Back

Calais | Day 200 of my 2023 Journal of my 2023 Journal

Cecilie Conrad·Jul 19, 2023· 3 minutes

🇩🇰 Read in Danish 🇬🇧

The police were out all evening checking the bunkers, looking at the seals, and politely sending their “bonjours” in our direction when walking by the van and the RV. So, even though we had just stopped alongside the road, we thought there would be no problem staying the night. I hope the police were there to protect the seals and the rest of the natural site. Maybe they were. Perhaps I have to gain a bit of trust in the authorities.

We slept in silence and woke up to cars and bikes arriving, a good amount of people enjoying a walk or a run, a good vibe, and a lot of smiling. And we joined the movement: Walked with morning coffee in hand all the way to the low tide to dip in the cool waters and again meet the seals. You have to be respectful, it is their territory, so we retreated when the guarding one became guarding five. And just like last year, we had to run to save our bags, as the tide was coming in fast, and we did not notice.

Moving through the day, we had to get practical things done and place the vehicles at the station for campers, watch a documentary, and go for a walk to look at Calais.

We might need to give Calais more time. On the other hand, there are so many other great places in France. I love the natural site, and the fries were very, very good in overwhelming portions (two portions filling all five of us!) - and walking along the waters in and out of town was equally lovely. Except for the heavy rainfall we got caught in on the way back.

But then there was a rainbow, and we hung all the wet things in many new creative spaces invented there and then in the van, and had tea and some avocado and stayed up very late as it was our last evening with Bjørn and Ina.

In the night, the rain came back, and I listened to it on the van's roof while grateful for this beautiful life and all elements of it, including getting caught in the rain with some friends in a not-so-interesting place in France.

Love and light

Cecilie-Underskrift-300x133

Cecilie Conrad

See more images on Facebook

🇩🇰 Read in Danish 🇬🇧 

Thank you for reading
I would love to hear from you. Listen to your thoughts and reflections - or praise :) It is often emotional to share our life like this, and we get very happy when we get feedback from you. So feel free to share a comment below 😋 

Join us as we navigate life's challenges, finding solace in each other and in the rich cultural tapestry of Huichol art. A story of love, healing, an…Read more
We embrace the beauty of life's unstructured paths. We enjoy the simple moments, from marveling at street art to hunting for board games and art supp…Read more
I'm balancing family, work, and travel. It's a journey of finding joy in the most unexpected moments. On top, I'm trying to maintain my writing strea…Read more
I resisted the urge to take pictures and found magic in the everyday. A day's journey in local authenticity and unexpected enlightenment. Read more
Birds. Sugar. Jesus. Balance. The simple joys of life, like sharing a cup of coffee with loved ones. Discover how a mundane moment can hold profound …Read more
Delve into the heart of cultural immersion as we navigate the delicate balance between observing and participating in local traditions. Join us in re…Read more
Explore the profound traditions of Dia De Los Muertos through our personal journey of remembrance and cultural discovery. From sacred altars to vibra…Read more
Join me on my personal journey through Mexico as I navigate writing a book with a lifelong friend, unschooling my children, and embracing the vibrant…Read more
Join our family adventure as we discover the untamed remnants of Mayan culture in Playa del Carmen's exclusive community—no tickets, no crowds, just …Read more