meal. Steak with foix gras and red wine sauce on toast. Check out my Lincoln log potatoes. It was fantastic. What a surprise!

Now for my coffee and dessert. Magnifique!

After lunch and back in the town, Jenée and I take a little stroll up the hill off our dock and through the neighborhoods to possibly work off the meal. Not much needed for dinner tonight.

We are heading back to Jungle. Did I mention it is winter here? Summer is definitely over on the Med.

Still very beautiful to see.

We're back in the harbor. Tomorrow, Philipe will take us back to Bandol wine country for tastings and to stock up Jungle with some select French wines. Philipe doesn't drink much wine, but like a true Frenchman, he knows his wines - in detail. Until then.