Day No. 23 - Dune du Pilat - Donostia-San Sebastián - Zarautz

We retired to La Forêt du Pilat campsite. This campsite is very small, which we like. There are only a few pitches between a few wooden huts. But we were able to choose a pitch. Here you are right next to the dune. As it was windy, we wanted something warm in our stomachs. Once again, we cook our standard dish: pasta with colorful vegetables. We are slowly having to come up with a variation.

Es geht früh in die Koje. – Habe ich von der Düne geträumt? – Nein „die Gedanken sind frei“.

But when I wake up, I want to go up. Torgit, thinks only briefly about the whistling wind, the shifting sand and gives up. As the sun has yet to make an appearance, we pack up and celebrate our morning coffee party. But then the sun comes out and the whole dune lights up. I quickly grab the drone and set off on the ascent. -

Ascent sounds like an exaggeration? Climb up first. - But once I reach the top, I am rewarded with a fantastic view. Apart from me and a few scattered paragliders, there's hardly anyone else to be seen. Now it's time to connect the drone and recalibrate the compass. Everything fits. - Everything?

Do you know those moments when you have the right subject, the sun is shining and just as you're about to start shooting, a big cloud appears in front of the sun? - That's exactly what happened here. Looking at the cloud, it was clear that I didn't have to hope for better weather. But the location is a blast even without the sun. Experiencing a dune like this in the middle of Europe is gigantic. I became most aware of the elemental force here when I read that the dune shifts by around 5 meters per year. That's over 300 meters in a human lifetime. Doesn't sound like much? - What do you think if your house is nearby?

Also Drohne starten, schön vorsichtig, denn die Flieger sind nicht allzu fern. – Der Wind zeigt mir schnell, dass ich mit meinen Flugkenntnissen hier im Grenzbereich bin. Also runter damit und einpacken. – Da setze ich mich lieber noch ein wenig auf die Düne und beobachte die Gleitschirm- Flieger. „Über den Wolken, muss die Freiheit wohl grenzenlos sein – Alle Ängste, alle Sorgen sagt man – Blieben darunter verborgen – Und dann würde was uns groß und wichtig erscheint plötzlich nichtig und klein“ – Reinhard May ist hier nichts mehr hinzu zu fügen.

Would you like a few more superlatives and facts? Largest sandpit in Europe, largest shifting sand dune in Europe.

Nature reserve: Over 80 meters high, 500 meters wide and approx. 2.7 kilometers long.

Approx. 60 million cubic meters of sand. - Located at the mouth of the Bassin d'Arcachon.

South of the small town of Arcachon and the suburb of Pyla sur Mer, opposite Cap Ferret.

After my descent, which I do by hopping, because it goes down really quickly, I head back out onto the road. Today's destination is Donostia-San Sebastián. We want to leave France behind us and finally experience a little warmth again. - On the way, we look for a little spot for a second breakfast...

There are certainly worse places to have breakfast. - We enjoy sitting by the rippling water. - Whoever made this spot so inviting is to be thanked. - Freshly fortified, we set off again. We drive past a heath-like landscape and then onto the highway. But even this is beautiful today. Huge, flowering pampas grasses can be seen to the left and right over a long stretch. - But even that passes and the highway looks like a highway...

Once we arrive in Donostia-San Sebastián, we drive through the city and take in the Basque port city. - As you can see, first impressions are deceptive. - Coming off the highway, we first see prefabricated buildings. - But the more we look, the more we like what we see. Beautiful townhouses line our path. Then we head to Zurriola hondartza. Once there, we quickly realize why surfers love this town. A surf beach in the middle of the city center, very, very nice. We sit down on the rocks at the side and enjoy the sun. Now it's time to find a place to spend the night. - We quickly decide to leave the city and drive to Gran Camping Zarautz. The way out of the city takes us past the harbor and many upmarket commercial buildings. The town is not only famous among filmmakers, but there are also said to be plenty of good restaurants. We plan to explore the city the day after tomorrow.

Der Platz in Zarautz ist auf einem Berg gelegen, von dem man einen wunderbaren Blick aufs Meer und die Bucht hat. Vor dem eigentlichen Campingplatz, mit jeder Menge „Jogurt Bechern“ steht eine ganze Ansammlung von Bullis. Schnell schließen wir uns an und treffen u.a. auf ein paar gesellige Kölner oder sollte ich Ehrenfelder sagen!? – Der Abend endet mit Bier, Whisky und Zigarillo. Plötzlich habe ich das Gefühl, die Lampe anzuhaben. – Doch es ist nicht der Alkohol, es geht einfach ein Licht an. Direkt über uns, an einer Mauer hängt, einem strahlenden Ballon ähnlich, eine Laterne direkt über Hector. – Er bekommt seinen Heiligenschein und wir nutzen ein paar Kissen, um das Licht auszusperren. – Gute Nacht John Boy.