July 26: Adios to Spain, and Bonjour to a new road trip in south France

Packed up and drove to airport, returning our rental. We had successfully road tripped from Marbella to Barcelona, more than 1500 km! Got some airport snacks including funny human-shaped cream-stuffed donuts. One-hour flight to Marseille.

Picked up new car rental, and left the city towards Camargue National Park, with a stop for some groceries on the way (pastries, chicken, baguette, soft cheese, carrots, tomatoes, and water). Camargue is a unique ecosystem in France: it is a delta at the mouth (embouchure in French) of the Rhone river. The freshwater of the river meets the salt water of the sea to make a series of brackish shallow lagoons. Some unique animal and plant life is here, including flamingos and a special breed of horse (that used to run wild here).

We went on a nature walk which lacked some interest apart from the horses; frankly Bayfield trails are more interesting. However, we drove toward the salt flats and the coast, and after 3 km of walking, found a huge beach which we enjoyed virtually all to ourselves! Fun picnic and waves to play in. Stayed here until sunset. Salt is harvested from the water here, and we drove by a giant pile of it (reminiscent of Goderich salt mine north of Bayfield in Ontario).

Made our way toward Arles (and a suburb called Fourques), stayed overnight in a quirky AirBnB. Definitely no disabled access here; challenging stairs to reach bathroom from upstairs rooms…