Blogs from Brittany , France, Europe - page 9

En Cap Sizun Brittany If you can not improve the silence then don’t break it. Clear sky above - silence all around - near solitude abounding. Not many around – its outside tourist season. Not a lot happening except the sea smashing itself against rocky cliffs. 2 places of note 1. Point du Raz – is the westernmost point of (mainland) France. Ile de Sein immediately offshore. 2. Pointe du Van – where we camped atop a cliff overlooking the Atlantic – A quiet black sky dropped in after sunset and later lit up with a set of stars lit up like LEDs A few weeks ago I compared Audeville in Normandy with Land’s End in Wales. I have to amend that. French cartographers refer to Point du Raz as their “ Lands End” . While ... read more

Plougastel Daoulas The Calvary Our camp was next to the town’s sports centre. A great cross section of age groups came and played and went. Lots were interested in skate boarding – which seems to be taught in formal sort of way with instructors. But many went indoors for soccer and tennis or squash. A rugby team practised tackling. A short walk away in the town centre a sculpted structure in the church yard drew our attention. This one is called “The Calvary”. From the 15th to the 17th centuries in this area parishes tried to outdo each other with flamboyant monuments in the church yard - or parish close. Architectural detail extended beyond the church to the grounds including a stone surrounding wall, a triumphal gateway, a fountain and a monument. This monument was built ... read more

30thSlept late after a disturbed night & woke to thick mist & fog which cleared to reveal a beautiful day. We didn't do much – just sat in the sunshine, read our books & Cathy even caught a few zzz's in the chair... 31st A chilly start to the day again & we had a late breakfast then took the bikes out down unexplored lanes & around to the beach then back up the hill home. It got brighter so we walked back down the beach & decided to have moules frites at a lean to cafe opposite run by 3 hippy types, 2 girls & a chap all jolly friendly. The meal was lovely & they used thyme as a seasoning in the moules & on the frites. This was grand at the time but ... read more

28thAnother grim morning but a pleasant afternoon so took the bikes out past the local beach, up a steep hill & we found a little path off the coastal path that led down to a very treacherous point by the sea. There were stunning caves which echoed the boom of the waves hitting the back walls – I dare say that they'll become arches over time. A couple of fishermen were on another point half a mile away, a kayak was moving slowly moving through the swell – that was life that afternoon by the sea. We had a bite to eat & carried on round the roads back to the beach, watched life go by then headed back for tea. A German van had turned up & despite having the whole site to choose from, ... read more

It's been very mixed weather but thankfully not much rain. Either hot sunny days or just overcast. We've bumbled about doing all sorts & meeting our neighbours. Across the way is a lady from Paris who used to run a tabac / cafe with her husband who died 3 years ago. She talks for France whether you understand her or not – I helped her out with her caravan door twice as she couldn't lock it & was called 'le gentil anglais' from then on. Next to us was who we called Gruntyman – he had some form of nervous tic & he grunted to himself ALL the time & especially when he was concentrating. On the other side was a young family – 3 children with one due in October...blimey! He worked for HSBC in ... read more