2nd October. Out on my ebike this afternoon - along the banks of the Adour until we hit the coast - then a left turn on to the Boulevard des Plages to parallel the coast all the way down to Biarritz where I stopped off at Kostaldea (below) to take in the uninterrupted sea view with a cappuccino. I've been driving past this place for several years now but this was the first time I had occasion to stop. It won't be the last.
It's usually packed during the season, but today - now that we're in October - there were just a few tables occupied. The way down there is mainly cycle tracks - which suits me fine - and it was a real pleasure to be out there in perfect weather - temps in the low 20s (I'm guessing) and low humidity - under the pines with the sun's heat releasing the smell of the needles.
We were saddened yesterday to hear of the passing of Charles Aznavour - at the ripe old age of 94. A genuine performer, he loved singing to his audience and he'd just returned from giving a concert in Japan. He reportedly wrote over 1200 songs and recorded 91 albums. What a work ethic..! Here's a favorite I remember hearing back in the sixties..
Out of all his songs, this was the one that did it for me - I wouldn't change a word: