Month: May 2019

Pay day, imagine getting paid to do this. Ha. Another pay day tomorrow. Double time!!!!!!

I spoke last night to the owner last night about how beautiful the Crozon nature reserve was. Did you see those buildings in the way to Camaret? Their missile bases. I did notice them and they are massive. Along the north coast are the nuclear submarine pens! And further in is the French helicopter base. Nice nature reserve.

Started off the day travelling to a small medieval town of Lacronan. Very well kept but full of Korean visitors. It was used for the filming of Tess. Cool place.

From here I called in at Dournenez which used to be the largest fish processing port in France. All gone but some of the ships are on display in a small harbour.

Onto Baie Des Trespasses which is called the Bay of Death by the number of dead bodies that got washed up over the years. Nice spot though with people out body boarding and surfing. Good waves.

Next to this was the Pointe du Raz which is the French equivalent of Lands End. Much better with a smart l

 

Overcast this morning with a slight drizzle. I’d booked the 11am boat trip this morning so walked down to Crozon harbour only to be told the trip was off because they need a minimum of 12 to make it worth while. We only had three. Gutted.

Never mind, lots more to see. Set out for Camaret which is supposed to be the most picturesque village in Brittany. It’s true!!!!!! Based in a small bay it’s got rows of cafes and restaurants along the shore. At the far end is a quay with a mausell fort at the end. Just before that were rotting fishing boats up on the beach. A sad left over from good fishing days.

Id spotted a sign for the Point de Pen Hir so headed to that. It’s onlt a stones throw from the village but just outside was prehistoric stone circle. Huge.

Before the Cap was a WW11 Atlantic meseum with anchors from ships sunk. Also a German bunker complex. Worth a visit.

From Le Conquet travelled east to Brest. My travel book told me it was worth missing as it was close I gave it a go. It’s a bloody concrete jungle. Everything was concrete apart for a fort in the harbour. I did not even stop to take a photo. Brest was cold and wet and as you know no one likes a wet and cold Brest!!!!!!!!! Had to get on in.

The main stop today was the Crozon peninsular which is a national nature reserve. First stop was the town of Crozon itself. Market day on a Wednesday so had a look round that. The fish stall was impressive. It’s onlt a small seaside village but a major tourist attraction with its pleasant cafes and restaurants. Spotted a funny scene by the tourist office. A toilet with a hole in the wall. Someone desperate for a poo!!!!!

Im going on a boat trip tomorrow from Morgot just along the coast. Headed over there to book the trip along the coast to see the caves. Apparently their famous. We shall see. Stopping here for two nights which is unusual. Wrap up warm for the trip.

Starting to slow down a bit now after a busy two weeks. Completely in the rhythm of the trip now. Going to do a lot more longer stops on the journey. The problem is that most places are only small!!!!!!

Headed across to Plougerneau which has a beautiful small harbour with kids out sailing in small dingies. Braver  than I am as it was cold and very windy. It’s been raining on and off all morning. I visited the last aber at Wrach which was a goos spot.

Slowly meandered down the coast to Le Conquet which was the highlight of the day. Small town with a harbour. Boats bobbing up and down. Parked up for a couple a hours and wandered around. Just missed the market. Opposite Le Conquet there is a headland and I’ve managed to get in at a very quiet campsite. Across the road is the most stunning beach you could imagine. Two people on it with a dog!!!

Managed to fill up with diesel today without any issues. Must be getting easier.

The main objective today was to obtain a replacement gas cylinder. Sounds easy but more difficult than it should have been. This was accomplished at a supermarket in Morlaix around lunchtime. Good job!!!!!

First stop today was the cain of Barnenez which was built between 4500 and 3900 BC.. it’s the largest mausoleum in Europe. Basically a large collection of stones piled on top of one another.  With various tunnels into it it’s very impressive.

From here to Morlaix to get my gas and have a look round. It’s quite famous this place as it was the landing port of both Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie on separate occasions. A tad inland but with a tidal river.

On along the coast to Roscoe which is worth by passing. Then on to Plouescat and Brignogan. Both only small holiday spots but very quiet at the moment. All the way along the coast passed field of artichokes growing. Fascinating sight.

