For those that don’t know, Norfolk is a region of the UK, known for its flatlands and wetlands.  It appears that France has the same type of region, the Camargue.  However , with typical flair and panache, the Camargue is also full of spectacular white horses and bulls, used for bloodless bull fighting.

The Camargue is a vast wetlands that is formed in the Rhône delta in a triangular shape between the petit Rhône and the grand Rhône  after they split in Arle, ending at the Mediterranean Sea, so today, we have freshwater and the dark blue Med to look at.  Staying in the town of St-Maries de la Mer, we headed off in search of the sea, following the cries of gulls and and small children pestering their parents, we found the centre of the town, which, has a strangely Spanish influence with white washed walls and paella offered at the restaurants.  Even the church at the centre was reminiscent of those found in mainland Spain, two countries in one stop..I call that a bargain !.

  

A boat trip up the the petit Rhône rewarded us with sitings of  grey heron, cormorant and white egret waiting to feast on the salt and fresh water fish that live in  these waters as river and sea meet.  Sadly, none of of the fabled pink flamingoes that also inhabit this area appeared.  Along the banks, the bulls bred for the course Camarguese  on a manade (bull farm) where each requires at least 3 ha to feed.  The mounted herdsmen, the gardians  work alongside the animals.  Along the banks, the young bulls, which can have a career in the ring of 10-15 years, were testing their strength.