It’s the end of the first week in Jun, today we depart for Paris and connect through to le Grau du Roi in the south of France along the Mediterranean coast. Le Grau du Roi has been a six year pilgrimage for us, its beaches and activities are a perfect detraction for our daughter and the seafood and inexpensive restaurants are a perfect attraction for me.
We first depart IAH on Continental. This is our first trip on a Boeing 767 as Continental recently downgraded to this aircraft from the B777 it had been using since retiring their DC-10s. In a word, the flight was disappointing. An earlier departure time, just after 3 pm, means one is less likely to obtain the required sleep and the aircraft itself does not compare in comfort with the previous model. Cramped seats and older audio-visual systems lead the list of disappointments, food and service were OK but for a Business Class fare, we were underwhelmed.
We easily connected to AF for our flight to Montpellier where we were met by our landlord. M. Coviesec always finds time to pick us up at the airport and drive us the 20 minutes to our apartment . Wow, what a view! The 4th floor of an apartment building at the end of the canal’s entrance into the sea with a view not only of the port entry but of the beach as well.
It’s been a long trip but we cannot wait for dinner. Tonight it’s le Rose des Sables, a very popular restaurant for us as well as with the locals. Le Grau du Roi is a working fishing town which unlike many of its neighbors is open and thriving every month of the year. Le Rose des Sables remains open even when the summer tourist return home, a testament to its reputation, excellent service, and always fresh seafood.
As we settle in for our first night, I can hear the waves slap against the sand on the beach below me. Vacation is underway.