Im staying at a campsite near Brignogan that have two wolves on site. They let them loose at 10pm so make sure your in bed!!!!!!

We are in proper Brittany here would you know. They speak Breton here so all the sign posts are in two languages. Just like Wales. Damn!! I have problems keeping up with the French ones. Now the bastards are adding another. No wonder I get confused.

Today is Election Day in France. I don’t know if it’s because of that or a Sunday but everything is closed. And I mean everything! The country is like a ghost town. Nothing is moving.

Headed west to Binic which is a small town on the coast with some very expensive Salinger boats in the marina. I mean like sailing to America. Massive.

On to Painpol to visit the monastery there but that was not so exciting. On to Lannion and round the peninsula called Granit Rose. Red granit rocks everywhere. Cool.Made camp at a municipal site on the Baie de lannion. Very impressive these municipal sites. I’ll stick with them if I can on my travels.

What a ta do!!! Could not get out of the campsite this morning. Is it me?? The code you get from the machine to get in is the same to get out. Up to the barrier and entered the code. Nothing first second and third time. A local English guy came to help. Nothing. So what to do. I looked around and we were beside a football pitch and there was a gap in the French both on this side and the other. I could just get through. So over the pitch a drove and over to the other side. Turned left but that was blocked by a large bolder. Turned right down a one way road and eventually entered a car park and on to a main road. That too me one hour. Not best pleased!!!

Anyway On to St Malo which is a large walled town on the coast with not very good parking. Eventually found a spot just by the port and walked into town. St Malo was completely destroyed during the Second World War but has been rebuilt. Good job too. Spent a pleasant hour walking around the ramparts overlooking the sea and offshore islands. Nice.

From here I headed inland to a medieval town called Diann. Very old and well preserved. The centre was blocked off but parked nearby. Lots of Elizabethan houses about with narrow streets. Worth a visit.

Going west now I headed to Erguy and managed to get into a municipal campsite outside the village right on the shore.

I made an early start to the day with the intention of getting to eat the crowds at St Michel. It sure was busy. I’d hate to visit this place during the high season. The car parks are bigger than at the NEC. Honestly. It was worth visiting but I would not go out of my way to say it was exceptional. Some of the views over the surrounding shore were nice. I never made it to the church at the top. Struggled getting in and out of the car park. They do make it difficult???????

After a two hour walk about headed over to Cancale. Now this is my kind of place. Sleepy fishing village with good restaurants and shops.There were quiet a few stalls selling oysters along the sea front. In the restaurants you could buy 6 oysters and a glass of white wine for €8. Bargain. Stayed here over lunch which put me behind schedule. What schedule????

Anyway it meant that I would not have enough time to look round St Malo so I’ll leave that until tomorrow. Set up camp in a lovely aire at Poubalay. Really nice with electric showers etc and free Wi-fi. Good deal for €10?

Early stRt today as I had to travel further than average to get to Pontorson by the end of the day. St Michel in the morning.

travelled south to a sea side village called Cateret just as the fishing boats were heading out to sea. About a dozen in all. Only small local fishing boats.

On down to Granville which is the new town and the old fortress built by the English in the 15th century. The old town sits on a hill overlooking the sea. Narrow streets but interesting.

Final stop of the day was at Avranches. Henry 11 stayed here doing a penance for having Thomas Becket murdered. Bad Boy!!!!!!!

On to Portorson where I’m staying this evening. Lovely camp site with swimming pool restaurant and bar. It’s even got a sauna.

At last I’ve managed to get some clothes washing done!!!!

Started the day by heading to the monument at Utah beach. Couple of tanks and people carriers.

North to a stop at St Vaast la Hongue. It only looked small on the map by in fact has a large marina and fishing harbour. There is a ferry between here and an offshore island. See the amphibian ferry. Cool when it just drove out of the water.

On to Barfleur where more ships sailed from in 1066. Small fishing fleet were in. I stopped at the nearby Pointe de Barfleur with its cool lighthouses. New and old.

From here west to Cap Levi and had a walk along the shore. All the wild flowers are in full bloom. Nice.

Continued west to Cap de la Hague which is the most western point in Normandy. Lifeboat station and lighthouse.

Stopped the night at a municipal sight in Siouville Hague.