Yesterday we revisited the Camargue. This time we began at the salt works, a vast area of lagoons that are flooded and then allowed to dry up to collect the salt. For the first time we witnessed the harvesting of the salt. Dredges slowly worked across the salt/sand flats skimming the mostly salt grains and pouring them into dump trucks. The trucks sped across the flats to the mountains of salt, deposited their loads, and then sped back to reload in a continuous circuit of salt. Their product is touted as the caviar of salt!

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We drove across the mid section of the Camargue to Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, a rather typical seaside tourist town that sits near the north end of the Camargue. It held little interest for us, so we adjourned to our favorite spot, the Pont du Gau Ornithological Park nearby. As has happened  before when we are there in late afternoon, the flamingos put on quite a show.

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Although there was no market today due to the continuing Fete our favorite jazz group, Gig Street was playing in our nearby square. Therefore, our day began with a couple of hours of jazz. Jean was asked to dance by stranger. Pictures may be forthcoming of her exploits on the cobblestones!  In the afternoon we went up to Les Alpilles to do some drawing and painting.

This evening we met Pascal Bouterin at his gallery for some wine and wonderful conversation about art. He’s a terrific artist and warm personality. We hope we can get him to visit the Pacific Northwest soon.

Tomorrow we will return to the Camargue for the evening flamingo parade.

Good night!

Paul