With siblings in Brittany - June 2012

My 70th birthday was 12th June 2012, and my brothers and sister had suggested we might all get together for a short holiday at Hugh and Kate's cottage in Brittany (see July 2011 photos), and so it was that David and Rosanne, Ann and myself descended upon the cottage in Kerbalanen for a few days just before 12th June. The weather in England had changed from wall-to-wall sunshine a week earlier, to dull, cold and wet in the few days before we left, and the forecast was very drear both for Brittany and for England for this period, so we went, with plenty of reading material, and a massive jigsaw in our luggage, ready for some pretty bad weather. In the event, it was comparatively cool for France in June, but we were not unduly hindered in getting out and about as the photos should show.

Wednesday June 6 - We travel to Kerbalanen

Ann and I had stayed with David and Rosanne the night of June 5th, and hence it was no trouble to leave Oxford in the Lexus at 7:45, to board the 10:00 ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. The weather was a good mix of sunshine and showers while we were on the boat, and we duly docked at Caen, on schedule at 5:00 pm French time, one hour ahead of British time.
The Sat Nav had been duly programmed to take us all the way to Kerbalanen, which was a good fast dual carriage-way almost all the way. It was at times amusing to decode what my Navigator was saying, as her French pronunciation was nowhere near as good as her English. It took us just over 3 hours to complete the 203 miles to Kerbalanen, and it was not so surprising that we were able to arrive a good half hour before we were expected, to be welcomed by fine weather, and a nice relaxing drink in the gazebo Hugh had set up in his garden.

Thursday June 7 - Huelgoat, Plougonven, and Locquirec

Weather is certainly looking dodgy, but Kate, Rosanne, Ann and myself are keen to go walking somewhere, and Kate takes us to nearby Huelgoat. There is a lake at Huelgoat, and a stream which leaves the lake has created its own rather spooky geography, and there are some interesting paths to help explore the area. After lunch Hugh joins us, and we take a short walk near Plougonven. As we complete that walk, with the weather still fine, we make for Locquirec on the coast, and enjoy a further hour walking its fine coastal path.

It's Rosanne, Ann, and Kate, as we start our walk from Huelgoat.
The walk immediately takes us to the Chaos of rocks and boulders formed by river erosion.

And shortly there is the opportunity to take a ladder down into the jumble of boulders to see the Devil's Grotto. It as actually very dark indeed. No doubt at all that a flash is required here. Rosanne takes a look.
Still down below, you can just see the stream flowing by.

Soon after, another stairway takes us to the somewhat brighter Virgin's Kitchen.
The river bed is completely filled with boulders,

gradually opening out to some interesting views.
The paths are well made, and we had the place to ourselves on this day.

Once the terrain is flatter there are many picturesque views of the stream.
In an inventive fashion a stage has been constructed overlooking the Chaos, where opera is sometimes staged.

Walking done, that's me and sister Ann, courtesy of Rosanne.
After lunch, we walk again, this time joined by Hugh.

Chapels such as this are a common encounter on Brittany walks.
This church was more of a surprise; a large church in a clearing, locked up and with no roads anywhere close.

We are now at Locquirec on Brittany's north coast. This is Locquirec harbour, well sheltered, facing south.
The sun is out again now, so we enjoy the short coastal path round Locquirec peninsular,

which takes us round the headland to Locquirec beach, facing north.
Looking back along this path.

Friday June 8 - Morlais, Plougonven, and The Saints

The weather is still unsettled, but looks to be mostly dry. We take our lunch in Morlais, a town of great character dominated by a fine viaduct, which carries a railway. After a while in Morlais we visit Plougonven to see the Calvary at St. Yves. Much later, in the evening we visit the Valley of the Saints, only a few miles from Kerbalanen.

This is the famous viaduct, first seen from below,
and this one from higher up. It's a big and solid viaduct, pleasant to behold.

You can't stand on the top of the viaduct, but you can walk across lower down, where the series of arches make for an interesting picture.
The viaduct is also an excellent viewing point to see the rest of the town. This is the main square, from the viaduct.

Morlais boasts a small tourist train for an interesting way to see the town.
From the viaduct, looking the other way, you can see a cluster of boats, so it looks like you are seeing the harbour.

It is an extensive stretch of water, but is actually behind lock gates, else it would all drain away at low tide.
The cormorant, and some geese enjoy their specially made homes.

We take a tea break in the main square before moving on to Plougonven. Courtesy Rosanne.

Next stop was Plougonven, well-known as the site where Finistere's first Calvary was erected. Impressive and curious at the same time.
I'll not try to explain what a calvary is. There was a board which gives a short summary.

