We've looked at Cassis from both sides now

Today was the least structured day of our trip. We ended up doing a scenic drive from the next town over - La Ciotat - back to Cassis. You look one direction and see ocean-and in this case La Ciotat

And the other for more of that rugged scenery. 

Next pull off: the ocean

Or scenery

The road was very narrow and of course, with two way traffic (and hikers and bikers), and mostly without guard rails to prevent a plunge.  But the big story of today is wind. 25-35 mph gusts at times. And no matter where I stood. the wind found a way to blow my hair into my face  I was constantly holding it back. 

You can see I like the views with railings to hold on to.  They were rare this was much more common.

And this is the view down

And to give some perspective:

Sometimes the pull off from the road still required some walking to find the view.

Around another bend in the road we finally got a view of the town where we are staying-Cassis. It's the leftmost bay in this photo 

And for the postcard view

Rich spied and photographed a stand up paddler on one of the bays.  He was braving the wind and the elements  

We enjoyed the drive. 

Next we were off to the other side of the city. We parked at the foot of a hiking trail and used the bathroom.  It came with a glass of rosé.

Actually the wine came with the use of bathrooms. The French don't seem to find it necessary to have much in the way of public facilities - and if they do, it might just be a hole in the ground.

We set off on our bike around the calanques. The first is used as a boat port. 

The calanques are long and skinning, and our hike took us all the around this one

Our wind problem continued-I took some refuge by this boulder.

We made it to the entrance of the port calanque 

It's nice to see the blue sky today 

Even with the wind 

If you were worried about the children of Cassis, don't worry-there is a carrousel - but we like this better.  A group of children being pulled along in rowboats behind one with a motor like a duck with her ducklings. 

We then hiked over to the second calanque but realized we had to turn back as we had dinner reservations.  My guide Rich saved me from taking the trail marked "DANGEROUS"....I was just following the well equipped German hikers who did take that path.

I lived to hike another day. 

On to our dinner reservation in town after a little cleanup at home. We were early so explored town a bit more including the lighthouse

Pretty views out here like this panorama

Or the boats

Or the view to town 

 

Now for some bouillabaisse.  Cassis and nearby Marseilles are home to this French saffron-rich fish soup. It's presented with a bowl of broth into which you put aoli covered toast til it gets soggy, eat that and then the staff return with more broth to go with the plate of cooked seafood  They present that plate of sea creatures to you for approval prior to cooking them. I was able to look look my dinner in the eye first. I liked it - but as Rich said, It's no lobster stew. 

The setting sun capped off our day.