Exploring the edge of the calanques - must do in Provence!

After our big weekend away we have had a pretty quiet week.  We did all the normal stuff; cleaning and apartment and grocery shopping.  On Tuesday we decided to head to La  Joilette to the plaza to buy a petanque set as there are courts close to us.  We also had yummy burgers at a cool restaurant we had seen a few times..........

They were really good - "sorry dad, we couldn't wait for you to be with us" - 

The statue man that the boys really like - Karl likes to say "stat you bro" - haha

On Wednesday we went to Karl's work to join him for lunch and check out where he spends his days.  This was fun and we will do it again soon.  Met a couple of his colleagues Lucie and Nacima - and took them Whitakers hokey pokey chocolate which was a major hit.  

Thursday was our big day - we went to explore Les Calanques.  The calanques national park is a huge area that goes between Marseille and Cassis along the Mediterranean coast .  As it was just me and the boys we went to the information centre to get some information.  The lady there suggested that the hikes would be too difficult for the children and recommended no one under 12 hike there.  We have since found that this is not true and will hike them with Karl at a later date - but before it gets too hot.  However today we decided to just catch the bus to the start of the calanques and just have a little explore.  We took bus 19 to the end of the line and then were walking wondering where to go when a French lady approached us and indicated that she would show us where to go.  She spoke very little English and with our very little French she managed to show us things and explain things on our 10 minute walk to a little beach and restaurant across a callanque.   We passed a little port which was mainly for fishing vessels and a nudist beach area and then along to where she left us.  This lady lived back where the bus stopped but walked with us about 10 minutes to a great spot - fantastic friendly French lady.  

This is the little beach she took us too - what a gorgeous place for our picnic.  This is Calanque de Samena.  The boys were keen for a swim - the water was chilly! 

This is a pinch myself kind of place.........................beautiful! 

Connor warming himself after his swim - white on white!!!!!!

Loki continuing to explore - finding rocks and fish.............

After our swim we walked up where our French lady had indicated to explore further - below is our wee beach and we headed toward to next callanque - Callanque de Mauvais Pas.  

The beautiful Marseille coast..........................

Time to head back - we decided to be adventurous and go back a different way - and then rejoin our other track - this did not work so well but we found our way back. 

We then wandered around the little village before catching our bus back to town........................

We then stopped at Prado Beach for ice-cream and a little explore - again so beautiful! 

On the train back after a pretty big day - enjoyed by all.  We cannot wait to head back to the callanques to explore more.