The church is also most impressive.
The church is open, and has a fine stained-glass window.

I also particularly liked the many gargoyles. Here are just two.
Another gargoyle.

Once back at the cottage, evening meal taken, it was still light at 9:30 pm, and Hugh, Ann and I decided we would take a quick trip over to The Saints at Carnoet. For myself I was very curious to see how the great project may have moved on since I was last here 1 year ago. I show a lot of pictures here, as all the saints have their own character.

First difference is that you can drive right up to the site. Here there were 9 blocks of granite looking very ready to be worked on, but no actual work in progress this year.
In the order we saw them, with fading light... St. Telo.

St. Tudwal.
St. Corentin.

St. Samson.
St. Malo.

St. Brieuc.
St. Claire Carrier.

St. Hern.
St. Herbot.

St. Karanteg, with Ann and Hugh helping to show the scale of these statues.
St. Kireg.

St. Anne.
St. Herve.

St. Idy.
St. Gweltaz.

.. and two anonymous ones.
Anon2.

As to how they had been placed, it was difficult to see the plan, but this could be the start of a mega-highway from the hilltop down to the valley. They do call this place 'La Vallee des Saints'!

Saturday June 9 - mostly in Kerbalanen

No photos this day. The weather was particularly wet in the morning. We did get out for some shopping in the afternoon, and managed a short local walk in the late afternoon. We all gave Hugh and Kate a helping hand in the garden when not actually raining, and in the spare moments we jointly tackled an extremely difficult 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, which we just managed to complete 12:15 am on Sunday evening.

Sunday June 10 - Lunch and the races

We had set aside Sunday lunch as being my main 70th birthday event, and for that we went to a very delightful restaurant, overlooking the harbour at Locquirec. For the afternoon we had also noticed that nearby, Plestin-les-Greves was holding a racing and trotting event on its beach.

At Locquirec harbour, just outside our restaurant. Hugh, Roland, Kate, Ann and David. Courtesy Rosanne.
And one from the table. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday treat. Courtesy Ann.

It was grey, but dry most of the time they were racing. We viewed from the sidelines, so to speak, but caught bits of the action. With the trotting it was not at all clear when they were racing, or just.. trotting. Here are three trotters trotting. .
Here are some more, who can't be racing.

Whereas this is in full flow.
And this is the real action movie (no tripods here).

Now here come the horses. It's two laps each race.
Off they go, into the distance.

And this is the horses movie.
After all the excitement, and taking some risk with the weather, Hugh, Kate, Ann and I take a walk along the coastline to the local harbour. Some of the houses we saw at the start were very fine creations, such as this.

A misty view of the harbour. We came back over the sands, it now being low tide.

Wednesday June 6 - We travel to Kerbalanen
Ann and I had stayed with David and Rosanne the night of June 5th, and hence it was no trouble to leave Oxford in the Lexus at 7:45, to board the 10:00 ferry from Portsmouth to Caen. The weather was a good mix of sunshine and showers while we were on the boat, and we duly docked at Caen, on schedule at 5:00 pm French time, one hour ahead of British time. The Sat Nav had been duly programmed to take us all the way to Kerbalanen, which was a good fast dual carriage-way almost all the way. It was at times amusing to decode what my Navigator was saying, as her French pronunciation was nowhere near as good as her English. It took us just over 3 hours to complete the 203 miles to Kerbalanen, and it was not so surprising that we were able to arrive a good half hour before we were expected, to be welcomed by fine weather, and a nice relaxing drink in the gazebo Hugh had set up in his garden.
Thursday June 7 - Huelgoat, Plougonven, and Locquirec
Weather is certainly looking dodgy, but Kate, Rosanne, Ann and myself are keen to go walking somewhere, and Kate takes us to nearby Huelgoat. There is a lake at Huelgoat, and a stream which leaves the lake has created its own rather spooky geography, and there are some interesting paths to help explore the area. After lunch Hugh joins us, and we take a short walk near Plougonven. As we complete that walk, with the weather still fine, we make for Locquirec on the coast, and enjoy a further hour walking its fine coastal path.
It's Rosanne, Ann, and Kate, as we start our walk from Huelgoat.			The walk immediately takes us to the Chaos of rocks and boulders formed by river erosion.
And shortly there is the opportunity to take a ladder down into the jumble of boulders to see the Devil's Grotto. It as actually very dark indeed. No doubt at all that a flash is required here. Rosanne takes a look.			Still down below, you can just see the stream flowing by.
Soon after, another stairway takes us to the somewhat brighter Virgin's Kitchen.			The river bed is completely filled with boulders,
gradually opening out to some interesting views.			The paths are well made, and we had the place to ourselves on this day.
Once the terrain is flatter there are many picturesque views of the stream.			In an inventive fashion a stage has been constructed overlooking the Chaos, where opera is sometimes staged.
Walking done, that's me and sister Ann, courtesy of Rosanne.			After lunch, we walk again, this time joined by Hugh.
Chapels such as this are a common encounter on Brittany walks.			This church was more of a surprise; a large church in a clearing, locked up and with no roads anywhere close.
We are now at Locquirec on Brittany's north coast. This is Locquirec harbour, well sheltered, facing south.			The sun is out again now, so we enjoy the short coastal path round Locquirec peninsular,
which takes us round the headland to Locquirec beach, facing north.			Looking back along this path.
Friday June 8 - Morlais, Plougonven, and The Saints
The weather is still unsettled, but looks to be mostly dry. We take our lunch in Morlais, a town of great character dominated by a fine viaduct, which carries a railway. After a while in Morlais we visit Plougonven to see the Calvary at St. Yves. Much later, in the evening we visit the Valley of the Saints, only a few miles from Kerbalanen.
This is the famous viaduct, first seen from below,			and this one from higher up. It's a big and solid viaduct, pleasant to behold.
You can't stand on the top of the viaduct, but you can walk across lower down, where the series of arches make for an interesting picture.			The viaduct is also an excellent viewing point to see the rest of the town. This is the main square, from the viaduct.
Morlais boasts a small tourist train for an interesting way to see the town.			From the viaduct, looking the other way, you can see a cluster of boats, so it looks like you are seeing the harbour.
It is an extensive stretch of water, but is actually behind lock gates, else it would all drain away at low tide.			The cormorant, and some geese enjoy their specially made homes.
We take a tea break in the main square before moving on to Plougonven. Courtesy Rosanne.
Next stop was Plougonven, well-known as the site where Finistere's first Calvary was erected. Impressive and curious at the same time.			I'll not try to explain what a calvary is. There was a board which gives a short summary.
The church is also most impressive.			The church is open, and has a fine stained-glass window.
I also particularly liked the many gargoyles. Here are just two.			Another gargoyle.
Once back at the cottage, evening meal taken, it was still light at 9:30 pm, and Hugh, Ann and I decided we would take a quick trip over to The Saints at Carnoet. For myself I was very curious to see how the great project may have moved on since I was last here 1 year ago. I show a lot of pictures here, as all the saints have their own character.
First difference is that you can drive right up to the site. Here there were 9 blocks of granite looking very ready to be worked on, but no actual work in progress this year.			In the order we saw them, with fading light... St. Telo.
St. Tudwal.			St. Corentin.
St. Samson.			St. Malo.
St. Brieuc.			St. Claire Carrier.
St. Hern.			St. Herbot.
St. Karanteg, with Ann and Hugh helping to show the scale of these statues.			St. Kireg.
St. Anne.			St. Herve.
St. Idy.			St. Gweltaz.
.. and two anonymous ones.			Anon2.
As to how they had been placed, it was difficult to see the plan, but this could be the start of a mega-highway from the hilltop down to the valley. They do call this place 'La Vallee des Saints'!
Saturday June 9 - mostly in Kerbalanen
No photos this day. The weather was particularly wet in the morning. We did get out for some shopping in the afternoon, and managed a short local walk in the late afternoon. We all gave Hugh and Kate a helping hand in the garden when not actually raining, and in the spare moments we jointly tackled an extremely difficult 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle, which we just managed to complete 12:15 am on Sunday evening.
Sunday June 10 - Lunch and the races
We had set aside Sunday lunch as being my main 70th birthday event, and for that we went to a very delightful restaurant, overlooking the harbour at Locquirec. For the afternoon we had also noticed that nearby, Plestin-les-Greves was holding a racing and trotting event on its beach.
At Locquirec harbour, just outside our restaurant. Hugh, Roland, Kate, Ann and David. Courtesy Rosanne.			And one from the table. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday treat. Courtesy Ann.
It was grey, but dry most of the time they were racing. We viewed from the sidelines, so to speak, but caught bits of the action. With the trotting it was not at all clear when they were racing, or just.. trotting. Here are three trotters trotting. .			Here are some more, who can't be racing.
Whereas this is in full flow.			And this is the real action movie (no tripods here).
Now here come the horses. It's two laps each race.			Off they go, into the distance.
And this is the horses movie.			After all the excitement, and taking some risk with the weather, Hugh, Kate, Ann and I take a walk along the coastline to the local harbour. Some of the houses we saw at the start were very fine creations, such as this.
A misty view of the harbour. We came back over the sands, it now being low tide.